The King's Moonlight Kiss (R-18)

Chapter 3 - Happy

Happy

I was shocked at how this person know what I was thinking about him. I had no other choice but to open the small box. I saw a necklace and I can’t stop staring at the simple yet beautiful necklace. I’ve never received a gift on all of my birthdays and this — I can say is the best gift I’ve ever received. I removed the necklace from its box and was amazed by its overall appearance. It is a moon necklace with a color of gold and the moon is not too big but not too small. It is perfect for a minimalist person. It was perfect.  

I heard someone knocked on the door. I was so mesmerized by the necklace that I didn’t notice that someone or rather four people entered the boarding house.

“Elara! Happy birthday!” I heard Mavy’s loud voice entering. I turned around and saw her with three people — two boys and a girl.

“Mavy, you’re so early! But still thank you for the greeting!” I smiled at her even though I’m still confused about who are these three people she brought here. 

Mavy approached and hugged me, “I asked Mrs. Watsinkon if I can invite two boys on your birthday this morning and, she said yes!” She looked at the three people she brought and motioned them to come near us. 

“Elara, these are my friends. I hope you don’t mind me inviting them here. I know that I am your only friend. So, I invited them because I want you to have more friends. You, guys, will surely click,” then she winked at me.

“Hi! I’m Rufus Klyde. Nice to meet you! Happy 18th birthday,” he greeted politely and handed his hand to me. I accepted his hand, but I was stunned when he kissed my hand. I thought we’re going to shake hands. Chivalry is not dead yet huh? 

“Oh! Are you not comfortable? I’m sorry. It’s my habit,” he said a bit nervous. 

I smiled. “It’s okay. I was just surprised.”

The other guy, wearing a blue polo, whispered at him and Rufus suddenly turned pale. What happened? What did the other guy whisper to him? When Rufus looked at me, I smiled more to assure him that everything’s okay and I was not offended in any way.

“Hi! I’m Theodore Cyrus. It’s nice to finally meet you, Elara. And happy birthday,” he bowed like a prince.

I still smiled at him even though I was weirded out by what he said. “Thank you. Nice to meet you too.”

“Hi, Elara! I’m Adelia Dmitri.” The girl in a white dress suddenly hugged me and whispered her greetings. “Happy birthday and, my, you are so beautiful!”

“Thank you! You are so much more beautiful!” I complimented. Really. She is so beautiful. I’ve never seen a girl this beautiful. She has porcelain skin and her features are all foreign. Gray eyes, pointed nose, thin lips, thick eyelashes, arched eyebrows. Everything about her screams elegance. 

I also noticed that the three of them have gray eyes. Are they siblings, perhaps?

“Oh, thank you so much!” She let go and handed me a paper bag. “Here’s our gift from the three of us.”

I gasped when I saw the imprinted logo on the paper bag. “I—I can’t accept this. This is too much.” I don’t want to be rude, but I can’t accept a gift that is so expensive. We just met and they’re giving me luxury jewelry already.

“Huh? B-but—” she looked at me confused, then looked at Theodore dangerously. I looked at Theodore also and saw his hands up. “What?” he said defensively.

“Elara, please accept our gift. We spent hours deciding on what to give you. Please this is a small token of our new friendship,” Rufus gently pushed the paper bag to me and gave me a please-accept-our-gift-or-Theodore-will-be-in-danger look.

“Elara accept it already, please, they really spent hours roaming around the mall just to give you a gift,” Mavy gave me a puppy look.

“Uhm, I—I really shouldn’t accept this kind of gift but because you guys keep insisting then I think this will be the last time I will accept an expensive gift,” I hesitantly said. 

“Thank you,” Adelia sighed and smiled at me. I saw Theodore’s expression changed from fear to relaxed. He’s scared that I might not accept their gift and Adelia will be angry with him. How cute!

Mavy went to the dining table and saw the Hepburn-style dress. “Oh my! Who gave you this Elara? This is so beautiful! You should wear it today!” Mavy exclaimed.

