-Eleonora-

Two days later Blaze talked with Mr. Brocotta and the idea was more than accepted. Blanca contacted me later on to thank me for my efforts and my kind heart.

All I did was in hope that Francesco, if he was out there saw his parent's doings and came back to them. Using their wine and industry was the best way to reach out to him wherever he was.

It was a successful idea, the new edition is already on the fabrics producing labels and boxes according to my sketches. It was a celebrating time, so that was what we were doing!

Days after we knew the industry was producing and the idea was a big success, we managed to make a small party in the office with balloons and big letters with CONGRATS on the wall. I ordered food for everyone, and also a cake! Everyone was happily eating and talking.

"You know sometimes I have my doubts but you are the best boss I had" Jennifer commented while taking a piece of cake

"I don't know how to feel about that " I answered "Maybe for the fact that you doubted or maybe because your never had any other boss but me"

Miles laughed at my comment while Jennifer tried to explain herself "I was giving a compliment, stop being ungrateful and just accept it" she joked making me smile.

Mike's phone reception started to ring making us frown, I didn't had anyone visting me at this hour or did anyone of my team that why we arranged the small party at this hour. Miles walked to the phone picking it up "Yes? ... Let me ask Mrs Maxwell. Thank you"

"What happened ?" Jennifer questioned, I saw him giving me a questionable look

"Some Martha Keller called you, she tried to reach you but you didn't pick up so she called reception downstairs" Miles explained. Martha Keller? Blaze's mom? What does she want? The weeding is just on November and I am pretty sure we are still in September... aren't we?

"What month is it?" I asked

"September" Jenny said taking a sip of champagne

"What can she possibly want?" I asked to myself "I am going to my office, anything call me" I said looking at both of them, they nodded and I walked to my office.

I need to see my agenda, why would Mrs. Keller look for me today, I didn't planned anything with her. I haven't seen her or talked to her since that tragedy of a lunch.

I searched for my agenda...once I found it, I roamed the pages to the month September... here it 21st of September. I don't have anything on it. This is definitely weird.

I scanned the whole page attenstiously when I heard the door of my office being open. "Jenny start knocking serious-"

I stopped when my eyes landed on him, he was with a grey suit that suited him perfectly although is muscles seem to want to pop out any minute from that tight shirt...

Oh my gosh, what is happening to me?

"I thought I had the right to come in without knocking" He said sternly, his face held some expression I couldn't exactly tell

"As a sense of hypocrisy, I guess"

"Speaking of hypocrisy. I am not the only one with bad work ethic" he said sitting down on my pink couch "Big party you're holding Chief Executive"

"The team wanted to celebrate, who am I to say no?!"

"Their boss" he noted taking a candy out of the candy jar

"Did you come down all this way to annoy me and discuss work ethic?" I asked while placing a hand on my hip

"No, actually no." he stood up taking a look at me " I just came to inform you that the first shipment of the wines is being distributed"

I smiled at the news "really? That's great!" I exclaimed in small jumps while clapping

"While you give your jumps of joy I will exit" he said pointing at the door

"It's a happy dance you should try sometimes!" I exclaimed "Maybe it could cheer you up, you're always so..." I tried to find the world while seeing him with a raised eyebrow "so like that" I pointed at his face

"I like to be like that" he stated "Right, tell Dorothy to not count with me for dinner"

Why? Was my first thought, but I had nothing to do with that so I just nodded watching him leave closing the door behind. I placed the agenda next to computer.

Oh right. I could've ask if he knew what the hell his mom wanted. My train of thoughts derailed when the phone on my desk rang. I quickly picked it up finding a familiar voice.

"Someone wants to talk to you" Miles announced "Sarah Keller or about to be Keller, she said you knew who it was-"

I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath "Yeah I know who that is"

"Can I pass the call?" He questioned

"She is on the phone now?" I asked. What is going on today? First Marth now Sarah, did I forgot somethinh?

