As we finished dinner, I instinctively started helping Maria clear the plates, even though she and Rita told me not to.
"Zee, you don't have to," Maria insisted, trying to take the plate from my hand.
But before I could protest, Maria playfully nudged me to the side.
"Zee..."
I turned around and saw Harrison standing there.
"Happy birthday again, Zeina..." he said with a warm smile as he stood beside Maria. He extended a small, elegantly wrapped box toward me.
I glanced at Maria and Rita, and they were both grinning mischievously.
I couldn’t help but smile back. With shaking hands, I unwrapped the gift, my heart pounding slightly from the suspense. Inside was a bracelet – simple, yet stunning – from a well-known brand I had admired for years.
"Oh, thank you, Harold. It's beautifu
