Happy Birthday
891 Words
1. An Unexpected Discovery
As dusk fell, Sophia closed the flower shop and prepared to head home. Business had been good today, and she was thinking about treating herself to a nice dinner.
Walking toward the parking garage, she passed by a café and noticed a familiar black car parked nearby. Several men in black suits stood beside it—they were household staff from the Knight family, seemingly waiting for someone.
“Mr. Knight is probably still in his study alone, right?” one of them said quietly.
“Yeah, he’s always like this on his birthday. Even Madam couldn’t change his mind back then,” another sighed. “Honestly, if someone was there for him, maybe he wouldn’t be so cold…”
Sophia’s steps suddenly halted.
Today is Alexander’s birthday?
She instinctively tightened her grip on her car keys, her heartbeat quickening.
She had always assumed Alexander was simply a reserved and indifferent person, but she never imagined he spent his birthdays alone.
A memory surfaced—earlier that morning, as she left the house, she had glimpsed Alexander in his study. The door was slightly ajar, and he sat by the window, his fingers tapping absently on the desk, one hand pressed against his forehead. He had looked weary.
At the time, she thought he was just dealing with work stress, but now she wondered—was that quiet melancholy about something more?
Sophia bit her lip, hesitating.
Does he even care about his birthday? What if he doesn’t want to be disturbed?
Her fingers tightened and loosened around her keys as conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind.
In the end, she turned around and walked toward the corner bakery.
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2. A Birthday Surprise
Standing at the entrance of the Knight residence, Sophia held a carefully chosen chocolate cake, her heart pounding.
She had no idea how Alexander would react. Would he reject it? Would he think it was unnecessary?
But in the end, she pressed the doorbell.
The butler opened the door swiftly. His eyes flicked to the cake in her hands, momentarily startled before a warm smile appeared. “Madam, you’ve come back at just the right time.”
Sophia hesitated, about to ask why, when she saw Alexander in the living room.
He sat on the couch, a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.
Taking a deep breath, Sophia walked forward and gently placed the cake on the table in front of him.
Alexander looked up, his brow slightly furrowed as his gaze fell on the cake. “What is this?”
Sophia forced herself to ignore the coldness in his tone and kept her voice steady. “Happy birthday, Alexander.”
For a moment, Alexander’s eyes flickered with surprise. The fingers holding his wine glass stilled, as if he hadn’t expected her to remember.
“I don’t need this.” His voice was calm, detached, his deep eyes unreadable.
Sophia felt a faint sting in her heart, but she didn’t back down. “I know you don’t celebrate your birthday, but… I think birthdays aren’t just about tradition. They remind us that, in this past year, there are still people who care about you.”
Alexander remained silent, his gaze locked onto her for a long moment before he finally set his glass down.
“You’re always this stubborn,” he murmured. His voice was low, unreadable.
Sophia smiled slightly and lit the candles on the cake. “Since I’ve already brought it, why not make a wish?”
The candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow over Alexander’s sharp features.
He remained silent for a few seconds before closing his eyes and making a wish.
As the candles were blown out, Sophia could have sworn she saw the faintest trace of softness at the corner of his lips—something even he didn’t seem to notice.
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3. A Warm Birthday Evening
Sophia sliced a piece of cake and handed it to Alexander. “Try it.”
He studied her for a moment before finally accepting the plate, taking a small bite.
“It’s not bad,” he said flatly. But the cold edge in his eyes had softened.
Sophia chuckled. “As long as you like it.”
The rich aroma of chocolate filled the air, and for once, the atmosphere between them was quiet and warm.
After a long silence, Alexander spoke, his voice softer than usual. “Thank you.”
Sophia blinked, caught off guard. She hadn’t expected to hear that from him.
Smiling, she shook her head. “No need to thank me.”
The night deepened. Moonlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating the space between them—an invisible bridge drawing them closer.
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4. She Really Is... Different
Much later, Alexander sat alone in his study, a glass of wine in his hand. The moonlight reflected in his deep-set eyes as he gazed out the window.
He had expected today to pass as it always did—quietly, unnoticed.
But Sophia had come back.
With a cake. With warmth.
She had disrupted his carefully maintained solitude.
His fingers lightly traced the rim of his glass, and for the first time in a long while, a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
She really is… different.
- Writer
