Dear Sweetheart,

Unsaid Feelings

----------- 3 months later----------

Lara walked into FunkeCafe and saw Joy waved her hand with a bright smile at one corner inside the cafe.

Lara took a seat in front of Joy. They promised to meet there.

"Here's your iced caramel latte" Lara saw a cup of iced caramel latte that Joy ordered on her behalf. Her BFF knew her all time favourite beverage. Lara took a sip of her drink. Just the way she liked it. Not too sweet.

Lara noticed there's not many customers in the cafe. Maybe some of them went to try the new cafe, just opened few days ago.

"How's life? Any news from Daniel?" Currently both of them were busy with their own personal life and job thus, they're rarely has time to see and update about each other. Sometimes they talked over phones.

"I'm been doing great. Everyday, same routines. Nothing much. And yes, I video called with Daniel last night. We just talked about our daily life and stuffs" Lara smiled when she reminded of yesterday when she video called with Daniel. She told Joy how Daniel now had a shorter hair due to the training. His face become a bit slimmer which maked Lara worried. But Daniel assured her that he's been doing fine.

Joy smiled ear to ear hearing her BFF's happiness. She always wanted the best for Lara. Joy envied with Lara for finding the love of her life with Daniel. Joy sure no one can make Lara happy other than Daniel.

"Lara, your birthday just around the corner. Anything in your mind how you want to celebrate it?" said Joy before drinking her tea.

Lara shocked how fast time passed. It's already March, and her birthday is on the 15th of March.

"Nothing. I'll just celebrate it as usual at Woodland with the elders. We'll have a feast there" Just like her past birthdays, Lara will celebrate it with the elders at Woodland. She's been doing it since her 21st birthday and this year remarked her seventh year doing so. Unlike other people around her age, she's not fond to celebrate with big party at clubs or pool. For her it's such a waste of money, spending it own something at the end of the day, they will forget about it. At least, celebrating with the elders brought warmth to her heart, to see these elders smiling and happy.

"You really care about the elders at Woodland, don't you? They must feel thankful to have you, sharing your happiness with them" Joy's so proud of having friend like Lara.

-----------------------------‐-------------

15th March 2022, Lara's birthday

That morning, Lara been busied at her parents home, to prepare for the feast at Woodland for her birthday.

Her mom prepared lots of fingers foods to fit the elders taste and the worker of the centre. There were Shepherd's pie pockets, Bacon and Cheddar potato puffs and her mom's signature, Soft peach with yogurt parfaits. There's lentil soups and salads too.

After all the preparation, Lara got ready. She wore a white midi dress with lace and let her hair loose with no accesories. When she's satisfied with her looks, she joined her family, headed to Woodland.

The worker already prepared the whole place with tables and chairs. They also decorated the whole place with balloons and fresh peonies sent from Linda's shop.

Lara greeted Linda with hugs. She's still did a final touch with the flowers. Lara felt touched with Linda being here along with Jeremy, who currently helped unload the foods from her dad's SUV.

"Lara" Joy loudly called her name. Joy ran to Lara and hugged her best friend.

"Happy birthday my only best friend in this world" Joy wished Lara full heartedly and she passed Lara a big box, wrapped in gold wrapper. Lara was thankful enough of Joy being there.

When everything being set up perfectly, the celebration finally started. All the elders were brought to garden to celebrate it together with them.

"Guests, we are here today to celebrate the birthday of one of the loveliest and kindest young lady that our town ever have. She's being with us since her 21st birthday and now, she's already in her 27" Ms Fei started the event with a welcoming remarks on behalf of Woodland's staffs. All guests clapped their hands and few staffs whistled at the back, making the event livelier.

"Now, I would like to invite, the star for today, Lara to give a speech" Ms Fei handed over the microphone to Lara.

"First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents, who's been there for me since day 1 you had me. Next, to my only one BFF, Joy...." Lara continued her speeches by being thankful to those peoples in her life. Those faces in front of her. They played their part's in some point of her life.

"Last but not least, to someone who I love the most. I wished him to be here but he can't. If he's here, I want to tell him that I can't thanked him enough for all the love he gave to me. I can't wait to see him again" Lara tried to hold back her tears. She just felt a bit empty with his absence in her most happy day.

Madison slowly rubbed her daughter's back, to console her. Lara smiled to her mom to say she's fine.

The feast started. All guests enjoyed the foods while chatted with each other. Lara too, happily conversed with Grandma Elle, on her wheelchair.

"How's Grandpa Jack, Grandma Elle? Why he's not here today?" Lara can't find Grandpa Jack everywhere. He's usually sat at the front row, on his wheelchair.

"Jack is currently undergo the treatment at the Centre Hospital. Today he went there for his monthly treatment" Grandma Elle told Lara.

"But Ms Fei told me the cost of the treatment is too expensive. That's why the centre only can afford him with the oxygen tank" It was her first time to hear this. No one in the centre told her about Grandpa Jack.

"Recently, I heard a nurse said there's a secret donor, who wanted to sponsor for Jack's treatment. They also provided us with new beds and wheelchairs. This one is so comfortable" said Grandma Elle, showed off her new wheelchair.

