Chapter 19: The Birthday

Alina Dalca's POV

It was Saturday afternoon when I was in the kitchen with Laura as we were talking about what to have during Kyle's birthday party.

"I think we should make a feast, there will be a lot of people that will be coming to the party. Us, Conti, love have a lot of people during a social gathering. The more the merrier," Laura said as she was setting up the dining table with some foods to be served for lunch.

"sure, whatever you say, I'm okay with everything," I said as I looked at Laura. She looked at me strange.

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

"I thought you guys don't like in the crowded are," she said. I laughed at her bitter truth.

"yeah, well, I adapted to the surrounding pretty quickly as I don't want people to see me as socially awkward," I said as I put down the pesto pasta at the center of the table.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I just don't want you to feel outcast," Laura said as she put the water at each of the seats.

"don't worry about me. I will try to survive the night without killing anybody," I said as Laura looked at my shock.

"just kidding," I said before we both laughed out loud.

"huh, it's been forever that I have some female company. I'm always around the guys you know," Laura said as she looked at me.

"Yeah, tell me about it," I said as I was helping to set up the table.

"so, Alina, how many siblings do you have? If you don't mind I'm asking," Laura said as she looked at me from setting the coasters and silverware.

"I have a brother. My mother has long gone but my father, he is the one that changed us all, has long gone out of the family ever since my mother died," I said as I was putting the fork and spoon on its place.

"oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I just lost my father 5 years ago and it was sad to know that I am not around during his last days," Laura said before her husband, Lucca came into the kitchen.

"Are you almost done?" Lucca asked.

"Almost, dear. Can you check on the kids? I don't want them to be looking for me before we have out lunch together," Laura said as Lucca went to her side.

"Sure," he said before perking on her lips. I thought it was sweet before I looked away as I wanted to give them privacy.

"I'll be right back," Lucca said before Kyle was entering the kitchen.

"Wow, that's a lot of lunch. Are we having a party?" He joked as Lucca patted on his shoulder before exiting the kitchen.

"Okay, we should be ready to eat lunch. I asked Marco to come to your party and I hope that he would show up. He also said that he had big news to share with us all," Laura said before getting the rest of the food from the island. There were salads, fruits, and some nuts.

"Okay, we are set," she said as she put all the stuff on the table.

"where's Lucca?' Kyle asked. I felt like I was intruding the family meeting as I was not a part of it.

"oh, he was just checking on the kids. I think he will be coming down real soon," Laura said before Lucca came into the kitchen.

"Yeah, they are good. We can have a peace lunch today," he said before he went to sit at the head of the table.

"shall we?" He said as Laura too at his right and Kyle at his left. I went to sit at Kyle's right at the dining table. I felt that I was welcomed into this family even though I just met them yesterday.

"shall we say our grace?" Lucca said as we joined hands.

"Dear Lord, thank you for the foods on this table and we hope that it will be always like this, Amen," Lucca said.

"Amen," the rest of them said. I said it as well as I was respecting their beliefs.

"let's eat," Laura said as she passed the pasta around and then the salad and then fruit. We have a blast lunch as the sun was shining so brightly in the Mediterranean land.

After lunch, Laura and I were busy trying to get some stuff for the party as it will at least 50 people showed up. I hope that we will have a lot of food and enough to entertain them during Kyle's party.

"hmm, I think we definitely have champagne because people want to get drunk tonight. We need to have food like that is finger bite and something that is easy for them to carry around. We also need sodas. Oh, and don't forget the birthday cake. What's a party without a cake?" I said as I looked at Laura.

"you're right. Let's get to it," she said before dragging me around the shopping center.

After a few hours spent at the center, we finally back home and were setting up the party. Lucca said that he will have some people to help Laura but she refused it. Until the hour for the party was closing by, she finally agreed as we just relax and watched the workers did their jobs.

"Nicely done," Laura said as we were standing in the ballroom that was decorated with all the stuff that we just bought.

"Okay, now we need to get into the shower and wear our dress for tonight," Laura said as we went upstair to our bedrooms.

"but I don't have a dress. I just bought denim and blouses," I said as I don't think that I will be needing one.

"Oh hush now. You will have one, I make sure of it," Laura said before she went to push me into the bedroom and closed the door. I was out of words for her strange behavior before I went to look at something that was shining on the bed. I went to the bed and was a shock to look the new dress on it.

"Laura, you shouldn't," I whispered to myself as I touch the lace material and I looked at the mask that was set up at the side of the dress.

"Do you like it?" A familiar voice was coming into the bedroom. I jumped as I was startled before I turned around and looked that Kyle was leaning against the doorframe. I don't even hear that he was coming into the room.

"so, what do you think of my choice?" He asked as he went to my side. I was looking at the dress again as I ran my hand on the lace. Kyle touched my hand as I was smiling at our hands interlocked.

"wear it for me tonight," Kyle whispered into my left ear. I smirked as I wanted to tease him a bit.

"what if I wore this and a lot your guy friends would look at me. What would you do?" I asked him as I looked into his green eyes. I can saw some anger was circling in his eyes but he closed it for a while as he took a deep breath.

"then," he said as he opened his eyes, " I will make sure that everyone knew that you are mine," he said before taking me into his arms and kissed me on the lips passionately.

"Hmm," I said as I was smiling in our kiss.

"We should get ready," he said as he looked at his watch after kissing me.

"will be a masquerade-themed for your birthday party?" I asked as I took the mask and put it in front of my face. Kyle laughed as he looked at me.

"Yeah, don't Laura told you when you guys went shopping?" He asked. I shook my head as I lowered my mask.

"no, she just asked me what do we need for a birthday party," I said as I looked at him.

"Hmm, maybe she wants to surprise you," he said. I nodded as I looked at him. He was still here as I need to get ready for the party. I haven't showered yet and I need to do my makeup and all that shit.

"Should you be going somewhere?" I asked him. He looked at me and he just shrugged. I looked at him and rolled my eyes at him.

"now, you need to get ready for your own party mister and I need to take a shower. I'll see you later," I said as I pushed him out of the bedroom and I closed the door before locking it. I can hear that Kyle was laughing outside before his footsteps faded. I sighed before taking my towel and went to take a shower to get ready.