*it's a very special chapter, you'll know why*

-2 weeks later-

{ a l i n a }

Mum never cooked for me.

Dad have never read me bedtime stories.

Nathan never protected me from bullies.

Countless of people have praised my family. In the eyes of the public, we're a perfect, loving family. Little did they know, it was all a show.

The interviews, magazines, family outings, photoshoots.. It was all a big, fat, lie.

My entire life, the only people that took care of me, loved me, were maids and employees. My personal maid, Helen, was the one who taught me how to walk. She was the one who read me bedtime stories. She was the one who cleaned all of my wounds, every time I fell from the swing.

And she was the one who called me pretty and brushed my hair, and she was the one who kissed me goodnight. She loved me as if I was her own.

I was an unwanted child.

Funny how that sounds, because it actually was a fact.

Mum never wanted a second child.

She was already happy with Nathan. She didn't plan to have another child. Sadly, I was an accident. I was never supposed to exist. So did Michael.

I have to say, I don't have the best parents in the world. Mum has her head in the clouds, either trapped inside her own bubble or looking out for Nathan and that stupid rose garden of hers. As for Dad.. well, he was simply busy. He never had any time for his children.

Except Nathan. They do sports together every weekend. Dad thinks that as long as I have money, I'm happy. The thing is, I don't need money, I need my dad.

Every Birthday, I'd blow my candles with the royal staff.

Butlers, Maids, kitchen boys.. they celebrated my birthday with me, they sang with me, in the kitchen, every single time. And every year, Helen asks me what cake do I want, and every year I utter the same answer:

"Surprise me."

And every year, she bakes a blueberry cheesecake, knowing it's my favorite.

And somehow, it was enough for me. I loved it when they sang happy birthday for me, and I loved it even more when the maids bombarded me with their little handmade gifts. It showed me that they care.

Some of them made me bracelets, some knitted scarves or dolls for me, and some of them bought me toys. And I loved it when Michael kisses my cheeks and wished me happy birthday with his little squeaky voice. And every year, he gives me the same gift, which is a drawing of me and him, in a simple country house, living together happily as farmers.

And I kept everything they gave me. I loved them. They were my true family.

"Nathan! It's my tenth birthday!"
"Nobody cares, Alli. Go make a fool of yourself with those maids."

My brother always spoke harshly to me. But I never minded it. He was my brother, after all. A brother that never really wanted a sister.

My family indeed was a horrible mess,but I loved them nonetheless.

I was thankful.

Even now.

Thankful that I still live under a roof. Thankful that I'm not starving.

That's what Helen taught me. To always be thankful with what you have. And I am.

But this year, it was different.

I wouldn't see them. They won't be here to wish me happy birthday.

I thought about not celebrating my birthday this year, but..

Something changed.

More like, someone came along..

~

And here I am, standing next to the familiar dark haired boy, staring at a blueberry cheesecake.

Damian Wayne bought me a birthday cake. With the right amount of candles. Impressive, I must admit.

I stare into his eyes, studying his face, waiting for his next response.

"Is this the first time you've ever celebrated birthdays?" I ask, a bit of sarcasm in my tone.

"Perhaps. Why?" He asks, as if nothing's wrong.

"Well, from what I know, you're supposed to sing me a happy birthday song before I cut the cake." I laugh, sarcasm in my tone.

"Bloody hell. I.. didn't think of that." He curses to himself.

I grin, blowing at the candles nonetheless. I couldn't possibly imagine Damian Wayne singing . "So, what did you wish for?" He asks, crossing his arms.

"It's a secret, Wayne." I reply, a glint of playfulness in my tone, as I reached for the knife, to cut the cake. But, Damian's hand stopped mine, as he grasped my hand.

"Perhaps gifts first." He says nonchalantly, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"You got me a gift?" I asked incredulously, my eyes opening wide. I always thought he wasn't the type to give people gifts. Scratch that, he isn't.

Damian pulls out a little black box, covered in velour fabric, bound with a little black ribbon. What could he possibly have gotten me?

He hands it to me, and I reach for it.
"Happy Birthday, Alina." He spoke as I opened the box carefully.

I gasp as I saw the most beautiful bracelet ever. It was in the color white gold, one of my favorite colors ever.

"Oh gosh.. Thank you, this is beautiful!" I marveled, taking out the bracelet, putting it on immediately, admiring it. It was gorgeous.

"You're welcome." He answers, smiling at me. God, I could watch him smile forever.

Damian and I had spent the rest of the evening watching movies. He surprisingly agreed on doing that.

We ended up watching old movies, and afterwards we talked. We discussed many things. And turns out, Damian Wayne isn't as bitter as I thought he was.

He was full of surprises. But what I admired the most, was his intelligence. He really was quite a genius for a 17 year old boy.

About a few hours later, we both realized it was past midnight, and that he had to go.

"Well, this was a fun evening. Thank you for being here, Wayne. It means a lot." I spoke gratefully, leaning against the doorframe.

"Anytime, Vanderbilt." He smirks, opening his door's handle.

Suddenly, he stops, closing his door, turning around, facing me once again.

"Is something wrong? Did you forget something?" I asked him, noticing that his eyes were fixed on mine.

"Yes, I forgot one important thing." He mutters, his eyes never leaving mine. What could he have possibly forgotten?

And I thought I couldn't get anymore surprised.

That is, until he strides forward, his hands clasped my face, pulling me forward, and his lips meet mine.

____________________________
[insert very loud squeal]

No words for this chapter.

I'm squealing at 2 in the morning, literally..

<3

Thank you for reading! I'll try to update the next chapter as soon as possible. Maybe tomorrow, maybe after tomorrow. I'm literally studying my brains out right now.

{ Sorry if there's a lot of mistakes, because I literally was rushing while writing this chapter.}

Love,
Sophia ⚜️