"Let the party... begin!"

Lia stood on the edge of the stairwell, the attention of a hundred guests on her. A soft pink light shone on her, turning her features into something fairy like. She glanced around the crowd, trying to get a glimpse of a familiar young face. This time, she found it.

Chris Reef was here. He was about her own age, older by five months. They used to play a lot in the mansion's garden when they were young; before a dispute separated their respective parents. Chris and Lia locked eyes, and unable to help herself, she broke into a big smile, as she gracefully but hurriedly came down the stairs. However, almost at once, she was surrounded by a group of middle-aged women, the gossiping wives of the tycoons that had been invited. They circled her and started to inquire about her life, occasionally stating how skinny she had gotten.

After a few minutes, her father announced that the cake-cutting ceremony was about to begin, and that there would be a small concert of a master pianist right after. Lia tried to find Chris, seeking a chance to talk to him before other events and formalities took up all her attention.

Unfortunately, she wasn't lucky enough. It seemed that Chris was busy talking to someone else. She made her way carefully to the table that had the cake, and quickly gave some instructions to one of the butlers. Once again, the hall fell almost silent and all the attention was directed towards her. Lia smiled and clasped her hands in front of her face. Closing her eyes, she wished hard to be able to understand why the forest needed her help and to have the guidance of her mother's spirit. After she blew out the candles, a huge applause broke out and everyone started to chant 'Happy birthday'.

During the ongoing concert, she sat in one of the chairs at the side, trying to relax a bit. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone walking towards her.

Lia exclaimed in joy as she turned to see who it was. Not caring about anyone watching, she flung her arms around Chris and gave him a hug.

A couple of seconds later, she ushered him to sit beside her.

"I have missed you so much! It has literally been ages since we've met." said Lia.

"I know", Chris said, grinning, "Happy birthday, Lia, you look... beautiful"

Lia blushed slightly, and said, "Tell me about yourself. How is your mother doing now?" Chris's mother had been diagnosed with liver cancer, two years back, and she had been trying to recover ever since.

Chris's face dropped a bit, and he said, "She... is getting better I guess... but rather slowly... if something goes wrong, it might be difficult to treat her... I don't know, the doctors don't tell me a lot, and sometimes I feel like Dad is not making enough effort."

Lia said, "Don't worry, nothing bad will happen. I know Mrs. Reef, and she is pretty strong. I'm sure she'll beat cancer."

"Hopefully... now let's not darken the mood, it's your birthday after all. What have you been up to these days?"

"Nothing much, since it's summer break right now, Dad has signed me up for Spanish classes, and I must say, I have been quite enjoying it!"

"That's the spirit! Anyways, now that I have come here after a long time, will you go on a stroll with me?"

"Of course, let's take our old path along the garden! But... I am kind of curious, why did your dad forbid you from visiting here?"

"I don't know Lia... he seems off, somehow. Let's make the most though, now that we've been reunited😁"

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ArgonGameXXOfficial

ArgonGameXXOfficial

🥲 darkness in everything I see, but it's really good, this part

2024-07-03

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