Chapter 29

Three months later…

Samaira’s POV:

It’s finally December! Sixth of December to be precise meaning it was my birthday! As for Azrael, his birthday was in September and all he wanted was to go on a vacation with me. I surprised him with the trip he wanted, was it expensive? Yes, but it was nothing compared to what he’d always do for me.

The company has been going really well through the temporary office. Everything has been designed, Azrael and his engineers have been busting their asses off to have it completed so he could release it in January. Hendro too would be done by January.

All Azrael told me was to wear the outfit he laid out for me and be ready at 1 PM. I did as was asked of me, I knew he must have some sort of surprise for me. After a long shower, I finally stepped out, the coral towel wrapped around my body as I began to dry my hair carefully and applied for my leave-in conditioner. I walked to the bedroom and admired the emerald silk dress. It had a long slit on the right side, the back was quite confusing with all the straps. I slid on the dress and turned around, trying to tie the dress but struggled badly, lucking I could hear Azrael coming up the stairs. I turned around to look at him, he looked quite dapper dressed in his black suit, an emerald silk tie matching my dress. His dark hair was combed back perfectly and styled.

“Wow, you look handsome,” I watched as he came closer to me, those ocean orbs focused on me and only me.

“Thanks, babe,” He muttered and took my delicate hand in his then twirled me around. “You look absolutely breath-taking,” Azrael had a soft, sweet smile on his lips.

“Thank you, could you help?” I asked, turning my back to him.

“Of course,” He trailed the tip of his fingers over my bare skin, sending shivers down my spine. He smirked, knowing exactly what he was doing, and finally tied the slip. “Stay right here,” He placed a kiss on my shoulder and walked away.

I admired myself in the mirror and checked out my side view then saw Azrael walking back with a black velvet box, it didn’t take a genius to know what was in there. He opened up the box exposing a beautiful diamond necklace with matching earrings. It even matched with the bracelet Azrael gave me that morning. The only difference was that the bracelet had a hummingbird pendant, he knew how much it meant to me.

“Azrael,” I gasped, watching as he laid the necklace on me, the cold spreading over my chest. It was stunning but I could tell it cost a fortune too.

“Hush, I bought this for you, and I refuse to let you refuse my gift,” He pushed my hair to one side and helped me put on those new earrings he got me.

“It’s beautiful,” I admitted and turned around, wrapping my arms around his neck and looking up at the man.

“Barely does you any justice,” Azrael kissed my temple carefully.

“You’re extra sweet,” I teased and followed him down the stairs.

“Well it’s your birthday sweetheart, of course, I have to be,” He placed me on the desk and walked over to get our shoes.

“Still won’t tell me where we're going?” I asked, maybe this time he’d tell?

“Nope, it’s a surprise,” He got down on one knee and took my foot, resting it on his knee, and slid on one of the black heels, and helped me with the straps.

“Sorry for getting too curious, you have me dressed for a ball at 1 PM,” I pointed out, watching as he carefully put on the second one and stood up.

“Don’t worry, you’ll love where we’ll go and there’s good food,” Azrael assured me and slid on his own shoes.

“For the food, I shall take a risk,” I got down from the desk, finally being taller but still shorter than Azrael.

“Come on,” He took my hand in his.

We got into the car and spoke a bit as Azrael drove. At some point he begged me to put on a blindfold, he truly was keeping his surprise a surprise. After a lot of fighting, I accepted his request and put on the blindfold, my heart began to beat faster, nervous. He kept telling me how long we had to go and talked to distract me. After a good five minutes, maybe longer even he parked the car and removed my seatbelt for me.

“Stay here, I’ll walk around and open the door for you,” Azrael said. I heard him exiting the car and could soon hear the footsteps coming closer from the other side. The door then opened, and Azrael placed his hand on mine and helped me out of the car.

“How long still?” I wondered, hearing him lock the car and felt his hand on mine again and began to walk where he guided me to.

“Just a bit more walking and we’ll be there,” He assured me. After a little bit of walking, we stopped, and Azrael reached over for something then turned back to me.

“Hold this, I’ll remove your blindfold,” Azrael handed me something that was made from metal and weighted quite something. I mumbled, “Ok.” Azrael removed the blindfold for me.

