"Happy 18th Birthday Resena!" Cont...Pt3

"Happy 18th Birthday Resena!" Cont...Pt2
Resena scooted more to the left to allow more room for Julius to sit, however, when he sat down, she realized he was still extremely close. Still looking at the sky, he began to speak. 

“I designed the layout for this courtyard, did you know that?” 

“I didn’t! That’s amazing! You did a fantastic job; the courtyard is beautiful!” 

“You think so?” 

As Resena was about to answer, she noticed Julius was now staring directly at her. She wasn’t sure why, but this made her feel shy. As his face grew closer, Resena could smell a certain sent on his breath. “Alcohol? Has he been drinking?” Resena realized she recognized the sent, it was from a liquor called Apple Dim. She’d served it to her uncle a few times. 

“Resena, are you happy here?” 

!!! “Of course I am! Why do you ask?” 

Smiling. “I want to make sure you’re happy; your happiness means a lot to me. So, I’m glad to hear it.” 

Looking back at the sky, Resena began to speak. 

“Hmm. I keep thinking about how much my life has changed in just a short time since I met you. I keep wondering if I am going to wake up and it’ll all be a dream. (Smiling). Sometimes I’m scared to go to sle-…” 

Using his index finger, Julius turned Resena’s face to his. There was something different. Was it because he was slightly intoxicated? Resena was not sure, but there seemed to be a fire in Julius’ eyes that she had never seen before. 

“I promise you, this isn’t a dream, but I want to spend the rest of my life making you feel that exact way.” 

Resena began to blush, why was he speaking so passionately? Just then, Julius began to move in closer, in a panic, Resena jumped up. 

“I’m sorry! I think I’m tired now, I’m going to bed. Good night, Julius.” 

Resena could barely look him in the eye as she hurried to the back door. Julius sat on the bench a little confused. “What was I getting ready to do? I think I need to go to bed as well.” He decided to give her a little time to reach her room before he headed into the house, he wasn’t quite sure what he would do if he saw her again that evening. 

The day had finally arrived! Today was Resena’s eighteenth birthday, that morning, she had been awakened to the most beautiful and sweetest gesture. Julius had eighteen dozen roses delivered to her room, each dozen a different color. On the final bushel, there was a card that read: 

“My dearest bride to be, today is a most special occasion; not only because it is your birthday, but because I get to announce to the world our engagement! I truly cannot wait to see how beautiful you look, and I trust today will be a most memorable. Yours forever, 

Julius” 

Resena was smiling so hard she could feel her cheeks began to ache! What a beautiful card! Julius was quite the romantic, she would have to make sure she learned everything she could about courting so that she could be equally affectionate! Just then, she heard a knock on her door. It was Carla and Sabrina. 

Both. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADY RESENA!” 

Both ladies sang in unison, Carla was especially excited. This would be the first time she was able to celebrate Resena’s birthday. She could hardly wait until this evening. Julius hired an outsourced staff for the party to ensure all the staff could attend. Carla and Sabrina had spent the previous day shopping looking for the perfect evening gowns. 

“I can’t believe you’re eighteen! You’re an official woman now! Oh Resena, I’m so proud of you!” 

Carla threw her arms around Resena’s neck, she was so excited for her friend and could not wait to see what Julius had planned for this evening. Just then, Sabrina sat on the bed next to Carla. 

“Ok! So, we have a whole day planned for you! The young Master has ordered us to make sure you have a day full of fun and pampering in preparations for your party this evening!” 

“Really?” 

“Yes ma’am! Today, Carla and I are not your ladies’ maids, today we are simply your friends!” 

Resena eyes began to water up, she’d already considered both ladies her dearest friends but hearing the excitement from the two overflowed her heart with joy. 

“Aht, aht! None of that! We’ll save all tears for this evening! So, up you go! Go wash and get dressed and me and Carla will be back in one hour! We’re going to take you to breakfast first!” 

Once both ladies left her room, Resena began to get ready. She was excited about whatever the girls and Julius had planned for her today. Just then, her communicator buzzed, it was Julius. Resena could hardly contain her excitement. 

“Hello!”  

“Happy Birthday. I trust you slept well?” 

Smiling. “I did! And thank you for everything! The roses are lovely!” 

“I’m glad you liked them. I’ve planned a day for you, Carla, and Sabrina, I want you to have as much fun as you can. Today is very special.” 

“Julius, I don’t know how to thank you for all of this. You’ve made this day…well, I haven’t felt this good since my parents.” 

Julius began to smile; this was the reaction he needed. Hearing her emotions made him feel a way he’d never felt before. It truly was all worth it. 

“We aim to please Ms. Blackwell. Well, I’ll leave you to it. Have as much fun as you can with the ladies. I’ll see you this evening.” 

Resena felt a tinge of sadness, since their night in the courtyard, Resena had not been able to really spend any time with Julius as he was working to close out a merger deal before her birthday. She wanted to see Julius in that moment, but all was well, she would see him soon enough! 

“Thank you again, darling.” 

Before he could answer, Resena immediately hung up, “darling”, he wasn’t sure why, but Julius found himself loving that pet name. Today will be great indeed!