Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Ghea's footsteps stopped, she looked back slightly, then smiled and shook her head. "I'm not angry with you. It's just that I can't anymore. I'm sorry about this once again. You should already know that Inez and Cakra are dating, right? And I see, it seems like Inez doesn't want to stay away from Cakra."

And Ghea immediately ran a little to get back to her class, afraid that Rian would prevent her again with another question.

***

Inez was so excited today because the day she had been waiting for for the past week had finally come. Today was her seventeenth birthday. Inez was very happy, especially since her parents had allowed her to have a party in their luxurious house. Indeed, Inez had asked for their approval long ago, but only got a response now. But it would not be a problem or a big disaster, Inez had expected that her papa and mama would give her freedom at her age.

Helped by her beloved friend, none other than Ghea, Inez had prepared beautiful invitations that she would distribute to all her classmates and some other students from the next class, whom Inez knew. Indeed, Inez herself did not want to invite all the students. According to her, it was too many, and they wouldn't necessarily come either.

Everything else had also been decorated. From the well-designed room with lots of balloons, ribbons, and lots of various foods that can be tasted, to the most important thing, the birthday cake with a beautiful and elegant design. Inez had ordered the cake three days ago. Not only that, Inez also invited beautiful singers and famous DJs to enliven the event.

To be more precise, everything was already done. All Inez needs to do now is distribute the invitations. Yes, that's it, her birthday event will be held tonight, from half past seven until midnight.

And this morning was a morning that Inez thought was very special. Coming out of her room, Inez couldn't stop smiling. The girl now looked different, her long, straight hair was flowing so beautifully, no longer wavy like before. Yes, because yesterday Inez went to the salon. This was her special birthday, and of course Inez would look a little different from the previous Inez.

Inez stepped excitedly down the stairs, then joined her father and mother, who were already sitting on their dining chairs.

With her face beaming with happiness, Inez exclaimed quite loudly. "Good morning, ma, pa!" Inez approached her papa.

"Hey, good morning, my baby." Her father gave Inez a light peck on the cheek with a big smile. Then, Inez switched to kissing the cheeks that were covered with fine hair around her father's face. And after that, Inez continued kissing her mother's cheek area.

"Good morning, too, dear," said her mom. Inez finally sat on her own chair, the one she had been sitting on for a long time, right in front of her papa and mama.

"There's something I'm really happy about, mom." Inez's father looked at Inez ignorantly, then glanced at his wife, waiting for a response.

Inez's mom smiled and nodded. "That's right, I think someone is really happy."

Inez chuckled softly, looking at the two people in turn. "Of course i'm very happy." Inez then squinted her eyes and said, "Uh, wait a minute, don't tell me you forgot about today?"

The laughter of Inez's father, who was wearing formal attire-a slick, dark gray suit with a charming tie—burst out and filled the void in the kitchen. The middle-aged man laughed for a long time, accompanied by a shake of his head.

"You forgot, no way dear," he replied. Inez breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled. "I think it's mother who forgot."

Inez's mom widened her eyes, then looked at her beloved husband while frowning. Mama Inez's index finger pointed at herself. "Mother?"

"Yes, you must have forgotten what day it is, right? Come on, admit it?" Inez"'s father pointed at Inez's mom with an ignorant smile.

Mama Inez chuckled softly, then waved her hand in the air. "I forgot, there's no way I forgot."

"What day is it today?" Inez asked later. Her gaze went to her father first. "From father first try, I want to hear."

"Don't you know what today is?"

"Yes, it's not that I don't know."

"But forgot?"

Inez rolled her eyes lazily. "I know and won't forget. Because it's my special day. It's very unlikely that I won't remember. I just wants to test you. Just try to answer."

"Yes, it's Saturday, dear, isn't it? i can't be wrong. Right?"

"That's right, it's Saturday."

Inez's father nodded enthusiastically. "Well Inez, so you two aren't wrong, it has to be Saturday."