“Surprise!” Everyone yelled. The brightness of the sun made me squint a little but soon I saw a long red ribbon in front of me. We were both on a red carpet and the place we were at was- it’s Angel tech’s office. I looked around and saw all our friends and families had gathered along with some business partners Azrael made on the way.

“Azrael, what is this?” I turned to him then looked at the object in my hand and realized it was a pair of huge scissors.

“Angel tech opening, I couldn’t have anyone better doing this,” Azrael announced, flashing those paper-white teeth of his.

“I thought January-” I frowned, remembering clearly that he said the opening would be January.

“I wanted to keep this a secret, now go ahead. The people are waiting,” He smiled and pointed to the ribbon. I was unable to stop myself from smiling like a fool, this was all such a huge surprise and honor. I was the one to cut the ribbon, the opening was all for me! I cut through the red ribbon and heard some more cheering.

Azrael and I entered the building for the first time, our guests following behind us. The place was just as in the designs Hendro showed us, only there was some decoration and of course food catering and such for the opening. I was greeted by the guests and congratulated by each of them. I walked to find Azrael when I finished talking to the guests and smiled at him.

“Having a good time?” Azrael asked, handing me a glass of champagne, and took my hand, pulling me somewhere a little more private.

“The best, thank you so much,” I smiled and sipped the champagne. Luckily it contained no alcohol so I can have as much as I want. I grew curious and asked, “Though why did you pick this date?”

“Angel tech will have the same policy as Bright tech, we have the day off on the opening anniversary,” He explained proudly, rubbing the side of my arm.

“Which will now be on my birthday,” I realized and looked up at him with a surprised expression.

“Exactly, I’ll have you all to myself on your birthdays,” He winked and leaned over to kiss my cheek, his large hands moving over my hips.

“Okay mister, I see Akira’s calling me,” I cleared my throat and rushed away from him.

“Hey,” Azrael pouted and turned around to look at me.

