Broken Dreams Club - Elite

XV

Everyone around the dining table cheered as Guzman blew out his candles and the blonde boy couldn't help the smile that crawled onto his face as he stared at the people he loved who surrounded him. The truth was that Guzman always loved his designated birthday even though he acted like he didn't because it made him feet celebrated, and he was reminded that he had people around him who cared about him. It made him feel special.

"A toast to the birthday boy, Guzman!" Teodoro, Carla's father hurrah'd, lifting up his champagne glass, to which everyone joined in, toasting to him.

Next to Marina, Guzman glanced at Alaska quickly as she sipped from her glass, shyly looking around the table. He felt his heart warming even more as he realised he'd never loved her more than he did in that moment. He saw that even though she was smiling, she was uncomfortable just from her body language, and he appreciated that. Their eyes joined for a brief moment and he sent her a wink.

"I have a little something for the birthday boy, I hope he likes it." Teodoro kicked it off with the present giving, reaching to his right side to pull out the black bag from beside him.

Guzman grinned, opening the small box to reveal the brown handled Mont Blanc watch.

"So?" Teodoro watched his reaction excitedly, "your birthday is the perfect occasion to start a watch collection, like mine. Have you seen it?"

Guzman shook his head.

"Look, Guzman," he said, pointing at his own watch on his wrist, "it's always with me. Alejandro, what about you?"

Ale turned to the older man who sat a few seats on the side of him, who was waiting expectantly.

"Pardon?"

"Have you began a watch collection? I know your father had a fine tie collection but an even more impressive watch one."

He was right.

Caesar Velazquez had a more than impressive tie and watch collection. He always said that ties separated boys from men and was completed with a time-piece. So he collected them. He'd been doing it since his first pay check in the 80s and he hadn't stopped since.

"Yes, he did! I have two watches which I usually wear, but the rest in his collection, according to my mother I can only get it when I'm 18." Alejandro replied, cracking a small smile.

Teodoro and Ventura laughed and shared a look.

"That sounds like something classic Caesar would do. But you need to start getting more watches, like this one. If it could talk, right Ventura?"

The two men laughed, and Teodoro continued.

"But ladies are present . . .", he reminded, pointing to the girls who sat opposite him. At the attention from all the grown-ups, Alaska couldn't help but blush, and that blush grew even hotter when he added that the ladies were becoming prettier by the day, even though the attention wasn't at her alone.

Marina took over.

"Guzman, mine is more simple, but happy birthday."

Marina beamed, handing her brother the small sized gift box. The two shared excitement when Guzman pulled out the polaroid camera he'd been wanting for a while.

"No way . . . How did you know I wanted this?"

Guzman's excitement radiated over the whole table, giving Marina a small side-hug.

Then it was Alaska's turn.

From the tip of her feet, she felt her mouth becoming dry and her hands growing slightly sweaty at all the attention which was suddenly on her. Guzman saw how she nervously pulled out the long white box with a black ribbon.