Where she sat, Inez was already tense, her breath held in her throat. This was impossible, it was impossible for them to forget. But, Inez thought again, this kind of thing could happen. Her parents were just ordinary people who were not immune to memory problems. Inez swallowed her saliva, and she suddenly became discouraged. Inez looked at her papa and mama's faces for a moment, they were staring at her with confused looks. And it seemed, both her papa and mama, did not really remember that today was a very meaningful and special day for Inez. Today is her birthday!

Inez looked to the side, her mind inexplicably racing. Until finally, a laugh from her father came out very loud. Making Inez immediately turned her head with a confused look on her face, her eyebrows almost touching. Her father's laughter suddenly spread quickly to her mother. Their booming laughter made Inez feel even more confused.

"What's wrong with you two?"

The laughter of both of Inez's parents gradually began to melt away.

"We'll never forget this day," her mom whispered. "Isn't it?"

"Yes, how could we forget. No way. This is a special day for our most beautiful daughter."

Inez did not blink at her parents.

"HAPPY SWEET SEVENTEEN HONEY!" Simultaneously, with a very, very loud voice, both of Inez's parents made Inez stare in surprise and disbelief at the two of them. Inez was touched, the corners of her eyes were now welling up with tears. Not to mention their happy gazes, Inez, of course, immediately smiled too.

"Your parents will never forget your birthday, dear. The side garden has also been decorated for your birthday. There's no way we'll forget, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Happy birthday, dear."

Inez smiled so wide. "Inez thought you guys really forgot, Inez is really happy that papa and mama didn't forget today. Thank you, huh? Inez loves you both very much."

"Oh yes, your parents have prepared a present for you."

His father's words surprised Inez. Her lips slowly said softly, "seriously? There's a present?"

"This is a more than special day for you, dear, of course, papa and mama prepared a gift," her mama continued.

"That's right," Inez's father replied. Then he bent down slightly and picked up something from under the table.

And now, Inez was smothering her mouth with teary eyes, staring at a large gift box with a beautiful ribbon in front of her. Inez could not hide her emotions and joy.

Swallowing harshly, Inez watched her parents' faces. "Is this for me?"

"Yes, from both of us. Let's open it now," her mom ordered.

Without waiting or wasting any more time. Inez obeyed, nodding enthusiastically. Then, Inez began to open the large gift box. Inez's heart was beating fast, and when the lid was fully opened. Inez was speechless, her eyes blinking in disbelief at what she was seeing. With slightly trembling hands, Inez touched the gift she had bought from her parents. A gift that was so beautiful and lovely. A gift that Inez had wanted for so long.

Swallowing her saliva harshly, Inez looked up at the beaming faces of her papa and mama. "Is this really for me?" Inez asked again, as if her papa and mama were giving her something impossible.

"Yes dear, it's a gift from mom and dad, special for you. Inez has wanted it for a long time, right?"

Inez's head nodded enthusiastically. She looked down again, touching an object that she had been coveting for a long time. A luxury laptop with a price tag of tens of millions, which Inez certainly couldn't afford with her own money. Inez was very happy. Then, she stood up from her seat, ran around the table, and hugged her papa and mama from behind.

"I'm very happy. I'm so lucky, to have you guys who are really good to me. I loves you so much, I will never forget this day. Thank you so much ma, pa. You guys have given the best for me."

One by one, Inez kissed the cheeks of her two men once more. Her heart was warmed. Inez had guessed that today would be her most luxurious and special birthday.

***

"The event is tonight, starting at seven, don't forget to come?" With Ghea's help, Inez distributed all the invitations to her classmates.

"I think it's fun, I'll definitely come, Nez," her classmate exclaimed, nodding with the others.

Inez smiled widely and nodded. "It'll be fun, I guarantee you'll feel right at home at my party. Don't worry, it won't be boring. There's plenty of food, and I've also hired a singer and DJ."

"Wow, how luxurious Nez looks."

"I will, don't forget to come!" Inez exclaimed loudly.

"Which singer did you invite, Nez? Ariana Grande? Selena Gomez? Lady Gaga? Katy Perry? Justin Bieber? Dua Lipa? Ed Sheeran? Or Taylor Swift?"

Inez grimaced softly at one of her classmates questions. "Ah, unfortunately, I don't have enough money to hire any of them."

"Relax Nez, I'm just kidding. I'll definitely come."

