Hello, everyone! First of all, thank you so much for reading my book! Secondly, it's not edited, so if you spot any mistake, please let me know in the comments. Thirdly, enjoy!
Warning: There's only five chapters available on Wattpad. The rest you can find on Amazon or Radish cx
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~Hazel's POV~
Darkness befallen over the hall before a tiny flame flickered, illuminating all that was present in the room. A dozen pairs of eyes broadened, taking the shade of amber, and in a hubbub, everyone yelled, "Happy Birthday, Lauren!"
As instructed, John switched the lights back on, and I approached the coffee table, setting the strawberry cake in the middle; a customized candle shaped as the numbers seventy-six centered the top. Chuckling at the hungry expressions, I clapped my hands. "Come, come, everyone. It's time."
Like a swarm of aged bees, forty people rushed forward, huddling around a flushed Lauren who, even at this age, looked almost like a fairy tale princess in her pink fluffy gown.
"Cut it, cut it, Laurie. I ain't getting any younger," Ben urged, bouncing his frail body as much as his age let him, and everyone burst out laughing.
Handing the knife to Lauren, I walked backwards a few feet and angled my camera in the air. "Ready."
As the birthday girl blew the candle out, the room erupted into another round of happy birthday song while I took my desired pictures. One more happy moment to add to the memory keeper.
She cut out triangle pieces of small cakes and fed all the craving mouths until her soft eyes drove to me. "Hazel, what're you doing there, dearie? Come here." She stretched out a relatively large slice of the cake my way.
"Yes, yes. You go. I'll take the pictures," Joseph offered, taking the camera from me.
"Alrighty!" I nodded, smiling and walking in the middle of the crowd. The smile radiating off of Lauren's face, showed all the happiness and gratitude that oozed from her heart.
"Thank you for everything, Hazie!" She pulled me in a motherly hug. "I don't know if I'll be here to celebrate my next birthday, but I'll die in peace, knowing you're here to take care of all these oompa loompas." Her voice cracked at the end.
Pulling out of the hug, I wiped the tears staining her wrinkled cheeks and fixed the party hat over her gray hair. "Don't say that, lady. You're living at least a hundred years with all these wonderful oompa loompas wishing for you," I said with a giggle and lifted her hand containing the cake, lightly pushing it to her thinned lips. Then she repeated my action, and I took a bite of the delicious fluffy delicacy, my taste buds dancing in delight.
After the whole cake was devoured, it was time for the presents, and one by one everyone delivered theirs. When it was my time, I pulled out the flat, red-wrapped gift and extended it to her.
"Thank you, darling," gratifying, she began ripping the decorating paper slowly. All the eyes around watched curiously, holding their breath. They were definitely going to be satisfied I could say. I had been thinking over this present for the last two months.
As the last casing was undone, and the velvety covered book was out, frowns formed in every forehead. Eyeing the flock, Lauren proceeded to turn the cover.
Three, two, one!
Gasps echoed throughout the walls of the old-age home as everybody hovered over the photo album, turning pages after pages, awning and laughing at the memories. A lone tear escaped my eyes, and my heart fluttered with heavenly bliss to see these elderly people so happy. I had taken weeks inserting pictures that I had been collecting ever since my mother introduced me to this place. She wasn't here anymore, but I had the people she called family, the place she called home.
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Deceiving The Ruthless Billionaire
Romance🥀 Now available on Amazon and free with kindle unlimited 🥀 *** Hazel Green's late mother's business of housing seniors is now in control of her wicked stepfather. With her loved ones under his hostile care, she is eager to obey his demands to keep...
