The Billionaire's Unauthentic Daughter ✔

C H A P T E R 5 2

❝Be loud about the things that are important to you.❞

It was finally time for the party. I had told some of Keith's friends to tell him that they were going to a really special place and to tell him to dress his best.

It was already seven in the evening so he must be here any minute now. I had worn a simple dark blue dress and wanted to ensure everything was perfect in the garden so I came a few minutes before seven o'clock.

His family had already arrived as quietly as could be managed. We had successfully kept Keith from knowing that we were planning something. I interacted with his family for a bit, playing for some time with the little children. The cake was ready and so was his present from me.

Now we all just awaited Keith's entrance.

"You did a nice job with the preparations." Said a voice next to my ear. I was startled for a second at the unexpected voice and turned around only to see Ethan.

"Thanks. What're you doing here?"

"I'm here to attend the party."

"I don't think you got an invitation."

"I don't need one."

I rolled my eyes. "Is it because I scolded you a little last night? You don't have to be here if you don't want to. I just wanted you to not hate Keith so openly. I get that you hate Keith and I can't change that. I just don't want you to show it because it can be hurtful. I wasn't forcing you to like anyone."

"And yet my heart is forcing my mind to like you." He said, leaving me speechless for a minute.

"Don't say things like that."

"It is what it is. It was like that even before. Saying it out loud doesn't change anything."

"Your mind is indecisive. A few days ago you were running away from me and now you're all about accepting things and feelings. Get a grip on your thoughts, Ethan. You shouldn't be like this. Have you forgotten that you have a girlfriend who's my best friend?" I looked at him accusingly.

His face changed as if he just realized it now.

"You're right. I shouldn't be like this." He straightened his posture as if he just changed the way he felt.

"Seriously though, get over these feelings. The longer it lingers, the more unfair it is to Heather."

He didn't answer.

A few moments later, we spotted Keith, led by his friends into the garden, blindfolded. It wasn't a part of the plan but it made it better.

The moment his blindfold was taken off, we all shouted "SURPRISE!"

He was clearly not expecting it as he jumped and looked a little dazed as if it was taking him longer than it should to grasp the situation.

"What is happening here?" He asked confusedly.

"Belated happy birthday!" We all said in unison to his question.

Keith looked incredibly embarrassed after he understood what exactly was going on here.

His little nieces and nephews ran towards him, hugging his legs as he tried to maintain balance. His whole family crowded around him, apologizing for forgetting his birthday and telling him how proud they were of him.

I smiled at Keith's happy face as he interacted with them. It was obvious that he had missed his family very much. He had taken all his nephews and nieces in his arms, with one boy even sitting on his shoulders. It was an adorable sight to see him surrounded with kids and how he was so comfortable around so many of them.