After finishing handing out her birthday party invitations, Inez looked at the whole class. "Okay guys, thanks! I hope you come, we'll have fun together there.

After finishing, Inez took Ghea out of the classroom. Ghea looked at Inez, there were still some invitations that had not been distributed.

"Oh yeah, Nez, did you invite Rian too?"

Inez sighed, "Actually, I didn't want to invite him, but now that I think about it, there's nothing wrong with him coming. It's risky if I don't invite him, and then he comes and ruins my party. Nope! Don't let a disaster like that happen."

Ghea grimaced and shook her head slowly. "Rian wouldn't be that desperate and cruel to you, Nez."

"Yeah, it's up to you. Now, I have a favor to ask you. Give this invitation to Rian. I'm too lazy to meet him, okay?" Inez held out an invitation to Ghea, which the bespectacled girl happily accepted.

Okay, Nez, I'll give this invitation to Rian right now. Bye!" Ghea smiled widely and waved her hand, before the girl walked away from Inez.

Meanwhile, Inez herself intended to meet Cakra. Of all the people invited, of course Inez expected her boyfriend, to be present at the party. Cakra's presence would mean a lot to Inez.

With quick steps, Inez went to Cakra's class. Coincidentally, the boy was about to come out of his class when Inez arrived. Cakra was not alone, there was Zidan beside him.

"Hi!" Inez waved her hand to Cakra, complete with the corners of her lips rising up, creating a beautiful and alluring smile.

Cakra waved back at Inez. "Hi Nez, what are you doing here?"

"To see you, who else do you want to see? Just ask." Zidan quipped as he nudged Cakra's arm, making the boy smile unpleasantly. Zidan was, of course, one hundred percent right, and Inez nodded.

"Well, your friend is smart. I'm here to see you."

"Do you have something to say, Nez?" asked Cakra carefully, looking straight at Inez.

Zidan again nudged Cakra's arm. His lips smacked roughly, "Of course there's something to talk about, why would Inez come here if there's no need. Don't you, Nez?" Zidan raised his eyebrows.

Inez nodded, again. "That's right, I have something to talk to you about."

"I'm right! That's all you're asking." Zidan laughed beside Cakra, making Cakra sigh harshly.

Cakra glanced sharply at Zidan. "Dan, can you stay quiet for a while?"

Not answering, Zidan just grinned at Cakra, showing a row of neatly arranged teeth. Cakra snorted, and again he focused all his attention on Inez.

"Well, Nez, so what?"

"Here, I want to give you an invitation to my birthday." Inez handed the invitation to Cakra. "Oh yeah, you get one too." Then, Inez gave one more invitation to Zidan.

Zidan widened his eyes. He didn't expect that he would also get an invitation to Inez's birthday party. "Wow ... I got it too. Is it serious that I was invited?" Zidan confirmed it, as if he couldn't believe it and felt Inez was playing tricks on him.

Inez answered quickly. "Yes, it's for you. You're Cakra's friend, so there's nothing wrong with me inviting you. Don't forget to come, okay?"

"I'll definitely come!" Zidan exclaimed quickly and enthusiastically. "Thanks Nez, I'll go to class first, you guys talk as much as you want. I promise I'll come." Then, Zidan started to enter his class again. And now it was Cakra and Inez standing in front of him.

"The event is tonight, I really hope you come. Your arrival is what I've been waiting for."

Cakra smiled. "I'm definitely coming. it's your special day. It just so happens that the restaurant where I work is taking the next three days off."

"Seriously?"

Cakra nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Nez."

"That's good, then. You're really coming! My party is nothing without you."

"Yes, thank you for inviting me. I'm coming, especially for you."

Inez couldn't contain her excitement. She was sure that tonight was going to be an amazing night.

"I'm about to go in, then I'll go back to class first!" Inez waved her hand, then started to move away from Cakra.

Cakra's gaze could not be separated from Inez's back, which began to move away. "Inez!" called Cakra with a slightly loud voice. Hearing her name being called, of course Inez immediately turned her body around.

"Happy birthday," Cakra continued. Followed by his hand waving in the air. His wide smile did not fade from his handsome face.