21. Birthday

21. Birthday
We all had pasts. We all made choices that maybe weren't the best ones. None of us are completely innocent but we get a fresh start everyday to be a better person than we were yesterday.

GABRIELLA

A few days after the incident, I decided it was time to return to the office. Resting had its benefits, but there’s only so much of it one can take before restlessness sets in. I needed a change of scenery, a break from the suffocating routine of staying home. The irony wasn't lost on me—I had been desperate for a break from work, and now, with the opportunity to rest, I found myself craving the familiarity of my professional life. To be honest, anything was better than being around Sandra all the time. The guilt gnawed at me every time I saw her, a constant reminder of the burden I carried.

That morning, I moved through my routine with a sense of determination. I slipped into a pair of black trousers, pairing them with a soft grey top. Black heels and a matching grey handbag completed the outfit, and I tied my hair into a neat bun, hoping that the polished look might lend me the composure I needed to face the day.

After a quiet breakfast with Alejandro’s family, I stepped outside, breathing in the cool morning air. Alejandro’s car was waiting, and I slid into the passenger seat, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead.

As we drove, I mustered the courage to bring up a subject that had been weighing on my mind. “Sir,” I began cautiously, “I’ve been staying with your family for almost a month now. I think it’s time for me to move back to my flat. I don’t want to impose or make anyone uncomfortable with my presence.”

Alejandro’s expression grew serious, and a heavy silence filled the car. Finally, he spoke, his voice firm yet tinged with concern. “You’re not a burden to us. In fact, my mother considers you almost like a daughter, and Sandra has grown quite fond of you. You’re safe in the mansion, protected. If you go back to your flat, you’ll be putting yourself in unnecessary danger, and that’s a risk I’m not willing to take. You saved my life, and I can’t allow you to jeopardize yours.”

His words left me with little choice but to reconsider. With a reluctant nod, I agreed. “Alright, I’ll stay at your house,” I replied, my voice soft but resolute.

The rest of the drive passed in silence, the only sound the hum of the engine as we approached the office. Just before we stepped out of the car, Alejandro turned to me, his expression softening. “Don’t be too hard on yourself,” he said gently. “I know you’ve been through a lot in a short amount of time, and getting too close to a cartel is terrifying. But what’s done is done. Let’s move forward, together. Can you let it go, for me? Please?”

I managed a small smile and nodded in agreement. His words, though comforting, felt like a plea as much as a reassurance.

Once inside, I lost myself in the flow of work. The day was hectic, as usual, a blur of tasks and deadlines that left little room for anything else. It was almost a relief, the predictability of the routine, the demands of the job that kept my mind occupied.

But then, out of nowhere, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw Sandra’s name. Of all the people, she was the last person I wanted to hear from. But Alejandro was right—I needed to move on. I needed to confront my fears and guilt, not run from them. With a deep breath, I answered, forcing a cheerful tone into my voice.

Sandra sounded unusually happy, her voice bubbling with excitement. When I asked her the reason behind her good mood, she revealed, “Tomorrow is Alejandro’s birthday! And I’m planning the best party ever—it’s his 30th, after all! I want you to call in sick and meet me at the mall where we shopped last time…”

Her voice trailed off, and there was a brief, awkward silence. Then, as if sensing my hesitation, she added quickly, “Don’t worry, I’ll have five of our best commandos with me. You can relax.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, even as a familiar pang of guilt tugged at me. But this was a step forward, a chance to face what I’d been avoiding. And maybe, just maybe, it was also a chance to begin letting go.

Around 3 p.m., I decided it was time to take a break. The headache pounding in my temples felt like it was on the verge of splitting my skull, and I knew I wouldn't be able to power through the rest of the day. I made my way to Alejandro’s cabin and, with a hint of reluctance, informed him that I wasn't feeling well and needed to take the afternoon off.

He looked at me with concern but nodded in understanding. "Take care of yourself," he said kindly. "Don’t overwork—your health is more important."

Grateful for his understanding, I left the office and hailed a cab to the mall where Sandra was waiting for me. As I approached, she greeted me with a warm hug, her enthusiasm as infectious as ever. We quickly dove into the task at hand—finding the perfect gift for Alejandro's 30th birthday.

I had already decided I would choose something within my budget but still meaningful. Despite Sandra’s generous offer to chip in, I firmly refused. If she contributed, it wouldn’t feel the same. I wanted the gift to be entirely from me—a gesture of genuine appreciation.

