"I got this covered. You take your mom home. That's more important," I said over the phone.

"Thanks a lot. I just wish Dad or Lance could be here so that I didn't have to dump all my work on you," Elian grimaced.

"It's fine. Just take care of her. I will handle everything in the office," I assured.

"I know. Thanks again. I gotta go now. Bye." He hung up, and I let out a sigh.

I put my phone down and smiled down at it sadly, looking at the time that read eight. Only four hours till my birthday.

I was pretty sure Elian forgot about it, and I didn't blame him for it one bit.

He was taking too much load since his dad was out of the country for something important and Lance was busy with something he said he couldn't tell about. Eltan had classes, so it was impossible for him to be with their mom all the time.

Not that Elian had free time, to begin with, he was the only one who could look after Brisa. Brisa did tell him not to bother because there were doctors and nurses at her service, but Elian wouldn't listen and I wouldn't let him, either. It sucked to be at the hospital all alone, so Elian and I alternated between paying visits and staying the nights.

"Ms. Fleur, your espresso," Ryatt said, coming in.

"Thanks. You can get off work now," I told him.

"I will leave after compiling this file so that you can finish earlier and get home. The last thing you want on your birthday is to still be at the office," Ryatt said, and I smiled at his consideration. Even though even if he did help me, I doubted I could finish before two in the morning. "Anyway, happy birthday in advance, Ms. Fleur."

"Thank you, Ryatt." As much as Anya was a good assistant, Ryatt was much more dedicated, and I was really glad to have him as an assistant.

After Ryatt left and I downed my espresso, I got to work once again.

At sharp nine, I stared at my phone, expecting a video call. Every year, my parents and Abigail would video call me at this time due to Georgia being three hours ahead of California and they would never be able to stay up till three in the morning to wish me at midnight here.

But when ten minutes passed with no incoming calls or texts, I heaved a sigh. Maybe they forgot this year.

It's fine, Alena. You are a grown-up. You don't need to feel bad because people didn't wish you. I consoled myself and returned to work.

I didn't let myself get distracted until I was done. I didn't even notice the hour clock hand was nearing twelve and the door of my cabin opening until a palm covered my eyes. My heart almost paused. A sudden panic rose in me.

I was about to stab the infiltrator with the Apple pencil in my hand before I heard the familiar deep voice whisper, "Hey."

"Elian?" I asked.

"Of course, me," he said, still not removing his palm from my eyes. "Get up. I have somewhere to take you to."

"Where?"

"You will know," he whispered and guided me out of my cabin. We took the elevator, and I could feel it going up, which made me think that we were going to his cabin, but we were inside longer, which could only mean we were going to the rooftop.

When I was exposed to the chilly outside air, I was sure we were on the rooftop.

"Happy birthday, my love," Elian whispered, and before I could respond, he finally dropped his hand.

Just then, a chorus of screams filled my ears, "Happy birthday, Alena!"

I gasped at the sight of my parents, Abigail, Ryatt, Ashton, Jace, a few other colleagues I got along well within the office, and some of the close university friends with whom I started contacting again after regaining my memories.

I looked up at Elian, who was smiling down at me, and asked, "You remembered?"

"How can I forget?" he responded.

Before I could say anything else, Abigail came running to me and dragged me away to my friends and family.

A couple of minutes later, I got a text from Eltan wishing me a happy birthday through a short poem, along with apologies that he couldn't come because he was taking care of his mom. Ten minutes later, another text from Lance, wishing me a happy birthday with no stickers or exclamations. I was honestly surprised he just didn't write 'HBD'. So I was happy with both of the wishes I got from those two brothers.

After mingling around for some more time, I went to Elian who was chatting with Ashton and Jace.

"Hey, you guys, thanks for coming, despite your busy schedule," I said to the two of them and gave them each a hug.

"Of course, we had to come. There's cake," Ashton joked.

"Ash, the cake is for Alena. It's her birthday," Jace said.

"Jace is right. Leave my cake alone, Ash," I mock-warned.