“I don’t know, Mavy. But someone placed it on our door. It has my name, but the sender is unknown.”

“You have a secret admirer?” she gasped loudly. “That’s very big news! Who wouldn’t like you?! You are so beautiful and kind! I really don’t know why all the boys who said that liked you never really tried to court you. This is what you call a true man!” she pointed at the box and foods at the dining table. 

“Come! I’ll help you wear this!” she pulled me upstairs and went to my room.

“Mavy, I don’t think I should wear this dress. It—it doesn’t feel right. I don’t know who sent it,” I protested.

“No, Elara! This is your day. You have to enjoy it. Please think of yourself just today,” she pleaded.

“Okay.”

“Yay!” she clapped her hands and smile widely at me.

Mavy helped me wear the dress. She also put the necklace on my neck and complimented whoever the guy gifted me all these things. 

“Oh my gosh! You look perfect, Elara. I’ve never been this happy for you,” she said tearfully.

“Thank you.” I looked at the mirror and saw my angelic face. The dress suits my porcelain skin. My brown hair is down, and the necklace is very noticeable because that’s the only jewelry I’m wearing. For the first time, I look beautiful and stunning. I smiled at my reflection, satisfied and thankful.

“Elara you should also open Rufus, Theodore, and Adelia’s gift. I’m sure it will suit the dress,” Mavy stated.

I grabbed the paper bag that says ‘Tiffany & Co.’ I opened it and saw a very beautiful rose gold bracelet. The classic line of the bracelet features a dazzling clasp of marquise diamonds. The diamonds are round set - held in place by a gold rim, which gives the bracelet a distinctly contemporary feel. The middle of the bracelet has a flower pattern, and the four petals of the flower have a diamond on them. 

“It’s so beautiful, Elara,” she said with a shaking voice. 

She helped me wear the bracelet with a shaking hand and hugged me tightly. She didn’t talk and just hugged me. This kind of feeling for both of us is overwhelming. 

"Thank you, Mavy. Even though I don't tell you anything, you are always there. I love you so much," I whispered to her ear. 

"Elara, you are my one and only genuine friend in this world. I am so thankful that I met you," she said in a trembling voice.

After our moment in my room, we went down and saw them preparing the food.

"Everyone! Let's welcome my most beautiful friend and the birthday celebrant. Elara Chantria Amore!" she shouted, everyone's attention went to me. 

My knees trembled while walking down the stairs. Their eyes are full of admiration and respect. I am so overwhelmed at what they make me feel. 

"Elara! You are so beautiful!" Adelia approached me and turned me around.

"Holy sh*t Rufus! Our brother is so lucky. She's the epitome of beauty." I heard Theodore's voice saying this. I looked at him and Rufus, they were looking at me with admiration. 

"Sh*t! Stop it, Theodore, or we will die early!" Rufus said in a strained voice. They looked away and continued fixing the table. 

I wonder what they are talking about. My attention shifted to Adelia when she asked me to smile.

"Let's take a picture! Stay there, Elara, and give me your brightest smile!" she showed me her film camera.

I fixed my posture and smiled widely at the camera. After that, the camera released a film. Adelia was excited to see the outcome.

"This is my third time telling you, Elara, that you are so beautiful and I will never get tired of telling it to you," then she handed the film to me.

I smiled after I saw the outcome. I look so happy in the picture. I’ve never seen my eyes this happy before. I never thought that the happiness I’m looking for in a family can be given by newfound friends. 

"Can we have a picture also?" Adelia asked me.

"Sure, I would love to!" 

We took a lot of pictures with Adelia and Mavy. We were so happy; our photographer was Theodore. We took one picture with all of us five. I also made sure that I have a photo with Mrs. Watsinkon. I really want to treasure this moment. I hope this feeling never ends.

After the picture taking, we went to the table and sat. They sang a happy birthday to me and made me blow the candle. I wish this happiness never ends. The cake was bought by Mavy. I cannot thank her enough. She's the best. I had the best day of my life. I never thought that I will feel this happiness. I couldn't ask for more.