Serena's P.O.V.

After spending about an hour in the park, Aidan and I took an Uber back to the hotel to get ready for dinner at Ritz Volos. Throughout the car ride, our phones kept blowing up with comments and texts from our close friends. It all felt so overwhelming to have all these people send their birthday wishes. So much so that it brought a few tears to my eyes.

Aidan took notice and instantly thought I was sad, but I assured him that everything was fine and that it was just the sweet comments and texts. By the time the car pulled up to the hotel, I sent a few texts back and forth between me and Vanessa.

Vanessie 💖

Vanessa: Hey girl! Happy Birthday!

Serena: Aw, thank you! I wish you could be here with us!

Vanessa: Me too, But I bet you and Aidan have an amazing night planned!

Serena: Yes, we do! I'll send pictures when we get to the restaurant.

Vanessa: Okay! Tell Aidan I said Hi!

Serena: I will! Love you! 😘

Back in the room, I was in the bathroom putting my hair into a braid and reapplied my makeup as I was on FaceTime with T.J. "I can't believe you're going on tour already!" she squealed when I told her the exciting news. "I know! It's exciting!" I chuckled. She proceeded to ask a few questions like, "Where will you be touring? What songs are you going to perform? Are you performing any new songs?" All to which I replied, "I don't know yet,"

"Hey Serena, have you seen my hair gel anywhere?" Aidan called from the bedroom. "Well, duty calls! I'll talk to you later tonight, girl!" I said before hanging up and walking out of the room. "It should be in your suitcase, if not in one of the cabinets," I answered. "Yeah, I checked the suitcase, but still can't find it," Aidan explained. I walked back into the bathroom and quickly dug through the cabinets, looking for that gel. But after a while of close searching, I couldn't find it.

"Great. All I want is to look good for you on your birthday," Aidan sighed in frustration, sitting down on the bed. He had admitted when we first started dating that he struggled with trying to please people with his looks. Something that I had struggled with for most of my life. "Aidy, you don't have to get all dressed up for me. Hair gel or no gel, you are still my handsome boyfriend," I smiled, grabbing his hand. 

He glanced up at me, the corner of his lips tilted in a tight smile. "How did I end up with a girl like you?" He asked. "I don't know. How did I end up with a sweet boy like you?" I chuckled in response. Aidan chuckled softly before slowly leaning in and sweetly kissing my lips. "God, I love you," He whispered. "I love you too, baby," I whispered back. "Aidan! Serena! Are you ready to go yet?" Mom called from the kitchen.

"Yeah! Just one second, Mom!" I answered. I slipped on a pair of white lace-up heels and grabbed my purse before we met up with them and walked out the door. The restaurant was just two blocks away from the hotel, so we decided to walk there and watch as the streetlights turned on. A cold breeze blew past us, making me shiver slightly, and I felt Aidan wrap his jacket around my shoulders, giving me some comfort.

He smiled at me before grabbing my hand and squeezing it occasionally. The line to Ritz Volos was insanely long, but luckily we had made reservations beforehand.

"This is one of the nicest restaurants I have ever seen!" I smiled as a waiter led us to our table. "I heard this is one of the most popular restaurants in Toronto," Aidan whispered. At our table, we were handed menus, and after a while, we ordered our food and were waiting patiently. "Hey, when we get back to the hotel, I've got a surprise for you," Aidan answered. "Really? What is it?" I whispered back. "Well, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?"

I chuckled softly and nodded understandingly. My phone had started ringing underneath my leg. I moved it slightly to see the Caller ID, but it was an unknown number. At first, I thought nothing of it, thinking it was a telemarketer wanting to sell health insurance or something. But as the minutes went by, my phone continued to ring. And it was starting to irritate the living shit out of me.

"I have to go to the bathroom. I'll be back in a few minutes," I said before getting out of my chair and quickly walking across the restaurant and over the bathroom entrance. The caller was still an Unknown Number, and I took a deep breath as I picked up. "Who is this? And what the hell do you want?" I huffed.

"Hello, Serena. Did you miss me?"