The two of them laughed lightly and walked away, leaving me alone with Elian. He was leaning forward against the railings with a smile tugging on his lips.

I looped my arms around his bicep and placed my head on his shoulder. "Hey," I mumbled.

He kissed my forehead and said, "Hey. Enjoying the party?"

"Yes. It's been years since I had my parents and best friends on my birthday, so it's been special. Thank you for making it happen."

"You deserve to feel special because you are," he replied.

I smiled and asked, "When did you make the arrangements?"

"I had this planned for days. You don't usually come to the rooftop, and I checked the weather forecast so that it wouldn't rain on my plans. So I just took care of Mom's discharge and brought her home and left her in Eltan's care. Ash and Jace helped out the most in the initial decorations." He knew I didn't like hired men doing the decorations of any of my celebrations because it didn't hold any sentimental value. "There was no way I was going to let you spend another lonely birthday."

"You noticed that last year?"

He nodded. "Sorry, I couldn't do anything for you last year, instead you had to work late."

"But I got your gift at my doorsteps. It was you every year, right?" There would always be a gift at my doorsteps whenever I returned from work on my past two birthdays. I had always wondered who it was, but after getting to know about Elian and my past, I was sure it was him.

"Oops, I got caught," Elian let out, and I chuckled. "By the way, I have a question to ask you."

"Yes?"

"You know—" He was interrupted by Abigail.

"Al, come on. Let's cut the cake. Your mom and dad need to return to the hotel. After that, we can party all night," she urged.

I looked at Elian in question, and he said with an assuring smile, "It's fine. We will talk later."

I returned his smile and interlaced our fingers. "Let's cut the cake," I told him.

He looked down at our hands and glanced at my parents. "Are you sure about this?"

I nodded firmly, then marched towards the table where my birthday cake was placed. It was my favorite one—German cake.

My dad eyed my hand in Elian's hand but didn't say anything, while my mom pretended like it was nothing out of the ordinary. She had gotten way more open-minded since our last confrontation.

Abigail lit the twenty-five-shaped candles and said, "Make a good wish for your silver birthday."

I let go of Elian's hand to clasp my hands and make the wish I always did—keep all of my loved ones happy.

With that, I blew out the candles.

I struggled a little with who I should give the first bite to, but then I decided it was my mom who deserved it the most because she was the one who gave birth to me on this day, even if Elian was the person I held the dearest to my heart.

After Mom, it was Dad, then Abigail snatched a bite before I could finally let Elian have a slice.

"So I'm number four on your list," he teased as he licked the chocolate on the corner of his lips.

I smeared some icing on his cheek and whispered like it was a big secret, "No, you are the number one."

He smiled and took the slice from my hand to feed me, saying, "Well, I'm honored."

After the cake distribution was over and my parents went back to their hotel, the actual party started—with alcohol, dancing, and loud music.

"Who's going to make sure none of these drunkards go and puke on any of the desktops?" I asked, looking at everyone getting wasted while sitting on the thick railing with Elian.

He chuckled. "Don't worry, I told Rowan to lock the entrance to every floor."

I hummed and said, "Are you sure it was a good idea to invite our colleagues? I mean, I'm really happy you thought of them because they were close to me."

"I'm ready to have our relationship be public." He looked at me and asked, "Aren't you?"

My chest felt giddy at the prospect. "Of course." I looked up at the dark sky and asked, "What was that question you wanted to ask earlier?"

"Oh, right." I looked back at him as a little nervousness covered his face. "You know, how we spend the nights together, either at my place or yours," he started, and I nodded. "I was wondering if we could just stick to one. Like—"

"Moving in together?" I suggested with a smile.

He was first caught off-guard at my guess, then he slowly nodded, regaining his composure. "Yeah. Instead of it being your place or mine, it will be our place. Our home."

"God, I thought you'd never ask," I let out. I thought he was forever traumatized by the accident from three years ago so he ended up putting a damper on his plan to ask me to move in with him.

"So is it a yes?" he asked.

I snaked my arms around his neck and kissed him. "Of course, it's a yes. I will move in with you, Elian."