She teased me lightly about my insistence, but I shrugged it off with a smile. "I’m starting to see a different side of your brother," I admitted. "It’s not always obvious, but it’s there, in little flashes."

After browsing through several stores, I finally settled on a golden Parker pen. It was an elegant and timeless gift, one that would cost me nearly 80 percent of last month’s salary. But this was a special occasion, and I wanted to mark it with something truly memorable.

Sandra, on the other hand, chose a miniature gold lion statue, intricately crafted in the old Incan style. It was exquisite, the kind of piece that would make a statement on any desk or shelf. I admired her choice, making a mental note to get something similar for my father back home once life returned to normal.

Our shopping spree lasted two hours, and by the time we were done, it was already 6 p.m. We headed back home, bags in hand, and on the way, Sandra filled me in on the plan. Carlos would take Alejandro on an urgent cartel-related mission that would keep him occupied for the rest of today and most of tomorrow. He’d only return home in the evening, just in time for the party.

As soon as we arrived home, Sandra was on the phone with the party planner, and we wasted no time getting to work. There was a lot to do, and not much time to do it. Sandra took charge of coordinating with the party planners and handling the decorations, while I was tasked with managing the catering and finalizing the guest list. Thankfully, Rosa was there to assist me, and together, we tackled the tasks efficiently.

By 10 p.m., my responsibilities were complete. I joined the family for a quick dinner, and afterward, I carefully wrapped Alejandro’s gift in gold paper, adding a personal note written in my best calligraphy. Exhausted from the day’s activities, I decided to turn in early. Tomorrow was the big day, and there would be even more to do to ensure everything was perfect. After all, it was Alejandro’s 30th birthday, and it had to be special.

The next day, I woke up around 7 a.m., eager to get started. I slipped into a pair of comfortable track pants and a t-shirt, knowing that today would be filled with non-stop work. After a quick breakfast, I headed to Sandra’s room to discuss our progress and the plan for the day. She had already handled the decorations and the overall design, but more than half of the work remained, which would need to be completed later in the day.

With Rosa’s guidance, I had finalized the menu, carefully selecting dishes that Alejandro loved—spicy food, in particular. Rosa had shared all the details about his favorite meals, and we had also decided on a custom three-tier red velvet cake. My tasks were done, so I offered to assist Sandra with her part. Meanwhile, Rosa would review our work, adding any necessary finishing touches.

The day flew by in a blur of activity. Sandra and I were so absorbed in our work that we nearly missed lunch. Rosa had to remind us to take a break and eat something. We were determined to make the decorations truly memorable, and time seemed to slip away as we worked tirelessly. Before we knew it, evening had arrived.

I rushed to my room to change and check if my gift needed any last-minute adjustments. As I entered, I was surprised to find a packet on my bed. Upon closer inspection, I discovered a stunning, glittery violet gown inside. My first thought was that Sandra had mistakenly left it in my room, so I decided to return it to her.

As I stepped out of my room, I saw Rosa approaching. She noticed the dress in my hand and smiled warmly. "Where are you going? Why aren’t you dressed yet?" she asked with curiosity.

"I think Sandra left this in my room by mistake," I replied, holding up the gown.

"That’s for you," Rosa said, her smile widening.

“What? It’s so expensive. I can’t possibly accept this,” I said, feeling a mix of confusion and gratitude.

“I understand how you feel,” she said gently, “but you’re like a daughter to me, and only the best for my daughter. Now go on, get dressed. I can’t wait to see you in this beautiful gown.”

Touched by her kindness, I nodded and returned to my room. I decided to embrace the evening fully—I hadn’t allowed myself to feel pretty or enjoy a night out in almost a year. I applied a special red lipstick, spritzed on a bit of Chanel No. 5, and slipped into the gown. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt a sense of joy that had been absent for too long.

But beneath the surface, a pang of guilt lingered, gnawing at me. Rosa loved me like her own daughter, and here I was, entangled in a plan that could lead to her family’s downfall. The thought made me feel like a monster, but I forced those feelings aside, determined to focus on the evening ahead.

I joined Sandra on the ground floor of the mansion. She looked stunning in a light blue gown with a sweetheart neckline, her excitement palpable as we awaited Alejandro’s arrival. Ricardo and Mariana were also there, along with other guests, and Mariana looked equally beautiful in her white floral print gown.

As we stood together, anticipation hanging in the air, I couldn’t help but hope that, just for tonight, I could set aside my inner turmoil and simply enjoy the celebration. It was Alejandro’s birthday, after all, and despite everything, I wanted it to be a night to remember.