I put on my uniform and pull my hair back into a ponytail. I'm eager to get to work, not because I need the money. But because I want to see William again.

Last night was the best night of my existence.

I find mom in the kitchen talking on the phone. I bustle around making my breakfast.

When she puts down the receiver I ask. "Who was it?"

"Ella." She replies taking a bite of her omelet.

"She's going to be here in a couple of hours. What's the emergency?" I ask, taking a sip of  my coffee.

"I asked her to stay home."

"WHAT?!" I scream.

She sighs, setting down her fork. "Calm down. She has her own family to look after."

"But what about you?"

"I'll be fine. I'm not a child. For God's sake, I'm a fully grown woman. I can take care of myself." She tells me.

"But what if you need someone?" I ask her.

"I'll be careful about what I do. I'll just take a nice long nap in my room." She starts eating again.

"You need to take your medication on time." I remind her.

"I will. Just go to work, it's your big day!" She exclaims.

"What?" I don't know where this is headed.

"Seriously Cassandra?"

"I'm speaking the truth! I have no idea." I tell her.

"It's your birthday!" She screams pulling me into a hug.

I had completely forgotten.

"Yeah. Right." I know I sound stupid.

"Happy birthday!" She tightens her arms around me and I hug her back.

"Thanks." I say as I pull back and gather my things for work. I start towards the door, shouting instructions the whole time.

"You have to take your medicines."

"Ok."

"Don't forget to check your blood pressure."

"I won't."

"Do not go near the washing machine."

"I don't have a reason to."

"You have to take a long nap."

"I will."

"Don't forget to take your medicines."

"I WON'T! NOW GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" She marches up to me and taking hold of my arm, shoves me out. After slamming the door shut I hear a muffled shout. "NOW GET GOING!"

I sigh and hitch my bag's strap up onto my shoulder. I start towards the bus stop. I stand there waiting for my bus, when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around to see who it is.

"Anna!" I exclaim.

"Hey!" She hugs me.

"Oh! I completely forgot. Happy birthday." She pulls out a box from her bag and hands it to me.

"Anna! You shouldn't have." I protest.

"I'm not taking no as an answer!" She shoves the box into my hand, waiting for me to open it.

I take off the lid to find a dress. "Wow! Thank you so much." I give her a hug to show my gratitude.

"It's nothing. I mean it's nothing compared to those Forever 21 shoes you got Sophie." She sighs.

"Hey! This is great. I'm definitely going to wear it the first opportunity I get because I've run out of dresses."

"That's good to hear." She smiles at me.

"Are we on the same bus?" I ask her.

"No. I don't think so. Are you going to the palace?"

"No. The company office." I reply.

"Well, then I'll see you later." She says as she heads towards her bus.

Then a thought strikes to me. "Anna! How did you find out about my birthday?!"

"Helen!" This is all the explanation I need.

I wait for my bus to arrive and then climb on board. I look out the window at the cars rushing past. Before I know it the bus stops and I get off.

I walk towards the entrance and push open the door. The last time I was here, I got kidnapped and now everyone is going about their usual business. I start towards Helen.

"Hey!" I call out.

"Hi. How're you doing today?" She asks.

"Good. What do you have in store for me today?" I ask her handing over the box and my bag.

"Nothing that I know of. Mr. Blake isn't here yet. So, what are you going to do?" She asks.

"I'll just hang around." I reply, pointing towards the seating area.

"Okay. See you around." She turns back to her computer.

I sit down and start flipping through a copy of Time magazine. I find nothing that catches my attention and throw it onto the table.

"Cassandra!" I hear someone call.

I look up to see Helen waving her hand in the air. I push myself out of my seat and walk over to her.

"How can I be of service?" I ask in my best official voice.

"Can you get me a glass of water?" Helen asks.

My face at once drops. "Seriously? I imagined a great task in store." She chuckles as I walk towards the water dispenser.

I pick up two paper cups and fill them with water, then carry them back to her.

"Thanks." She says, after taking a sip she adds. "You have a key to Mr. Blake's office right?"

"Yeah." I nod gulping down my water.

She holds out a file and some loose sheets of paper. "Can you put this on his desk? I have to give it to him today but I'm afraid that I might loose it."

"I'll do that." I make my way to his office and go in after unlocking the door.

I go to his desk and put down the things onto it. I whip around when I hear the door close.

"Hey!" William says.

"Hi." I breathe.

"Happy birthday!"

"How did you know?"

"Your job application." He says.

"Everyone remembered it, except me." I groan.

He puts his arms around me and kisses the bridge of my nose. "I was waiting for this day since I realized my feelings for you."

"Really? Why?" I ask.

"You're 21, right?" He asks.

"Yeah. Why?" I ask, even more confused.

"I'm a year older. But that doesn't matter does it?"

"Depends." I tell him.

"Close you eyes." He says.

I do as told. He takes hold of my hand and opens it. Then he puts something in it.

"Go ahead."

I open my eyes to find a black velvet box in my hand. I slowly open it to find...

William takes hold of my hand and gets down on one knee.

"Cassandra, please will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"I...Will..." I'm speechless. I don't know how this even happened.

He gets up to stand again. "You don't have to tell me now. You can..."

"Yes."

"Huh?"

"I will. I'll marry you." I pull him to me and we share the longest kiss in the world.

"Do you want to...?" He trails off.

I nod through the tears and hand over the box. I'm bursting with joy, right now. He takes the ring and pushes it onto my ring finger.

I curl my fingers around his and kiss him.

"I'm so glad I met you." He whispers.

"I don't regret it either." I smile at him.