Wish You A Happy Birthday

“I'll make you fall for me and marry me instead,”—Aaron

…….

“Happy Birthday, to you… Happy Birthday, to you, Happy Birthday our dear Zelle… Happy Birthday day, to you!” Everyone in the mansion sang the song to Zelle, and a few of them requested the same, "Blow the candle, miss!" ”

With pink cheeks and a bright smile, Zelle blew out the candle on her favorite cake.

Everyone stands up and applauds.

"Wishing you a happy 17th birthday, Miss!"

Raine, Zelle's personal maid, stood in the audience and cheered her on.

“Zelle! Greetings on your special day!” Zelle was given a kiss on the cheek by her fiancee, Zach, as well as a seventeen-rose bouquet as a gift. "Did you get it from the garden?" Zelle smile receiving his gift.

"With my own hand, and I even organized it!" Zach pouted.

"Do you not like it?" he asked with puppy eyes.

“I love it!” Zelle exclaimed as he stroked his shoulder. “Zach, I appreciate your efforts.”

The maids couldn't help but get romantically aroused when they saw them being all lovey-dovey in front of everyone... well, not everyone.

Aaron, who was hiding in the crowd, merely looked at Zelle. He watched her every move with a poker eyes... And no one notices him since everyone is so busy giving their attention to the beloved woman for tonight.

“Happy Birthday, our lovely Zelle.” Zelle turned around to greet her future father-in-law, “Thank you, Uncle Zeppelin,”

Tonight is going to be a fantastic night for everyone. Their young miss, for whom they had cared for so many years, had reached another year. As beautiful as ever, nice and kind to others, exactly as they taught her.

Gizelle Heirbert known as Zelle, is the last heir of the Heirbert family. Her parents died in a horrible accident years ago, leaving her alone in this world... until the mayor of the town, Zeppelin Randolph, came to save her and took care of her.

He helped her bring the mansion to light, paid personnel to look after her, and respected her every decision.

He and his two sons, Zacharias Stephan Randolph and Zarion Aaron Randolph, never fail to pay a visit to the mansion. They were her sole childhood friends who cared for her since they were children.

Until a year ago, some things changed when Zach became her fiancée.

As she grew older, her childhood memories began to supplant new memories of her soon-to-be adult life.

But there's one thing that hasn't changed: everyone still adores her. She loves them all.

“Thank you very much, everyone! I really appreciate it!” Zelle said as she headed to the maid on the left side. She held the maid’s hand and thanked her, “Thank you for the cake and the feast, especially you, Sophia, you truly know what I love!”

“I've been with you since the beginning, young miss,” Sophia, a kitchen maid, says with a curtsy. “Of course, I know all your favorite foods.”

“We all do, miss,” Darlene, the head maid, said, “And we do it only for you.”

“I wouldn't be here without you all,” Zelle tucked her hair behind her ear and bowing respectfully. “Thank you very much.” 

Zelle chuckled and waved back. “Thank you, Brietta!”

Zelle puffed her cheeks, her face flushed with the warmth that everyone had given to her. She gave her best to entertain them and thanked them for all the love they gave to her until she excused herself.

Zelle took a breather and sneaked out the garden for some fresh air. As she took a glimpse at everyone from the outside with a smile, she heard their lively talk and couldn’t helped but felt grateful for these people. “Mom, Dad, I'm a big girl now,” she whispered as she held her dress as she’s looking up to the gorgeous night sky. “I wish you could see how lovely your daughter has turned out...”

She bit her lip with a mournful look, “I miss you...”

It's been seven years since she lost her parents in the car accident... And for seven years, she had never left the place that closer to them, the mansion they left to her.

She didn't want to leave her parents' memories in this home, which is the only thing she had from them.

She also couldn't get over her fears about meeting new people outside. And the fear she has stepping out.

The people she has here are enough. The affection they showed her, the genuine concern they showed her... it was more than enough.

Despite the fact that they told her many fascinating things about the outside world, her fear is stronger... As if she would meet the same fate as her parents if she did.

“Did you have a good time, Zelle?”

The voice surprised Zelle, she turned around to meet his eyes and said, “Aaron... I-I did. I had fun and I love it. I love everyone's efforts on this particular day, as I usually do.”

Aaron approached her and handed her a glass of juice. “There's only a year left till you can drink wine.”

"And I will finally marry Zach," Zelle took a sip after receiving the glass of juice.

Hearing it made Aaron flinched, he could finally has the courage to asked what he wanted to ask for a year, "D-do you truly like my older brother?" 

However, his heart wasn’t ready for a hurtful answer that he unconsciously averted his gaze from her.

Zelle blinked, “I-I don’t… know…” She bit her under lip. Despite her fantasies of marrying someone she loves, she is still confused of who she truly likes... Or is it just the flow of the moment?

Aaron was taken aback by her response. He frowned, “If you don't know, why did you even accept him? You're still young and have plenty of time to consider everything.”

With a shake of her head, Zelle admitted, “I didn't accept him… but at the same time, I didn’t say no.”

Aaron was taken aback! He had been under the impression that the woman he loved liked his older brother all along! Why was she saying that she didn't?

“Uncle Zeppelin asked me to marry Zach when I turn 18. It’s the only thing he requested. And I couldn’t say no after all his help he lent to me.” Zelle stated with a bitter smile, “I don’t dislike Zach and I like everyone else, including him. So… I agreed to Uncle’s request.”

Aaron squeezed his fist behind his back when he realized the truth. He didn't know what to say. "W-why hadn't I heard of this before?" ”

“Why did you leave me hanging, then?” Zelle asked, turning to face him and confronts him, “You avoided me... For a whole year! You're so close yet so far away, don't you realize that?”

