Leave Me If You Dare

It was a sunny day, Arabella and Adam were very excited to celebrate for the first time Jaime’s birthday. Arabella had prepared a simple birthday celebration for her mom. She called Damien and Lira to celebrate with them. Farrah was to no avail as she was still enjoying her married life far away from the city. The last time she updated her, she was on a very beautiful isolated island with her husband, Gab.

Arabella just invited the few and never had any intention to mention it to the Sky. They never had to know about it. Kelly who happened to be her mom’s best friend before turned to be a very vengeful person because of the death of her husband. All she wanted was to get rid of Arabella’s entire family from their lives, but Adam came in. Kelly hated them and the Aunt Kelly she had known before, the best friend of her mom, had completely gone.

On the other hand, Bill had no room for the party. After all, he was the cause of all her tragedies in life. For Arabella, meeting Bill was a mistake. If only she could go back to the past, she would not kiss him. She would try all her best to avoid him in the past. She would rather give her virginity to other men but not him. This part of her was a little off as her body and mind disagreed. That night, she was very satisfied that she felt him inside her for a week. She was addicted to his every touch, his scent, his warmth, and kiss. Bill was very outstanding in bed as he could make the innocents go wild and crazy. He was a hungry beast but full of passion for his every move. He was rough and wild, but his touches and kisses were very sweet that every girl would feel special. That night, she felt owning him. She felt like, he submitted his whole being to her included his soul. No wonder, women went gaga over him but when she thought of her tragic moments in his hand, every sweet pleasurable moment with him faded. If she didn’t kiss him that night, they would not probably know each other today. They would be like strangers when they saw each other everywhere.

They would not have to quarrel and annoy each other every day.

She would be living freely and carefree.

She might experience the so-called sweet love story of her life with another man.

Her real soulmate perhaps.

What unfortunate could bring?

She was with the man whom every girl wanted to be with, but all she wanted was only to escape from him. No matter what, she was enough of his vicious tricks and would never fall again into it.

“I’m glad that you came.” Arabella was very grateful to see Damien in the hospital. She felt like she had not seen him for decades already.

“Hmmm…” Damien just muttered with a smirk. She could tell he was not in a good mood today but trying to suppress himself just to blend in the party’s atmosphere.

“Are you, okay?” Arabella was a bit worried. After all, Damien was one of her best buddies. She would never forget how he helped her when she was suffering abroad. He was the only one who stood up for her. Without him, surviving was to no avail.

“I’m… I’m fine.” He whispered didn’t want to further go on with the topic.

Arabella felt a bit odd in her heart. Damien’s matter was always her concern ever since as she knew he was just in Capital Z because of her. A wave of guilt appeared in her heart. She was preoccupied with her matter with Bill and Adam, and her exhaustion was already up to heaven down to earth then back and forth. How could she forget Damien? He had no family in Capital Z. She just hoped Lira treated him well.

“Ms. J,” Lira suddenly came in with a bouquet in her hand. She quickly hugged Arabella with a very bright smile on her face not until when Lira’s eyes saw Damien. Lira had felt discomfort yet happy to see him again. Their relationship had no label. They hang up whenever Damien wanted to. Sometimes, he just appeared in her apartment without any notice. Sometimes, she would not see him for a week or two. Most of the time, she came to pick him up in a bar. He was always drunk after Arabella had left her apartment and decided to live with Bill. Lira knew Damien was very heartbroken and it was clear to her that Damien saw her as his past time just to forget Arabella. He was using her, and Lira was sure of that but she could not ask for more. Undeniably, she had loved him, and she allowed him to use her. No matter what, she was happy to be with him even in a shorter no definite time. She didn’t dare to ask for more than what they had. She had already accepted whatever relationship they had.

“Hi.” Lira smiled awkwardly at Damien. Damien just nodded acknowledging her. She felt they were strangers inside the room. Lira felt a sudden twinge in her heart, but she tried her best to put up a sweet smile to everyone.

Arabella saw all her visitors were already inside the room. In her heart, she hoped Farrah was there to celebrate with them. They were all part of her new family and Farrah was always her family ever since.

“Happy birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Grandma!” Holding a birthday cake in his hand with candles sparkling on it, Adam strode towards Jaime and sang her a birthday song. Adam was very cute as his eyes were also sparkling like the candles. It was his first time celebrating his grandma’s birthday, so he felt more excited than his mom.

“Happy birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you!” At this moment, they all chorused.

“Thank you, everyone.” With teary eyes, Jaime weakly uttered. She could only sit up on her bed as she felt weaker every day.

“Make a wish grandma.” Adam excitedly sounded. He looked at his grandma’s weak face and he felt sad but tried to control it. All he wanted was to make his grandma special on her birthday.

After hearing Adam, Jaime closed her eyes. She made a wish silently and deeply. Arabella looked at her mom and her tears couldn’t help to fall. She quickly wiped it secretly. This day should be a happy day and her tears would just ruin the atmosphere.

After Jaime made her wish, she slowly opened her eyes and gently reached Adam’s head. Jaime kissed Adam’s soft hair full of tenderness and love. “I love you.” Jaime then whispered to Adam with tears dripping from the corner of her eyes.

Seeing her mom’s cry, Arabella quickly strode forward and held her mom’s hand then kissed her. “Happy Birthday, mom. I love you.” Arabella whispered then she wiped Jaime’s tears.

“Come on, Grandma. Blow the candles now.” Adam sounded. He didn’t want to see his grandma's cry.

Jaime looked at the cake like it was her last time to see it in her life then she blew the candles out.

