CASSANDRA

My birthday celebration had finally come. It was going to be held in my penthouse with few people in attendance later that night.

My dad who flew from Greece at first wanted the venue to be a high-end hotel ballroom with several people in attendance just like my previous birthday celebration but I specifically told him that this year I wanted it to be an intimate celebration with family and my friends.

Since I have a huge influence on my dad, he gave in to my request with no qualms. It was always been like that for as long as I remember. It was common knowledge back in Greece that my father, Spiro, couldn't say no to his only child.

People assumed that I was a spoiled princess whom my widower father indulged with my every whim. For a time, maybe I was that kind of girl but as I started work and stood on my own feet I started to realize that happiness didn't always mean a new pair of shoes or a new limited edition bag.

Someone made me realize that. I watched the man who was busy cooking breakfast for us while I sat on the kitchen aisle.

Calix made me understand that a pair of shoes it didn't matter if it was cheap or expensive was still a pair of shoes. It could take you to places. He wasn't frugal or anything, he was just practical about things since he didn't much rely on his family's wealth. He used to live a simple life not caring about other people's expectations of him.

And I admire him for that. He taught me so much about adulting 101. Since he was a few years older than me he taught me how to budget my money and informed me not to buy anything if I didn't need that stuff.

I became more conscious of how to spend my hard-earned money as a curator at the art gallery and now I could proudly say some weeks had passed and yet I didn't make a single purchase which was very unlikely in the past. I used to go shopping almost every other day to buy things I didn't need.

"I think my face will bore a hole with your stares."

I felt the smile spreading on my face while still admiring him. He was cooking in front of me and he was so handsome in his apron. "I like staring at your face."

He spared me a glance and a wide smile appeared on his face. "I always believe that you will fall for me hard and fast given a chance. I should have pursued you sooner."

I chuckled, giving him a challenging look. "I beg to disagree. You aren't sure of yourself that's why you waited long enough before you approached me with your flirtatious airs."

He scowled in my direction. "Hey! I just made sure that Loukas was finally out of the picture before I made my move. I want to approach you the moment you arrive at the island even before the ceremony starts if not for the pain I saw on your face watching my cousin get married."

"I didn't do such a thing!" I denied it while I felt the heat spreading through my cheeks. I couldn't believe that he had been looking at me since then. I thought I hid my emotions pretty well during the ceremony I guess I was wrong.

"Yes, you did!" He insisted with the scowl still carved on his handsome face. "Your expression that day was a dead giveaway about your feelings for Loukas."

I puffed while looking at him wryly. "Why are you bringing this up again?"

"You started this."

There was a maddening smile on my face when I realized the reason why he was so riled up again. "Don't tell me you still get jealous when you recall the past?"

"Yes, I am," his blue eyes were challenging me. "Why? Do you have a problem with that?"

I hid my smile as I felt my heart dance with happiness at the moment. Sometimes, I still couldn't believe that this man was head over heels in love with me.

"Eat up, birthday girl," he put a plate in front of me filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, and waffles.

I pretended to give him a sad look to nudge his conscience. "It's my birthday and yet you are quarreling with me. What an unpleasant way to start my special day. "

His face immediately filled with remorse. "Oh, I'm sorry, agápi mou. I didn't mean to make you upset on your birthday. I'm sorry." In an instant, he was on my side holding both of my hands and kissing them affectionately. "Sorry?"

This time, I could no longer continue with my pretense. I giggled at his guilty expression. "I am just messing with you, love."

He threw a disapproving look in my direction.

"Aw!" I protested when he pinched my nose firmly stopping the air I breathed.

"You," he threatened playfully. "Since when did you learn to tease me like that, huh?"

"Aw!" I tried to remove his fingers from my nose. "That hurt!"

He finally let my nose go. I automatically rubbed it and I was almost certain that my nose was as red as a tomato. He trapped my face with his hands. "Happy Birthday, my love." He said before dropping a peck on my lips.

"Thank," I replied as I felt my heart would burst with too much happiness. I looked up at him with gleaming eyes. "Where's my gift?"

He feigned a shocked expression on his face. "Oh, you're expecting a gift? I thought our three rounds between sheets last night would suffice as a birthday gift."

I laughed. "Of course not! I am just kidding."

"Lucky for you I prepared something," there was a smug expression on his face. "Wait for me here."