Just like that my birthday went by and I had the best time ever. I truly couldn’t ask for a better day! The opening went well, the news got a hold of it pretty fast but luckily we had enough security guards on the premises. As for the launching of our first laptops, video cards and such that would be happening one week before Christmas. This was all so exciting! I’m so proud of this man.

~~~

Four months later…

Third person POV:

Angel tech’s first product launch went awfully well! Azrael’s expectations were high, but the company surpassed everything he and his team expected. He felt great about the boss, not having to worry about a board or having to worry about losing the company. As for Samaira, she has been enjoying her new role, it was a little more than before, but she had been managing it well. Plus she had her own office!

Bright tech had been given to Deacon and things remained the same, nothing got better but nothing got worse either. As of right now, it was on one line. Now it didn’t bother Azrael anymore what happened with Bright tech, he had his own company with his own worries and such.

Azrael and Samaira managed to keep their business and love life separate, both of which are going very well. They couldn’t be happier and their friends too. Zoey’s life had been going great, in the end, she ended up switching apartments. Blake's studies went well, he was closing in on finishing. Hailey too was having a great time but was currently on a break. Hendro has been getting more calls since he finished Angel tech which was great for him.

As for Rae and Akira? The two made quite a great pair and actually have a fashion show planned tonight which is where Samaira and Azrael are heading to. Azrael was happy to show his support even if he didn’t quite understand these things. Samaira was glad to see Akira and Rae’s hard work. Though Samaira spent more time at Azrael’s place she still went home and would often see Akira sketching away on her book or drag Samaira to sit down and try out some different hairstyles and make-up looks on her.

“Samaira, good you came,” Akira said hastily and pulled Samaira in for a quick hug.

“What’s up?” Samaira asked as she could tell something was going wrong.

“We need your help,” Rae said breathlessly, resting her hands on her hips.

“This venue looks nice,” Azrael complimented, his eyes focused on the decor surrounding them, and looked quite amazed.

“Not now, Azri,” Rae glared at him.

“Okay, wow,” Azrael backed off.

“What can I help with?” Samaira asked, going back to Rae’s request.

“The person who needed to present the models and do the opening and closing called in sick,” Akira explained, her eyes focused on the palette in her hand as she mixed some foundation colors.

“Oh no, that’s bad,” Samaira pouted and looked over at the models that walked around in the background, checking themselves out in the big mirror.

“Could you step in? You have a clear, sweet voice,” Rae suggested, giving her the sweetest and the most pleading look she could come up with. Personally, her voice was a little too soft unless she was angry, and Akira had a mild cold so her voice wasn’t as good as it should be.

“But, I don’t know anything,” The brunette frowned, looking around. How was she supposed to know what she’d have to say?

“You're a fast learner, I can give you the notes,” Rae offered, already turning around and picking up the thin stack of cards. Samaira looked over at Azrael who shrugged at her and patted her back.

“Okay, okay, how much time do I have?” She wondered, reading the cards, luckily there wasn’t that much to be said and there was a small photo of the models on the card with their name so she wouldn’t announce them wrong.

“Like thirty minutes? We also have to take you over and such,” Akira answered, already tugging at her hand.

“I’ll just go find my own seat, I’ll see you,” Azrael said quickly, planting a kiss on Samaira’s cheek and walking away.

“Sounds perfect then,” She muttered, watching as her boyfriend walked away.

“Let’s get going,” Rae let the way.

Rae ended up having Samaira change into a dress. It was a simple pretty dress and Akira applied her makeup and did her hair as she read the cards over and over again, trying to memorize it even though she was going to bring it upstairs with her. Samaira had the tendency to get off script which is good when improvising is needed but in this case, she was pretty sure it wasn’t needed, at all.

Once the show started everything started out slowly but surely smoothly as they went on. Samaira’s heart was racing way too fast, but she managed to present as Rae and Akira wanted. The show went really well, the audience was in love with most of the designs, Samaira too liked them. Even the models that were picked out did it very well and the makeup was spectacular. A little bizarre but that was the theme after all. By the end of the show, everyone was cheering and celebrating a little. And the after-show was much better. Samaira and Azrael were of course invited too but first helped cleaning up.

Once they had finished up they spoke a little with Rae and congratulated her then went to go search for Akira. Azrael took Samaira’s and led the way through the place, trying to find Akira but struggled to do so. The further they got from the music they realized they could hear some sniffling.

“Is that her?” Azrael frowned, looking over at Samaira who shook her head and whispered, “It can’t be.”

“Maybe out of happiness for the show?” Azrael mumbled. They turned around the corner and saw Akira sitting on a wooden bench by herself and tears flowing down her cheek, messing her makeup up the slightest bit.

“Hey, Akira,” Azrael said softly, letting go of Samaira's hand and taking a seat next to their crying friend.

“What’s wrong?” The brunette asked immediately, taking a seat next to her on the other side.

“Everything,” Akira sighed, carefully wiping her under eyes with trembling hands. “Well not everything,” she said again and sighed.

“Can we help?” Azrael wondered.

“It’s Emma,” Akira sniffled still.

Samaira panicked, “Oh no, is she ok?”

“Oh, she’s perfectly fine. With Blake,” She replied with a scoff and rolled her eyes.

