Never ever

16. Birthday part one

**Maya**

I don’t know why but i’m so happy that it makes me jump on the bed. It must be excitement for tonight and I start singing that my party is tonight. Jason is shocked and I just start laughing. I had been grumpy all week but now that he was back everything felled so much lighter. I hadn’t realized before how much he affected me and I wanted him around but maybe some ground rules wouldn’t be a bad idea. 

“So Jason,” I started thinking how best to proceed, he was curious what I was gonna say, “I think we should make some rules if we are going to continue this.” A surged of guild is coming of him making me wonder what he has done but I brush it off thinking it might be better to not know. 

“I’ll promise to keep working on this and I want you around but I do need my own life. You can not be mad at me when for example my phone rings and I go to answer it. And speaking of I do need some sense of privacy. I would like it if you would stay out of my bedroom, giving me a space to my own.” I say thinking about other activities I would like to there without his prying eyes on me. He suddenly disappears and a knock on my door makes me scream and then laugh.

“Yes, thank you. I think you enjoy that a little to much” I say to him feeling his playful mood. 

“Than when other people are around, you have to be careful. I don’t want to explain anything and especially with your mother, who by the way already thinks you are around. I don’t know what i’m going to do about that.” He’s shocked by that information but then I feel something that I can only describe as agreement. Hopefully when we can figure out to truly communicate with each other and he can help me out with telling his mother or not. 

“Okay, that’s it for now I guess and we will figure this out as we go” I say getting out of bed. He’s gone again giving me the privacy I asked for. What a considered ghost I have I think laughing.

I quickly get ready for the day. I had some work to do at the greens today and I wanted to be prepared if Noah would stay over tonight. Meaning getting something nice for breakfast, cleaning up and grooming. I was just about to join jason when I noticed I had a missed call from my father. He had been working late again I thought seeing the time the call had been made. 

“Hey honey, I guess you’re already turnt in seeing it’s already.. oh hope I didn’t wake you,” His vibrant and melodic voice, which came in handy with his profession as lawyer, said on my voicemail. “So I don’t know it Rachel mentioned this to you but i’m coming for your birthday and I wanted to make some plans with you. Maybe show me your new place and getting some diner together? Let me know and honey, I can’t wait to see you again.” he said surprising me. It had been about a month since we saw each other but there were times when we lived completely apart. Leaving messages like this wasn’t foreign for us but I couldn’t remember him saying anything like that. Off course he had when I was younger and definitely when mom was still around but when she had left him, us, he was a broken man, finding only comfort in his work. It’s then that he became the workaholic and that had been my status quo. I called him back but as expected it when straight to voicemail. Quickly leaving him a message saying that would be great and that I would be home all sunday. I was still thinking about what else we could do when I walked in at the greens.

“Maya, could you help for a moment” Manuela called from up stairs, snapping me out of it. 

“Yes off course” I call back and ran up stairs. As I walk into the room they start singing happy  birthday, i’m completely taken by surprise. The three of them standing there, William is officially sitting, with a decorations and balloons. They even got a small cake for me. 

“We know it’s not until to tomorrow but we thought you probably have plans and we wanted to celebrate it with you.” Karin says smiling after she congratulate me. 

“Thank you, this is amazing and a complete surprise.” I say, hugging them all. 

“Come sit and eat some cake, your work can wait.” William said pushing a piece of chocolate cake decorated with sprinkles and fresh strawberries towards me. It is absolutely delicious and they ask about my plans for the weekend. We talk for about 2 hours before I excuse myself, getting started with my tasks for the day.  

It’s almost 8 p.m. and i’m nervously waiting for someone to show up. I have been ready for about a half an hour and even went over to the main house to show them, as requested, my new outfit. The dress is a little tight but it doesn’t show seeing the reaction from both Jason as from Karin. My hair had been a mess though, I had caught jason laughing about my 5th attempt and that had resulted in me yelling and throwing my hair brush at him. Off course it went straight thru him, or at least that what I pictured happening. I eventually settled on a little messy rose-shaped braided bun by using a tutorial, thank you internet. Seeing the collar of the dress I used blue and silver in my makeup but kept it simple. I did like to use a lot of makeup and usually went for the natural look. Karin said I looked radiant and I hoped Noah would think so as well.

Car Lights drove up to the garage and I quickly went to my balcony to see who was picking me up. At first I thought I was just a luxury cab but as Noah got out of the back I noticed Matthew waved from the driver's seat. He walks closer and looks up at me.

“Who is there? It is the east and juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun and kill the envious moon. It is my lady, o it is my love!” he said smiling and i’m impressed, guessing that those were lines from shakespeare and not his own. 

