Days went fast and even when Adrien and Emerson went on the hotel sites together, they both kept their distance and maintained a professional relationship. Too professional.

Emerson and Shan made some friends in the college with whom she talked sometime, just never hang out because of her work. Handling two jobs with 3 courses wasn't easy. The only privilege she had was she got some extra time due to her insomnia. She could sleep 3 hours straight, and she was thankful for it. She had learnt a long time ago to be happy in what she had.

And it was now 13 November, 7 am when she opened the door of her cabin for some fresh but cold air.

The weather was chilly, indicating the winter arrival.

She smiled to herself, enjoying the cool breeze on her face when her gaze fell on the package at her door.

She smiled and grabbed it.

The package was perfectly packed.

She carefully opened it to see some Christmas Roses tied with a ribbon which had note attached to it and one more box.

She unfolded the note.

(Happy birthday dear)

Emerson smiled brightly.

"Happy birthday to me " She whispered.

She opened the next box to see it was a perfume bottle, imported from Mexico.

She sprayed a little on her wrist and inhaled it.

She made an online order of all Grandma Rose's favorite dishes in NYC for home delivery at her address and paid for it. She could atleast give Rose a feast even if she wasn't with her.

She sighed when she realised it was her first birthday without Grandpa Peter with her, and also without Rose with her from the past 6 years.

She knew she couldn't call Rose since she would still be sleeping due to time difference and so texted her a thankyou, deciding to call her later.

She changed her home clothes for new one, since it was her special day.

She wore a grey knitted woolen knee length dress with tights and boots, leaving her hair in braided style. She wore a coat on it, since the cold was too much to go in just a dress.

When it was time she took her backpack and left for the University.

When she spotted her friends and approached them, Shan tackled her in a hug.

"Happy Birthday Tomodachi. "

He wished her in his deep voice, which felt like music.

They pulled away .

"Thanks." She said smiling.

A dark skinned beauty named Quinn then hugged her.

"Happy birthday sunshine."

Emerson laughed and thanked her.

One girl and one boy, both blond haired and green eyed, being twins wished her in sync. Oliver and Olivia.

"Happy birthday."

She thanked them, her smile never fading.

Before they could talk more, her phone rang.

It was Henry.

"Hello Grandpa, good morning." She said in chirpy tone .

Henry laughed.

"Good morning sweets, happy birthday."

"Thanks Grandpa." She said in a polite tone, but you could hear smile in her tone.

"Well, you must be having your class now, but your gift would be on your step when you go home." He said.

"You didn't need to do that Grandpa. You calling me was enough." She said.

Henry sighed on the other end.

"Always a sweetheart. You deserve gifts and more . Go now, your classes would be starting." He said.

"Ok, bye Grandpa and thanks for the gift." She said.

"Bye " With that he hanged up.

Emerson went towards her group.

They all were smiling like Cheshire Cat making Emerson eye them warily.

Olivia spoke, her grin never fading.

"We have the best gift for you." She said.

Emerson narrowed her eyes.

"There was no need, guys." She said.

Quinn shook her head.

"There was no need, but when it's in our advantage, why not? " She said linking her arm with Emerson.

Emerson raised her eyebrows.

"What is it? " She asked curiously.

Oliver grinned.

"We are going to a nightclub, an exclusive one . We were able to secure some VIP passes." He said waving the passes in the air.

Emerson smiled widely.

"Ok, it's great." She said.

Quinn looked at her surprised.

"No it isn't my scene and I am a good girl? " She asked.

Emerson frowned.

"What? "

Shan rested his elbow on her shoulder.

"Nothing, we thought you will decline, you do not look like party type. We thought it would be hard to convince you." He said giving a one shoulder shrug.

Emerson smirked.

"You don't know a lot of things, you are in for a surprise . " She said with a smug look.

Every one looked surprised.

"It's set then, we will meet at the entrance of your dorm at 8 pm. I have a seven seater car, we can easily fit in it." Olive said.

Quinn gave him a questioning look.

"Who will be the designated driver? " She asked him.

He was speechless, not having an answer.

"I can drive, even if I drank alcohol, but we will be in trouble if the police stop us. It's actually Friday." Emerson said.

"It's ok, I can call my sister to pick us." Quinn said.

"If it isn't a bother." Emerson asked.

Quinn shrugged.

"She is alergic to alcohol. So she stays away from these things, and plays video games till late night, so it won't be a problem."

Everyone nodded.

Shan clapped his hands twice.

"So it's set then, let's go to the class now." He said and the bell rang at the moment, making everyone run to their classes .

After their classes, the group went to lunch at a homey diner which served English meal.

Emerson ordered the food for Adrien from the diner itself, not having much time to cook.

She went to her cabin to see a package delivered.

It was Grandpa Henry's gift.

Headphones.

She smiled at that. Though she already had earplugs, she also loved big headphones.

She messaged him a thank you and taking her car keys, she left for the office.

In her time there, she didn't interact with other unless needed, so she didn't have any friend. It was in her favour. People tend to ask questions shw doesn't want to answer so it wasn't a problem.

She had closed herself in the office working on the projects.

Even though she wondered if Adrien would wish her or not...

~~~~~~~~~~~

Adrien had a hard time being calm instead, he was anxious the whole day. He had noticed the lunch he ate was takeout and not homemade.

He had bought a gift for her, but he wasn't sure if he should give her or not.

Her demand of keeping distance and his ego were obstacles in his path.

His phone rang, snapping him out of his thoughts.

It was his college friend, Noah.

Noah Miller was a businessman owning exclusive night club chain over the Europe and America.

"Hello? " Adrien spoke.

"Hey man, heard you are in London? " Noah asked in a cheery tone.

"Yeah, just some hotel project. How are you? " He asked.

Noah laughed on the other line. He was an extra cheery and always happy person.

"I am fine, it's a great coincidence I am in London , wanna come for some drinks at the club tonight? I can give you free VIP passes." He joked.

Adrien chuckled.

"I don't know, heard Noah Miller's club is too expensive for someone poor as me." He teased back.

He could feel Noah rolling his eyes.

"Don't act dramatic, come at 8 at the Phoenix tonight. I will be waiting, we have a lot to catch up." He said sternly.

Adrien thought for a minute. Emerson didn't talk with him on her own, and he wasn't going to bend down. So he finally agreed.

"Sure. See you at 8 ." He said.

"Bye then." And with that he hanged up.

Adrien sighed.

He was still wondering about Emerson's gift.

If things wouldn't have taken such a bad turn, then he would have planned something big for her. 2 weeks ago he had a good plan for Emerson's 24 th birthday, to make up things with her. But now, even working in the same building with her, they weren't on talking terms.

He wondered if Rose was correct, he should have left for the time being and come to her only on her birthday.

He shook the thoughts and his anxiousness away, focusing on his work instead of Emerson.