Damien and Lira clapped their hands. They also strode closer and greeted Jaime.

“Did I miss something?” Suddenly someone appeared inside in a hurry. Everyone stopped as they all turned to the owner of the voice.

“Farrah?” Arabella sounded surprised. She couldn’t believe her eyes as she froze in her spot not knowing what to do.

“Aunt Farrah!” Adam excitedly shouted making Arabella snap back to her senses.

Before anything else, Farrah strode towards Jaime. “Happy Birthday, Aunt Jaime,” Farrah whispered tenderly as she kissed her forehead. Jaime was like her own mother too. She could remember her sweet advice and traits for her.

“Farrah?” Jaime was so happy to see Farrah. Arabella was stunned. She thought her mother would not remember Farrah anymore but today, she did. It was great news for her even Farrah’s expression was very satisfied.

Farrah winked at Arabella happily. Arabella smiled at her in return.

“I want to thank you all. Damien, Lira and Farrah.” Jaime suddenly sounded. All the names she mentioned were firmed like she would never forget them. Her tone was low but enough to be heard by everyone in the room. One could easily say that she was very weak and not in a good condition to speak but she tried her best to deliver her speech. “Thank you for being there for my daughter and grandson. I’m so grateful that my daughter has real friends in your presence.” Jaime added sentimentally.

“We loved your daughter and Adam, Aunt Jaime. Don’t worry about them.” Farrah winked at Arabella who had a big question mark on her face as she replied to Jaime.

“Damien.” Suddenly, Jaime sounded calling Damien’s name.

Damien strode forward closer to Jaime.

Jaime held his hand that made everyone stunned. Damien let Jaime.

“Please take care of Arabella and Adam. I am ready to die knowing they will be in good hands. Please promise me, Damien.” Jaime added with a begging voice. Arabella’s jaw dropped with her mother’s sudden request as her heart skipped a beat.

How could she bother Damien for them?

She shockingly looked at Damien only to find that Damien’s piercing eyes were on her. An awkward atmosphere began to swirl around. More than that, Arabella felt very sad with her mother’s words. She felt Jaime was already bidding her goodbyes.

“Please be free with worries. I promise to take care of Arabella and Adam. I love them both and I swear to give my whole life to them.” Damien answered seriously making everyone dumbfounded.

Damien, what are you saying? Arabella's question showed on her expression but Damien didn't mind her. Of all people in the room, Lira got her heart bleeding with Damien’s words. She knew she had no right to feel that way, but she could not help the gushing sadness in her heart.

Hearing Damien’s promise, Jaime reached out for Damien and lovingly kissed his head like he was her own son. Damien smiled “Happy Birthday.” He whispered.

“Farrah, you are the best friend of my daughter. Please be always patient with my stubborn daughter. You are like a true sister to her.” Jaime seemed to remember something in the past while she was saying her words for Farrah.

“Don’t worry, Aunt Jaime. We are sisters for life. Nothing will change that!” Farrah replied cheerfully to lighten up the mood.

“Come on, mom. We will have more birthdays to celebrate. You will see them more often. Let’s open your gifts.” Arabella butted in as she didn’t like what she was feeling and hearing. For some reason, her heart was drowning with sadness.

“Grandma, open my gift first.” Adam excitedly handed in his gift.

‘SMILE FIRST BEFORE YOU OPEN.’ With a big smiley icon, Adam wrote the words in front of his gift.

Jaime reached out to Adam again and kissed him on his cheek tenderly. She smiled then opened the box. Adam helped her.

Seeing Adam’s gift, Jaime's tears dripped down. Adam gave her a picture frame where her family was complete. Her husband, Arabella, Adam, and herself were on their favorite beach spot. Adam had himself squeezed in the picture to complete their family. He had done it last night without very little effort by his skill.

Jaime’s expression was very happy as she held dearly the picture frame and hugged it to her heart. Jaime’s tears fell like rain. Arabella was alarmed and quickly stroked her mom’s back.

“Grandma, why are you crying?” Adam sounded sad.

“I’m very happy, Adam. You make my wish come true.” With a sobbing voice, Jaime sounded.

Adam hugged Jaime lovingly. Arabella also hugged her mother. “I love you both of you.” Jaime, with a sobbing tone, whispered lovingly. Her warmth was sending her utmost love to them.

“I love you too, mom,” Arabella replied with all her heart.

“I love you, grandma, so much.” Adam sounded hugging her tight.

The day passed by so quickly. The party was simple, but Arabella was satisfied. She could see her mother‘s expression lit up with happiness.

Today, they were going to attend a Family Day in Adam’s school. After she fixed Adam, she put on a little make-up as she didn’t want to embarrass Adam. She anticipated all moms in Adam’s school were elites and high class, unlike Adam’s old school.

She was ready to go out when her phone rang. She frowned. It was from an unknown number.

“Good morning.” She greeted.

“Good day, Ms. Jones.” A girl excitedly greeted her in the other line. “I am calling on behalf of the International Musician League. I’m Shirley Gold.” The girl added with a happy tone.

“What about it?” Arabella was surprised by the call. The group was famous all over the world and it was only composed of the best musicians from their countries. The group gained its popularity through its international awards.

“Ms. Jones, we are inviting you to be our lead pianist.” The girl answered with great positivity.

“What?!” Arabella was surprised. What a great day to hear the good news. “But I didn’t apply for any…” Her thoughts were in a mess. How could a big organization know her? She was just a pianist in a small city before.

“Our founder, Mr.. Eric Grant highly recommended you,” Shirley answered.