He gave me another smooch before he went to his room to retrieve his gift. I didn't expect that he would prepare something for me. He must hide it very well in his apartment since I've been a lot lately.

I started to eat my breakfast before it turned completely cold while waiting for Calix. Recently, I realized that we were semi-living together. There were times that I hadn't been in my apartment for days staying in his place instead. Just like now, people were probably busy in my apartment cleaning it meticulously for my party later tonight and here I was, enjoying my morning with the man I love.

He came back after a moment, there was a pleased smile on his face there was a small box in his hand beautifully wrapped. "For you. Happy Birthday, Cass."

I accepted the present excitedly. This was probably the first time I would receive a gift that I was so excited to see. "May I open it now?"

"Of course."

I unwrapped his gift and I saw a small box. I flipped it open and saw two black rope string bracelets inside with black and silver beads as designs.

He removed the bracelets from the box and placed the other one around my wrist. "Well, I know it's not the birthday present that you are expecting. But I thought of giving you a couple of bracelets instead. I'm sorry if it's not fancy enough for you but I hope that you'll wear it every day."

"I like it," I stated. I do. I would treasure whatever he had given me. "But I'm curious, though," I said examining the bracelet on my wrist. "Is there a meaning behind this or this is just a random design you choose?"

That made him smile. "Are you familiar with the Morse code?" When I shook my head, he added. "Morse code is a method used in telecommunication to encode text characters."

"What does this mean then?" I asked, trying to decipher the meaning.

"Yours means 'Always' while mine will be 'Forever'. He informed me while wearing the identical bracelet around his wrist.

"Thank you, Calix. I like it. I promise that I will always wear it." I puckered my lips in his direction silently asking for a kiss. He willingly obliged and gave me a quick peck on the mouth.

"Eat up, we will have a busy ahead of us." There was a fond smile on his face while he gently caressed my cheek.

That was how we spent our morning enjoying our breakfast and looking forward to my party.

*****

My apartment was transformed into a beautiful venue with flowers everywhere. Right now, I was busy greeting my guests with Calix on my side. I never felt happier celebrating my birthday until today. Despite the mountains of gifts I received from my family and friends. The best gift I received was Calix coming into my life. I couldn't ask for more. My life was almost perfect.

"Happy Birthday, Cassie," Loukas greeted with a happy smile on his face when he arrived with his pregnant wife, Sapphire."

"Thank you!" I replied with the same enthusiasm. I was so happy to see them tonight. I thought they wouldn't be able to make it because of Sapphire's delicate pregnancy. "Good to see you, guys. It's been a while."

I accepted Sapphire's friendly hug and when I was about to do the same with Loukas I was pulled back to Calix's side. I looked at him questioningly but he just gave me a disapproving glare. Thankfully, Loukas didn't seem to notice his cousin's subtle jealousy.

"So the rumors are true, huh?" Loukas teased while looking at us amusedly. "I never expected this but I am happy at the same time."

Calix drew me even closer to him, looking haughtily at his cousin. "Yes. We are exclusively dating now, cousin."

I elbowed him on the side because I thought he was being rude to his cousin again because of his uncalled jealousy. But he paid me no mind since he was busy staring at Loukas intensely.

Loukas winked at me with a smile playing on his lips. "Well, Cassie, please take good care of my cousin. He's a good guy but a handful sometimes but I'm sure you can handle him just fine."

"Hey!" Calix protested with a scowl on his face. "Don't flirt with my girlfriend in front of me and your wife. I will not allow it."

"Calix!" I reprimanded him while looking apologetically at Loukas and Sapphire.

Sapphire chuckled, hooking her arm around her husband's arm. "There's no need to apologize, Cassie. Greek men." She stated as if that explained everything. Did that mean that she also experienced the same thing with Loukas? But I think Loukas wasn't the type of guy who easily got jealous. He was level-headed, unlike Calix.

They left us to mingle with the other guests and then I threw a disapproving look in my boyfriend's direction. "What?" He asked innocently.

"That's rude."

He scoffed, shaking his head with disbelief. "I, rude? How's so? I am just informing Loukas that we are now exclusively dating. Is there something wrong with that?"

"I think there is a meaning behind your words." I accused, narrowing my eyes in his direction. "I know you, Calix."

