Chapter 10 Gift

Chapter 10 Gift
I had been awake for a while, but I had zero motivation to leave my bed. Yesterday, I was actually excited about this celebration because Mom had mentioned she had a surprise for me that would make me really happy.

I already had a hint of what it might be, but I didn’t say anything to her. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise she had prepared so carefully.

It was exactly 10 a.m. when I finally stepped out of my room. Even from the hallway on the second floor, I could hear the noise coming from the living room—my friends laughing and shouting.

I walked down the stairs with deliberately heavy steps. Almost everyone in the living room turned to look at me. My eyes immediately found Angela, and I remembered the call from last night. I pushed the thought away and joined them.

“Happy Birthday, Lucas!” they greeted me almost in unison.

I turned to Kuya Dave, who was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through his phone. “Where’s Mom?” I asked right away. I hadn’t seen her anywhere.

“Manang said she’s at the salon,” he replied.

I just nodded. I already knew why—she was probably getting dolled up since she had invited so many people.

The party wouldn’t officially start until 7 p.m., so I still had plenty of time. There was nothing left for me to do; everything was already prepared, including my outfit. It was a white tuxedo with white pants, paired with black Nordstrom loafers. Mom had personally chosen it, saying it suited me perfectly. I didn’t argue. Everything looked good on me anyway.

With this face, anything would suit me—even wearing nothing at all.

I wandered over to the pool area and saw the long blue table covered with gifts. I scanned them one by one and noticed a few were labeled with my friends’ names.

I tried to look for Angela’s gift, but with so many presents piled up, I gave up. I didn’t want to waste time sorting through them all.

I went back to the living room and told my friends I was going upstairs again. I really wasn’t in the mood to stay down there.

The moment I pushed open the door to my room, the weight of the day settled heavily on my shoulders. My body felt heavy again the second I saw my bed, as if it was pulling me toward it.

I didn’t bother turning on the lights. I simply dropped my phone somewhere on the mattress and let myself fall face-first into the pillows. A deep sigh escaped me—one that felt like it came from the very bottom of my chest.

“Argghh,” I mumbled against the sheets.

I rolled onto my back, eyes half-closed, staring at the ceiling I couldn’t even see in the darkness. Every muscle felt drained. Even my mind was exhausted. For a second, I thought about checking my messages, but the idea alone tired me out more. Instead, I pulled the blanket over my stomach, curled slightly to the side, and let my eyes close.

“Whatever,” I whispered. “I’ll just sleep again.”

And just like that, sleep pulled me under before I could think of anything else.

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I stood in front of the mirror, checking my reflection. I was wearing white slacks with a Dior belt, a plain white shirt underneath a crisp white tuxedo jacket. I had brushed my hair back neatly. Before leaving my room, I slipped on my black designer loafers.

The moment I stepped out, loud music from the speakers boomed throughout the house. I leaned against the hallway railing, surprised to see a marshal waiting for me at the top of the stairs. I hadn’t expected Mom to go this far.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and give a warm round of applause for our birthday celebrant—the younger son of the Buenavista family… Mr. Lucas Draven Buenavista!” the MC announced from the living room. The guests clapped enthusiastically.

The marshal signaled for me to start walking down. I followed.

Before descending fully, I glanced at the crowd below. All my friends were standing near their assigned tables. I also spotted Mom and Dad waiting at the bottom of the stairs, along with Kuya Dave.

As I walked down, my eyes scanned the room, searching for someone I knew probably wouldn’t come—but I still hoped. I was already halfway down the stairs when I realized he wasn’t there. My gaze landed on Angela standing beside TJ. So she was here… which meant Ethan wasn’t coming. I pushed the disappointment aside and continued down.

The moment my feet reached the bottom step, Mom pulled me into a tight hug.

“Happy Birthday, Lucas. I wish you all the best,” she said tenderly. I kissed her cheek in return.

Dad patted my shoulder and greeted me as well. I thanked both him and Kuya.

We moved toward the center of the living room. Mom and Dad motioned for me to stand in front of the microphone.

I took the mic and spoke briefly. “Thank you so much for attending my party tonight. I know all of you are busy, but you still made time to be here. I hope you enjoy the evening. Thank you again.”

I kept it short. Most of the guests were Mom and Dad’s business associates—some I didn’t even know.

Afterward, I walked over to my friends’ table. They were all busy chatting and didn’t notice me at first.

“My gift is already on the table, Lucas,” Kian said without looking up.