"Yup"

"Pass me the call, please" the call was quickly moved making me sit on my chair just by hearing the annoying voice of Sarah

"Hello Eleonor!" she exclaimed from the other side of the phone

"Hi Sarah, what-"

"At what time do you arrive home?" I frowned at her question, why would she want to know? She is scary enough for me with that full white teeth smile and steady gaze, she looks like she doesn't blink.

"Why?"

"Me and Mother would like to know"she explained not really explaining because it didn't gave me any clear explanation on why is she wanting to know which time do I arrive home

"Why?"

"We would like to meet Blaze, your having dinner out or something?" she guessed...

"Blaze is having dinner out yeah why?"

"Could we just pass there when he gets home then?" what was this longing for meeting Blaze?

"Sure"

"We will be waiting! Thank you!" she exclaimed happily ending the call

This is all very weird.

I shook off these thoughts and for the rest of the day I tried to have a productive day, my team cleaned the small party pretty fast since we didn't bet too much on decorations there were only 10 balloons to blow up, paper plates to recycle and cake to put on the fridge- if there were any leftovers...

So the day carried on pretty great. I was now having lunch with Miles, Jennifer and a part of Lisa. She was in the same table than us both far away, she kept smiling and waving...honestly she scares me sometimes, she wants to be accepted but that just makes her more social awkward which doesn't help her.

"She is so weird" Miles commented taking bit of his fellow "the other day she sent me flowers with a card saying 'I want to be what you always needed
Then I hope you'll see the heart in me'"

"Why does that ring a bell?" Jennifer asked him

"Jesse McCartney Beautiful Soul" I stated

"Bingo" Miles whispered while giving her a side eye

"How can she not see that you-" Jennifer started by pointing up and down at Miles

"That I what?"

"That you clearly play for the wrong team" She finished

"Same And I actually do some effort to look gay..." he sated looking at her, me and Jennifer frowned at him, one thing he did not need was effort in being gay

"Ok fine..." he rolled his eyes

"We should talk to her though she is always so lonely and maybe you could explain her that you're gay" I said making my first friends face express disapproval

"Hell no! She is scary" Jennifer said

"I am not explaining her why I am gay" Miles said pointing her

"That is not what I meant and you know it" I said looking at her eating alone, my impulsive side won making me smile "Hi Lisa! Do you wanna scoot over and lunch with us?"

They looked at me ready to kill me while she answered my question "Really? Well if you insist " she happily got up with a tray on her hands walking near Miles, she sat down smiling at everyone like she just won the lottery.

I raised my eyebrows at Miles warning him to smile and be nice "Thank you so much Mrs.Maxwell! "

"It's ok. Are you having a nice day?" I questioned her while cutting my meat

"Yes, I am! How about you, it must be a tiring day for you Mrs," she noted. Tiring? Why would it?

"Tiring?" I question in hopes she would explain her point

"Yes. With Mr.Maxwell's birthday and working must be hard to cooperate with everything" she said leaving me with a brainstorm. I quickly connected the dots, Blaze, not having dinner, Martha's consistency, Sarah's consistency, and dinner talk... And both of them visit us while I don't have not even a party organized or cake. Fuck! I can't I suck at being a fake wife.

I quickly stood up with the tray of food

"Where are you going?" Jennifer asked

"I have to see Blaze"

"Why?"

"I miss him" I responded quickly leaving them smiling. I placed the tray in the correct place and ran to the elevator, continuously clicking on the top button.

How could I not know it was his birthday, and why didn't he tell me? I love birthdays and celebrations, and I just missed one big time. Should we make a party? Wouldn't it be weird if we don't celebrate it when both of them arrive home and find we didn't celebrate Blaze's anniversary? What kind of wife would I be? I know I am a fake wife but I can be a decent fake wife.

Plus...birthdays are a very special time of the year. It's a celebration of when you saw the world for the first time. It's a big thing!