 Aaron was stunned. His heart was devastated when he learned of Zelle's engagement, and he couldn't look her in the eyes. All he could do was stand on the sidelines and watch her from far away. And then there's the fact that she's with another man... his brother, of all people!

But suddenly... Something isn't quite right!

‘Why did father asked that! I thought he cares for Zelle! Marriage is a lifetime decision! I—I could still have a chance… if only I knew…’ Aaron looked down ashamed with his thoughts. 

He never asked anyone about the truth since he lacked the courage to do so...

The only thing he could say to her was, "I-I'm sorry..."

"I miss you, please... don't ignore me anymore," Zelle said as she took a deep breath and hugged him.

 “You're the only one...” Zelle mumbled to herself, and he couldn't hear her since his head was a jumble.

Aaron yearned for her! He couldn’t stop himself from hugging her back. He missed her... for her embrace... for her scent... he missed her so bad! “I'll never do that again... No matter what happens, I'll never abandon you.”

"Thank you, Aaron," Zelle released him from her embrace and stroked his hair. “Geez, I hope you had a great time reading alone at the library!” She complained then sighed.

Guilty, Aaron looked like a puppy that felt sorry. “I wasn't alone. I know you're always there,” Aaron took her hand in his and caressed it. “I'll make it up to you, Zelle,” he promised. “I'll make up for the year I spent missing you.”

Zelle was surprised, but Aaron caressed her hair and kissed the tip of it before she could say anything. “I'll make you fall for me and marry me instead,” he confessed, “So wait for me.”

He kissed Zelle on the cheek where Zach had kissed her earlier before leaving, which surprised her.

Her cheeks flushed as she watched him return to the mansion, and she felt warm in the frigid night. “W-what was that all about...?” she mumbled as she caressed her cheeks. 

Meanwhile, Aaron was dead set on breaking up Zelle’s engagement, even if it meant confronting his father. He knew his father, but this...? He thought his father cared about her! Why would he do such a thing?

As Aaron going back to the mansion, he heard his brother's voice waiting for him outside, “What took you so long, to ask the obvious, little brother?” Zach smirked as he stood atop the pillar, arms crossed.

Seeing him, Aaron glared at him, "Brother, I thought you cared about her?" Aaron stared at him. “Why are you forcing her to marry you!”

Zach scoffed, “Pft, I've never forced anyone.”

“This is so wrong!” Aaron gritted his teeth, “If I knew this sooner, I wouldn’t let this happened!”

“Yeah, if you weren't such a coward,” Zach mocked him.

“I'll talk to Father,” Aaron said ignoring his remark, but just as he was about to step forward, Zach stopped him, “Father told me to marry Zelle. Father wanted me to marry her next year.”

Aaron was taken aback by his response, “F-Father?”

“I cared about Zelle, Aaron. I never pressed her, I could wait...” Zach clicked his tongue, “But Father told me to marry her fast, and he wanted it to as soon as she turned 18.” Zach scoffed. “It's meaningless to discuss it with him when he's the one who requested it. And, even if it's too soon, I have to say that I like it.”

That truth was so surprising but Aaron’s anger couldn’t let out especially now that he knows his brother’s side, “You care?!?” Aaron clenched his fist. “Even if Father forced you to marry her soon, you would still consider her feelings first!”

Zach raised his eyebrow, “What? I don’t? I gave her what she wanted! Always!”

“She wanted?” Aaron scoffed, “You picked flowers at the garden for her birthday!”

“Hey! The thought counts so does my effort.” Zach refuted. 

“Efforts?” Aaron laughed from his brother’s absurd claim, he pointed his finger at him, “You spent money on other girls but not on your fiancée? Heck! Isn't it time you gave her what she wants? Did she expect you to mess with the maids?! She might not even be aware!”

“Hey!” Zach slapped his finger away from his face, “I'm not married yet, so I can play around until I am,” He grabbed his collar and gritted his face, “I'm a man. Shouldn't I take advantage of my bachelor status while I still have it? She doesn't need to know, and no one, including you, would tell her, right?”

“Yeah, you're not married yet,” Aaron whacked his arm, releasing him. “And whether she finds out or not, I'll make sure this nonsense engagement comes to an end."

“You don’t know anything. Try as hard as you want, it's too late," Zach said, gazing at him.

“Disgusting,” Aaron mumbled as he walked away. 

Zach followed him inside, unaware that someone had seen them and had hurried towards her miss.

“Miss!”

“Raine, calm down,” Zelle said as she turned around to find her personal maid sweating.

“Miss, huff—” Raine took a long breath, “Miss... do you truly wish to marry Sir Zach?” With troubled eyes, she bit her lower lip.

Without an answer, Zelle merely gave her a bitter smile. 

Meanwhile, at the party, when Aaron came back, Zeppelin already went to his office reading his papers nearby the fireplace. Aaron barged in and called him, “Father!”

Zeppelin was startled and almost spill the wine in his hand, “Woah, Aaron, my son, too much party? The party has just started.”

Aaron glared at him, “Father, why are you forcing her to marry Zach! Didn’t you even consider her feelings?”

“Pft,” Zeppelin scoffed, “Her feelings? Don’t you think yours? Don’t think I didn’t know.”

Aaron clenched his fist, “If you know, why didn’t you tell me first?”

“And then made you her fiancée instead?” Zeppelin sip his wine while Aaron couldn’t refute. “You’re not willing to do anything for her but only cared about yourself. Why would I choose you for her?”

Aaron frowned, “What do you mean? I love Zelle! I will do anything for her!”

“You’re a coward,” Zeppelin blurted out.

“At least I’m not a whore like my brother!”

_______

KircheLeaf

SEASON ONE

_______

~ END of CHAPTER ONE ~