“Mine too. It’s been there since earlier—just grab it later,” Caleb added, patting my shoulder.

Almost everyone had already placed their gifts on the long table by the pool. I thanked them all. Honestly, their presence mattered more to me than any gift.

“Bro, mine’s special, okay? It’s Ben 10 briefs—buy one, take one. I kept the other pair so we can match,” Martin joked, making everyone burst out laughing.

“Sometimes you really just need to shut up when what you’re saying is nonsense,” Yohan replied sarcastically, pretending he was about to kick Martin.

“It’s fine. At least I’m not creeping on my friend’s older brother. Where’s the bro code in that?” Martin shot back.

I noticed Yohan’s eyebrows furrow as he glared at Martin. The two of them were unusually close—almost like real brothers. They had the same chaotic energy and shared the same wild tastes in life.

“Don’t mind him. He’s just hungry,” Yohan said, suddenly slinging an arm around my shoulders.

I removed his arm because it was wrinkling my tuxedo.

He looked like he was about to say something else, but I ignored him and moved over to Angela. She looked surprised when I stood beside her, so I playfully ruffled her hair. “Where’s my gift?”

I already knew I wouldn’t get the request I had asked for— she had called me yesterday. Still, part of me wanted to know why Ethan couldn’t come.

“He said he’s busy,” she answered casually. “But I bought you something else. I’ll give it to you later.”

“Good evening, everyone.”

All eyes—including the guests’—turned toward the center of the living room as Mom began to speak.

She thanked everyone for coming and mentioned some business matters related to me. She also acknowledged a few friends who had given elegant gifts—one even gave me a car, another some land. I didn’t pay much attention. After a while, I excused myself from my friends and stepped outside for some fresh air.

The house was too loud and chaotic inside, so I needed a breather. I took my phone out, opened my gallery, and looked at the photos I had taken earlier in my outfit. I uploaded one to Facebook with the caption: “22 years of existence.”

Seconds after posting, my notifications exploded with reactions and birthday greetings.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and looked up at the sky, letting the warm night air wrap around me.

Suddenly, I heard the guard’s voice rise near the gate. I turned and saw a man trying to enter, but the guard was blocking him.

I walked toward the gate to see what was happening. The guard explained that the man had been insisting on coming in but couldn’t show an invitation card, so he wasn’t allowed entry.

“Where is he now?” I asked. By the time I reached the gate, the man had already left. The guard said he had just walked away.

I stepped outside the gate to look for him, ignoring the guard’s warning that it might be dangerous. I told him to stay at his post.

I walked around outside our house, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man. I wasn’t wrong.

Not far away, I saw him walking toward the subdivision exit. I ran to close the distance.

I grabbed his wrist. He immediately raised his other hand to hit me, but I quickly dodged.

“Hey, it’s me.” I let go of his hand once I saw he had calmed down.

“What are you doing here?” I asked gently.

He looked at me and handed me the paper bag he was carrying. “Angela invited me to your birthday.” He sighed. “I told her I couldn’t come because I had work, but earlier today I found someone to cover my shift… So I came. But the guard wouldn’t let me in. He said I needed an invitation card. Angela didn’t give me one.” He lowered his head.

Hearing that he had gone out of his way to attend—even after initially declining—made me feel special.

Let’s be honest: not everyone can give up an entire day for you. So it’s important to appreciate the people who make time for you, not just during celebrations, but even at your lowest moments.

“Sorry for causing trouble. I’ll leave now. Happy Birthday, Draven,” he said, finally handing me the paper bag.

I was caught off guard when he called me by my second name. It did something strange to my stomach.

No one ever called me Draven. Everyone stuck to Lucas. Hearing Ethan say it made me realize how good my second name sounded—especially when it came from him.

I didn’t check what was inside the bag. “Thank you, Ethan. And sorry about the guard. He was just doing his job.” He shook his head, as if agreeing that the guard had been right.

I took his hand. “Let’s go? Angela’s inside too,” I said, inviting him in so he could enjoy the party.

At first, he hesitated. He said he had only come to deliver the gift. But I insisted, and he eventually gave in.

Since I had run quite a distance to catch up with him, we now walked back to the house slowly, with me carrying the paper bag in my left hand.

One step away from entering the house, I glanced at Ethan. I could tell he was nervous.

His hand was even trembling. So I reached out and held it. He looked at me, surprised by the gesture. I nodded and gently intertwined our fingers.

Before we stepped inside, I cupped his cheek and turned his face toward me. “Don’t be nervous. You’ve got me."