“Good evening, everyone! Happy first of October!”

As Desir and I were resting on the couch after a heavy dinner, the famous newscaster of KBC started talking with a hyper voice. As the days have gone by, I feel like she has gotten all the more prettier. Maybe it was her use of skincare or her lifestyle in general, but as a woman, I could feel that this broadcaster has changed.

Hmmm… It might be a man.

Just like how Desir improved my life, I’m confident that this news anchor had gotten a boyfriend. I’m sure this would be big news for all of the simps that fell for her.

“Restaurants, bars and other recreational activities have been open since the start of last month, and the government is making strides to fully reopen our country once the vaccination program is up and running! This is fantastic news for all those with Halloween plans!”

Halloween? I doubt that there are many who celebrate that holiday in our country. I glanced over at Desir, and I could tell that he felt the same.

But October, huh…

If it were any other year, I wouldn’t be that nervous about this oddly placed month. There weren’t any major holidays, and neither was there anything interesting happening in school. Usually, during this month, I would sit back and chill.

This year, however, I can’t afford to relax.

Why?

Because Desir’s birthday was coming up.

“Hmmm? What’s the matter?” Noticing my frown, Desir turned towards me and ushered a warm smile. “What are you thinking about?”

I’m thinking about you, you dumbass! I really wanted to yell out my feelings, but Desir’s gentleness really melted my resolve. Seriously, this guy is unfair. How is he able to move my heart with just a smile? And yet, he thinks that he’s unattractive…

What a headache.

“Hmmm?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

If I asked Desir what he wanted for his birthday, he would likely give me a non-answer. Something along the lines of anything that I got him, he would be happy. Or as long as I was celebrating his birthday, he would be content.

But… I didn’t want those kinds of answers.

Desir had just given me the best birthday of my life. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that. Even if it was just a little bit, I want to return the favour. The problem was…

What on earth should I get him?

Desir was the type of person who would buy whatever he needed the moment he required it. Dumbbells? He would purchase it immediately. Computers? His company apparently gives him discounts. Good food? He’ll just cook it himself.

So it begs the question…

How do I plan the perfect birthday celebration for him?

What should I get for a guy who has absolutely everything?

Urghh… Looks like I have to bring in the big guns…

❖❖❖

“So that’s why you’ve called us out without Desir,” Sienna commented with a bright smile on her face.

A few days after I’d decided to plan the best birthday for Desir, I called the only two people I could rely on. Like the last time we had a consultation, I invited Sienna to her favourite French Cafe and being the package that they were, Len tagged along as well.

As much as I hate to admit it, I didn’t know every little thing about Desir. Well, at least compared to a friend from university or a childhood friend who has known him for over a decade, I was still wet behind the ears.

“Haha, then you’ve come to the right place!”

Len folded his arms and gave an approving gesture.

“I’ve known Desir for more than a decade now. If you need help in planning a birthday party for him, I’m the best one to ask!”

“Yeah, yeah...”

Sienna rolled her eyes at her boyfriend’s animated response. For some reason, it seemed that Len preferred to plan events for Desir more than his very own partner. Sienna has complained about this in the past, many times, in fact. I vaguely remember her raging about it on the phone when we had our routine calls.

“But honestly… I would say that you’re in a pickle.”

“Huh?”

“Desir rarely celebrates his birthday, especially after his mother passed away. Most of the time, he would just cook an exotic meal, and that’s about it.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard about it before.” Sienna backed up her boyfriend’s words. “I think it was a few years back? I asked him if he wanted anything for his birthday, but Desir said that birthday presents were largely useless.”

Oh? What does that mean?

Seeing my confusion, Len began elaborating: “See, Desir is the type of person who is independent in everything he does. That’s because nothing was handed to him on a silver platter. He had to work for everything that he’d got.”

Len paused and reflected back on all of his past experiences with Desir.

“So if you give him something, even if it was in goodwill, Desir would feel like he didn’t deserve it. He might even return it to you to ask for a refund.”

That sounds like something that Desir would do.

“Urgh, but I really want to do something good for him!”

I held my head tightly, afraid that it might burst from all of the stress. The birthday that Desir had planned for me just a few months back was one of, if not the best in my life. He bought some of the best presents that were tailored precisely to my wants. He cooked the foods that I loved, even if it meant spending hours in the kitchen. And best of all… He promised to give me shelter in the apartment I loved so much.

It was strange.

When I was younger, I could never understand romance movies. Why would the protagonist go so far as to sacrifice their own blood and sweat to please their boyfriends or husbands?

But now that I had Desir, I finally understood.

I wanted to spend every waking moment I had with him. I wanted to touch him whenever I wished. I wanted to sleep in the same bed as him, knowing that he was protecting me in my sleep.

And most importantly of all…

I wanted him to be happy.

Yes, I wanted him to be happy and yet… I couldn’t cook like he did. I couldn’t give him the protection that he gave me. I couldn’t even afford good things without my parent’s money!

Urgh… I really am still a child compared to him.

“Oh, don’t make that face!” Sienna tapped on my shoulder and gave me some soft words of encouragement. “I’m sure that Desir would love any birthday celebration that you’d planned for him! That’s just how that guy is.”

“I know that, but...”

I wanted that day to be special. Just like how he did for mine, I wanted Desir’s birthday celebration to be the best party he ever had.

“Hmmm, truth to be told, there is something that you could do.”

Fortunately, I had a cheat code on my hand. Len, who had been deep in thought for a few moments, finally opened his mouth.

“Desir doesn’t really like parties, and he prefers a more intimate affair. So, while I would love to attend his birthday party, I think that you should make plans for a normal date.”

“So no extravagant parties?”

“Yeah, regrettably.”

Len probably wanted to celebrate Desir’s birthday with me, but he chose to sacrifice his own desires for the greater good.

“I think that he told me once that he wanted to try a five-star restaurant by a renowned luxury chef. But it’s a little pricey, though...”

“Price doesn’t matter!”

I quickly exclaimed. During the pandemic, my parents had sent me far more money than I could use. Plus, I had basically been living off Desir’s goodwill, so I had plenty of cash left in the bank. If it was for my first birthday celebration with Desir, I’m pretty sure that I could splurge the money.

“Ah, that’s great! I’ll send you the address of the place later, then!”

Len smiled in delight while suggesting the place that Desir likes. Following that, he went through a list of potential date ideas that would make his best friend happy. While I was annoyed that this man knew my boyfriend far better than I did, I knew that I wasn’t in a position to complain.

“Ah, there is one more thing...”

The blonde man’s handsome face abruptly turned. Before, he was happily going through scenarios that would make Desir happy. Now, his lips turned a little suspicious as his smile broadened with an impish expression.

“W-What is it?”

“Hehe, don’t worry. I know of the perfect gift that would make Desir happy. But you may need to step out of your comfort zone for a bit...”

I gulped and felt my face turn redder by the second as Len explained his master plan to me.