Distilled

Chapter 16

The day had come. My birthday. Mike woke me up singing Happy Birthday to you whispered in my ear. I got a cupcake for breakfast, the party would only be in the afternoon. Michael's family was very wealthy, and I think they had lost track of what to give people as a gift, since Francis and Davina had given me a car. Mike gave me a music box, which made me feel a little more normal. Sophie and her boyfriend gave me a boot that was more expensive than the car, maybe. I loved all the gifts, some were more expensive than others, but they were all wonderful, as I don't remember ever getting a gift on my birthday.

Michael and I had gone out shopping for some clothes a while ago and I chose to wear one of the dresses he had given me. It was a light, cheerful blue and matched the happy day I was having. When the party started, I realized that I didn't know half of the people who came and gave me gifts, so I went out of my way to introduce myself to everyone. I met William, one of Mike's friends, who was finishing medical school, and I also met Jax, the famous lawyer who helped Michael get me out of that house. The party was wonderful and I got more stuff than I needed, but I had a gift to give too, and mine had been planned for a while. I went out with Sophie shopping for new lingerie and was wearing it just for Mike to snatch it from me. It was going to be today, it had to be today, I needed him. I didn't know how I was going to show him what I wanted, but I was going to do my best. At the end of the party, after the cake, Mike called me into the house and I followed him into the living room.

-What happened dear?

-Did you really think I was just going to give you that for your birthday?

-I thought that was enough, don't tell me that you're also going to give me a car.

-No, I prefer more symbolic things. I have the strangest habit of making you choose the things I give you, I never surprise you. But this time, I did both.

He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out the white gold necklace.

-What are you doing with your mother's necklace? Wait a second. You didn't.

-You chose it and I bought it for you. I was going to buy something else, but I thought I'd better give this to you. - He said putting the necklace on me. - See, perfect.

I kissed him and thanked him, with each passing day I was more in love with the brunette in front of me. We went back to the party and danced. Everyone was looking at the necklace and I knew they were trying to guess how much it had cost, but I didn't pay attention to them, I only had eyes for Michael.