“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore are you, Romeo?” I answer laughing for those are the only words I do remember from reading romeo and juliet in high school. I walk to the stairs and so does he. 

“Here I am my… wow” He says as he looks at me from halfway almost tripping when he finally sees all of me. 

“Thank you” I say laughing at him and i’m not the only one. Back at the car Matthew is holding his stomach from his laughter. 

“OMYGOSH, “ he yells, “ That has to be the cheesiest thing I ever have seen you do, Thom and Elle are not going to believer me.” Noah is blushing as he made it up the rest of the stairs.

“I think it was very romantic” I say to him softly, kissing him in the same manner. There is no lust in our kiss just love, heart warming love. When our lips part we stand there staring in each other's eyes for just a minute, then he takes something out of his jacket pocket.

“Your gift my lady” he says grinning, holding a purple jewelry box in front of me. 

I take it from him and open it, there is a gorgeous necklace inside. It’s sterling silver with a Triquetra pendant, with small violette gemstone recessed into each of the three points.

“Noah, It’s beautiful and way too much” I tell him shocked to get such a big gift from him. 

“No it’s not. So you like it, I saw that symbol on those bowl in you bookcase and when I saw it in the store I thought of you. The lady said the stone are amethyst or something like that.” He said nervously and it made me smile. I do like the symbol but what were the odds that he had chosen that one. I shiver and realize i’m out without a jacket in the cold november air. 

“Come in and you can help me put in on” I say to him and as I walk in i’m already removing the necklace I was wearing. The violet stones collar perfectly with my dress and I thank Noah again saying that I love it. I can sense some jealousy from Jason but ignore it, I’ll deal with that later.

“Now let’s go to my party” I smile at him grabbing a jacket and my purse. He helps me down the stairs like a gentleman because of heels and opens the door for me. Matthew already back in the driverseat waiting for us. I can’t believe this car, I could see rich politician being driven in a car like this but not little old me. As Noah gets in the car with me I just have to ask.

“Where did you get a car like this?” I ask still looking around.

“Well Matthew actually has some connection and he got it for us for tonight” Noah said and as on que the blinder in between the cars moves down slowly.   

“At your service” he said smiling and started driving, “There is also a gift from me there for you.” 

“Thank you Matthew” I say and Noah hands me a tube. Inside is an old canvas scroll vastend by a pure white ribbon. I carefully I roll it out and it reveals a beautiful hand painted woman sitting in a lotus position with seven symbols, that I recognised as Chakras, in perfect alinement. I just gasp, going over each symbol with my finger. 

“Glad you like it, Rachel told me you did yoga and I had found this on my last trip” Matthew says looking into the rear view mirror. 

“Thank you, are you sure you want to part from it?” I ask still haven’t taken my eyes from it. 

“Yeah, I always bring stuff back to give to others and seeing your reaction I think It’s found the perfect owner” He answers smiling and the concentrated again on driving.

“I didn’t know you did yoga” Noah says and he sounds hurt. I carefully roll the scroll back up and look at him. He is looking out of the window but I can see his reflexion and he is discouraged.

“And know you do,” I tell him, my hand softly turning his head towards me, “We have just started dating Noah. I guess there is a lot that we don’t know about each other. Part of the fun is finding out all of those things.” I move closer to him, whispering so matthew doesn’t hear. “Want to know one more thing about me. Kissing me there,” my finger softly trases over his neck, “makes me go crazy” His eyes widen and his mouth curls up in a grin but just as he is about to move his head toward my neck, the car stops and matthew clears his throat signaling that we are here.

We are at the Rachel’s restaurant and I mentally give myself a pad on my shoulder for guessing this one. Matthew opens the car door for us and it makes me feel so VIP. Noah helps me out of the car and offers me his arm so we can walk in together. 

“Matthew, why don’t you join us?” I ask him and he smiles and nods. Yet he doesn’t follow us in, instead he gets into the car, driving to the parking lot. 

“Are you ready?” Noah asks and he opens the door for me. There are about twenty people inside all yelling surprise or happy birthday. They have been busy clearing most of the tables to make room for a dance floor and the buffet wall has been pulled out. Rachel is in front of everyone with another gift bag in her hands. She gives is to me but assures me I want to open this one in private while winking. I laugh and hug her thanking her again. As I move back I see Noah trying to sneak a peek inside and his eyes widen again looking at me with a grin. Before I can say anything i’m being pulled in a double hug that I recognise everywhere, anytime and I’m screaming from happiness. They scream with me and we have everyone's attention. 

