Ysabel and the Beast

Present

Today is my birthday and I'm not excited at all. I'm already seventeen years old and I think I'm a year older than Clarence. What? I'm older than Clarence? Geez. I looked at my chest, it's still the same. Nothing happened.

I went out of my room and went to the kitchen.

"Good morning Ysabel." Papa said.

Papa came home yesterday morning and bought a cake from Hong Kong.

"I believe Mr. South and his son will be coming this afternoon for your birthday."

"What? You should not invite Clarence." I protested.

"By the way Ysa, who are the people in there? They said they were your friends." Mama said as she pointed at the receiving room.

I went to the receiving room and saw Charlotte and Lance facing each other with sharp looks.

"Who are you?" Charlotte asked Lance.

"Ysabel's suitor." He answered.

I went behind him and pinched his arm.

"Ouch." He reacted.

I seated beside Charlotte.

"He's not my suitor, just an acquaintance." I said.

"Why is he here?" Charlotte asked.

"I don't know. Perhaps he's hungry."

"Mr. South! I thought you'll be coming this afternoon?" I heard papa said in surprised from the kitchen

"Yeah, that's what I planned but Clarence kept insisting that it would be better if we came early." Then Mr. South laughed.

"I did not! You're the one who forced me to come early." Clarence defended.

I heard them laughing for what Clarence said.

"Clarence, Ysabel is in the receiving room. Talk to her for a while, I think the catered food that we ordered will be coming soon." I heard mama said.

"Thank you." Clarence said.

We saw him enter the receiving room and lean on the wall as he cross his arms.

"What are you doing there? You look stupid." Lance said.

Maybe I should kick him outside the house. He's embarrassing Clarence.

"Lance is right. Why won't you take a seat? We got lot of spaces." Charlotte said.

Clarence sighed and walks towards Lance and seated beside him, in short in front of me.

I stared at him.

"What?" he asked.

I didn't answer him but glanced to other direction.

He sighed and throws something on my lap. I looked at it and it was a bracelet that was coloured blue and it also has my name in it. I put it on my wrist and it really fit. I was so happy. I looked at Clarence.

"Thank you." I said with a smile.

"Dad forced me to buy something." He said.

I nod with a smile. Even though he was just forced to buy this, I feel happy because he was the one who gave it to me. I consider it as his present for me.

"Hmp, bracelet? I have a better present for you Ysabel." Lance said with pride. He brings out a rectangular box with birthday wrapper. He handed to me.

"Thanks."

I opened his present and found out what it is, a rectangular wallet.

"I saw your wallet yesterday and it was so small. That's why I thought of giving you a bigger wallet." Lance said with a smile.

-_- "How thoughtful." I said.

"Sorry Ysabel. I have no present for you." Charlotte said.

"It's okay."