In Love With The Enemy

Chapter 23: Lianna's Special Day

"Sometimes the most shocking surprises are also the most beautiful surprises." ~Lori Wilhite

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"Rise and shine, Lianna," my mom said as she was waking me up. I opened my eyes and saw her sitting at the edge of my bed, smiling widely. "Happy Birthday, baby Tyler!" she greeted with the name they used to call me when I was young.

I smiled at her. "Thank you, mommy," I said in a small voice. Her eyes started watering. "Mom, don't cry." I laughed.

"You called me mommy again. I miss my baby Tyler," she said, hugging me.

I embraced her back. This always happens whenever she wakes me up on my birthday. It's the greatest thing ever and I wouldn't exchange it for anything in the world.

"Okay, enough of this, " she said, wiping her tears. "Your cousins are gonna call anytime. Get ready. I'll meet you downstairs, " she informed.

I nodded as a response before watching her walk out of my room.

When I was already wide awake, I stood up and fixed my bed. I also played music because I was in a really good mood.

After fixing my bed, I walked to the framed white card stock hanging on my wall and wrote, "April 23, 2017. 18th birthday."

I write on that card stock every year. It's a remembrance. My mom and dad have been writing on it ever since. The first writing was when I was born. It was written in my dad's handwriting.

I sighed while looking at it. I miss my dad so much. My birthday isn't the same without him.

I then went to the bathroom to do my morning skincare. After that, I tidied up my desk and grabbed my phone from the nightstand because I remembered something I have to do.

I scrolled into my contacts until I found Gabriel's name. I clicked on it and called him. "Hi, it's Gabriel. I'm quite busy right now but you can leave a message after the beep and I'll make sure to call you back." It went straight into voicemail.

"Hi, Gabriel. Uhmm..." I started, fidgeting with my fingers. "It's my birthday today and I was wondering if you got the invitation I slid in your locker? I would really appreciate it if you'd come. I miss you and I–"

A loud beep followed, cutting my sentence. I sighed before closing my eyes and whispering, "I love you."

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Lianna, your cousins are calling," Mom said.

I immediately stood up from the dining table and ran to the living room.

"Give me! Give me!" I ecstatically said. She handed me her laptop and I answered the video call.

"Hi, Lianna!" Kuya Arvin greeted.

"Ianna Iguana!" Emma said. Ate Emily laughed at her and I rolled my eyes. That's the nickname she gave me before.

I have three cousins, Emily, Arvin, and Emma. Ate Emily is 5 years older than me, Kuya Arvin is a year older than me, and Emma is the same age as me. They're all pure Filipinos.

Their parents are my dad's cousins who are pure Filipinos too and their grandparents are my grandma's siblings. They all live in one house which is so cool.

My grandma is pure Filipino. My grandpa is American. That's why my dad is half Filipino and half American. My dad grew up here, but they visit the Philippines often.

"Kumusta na, Lia?" Ate Emily asked.

(Translation: How are you, Lia?)

"Beyond happy, Ate Emily," I answered. "I can't believe that I'm now eighteen."