I steeped into the almost empty floor, it was lunch time so that was pretty normal, I reached Connor's desk and there he was typing on his computer. Connor always looked like he was in a hurry or with to much work accumulated, which probably he was due to his boss "It's lunch time what are you going here?" I questioned Connor

He hadn't noted my presence since I walked here so his expression showed surprise in seeing me "Mrs.Maxwell?! I- I have things left to do "

"You should eat Connor. If you don't eat you can't work" I exlplained

"I already ate a cereal bar" he clarified

I rolled my eyes at the man "Go eat Connor"

"I'm fine Miss"

"Thatbwas a order Connor" I said steadily "Get up and walk to the canteen! Now!" I demanded, he quickly stood up running to the elevator

I walked in Blaze's office carelessly without any permission or knocking like usual

"No knocking, it could only be one person" he said advertising his eyes from the file over his table and back at me

Although he wasn't my number 1 favorite person in this world not even my last, I was still mad at him for not notifying me of his birthday, and mostly for not celebrating it so Iwent straight to the point "it's your birthday?" I asked in disbelief and a salt of angryness

"No" he simply answered, his lips made a quick straight line after the word no roll out his lips and his eyes got back to the file on his desk. He was lying.

"You're lying"

"I don't consider it my birthday anymore"

"Why?" I suddenly asked curious but his face showed some sadness and discomfort so I tried to wash away my question"It doesn't matter. You're mom tried to reach me and Sarah, maybe is anything due to your birthday?!" I supposed.

He took a hand to his head supporting his elbow on the table. He looked tired. "Yes it must be because my birthday"

"What do I tell them?"

"I don't celebrate my birthday anymore and they can't respect that. I don't feel like I should celebrate it and that's how I want it, it was my day and I don't want to praise it anymore. Is it that hard to understand?" he questioned himself

"Well, a birthday is an important date. A birthday gives everyone the chance to feel special and appreciate how much their loved ones care for them. It is important to celebrate your birthdays! It is a way to show self-appreciation and to celebrate ourselves at the same time. Also there's the gifts " I explained he was about to say something but I carried on my speech "It's your day and you have the right to do what you want... It's your day, and you can ignore it if you wish, and there's nothing wrong with it"

For a moment he stood there speechless looking at me maybe because I respected his desires. It was his day in the end so why should I respect it?

" right..." he let out " if they upset you more tell them that" I nodded in agreement " I want to pass this day like any other. I dont want cakes, gifts, happy wishes. My mom knows that and she needs to respects that. I don't want her or anyone celebrating my anniversary" he explained infuriated. Whatever that made him not want to celebrate his birthday must be something really bad, he sounds hurt but his face his stern and doesn't show any emotion. I nodded again and walked away.

- - -

It was a nice day, I got home tired and changed into some comfortable clothes while helping Dorothy making dinner. We were making a new recipe of mushroom risotto. We were making a big dose so Dorothy would take some for herself and her husband.

"It smells wonderfully " Dorothy said. I took the wodden spoon and tasted the risotto.

"You know what's missing?" I questioned her.

She nodded a no with her head "White wine. I'll be back" I walked to the food storeroom searching for the white wine

"Mrs.Eleonora?" I heard Dorothy call from the kitchen "There's people here to see you"

I grabbed the wine walking to the kitchen when I came across two peroxide blond figures. "I should leave now, it's only missing the wine" Dorothy saiddressing her coat

"Eleonora! Great to see you" Mrs.Keller cheered directly walking at me and embracing me in a hug "I see you made some decorations and renovations around the place."

"Hi Mrs.Keller?!"What the hell where this two doing in my house? How did they pass the lobby? "And...Sarah?!" I said looking at the girl with a big white box in her hands

"Dorothy take the food" I said while putting the risotto on Tupperware boxes

"It's fine miss" she said a bit embarrassed by the people over

"Take it Dorothy" I said shaking the boxes on my hand

"You cook for your maid? Shouldn't it be the other way around?" Sarah questioned

"I do whatever I please in my house" I fired back

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude but a maid should make our dinner"

"Well my mom always had a great relationship with her employees I tend to do the same."

