161 Happy 25th Birthday

"Why does it feel like your last sentence have another meaning?" Jake asked when Hayley finally left.

"Who knows," Amber replied as she sat down tiredly.

When it comes to someone you really care, it is the most difficult to be angry at them and see them getting hurt.

"Elloise have returned to Star City three days ago but you still called her to tell her that you might hurt Hayley. Don't be too cautious about the feelings of others Amber, that's what we always tell you," Jake advised her.

"I know, I guess old habits die hard?" Amber replied with a smile.

"Then murder it, don't wait for it to die," Jake rolled his eyes at her.

Amber laughed upon hearing this and then she took a deep breath before standing up and started fixing her stuffs.

"Very well, I'm off. I just really waited for her in order to speak with her. I'll go and recharge," she then said before leaving without waiting for Jake to reply.

Jake shook his head, she asked for about two weeks and left things to him.

"Go and enjoy," he said towards the closed door.

*****

"You're in the airport now?" Alissa asked upon receiving Amber's call.

"Yes, just waiting for the flight. By the way do take care of Hayley, aunt Elloise already returned to Star country. Get her to stay with you from now on, I had to be harsh to her a while ago," Amber said.

Compared to when she was speaking with Hayley a while ago, her voice this time was filled with worry.

"I understand, don't worry I'll watch over her while you're away. It's already a good thing that you were able to tell her and that she was able to see the changes we were all seeing. If this helps her then that's great, if not, I'll support you with whatever you have to do," Alissa assured her.

"Anyway, you now have some additional schedule so don't you go getting sick. You have to weight what is it that you really wanted," Amber advised.

"I know, don't worry I'll watch over myself so stop worrying and just relax."

Just then the announcement for her flight rang all through out the airport.

"I'll get going now, take care."

*****

Ashton removed his glasses as he just finished signing one last paper.

Checking the time, it was already 1 in the morning of February 14.

He leaned back resting his head at the back of the chair.

Currently, it's just a normal day for him. Though his family might call for him again for lunch.

*knock knock*

He furrowed his brows, who would knock at this hour? He already sent Cedric home.

'The security?'

*knock knock*

He intently stared at the door waiting for any movements while slowly reaching for the gun hidden under his table.

*knock knock*

He didn't move.

*knock knock*

*knock knock*

���Drop the gun or you might blow my head up," just as he opened the door, the person outside instantly spoke.

His hand instantly stopped upon hearing the particular voice on the other side of the door

Upon opening the door, Amber was standing there full of smiles melting all his vigilance but raising up his blood pressure instead.

"Did you know that I may end up blowing your pretty head if I didn't recognize your voice?" just as he was about to speak, Amber went ahead and said before she grinned.

"That's what you want to say right?" she added upon seeing his serious look.

She gave him another smile before she walked in heading for his desk when Ashton suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a passionate kiss. 

They kept on until both of them have to let go, catching up for their breaths.

"You-"

Amber was once again cut off by another kiss, this time a lot longer and a lot hungrier than the first one.

Both of them weren't as showy as the other couples but both of them also have that hunger for each other.

They may have slept in one bed and went on dates back in Kuiper Country but they actually didn't do anything other than holding hands.

The kisses they share were very rare that people would ask if they really love each other.

But every kiss they share is memorable and precious, all of their love and passion for each other evident without question.

Every couple has their own quirks after all.

"You do know that could get you killed, why did you do that?" he asked as he placed his forehead on hers.

"I… I just want to surprise you," she replied while panting.

"You really are a handful, why did you deliver yourself to me here tonight? Hmm?" he looked at her while shaking his head in disbelief.

"Don't you want your gift?" she asked in return.

Ashton squinted his eyes and shook his head even more before he flicked a finger on her forehead.

"Stop playing around, how did you know I am still here?" he stood up properly.

Amber pouted, " You didn't like me as your gift."

She complained like a little girl.

"Amber…"

His voice was already filled with warning that if she joke more he would just grab her and…

"Hands up," she finally said with a contented smile.

She love to see her man being stirred up like this.

Ashton shook his head before walking towards his table.

"Now, how did you know I am still here?" he asked once again.

"I asked Cedric," she answered before she too approached him and stood beside him.

She leaned on the table upon reaching his side.

"You didn't want to stay until today but you went out of your way to be here closest to midnight. Are you a masochist?" he asked as he walked in front of her placing his hands on either side of her.

"Aren't you a bit too much, I prepared a very beautiful surprise for you," she complained as she crossed her hands.

"And? You went out of your way to be here on this hour, what kind of surprise did you bring?"

Amber smiled before taking out a box on her inner jacket pocket.

"Give me your left hand," she said.

Ashton obviously already knew that it was a ring but for her to look this much excited, it means that there's something else about this ring.

So he followed her request and put forward his left hand.

Amber smiled with her eyes twinkling as she opened the box and placed the ring on his finger making sure that he will only see it when it was already placed on his finger.

After looking at it, she looked up at him once again, "Happy birthday."

Ashton was stunned as he stared at the ring on his finger. It was a crown but this time, it was the crown of a king.

"Ah," Amber remembered.

"It looks nice right? Why don't you try and remove it, see what's inside," she informed him.

Ashton chuckled, "You wore it on me and now you���re telling me to remove it. Why didn't you just show me in the first place?"

"Geez, I got too excited okay? Just do it and check," she retorted.

Ashton pulled it out and check what was written on the band.

'Pianist'

He raised an eyebrow upon reading this and looked up at her.

"I just thought of a way for it to be unique compared to the usual ones. I was also planning to add more words but that would be too long," she started explaining as she removed her very own ring.

"Others may not understand it but we do," she added before showing him the engagement ring.

The once blank inner part of the band has now a word.

'Shield'

"You are the Shield and I am the Pianist, despite Shield being inactive for the past years. You were still known as Shield."

She put back his ring on his ring finger before giving him hers.

Then she placed her hand in front of him, knowing what she wants, he slid the ring into her finger.

"You are the Pianist's man while I am the Shield's woman, a unique way for a unique couple," she then said showing him her hands with the ring on.

"What's more," she continued.

"You designed this ring, while I may not have entirely designed it and just altered some designs, I am the one who made that ring. Don't you think that's unique on its own?"

Ashton stared at her; he didn't expect that last part. That it was her who actually made it.

"You made it?"

"Though it was difficult, it was actually fulfilling when you have finished t-"

Amber wasn't able to finish her sentence; she was again pulled into another fervent kiss.

That kiss contains all of his emotion; his heart was melted by the thoughts poured into this beautiful gift. He is more than grateful.

Amber just happily answered his sudden kiss.

Ashton then held her face and gave her a peck and smiled at her, happiness evident in his eyes, "I love you."

Seeing Ashton's eyes and hearing his words, Amber also looked at him with soft and loving eyes, "I love you, Happy 25th birthday Ash"

Before she then again leaned to envelope him in a tight hug.