Love Mission: Ex-wife Strikes Back

"Silly girl." Samuel looked at Julia with an affectionate smile. Unable to contain his joy, he said to himself, "Having you by my side is all I could ever ask for on my birthday. It's the best birthday gift, ever."

"What? Sorry, I didn't catch that." Julia looked at Samuel with an expression of genuine curiosity. His voice had been too low for her to hear him clearly.

"Oh, it's nothing." Samuel smiled. "I was just saying, I won't vie with you for the bill."

Julia's face lit up with delight. She was thoroughly enjoying herself. The barbecue they were having was, as some would say, finger-licking good. The food kept on coming, and the two bottles of beer she ordered were soon empty. Samuel tried to order another bottle, but she put a hand on his arm and shook her head.

She frowned slightly as she said, "Listen, I'm not saying you shouldn't drink. Since we're out here celebrating your birthday, I think we'd better cut down on the alcohol and focus on eating instead."

"You can't be serious..." Samuel frowned. "Only a bottle each? Come on, we can do a lot better than that. Julia, you're kidding me, right?"

"No, I'm being completely serious." Julia paused, before

re a star. You have to make sacrifices when you're in showbiz. You can't have your cake and eat it too." Julia frowned. "I know you don't like it, but everyone's waiting for you at your party. You shouldn't have run off without a proper explanation. Think of all the fans who have been waiting for you for hours! They'd be so disappointed."

"Not my problem." Samuel's expression had grown cool and indifferent. He added gruffly, "Like I said, it's my birthday. I have a right to spend it with the person I love."

Julia stared wordlessly at him with a vague look of disappointment before saying quietly, "Samuel, you're being selfish. Don't do this, please. Everyone's waiting for you. You have to go back."

"I'm not going anywhere." Samuel looked steadily at Julia with an arched brow, as if challenging her to make him go.

"Samuel, you have to listen to me, please. Just this once." Julia gave a wry smile. "I'll celebrate your birthday with you next time, I promise. But not today. You have to go back to the party, please."

"But I..."

"No more 'buts.' You have to go back. Now." To emphasize her point, Julia turned Samuel around and gave him a gentle push on the back.