"What does Blaze think of that? His wife cooking? With the maid?" Mrs Keller said in a high pitched tone

"He doesn't says anything. Now have you came all the way here to tell me what I should and shouldn't do in my own house with my own maid?" I questioned them while giving Dorothy the boxes

"Thanks miss" she whispered quickly leaving

"No! I'm sorry Eleonora" Sarah apologized

"So..To what I owe the honor?" I questioned them

"We just passed by to congratulate Blaze" Mrs.Keller explained

"We brought him cake!" Sarah cheered levitating the white box

I gave a weird smile not really understanding this situation. They just make themselves guests walked into my house and decided to make surprise birthday party to Blaze, knowing he doesn't want to celebrate his birthday.

"Thats lovely but maybe you should go" I said while they gave questionable looks at me and then to each other

"Why?" Sarah questioned

"Because as you know. Blaze doesn't celebrate his birthday so you should leave before he is here" I explained

Blaze's mom smile dropped and a angry face appeared she looked at me like she was about to kill me "He is my son, he came out of me, so I am on my rights to celebrate his birthday with him" she said making her point

"I understand Mrs.Keller, but you have to respect his wishes. It's his birthday and he has every right to spend it whoever he likes" I explained calmly to the agitated woman

"I am not leaving!" she stated sitting on the beige couch

"Mother and I made this game with our own hands" Sarah commented with a smile placing the cake on the kitchen isle

"Congratulations?" I let out not really knowing what she wanted to hear. Was it their first cake? Is their blood, sweat and tears that cake? Great for them, I am not eating it though. Jokes aside making a cake for someone who clearly doesn't want his anniversary to be celebrated his a big lack of respect "You should leave now" I suggested

"I am not leaving till I see my son and wish him a happy birthday and there's nothing you can do about it" Mrs.Keller said getting up "I thought we were going to be friends Eleonora" she started giving me a fierce look "you are ruining your impression"

"I don't need any impression Mrs.Keller. I married your son not you. Now get out before I call security" I stated

"You can't kick me out from my own son's house" she fired back almost like shouting

"No, but I can kick you out of my own house which happens to be your son's house too"

"Let's go mother" Sarah said grabbing the older woman arm. What was that thing with her calling Martha mother?

"No! You think just because you married him you have any power and demand over this house? Blaze would never trust a woman so much to make her the house mistress. Who do you think you are?"

"She is my wife!" a familiar voice said from her the elevator

"Oh Blaze! Son! Happy-"she run happily towards him with open arms about to hug him

"Didn't Eleonora ask you to leave ?" he interrupted his mother

"This woman didn't wanted me to see my own son on his birthday" she pointed at me, he kept a stern and disappointed gaze at Martha

"Because unlike you she respects me, mother!" he exclaimed making my chest warm "Get out! Both of you"

"Son I don't mean harm I want to celebrate-"

"But I don't. So respect that and leave" he said now a bit louder making his mom flinch. She bowed her head down with a teary face she walked to the elevator along with Sarah who helped her walk till there, supporting her all the way. Such a lovely Mother and Daughter-in-law relationship. They left us in the silence.

"I didn't even gave Dorothy the food correctly because of them" I let out "they are very consistent" I informed him to which he hummed

I walked to the white box and opened it. It was a uneven round white cake, more like oval, with the words Happy Birthday in chocolate topping and candles over it.

I grabbed a spoon and mixed gently the chocolate words while taking the candles out and placing them on the garbage. I sensed his presence walking near me followed by pop out cork.

"It looks great" he mentioned looking at the cake and placing the white wine on top of the counter

"Have you eaten?" I asked while pouring the wine on the pan and mixing it

"Not much. What is that?" he asked walking near me and looking at the pan inside

"Mushroom risotto"

"Smells nice"

"I made some improvements on Dorothy's recipe" I informed stirring the rice

"I can see that" he stated taking another plate and cup from the cup-boards and placing on the other side of the kitchen isle where my plate was. I smiled at his actions, it looked like I wasn't eating alone today.

And I liked that.