Ch.4 Birthday Celebration

**Diary Notes **

“I just got back from Grandma’s house next door. Mom and I brought her some fresh fruits and vegetables, and we also returned our little puppy to her. Honestly, I was secretly hoping I’d finally get to see him in person.

I often peek at him through the fence — our houses are right next to each other. I really hope we’ll get to know each other someday.

I heard Mom call him ‘Paul’. Just hearing his name makes my heart race for some reason…”

The faint aroma of freshly cooked food wafted in from the kitchen. Ella was preparing a meal for the family, with Sean helping her out as usual.

“Mom, can we have fried fish with chili and fish sauce today?” Sean walked over and clung to Ella’s arm, speaking in a pleading tone.

“Of course, sweetheart. You want fried fish with chili and fish sauce, right? Then go grab the fish from the fridge for me,” Ella turned to Sean, replying with a warm smile.

“Mmm! The sour curry smells amazing, Mom!” Charlene walked into the kitchen, sniffing the air before heading over to her mother, Ella.

“Are you all getting hungry? And what about your father and Charlie — are they back from the farm yet?” Ella asked her daughter, who was scooping some curry into a small bowl to taste.

“Dad’s in the garage. As for Charlie, he just went up to his room a moment ago,” Charlene replied as she tasted the broth with a spoon.

While Ella and Sean were busy cooking, Charlene was setting the table for everyone.

Grandpa and Grandma walked over from the main villa, accompanied by the butler.

The dining table was filled with a variety of dishes — sour curry with shrimp and papaya, stir-fried vegetables with oyster sauce, spicy chili paste served with fresh vegetables, soft-boiled egg salad, and fried fish with fish sauce.

“Grandpa, Grandma — you’re here!” Charlene greeted them.

“Where is everyone? The house seems so quiet today,” Grandpa said with a smile toward Charlene.

“Mom and Sean are in the kitchen getting the food ready. Dad and Charlie are on their way down,” Charlene replied as she poured water for Grandpa and Grandma.

“Grandpa, Grandma! Hello! You made it!” Sean said cheerfully.

Grandpa moved to sit at the head of the table, with Grandma on his right. On his left sat Charles (Sean’s father) and Ella (his mother). Across the table, next to Grandma, were Charlie, Charlene, and Sean — seated in that order.

“We’ve got your favorite today, Grandpa — sour curry with shrimp and papaya!” Sean beamed as he carefully set the curry bowl in the center of the table.

“You really know what I like, don’t you?” Grandpa chuckled deeply.

“Feels lively today! It’s nice to have everyone together on the weekend for once,” Grandma said with a soft laugh, scooping some chili paste onto Grandpa’s plate.

“Grandpa! My birthday’s next week — don’t forget my present, okay?” Sean said playfully while spooning some curry into Grandpa’s bowl.

“And what do you want, hmm? Another plot of land?” Grandpa teased with a small smile.

“Nooo, no more! That’s too much already — I can’t even handle the garden I have now!” Sean waved his hands in protest, then laughed shyly and covered his face.

“Or maybe… a girlfriend? I’ll find one for you!” Grandpa wiggled his eyebrows, making Sean’s face flush red.

“I’m only twelve, Grandpa…” Sean mumbled, looking away. Everyone at the table burst into laughter.

“Ha ha ha ha!” Grandpa’s laughter echoed through the dining room, filling the evening with warmth and joy.

The Birthday Party

A small, intimate party was held inside the villa, surrounded by colorful flowers whose soft fragrance drifted gently on the evening breeze.

Twinkling lights hung from the trees, adding a warm and enchanting atmosphere. Only a few close guests were invited to the gathering. The sound of laughter mixed with the soft background music, creating a pleasant harmony.

Paul’s family was among those invited as special guests.

Paul glanced around the party, eyes quietly scanning the villa as if searching for someone. Before he could continue, his mother, Paula, called out to him.

“Paul, who are you looking for?” she asked.

“N-No one, Mom. I just…” Paul flinched slightly before quickly composing his expression.

“Is something bothering you?” Paula pressed gently, narrowing her eyes at her son.

“No, not at all,” Paul replied evenly, though he averted her gaze just a little.

“By the way—Paul, have you seen Eric? Your father’s looking for him,” she added.

“Eric? Hmm… I think I saw him walking toward the back garden just a moment ago,” Paul replied.

“All right! If you see him again, tell him to go meet your father over there, okay?”

“Yes, Mom,” Paul answered calmly.

While Paul was still talking with his mother, Sean walked up to greet Paul’s grandparents, who were in conversation with his own.

“There you are, Grandpa and Grandma! I’ve been looking all over for you! Hello, Grandpa, Grandma—have you been here long?” Sean greeted them brightly, his voice clear and cheerful, flashing a wide, happy smile before turning to his own grandparents.

The moment Paul heard the familiar voice, he turned immediately. What he saw was Sean approaching his grandparents with that bright expression, his demeanor full of warmth—the same voice Paul had heard so often from the other side of the fence.

“That voice…” Paul murmured softly under his breath.

“We just arrived a little while ago, dear,” Paul’s grandmother replied with a gentle smile.

“I’m so glad you could make it to my birthday today. It means a lot to me,” Sean said sweetly.

“Come sit here with Grandma,” Paul’s grandmother said, reaching out and gently tugging Sean’s arm to sit beside her.

“Yes, Grandma,” Sean replied without hesitation, pulling out a chair and taking the seat next to her.

“I’m not sure if you’ve met my grandson Paul yet,” she added, smiling warmly.

“Not yet,” Sean replied politely.

“Paul! Paul! Come here to Grandma for a moment!” she called out in a loud, cheerful voice.

“Yes, Grandma,” Paul responded with a nod before walking over to her. He froze momentarily when he saw Sean sitting beside her.

“Well now, why are you just standing there? Come sit down, dear!” she urged.

“Yes, Grandma,” Paul said quietly and pulled out a chair across from Sean.

Sean sat still for a moment, feeling his heart race as Paul sat directly across from him. That sharp gaze and handsome face were now focused on him, and Sean couldn’t quite bring himself to look away.

“Here he is—my grandson. Get to know each other, alright? You live next door to each other, after all,” Grandma said with a smile that hinted at a plan of her own.

“Hi, I’m Sean,” he said with a bright smile.

“Hi! I’m Paul. Or you can call me P’Paul if you want—it’ll make us feel a bit closer,” Paul said with a friendly grin.

“Okay, P’Paul,” Sean replied, a touch shyly.

“Well, now you know each other. Go on, you two chat like kids do, and leave us old folks to our reminiscing! Ha ha ha!”

“Yes, Grandma,” both boys said in unison.

After Paul’s grandmother introduced them, Paul and Sean soon fell into a lively conversation. They talked and laughed together until the party gradually came to an end.

Diary Notes

“Today, at Grandma’s birthday party next door, she introduced me to her second grandson.

I was really excited — he’s so handsome and seems really kind.

But… I had a strange feeling, like Grandma had planned for us to meet on purpose or something.

Well, never mind. Let’s just say… today was another day that made my heart feel full.”

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