“I can’t believe you are here, I did not expect you two” I say to my two childhood friend Gabrielle and Erica. 

“Hey, don’t forget about me” A familiar voice says as a guy moves closer. 

“Off course not Ben. Where Gaby goes you will follow.” I say to him as we hug each other. 

Ben and Gabrielle met each other on vacation before we went to high school and were together ever since. At first Erica and I had some trouble with it but when we got to know Ben better we found out he fitted perfectly in our little group. I look around wanting to introduce Noah to them but he had left to put the gifts I got from Matthew and Rachel on the table by the bar. Tyler and Jesse already at his side pulling him towards Cliff who was working on something. 

“We made this for you, so you don’t miss us so much” Erica says handing me a gift basket. It is filled with things I love from back home, including a framed pictures from the four of us. 

I thanked them and promised we will catch up later because there is a line forming behind them. 

The first to greet me are my colleagues. Claire is the first one who hugs me and after that all the guys from the kitchen go for it. Steve on the other hand sticks with his firm handshakes. They hand me two gifs, the first one is a cooking book, a joke from the guys and the second one is a vampire academy gift box. Inside I see a keychain, a cup and a t-shirt but what really got my attention was a signed copy of the first book. 

“Where did you get this?” I asked dumbfounded.

“I went to a con last weekend and rachel mentioned that you liked it as well before I left” Sonja the only other girl working in the kitchen says. I hug her as a thank you and assure her I want to know more about this con she went to. My uncle Finn is the next guest in line, he is Rachel’s older brother. We never really connected but he has always been nice to me. 

“Congratulation Maya, This is from us. Tess had to stay home because Oliver had a ear infection,” he says handing me a gift card. 

“Thanks uncle Finn, I hope everything else is fine?” I ask and he smiles talking about a game Oliver had just won before he got sick. Samara is next in line followed by Alison and Lana. 

But before the even can give me there present our attention is being pulled towards the guys, a weird sound echoing through the restaurant. Cliff’s back preventing us to see what they are doing. Jesse sees us watching and pushed him out of the way and a standing boxing bag is revealed. My gift from them and then Tyler turns it around making us all laugh. They had Hillary’s picture put upon it. I hear the door open, followed by Matthew’s voice. 

“I found these two outside” he says grinning and Rachel’s eyes widen as Erica and Gabrielle gasp. My curiosity is officially peaked and I turn around, freezing the moment I lay my eyes on him. His green eyes find mine and my knees are going week. A confident smile crosses his perfect lips and ever so slowly he strokes his hand through his golden hair. My mouth goes dry as I stare at him. Why was he here? I haven’t seen him since before I moved and was doing fine without him, no not fine, great. He moves a little closer, as his eyes are checking me out. 

“Happy birthday, Maya” He says and goosebumps travel over my body.  

“Thank you, Kian,” I say stumbling with my words, all confidence leaving me. I can feel all eyes staring at me, one in particular, Noah’s. It is Rachel who is saving me.

“Welcome guy’s. Food is over there and drinks are at the bar.” she said being a good host. Then she comes toward me and pulls me away from the prying eyes. Informing everyone she had a private gift to give me and we will be right back. Off course Noah knows it’s a lie and I see him wanting to come with us but I shake my head. He looks confused but stays with the guy’s.

“Why is he here?” I whisper as Rachel pulls me into the kitchen. 

“I’m so sorry, I forgot I invited him” Rachel says holding her hands up. 

“Why would you do that. Why would you even invite my ex, Rachel?” I exclaim unbelievable. This is not the kind of situation I wanted to be in on my birthday. 

“Well because you two had some unfinished business and I thought you two could use a push in the right direction. That was of course before Noah came into the picture” she says.

“Ow god, please don’t tell me you told him that when you invited him” I can only imagine what he would be thinking if that was the case.  

“I might have been implaight” she says softly making me groan. 

“O god” I sigh, collecting myself, “We talk about this later for now let’s just hope we get through this night without any fights.” I take a minute to prepare myself mentally and then walk back to the restaurant, Matthew passing me, giving me a supportive smile. 

Most of them were talking amongst each other but of course Kain and Noah were staring at me. I smile as confident as I can and Erica and Gaby are by my site right away asking if they need to do something. They off course know the whole history with Kian and me. I had more ex boyfriends but Kian was more than that. He was the first and the last, the one who kept coming back to me and I to him. We have been on and off again over the last ten years and every time I thought it was the last time. Yet something always happened so that I found myself in his arms. If It hadn't been for Noah, this would have been one of those times I was sure of it. But Noah was here and so was Jason I thought with a shock as I suddenly felt his presence.