“What do you mean?” Azrael wondered, unsure what was meant by that.

“Haven’t you noticed? The two seem so close, sometimes it’s like I’m not even in the damn room,” She complained, now filling up with anger rather than the sadness she was experiencing before.

“You don’t think those two-”

“I confronted her once and she called me silly then she lied about her whereabouts today and through Hailey’s story I saw the Emma and Blake were together,” She explained and showed them the story where the two were abnormally close to each other, one hand around the other and not to forget the way they looked at each other. Akira knew exactly why she was being this way; Emma’s parents were never happy when she came out as BI and Emma was a people pleaser at times. Blake, he’s the perfect guy they’d want for their daughter and Emma knew that.

“Akira, I’m so sorry,” Samaira rubbed her back and pulled her into her then looked up at Azrael who seemed a bit clueless but still tried to support them.

“I just don’t understand, we’ve been together for so long, is she really willing to throw that away?” She sighed. “I asked her the exact thing and she left me on reading,” She added, sounding deeply hurt by that part.

“Sweety, I’m so sorry,” Azrael apologized, also rubbing her back. He could only imagine what she was going through and felt bad since he introduced them all to Blake.

“Let’s get out of here,” Samaira decided and got up, Azrael doing the same.

“Where to?” Akira wondered, taking their hands to get up.

“Getting some damn food, no one told me how hungry this would make me,” Azrael said, referring to the show he sat through.

“You barely did anything,” Samaira scoffed and looked at him with disbelief.

“Excuse you, I looked at people's clothes and makeup critically,” He flipped his hair and led the way to the car.

“Come on,” Samaira ignored him and spoke to Akira who was laughing at their behavior. “What would you like?” She wondered.

“A fat burrito,” she said without thinking twice. “With cherry slushie,” Akira added with a huge smile on her face, just thinking about it.

“Sounds perfect, I think I can get us that,” Azrael opened the door for Akira then opened the front door for Samaira.

“Awesome,” Akira smiled briefly.

“We can totally watch that movie with her,” Azrael realized.

“It’s up to her alley,” Samaira mentioned, making her thinking face. Movies always helped to cheer one up, good movies that are.

“And ‘her’ is right here, you know,” Akira cleared her throat and leaned over right between them.

“Right, sorry. Want to watch a comedy movie with us?” He then chuckled and asked her personally.

“It has some eye candies for the both of us,” Samaira mentioned, winking at Akira.

“Ooo, I’m in then,” She giggled whilst Azrael rolled his eyes and shook his head.

Just like that the three picked up some food, stopped at the grocery store and bought some snacks and such then went straight home. They set up the living room and began to enjoy their time together. Akira knew exactly what they were doing and appreciated it, it was very much needed. The good food, delicious snacks, and great movies. It made her happy and forget about all her worries for a moment.

Samaira sat between Akira and Azrael, they both leaned on her, and somehow she was for once enjoying being smushed. Midway through the movie, Azrael’s phone rang, and when he checked he saw it was the security company that guarded the neighborhood.

“There’s a woman here named Emma White, she claims to know you,” The man asked through the phone, followed by a second question, “May she passes?”

“Mhm,” Azrael hummed and looked over at Akira, waiting to see what she had to say. For Akira the fun atmosphere had disappeared, the huge smile on her face fell and she sighed and nodded at Azrael in response.

“Yes, she may come through,” Azrael told the man.

“Ok sir, good night,” The security wished him.

“Good night,” He replied, then ended the call.

“How did she know you are here?” Samaira wondered, walking over to grab the front door key.

“Probably because we have our shared location on, you too,” Akira reminded her and sighed.

“Oh shit, right,” Samaira frowned and made a mental note to update hers.

“She’s here, what will you do?” Azrael asked, noticing the headlights shining their light through the peaks of the curtain.

“I’ll go open ok?” The brunette looked over at her friend, waiting for her permission.

“Ok,” Akira sighed.

Samaira went to open the door and briefly greeted Emma; it felt a little awkward. Almost like parents going through a divorce but you’re close with both parents, so it gets awkward now.

“What do you want, Emma?” Akira asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Those dark eyes were stoic and showed no ounce of emotion, almost as if she hadn’t been crying at all.

“Can we please talk?” Emma wondered, her eyes shifting to the background where Azrael and Samaira were busy fighting over a piece of cake.

“What about?” Akira asked again.

“Us?” Emma then asked and pleaded, “Please, I’ll drive, and we can talk.”

“Why should I? Emma, I don’t want to go through shit tonight,” She sighed and moved her hands to rest on her hips now. “You ruined a happy day for me, a day you said you couldn’t make it because of work,” Akira continued, feeling hurt again, a lump forming in her throat. “Were you at work?” She snarled; they both knew how Emma had lied about that.

“No, you’re completely right. That’s why I want to talk to you and make it up to you,” Emma sounded embarrassed with herself, wishing she could have done things differently. “Aki, I made a terrible mistake,” She sighed.

“Fine, I’ll join you in a few minutes,” Akira muttered, closing the door in her face before she had a chance to respond to that.

“What will you do in those few minutes?” Samaira frowned.

“Nothing, maybe finish this but I wanted her to wait for a little,” Akira whispered, picking up the glass of melted ice cream she had.

“Are you sure you’re ready for a conversation?” Azrael wondered.

“It’s best to always talk things through,” Akira admitted, drinking the ice cream like a milkshake.

“Very much true, remember you’re always welcome here,” Azrael offered her and gave her a hug.