Lara can see the wheelchair looked new and comforting for elders. Lara smiled as she knew kind hearted people still exists.

After the party, Lara headed back to her studio. She felt lethargic with the whole day preparation and celebration. She threw herself on the couch and tried to get a nap. However, she can sense there's someone else besides her inside the house.

She slowly reached for her phone from her pouch. Her thumbs ready to call the police.

While on the couch, Lara moved little by little, trying to see if there's really someone inside the studio. She walked to her bedroom stealthily, with minimum noise. She also reached for a candle holder for her protection.

When she stepped into her bedroom, someone suddenly lifted her from the floor. Lara screamed loudly but she noticed something.

'This scent. No way'

Lara looked at the person who lifted her and to her surprise, it was Daniel. Lara can see his dimples forming eventhough it's dark. His eyes glistened in the dark, looked straight into Lara's.

"Happy birthday, love" His hypnotic voice sounded untrue to Lara's ears. Daniel brought her outside and Lara can clearly saw his face.

Immediately, Lara bursted into tears and buried her face against Daniel's shoulder. Daniel's taken by surprise. He didn't expect Lara will be crying this hard. He stood still until Lara calmed down.

Daniel put her down slowly and looked at Lara's face in worried. He wiped the tears away. Lara still sobbing.

"Why you cry this hard on your birthday? Hmmm??" Daniel wrapped Lara in his arms and brushed her hair gently.

"I thought.... u were not here" her shoulder moved up and down, crying at Daniel's chest.

Daniel made a gap between them and slightly leaned towards Lara.

"But here I am. How can I not be here when it is my girlfriend's birthday? I have to be here" Daniel's soothing voice calmed Lara in every ways.

They sat on the couch.

"When do you arrived? How? Thought you're in London?" Lara still can't believe Daniel was here.

"I asked for special leave or I would say... that I earned it??? Anyway, I'll be here for a week" Daniel explained. He did earned the special leaves when he won a combat competition held.

Daniel pulled Lara hand so she can sit on his lap. Daniel's eyes carefully looked at the face he missed the most. Lara had a delicate-feature with a pair of steel-gray eyes, natural rosy cheeks and slightly plum red lips. She's the only who can shake his rational.

Lara brushed her fingers on Daniel's face, started from his forehead. She smiled when she noticed Daniel's short hair. Her fingers then moved down to his cheeks and finally to his lips.

Lara leaned slowly towards Daniel and kissed him passionately. Daniel's hand supported her back. He kissed Lara back. Her sweet full lips really intoxicated him. He can feel his jeans' getting tighter when Lara constantly rocked herself slowly against him.

After a while, they stopped to catch a breathe. Their chests moved simultaneously and with no time to waste, Daniel lifted Lara with their lips locked and walked to the bedroom.

Daniel sat on the bed end with Lara still on his lap. His hand moved towards Lara's back, tried to find the dress zipper. In one swift move, Daniel pulled the zipper all the way down to Lara's waist. In no time, the white lace dress slided down and revealed Lara in a skimpy white bra.

On the other way, Lara also removed Daniel's jacket and threw it away. Then, her hands pulled Daniel's shirt above his head. She noticed there's few faded bruises and scars on Daniel's body. Her fingers carefully traced the wounds. A sorry feelings lingered inside her.

Daniel brought Lara's silky hairs to one side, gave him access to her most sensitive part. Daniel took his time to slowly kissed Lara's neck. His lips grazed all over Lara's neck, made her to moan a little.

"I missed everything about you but this one... exceptional" Daniel referred to Lara's collarbone. The way Lara's collarbone curved contrast with the a straight strap enough to arouse him. He unhooked Lara's bra, swiftly pulled it off and dropped it on the floor.

Daniel then swiftly changed their position with Lara's on her back on the bed. Daniel's dominating swiftness left Lara ravenous. Lara's legs were on Daniel's waist, pulled it closer to her body. They continued with deep kisses when Lara's hand moved down to feel Daniel's bulge inside his jean. Daniel flinched a bit when Lara slowly stroked his arousal. Her hand was warm

"Gosh, Lara..." Daniel moaned her name.

Lara smiled flirtatiously when her hand was busy unbuckled Daniel's jean and revealed his hardened shaft. Daniel guided the sore head on Lara's drenched panty. Lara immediately reacted to it and arched her back to Daniel's touch.

Daniel kneeled and slided Lara's panty off. He parted Lara's leg and planted kisses on her thighs. He took a peek at Lara and smiled. Lara's eyes were half opened indicated she's turned on. When he got his signal, he gently inserted his swollen head inside Lara's.

Daniel supported himself with his elbow when he inched deeper. Lara moaned when Daniel picked up his thrusting speed.

After a moment, Daniel slowed his pace. He brushed off few hair strands on Lara's forehead to get a clearer look of her face.

"Happy birthday love" Daniel romantically wished Lara and instantly devoring her lips while he steadily thrusted inside Lara.

They poured all the cravings and feelings on longing they had for each other. How they wished the night to pass slowly.