He smirked in my direction while there was an unapologetic gleam in his blue eyes. "I am just making sure that it's clear that you now belong to me, my love. I will not hand you over to other guys."

Deep inside his words made the butterflies in my stomach fluttered their wings as I felt my heart warm up with love.

And then, I noticed that Dad finally arrived. I had never been excited to see my father until today. I have been keeping my relationship with Calix a secret from him since I wanted to tell him in person. I pulled Calix in the direction of my dad. "Dad!"

A warm smile fitted my father's face. "Cassie. Happy birthday, darling."

I left Calix's side for a moment to hug my father. It had been a while since I saw him. "I'm so happy that you're finally here. I thought you would not make it because you are always busy."

"It's my daughter's birthday of course I will make time for her." He replied as we drew back to take a good look at me. "How are you, my daughter?"

I grinned at him brightly. "Never been better," I pulled the nervous-looking Calix to my side before looking once again at my father. "Dad, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Calix."

The light died in my father's eyes. This was not the kind of reaction I was hoping for. I prepared myself that he would be shocked at first but then he would be happy for me. But his reaction was far from my expectation. It saddened me, to be honest.

"H-How did this happen?" My father asked without a hint of emotion on his face. If I have to describe the expression on his face at the moment it was grim.

I felt Calix stiffen beside me and I had to squeeze his hand to reassure him that everything would be all right. "Is there something wrong, Dad?"

My father smiled at me but didn't quite reach his eyes. "Oh, I am just taken by surprise. I didn't expect you and Calix will be dating." He paused for a moment and then added. "I thought you were in love with Loukas."

Calix became rigid but still didn't say anything. I threw a disapproving look at my father. "That was all in the past, Dad. I am now finally over with him."

"So you decide to date his cousin?"

"Dad!"

Calix cleared his throat. "With all due respect, sir," for the first time he joined the conversation. "I love your daughter and what I feel for her is genuine."

Dad spared him a glance. "Look, son. I don't have anything against you but it just doesn't sit me well that my daughter will be the talk of the town for chasing a man for years and then jumping to his cousin."

"Dad!" I protested again but he was busy staring at Calix with hard eyes.

"I will not let that happen, sir," Calix promised. I glanced at our intertwined hands and I nearly winced when he was gripping my hand a little too tightly but he barely noticed it. "I will protect, Cass."

My father sighed deeply. "We'll talk about this some other time. For now, let's just focus on the party."

Dad walked away and I felt my heart break because it was not how I imagined it. Now my birthday party was starting to turn into a nightmare. I glanced at Calix who was clenching his jaw tautly. When he realized that I was looking at him worriedly he smiled at me--or at least tried to mimic a smile.

"What shall we do?" I asked anxiously, biting my lower lip. "I think both of our parents are opposed to our relationship. So much for being optimistic about this."

He gently smoothed out my lip with a sad smile on his face. "Don't worry, I will talk to your father tomorrow. I will assure him that I'm serious about you and hopefully he will give us his blessing."

"What if he still opposed our relationship just like your mom?"

My heart was breaking at the thought that our relationship wasn't accepted by our parents. "Don't be pessimistic, my love."

"But..."

"Shh..." he shook his head to silence me. Since we were in the middle of my living room. He pulled me to the balcony where we used to spend our nights often. Thankfully, it was empty it could give us the privacy we needed. I could feel that tears threatened to fall from my eyes and I was trying my very best to stop them from falling. "Don't cry," he said, wiping the corner of my eye. "Everything will be all right."

"What if--" I croaked.

He tucked some strands of my hair at the back of my ear. "As I said, I will talk to your father tomorrow before he flies back to Greece," his blue eyes stared intently at me. "If I get his approval I want us to live under the same roof, Cass?"

I gasped, staring at him with wide eyes. "You mean..."

"Yes," he replied with love shown in his blue eyes. "Let's move in together."

I was speechless. Even if, Dad didn't approve of our relationship yet I still find solace that Calix was now thinking of moving our relationship to the next step. He was asking me to move in with him and I was beyond happy at the idea.

Right now, everything seemed to fade away and I was only aware of me and Calix holding hands on my balcony. I glanced at our hands where our matching bracelets rested. I just hope that everything will be fine after he talks to Dad.

Because I don't think I would survive if they tried to separate Calix from me. In a short time, he became my everything...