Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Someone once said your twenties are your selfish years. It's a decade to immerse yourself in every single thing possible. Be selfish with your time, and all the aspects of you. Tinker with shit, travel, explore, love a lot, love a little and never touch the ground. And that's exactly what I am going to do today. Today I turn twenty.

The first thing I see when I open my eyes in the morning are two large ballons with twenty written on them and underneath it is a small note. From Ivan, the back says.

I peeled it open with a grin on my face,

Twenty looks good on you my Idalia. I know, I know, I haven't seen you yet but I have seen you on other mornings though and if how you look on other mornings is how you look right now, then I am right. Happy birthday to my favourite person. See you tonight my love.

I folded it back neatly and then placed the piece of note under my pillow. I entered into my bathroom and brushed my teeth before leaving downstairs for breakfast. As I descend the stairs, my family all look up at the same time from their meals with a smile on their faces. My boys.

"Happy birthday!" he stood up from his seat and then pulled me into a bear hug while my older brother with the largest grin I've ever seen on his face, he greeted me and then lifted me up from the ground twirling me around while both of us chuckled.

"Thank you."

"Dad." I smiled as he gave me a small hug,

"Happy birthday my princess." He placed a kiss on my forehead. I took the seat next to him as he handed me a small white bag

"I thought we said no presents." I shook my head as I peered into the bag and noticed a small white box.

"You are the only daughter of this family, you should always expect presents."

I opened the box and inside it was a pandora's necklace that is not even out yet.

"How did you get it?!" I squealed, "It's not even out yet!" I brought it out as I wore the silver bracelet.

My elder brother laughs as he puts his phone inside the pocket in his suit, "We are a bianchi and you are too. You should know by now that father knows everyone and anyone."

"Do you like it?" my dad asks.

"I love it. It is the most beautiful gift ever." I blinked my eyes rapidly, trying to stop the tears from falling as I gave my dad a tight hug, making my heart to swell.

"Well, once you see MY gifts, you will change your mind about dad's gift being the most beautiful." My younger brother grinned, his arms folded across his chest.

"I doubt that. You are bad at picking gifts."

He gasped, feigning hurt, placing his hand on his chest, "You wound me dear sister. But, I will have you know that I indeed went all out for this particular gift this year."

I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth, "Still doubt it."

"You'll see." He shrugged as he then stood up from his seat with his plate of food in hand and left the room.

When I was turning eighteen my dear brother gave me a coffee maker as a birthday gift. Who needs a coffee maker! I don't care who does. I don't. For the next year he bought me a table lamp, I know what you are thinking, oh but it is the thought that counts, but the thought cannot count if there is none behind it. And there was not a single shred of it. Nada.

By the time I was turning 21, I warned him not to get me a birthday gift, instead I almost maxed out his credit card. Trust me, he almost had a myocardial infarction and I know that fool has a whole lot money somewhere because he is on the brink of building his own software company with his best friend, well of course with dad's help, but with mostly his brain.

"Okay, we have to leave for the meeting now Dante." My dad stood up as he walked out of the room but not before wishing me a happy birthday and a hug.

"No gift for me big brother?" I punched him in his stomach as he stood up but of course no reaction.

"Why would I give you a gift? You never listen to me."

"Uh, because I am your sister?" I raised a questioning eyebrow.

"I thought you said no presents." He threw my words back at me, adjusting his suit.

Motherfucker is always in a suit. Doesn't he get tired?

"Just so you know, Gabriel is my favourite sibling now!" I called out behind his back as he left to meet our dad.

I brought out my phone, took a picture of the bracelet and then sent it to Ivan. His reply came almost immediately.

I'd bet you'll swoon when you get my gift.

I laughed, typing back a reply as I made my way up into my room.

Are you trying to compete with my dad Ivan?

Never. But, my gift is better.

He is definitely trying to compete with my dad. I laughed at the thought and then replied with a red heart emoji.

I was about to sit on my bed when I noticed a key on my bed and there is no way on earth I would not recognize the key!

Did you get my gift?

Confused, I replied back to my brother.

What gift?

The key.

It is you!

Your car is waiting for you downstairs.

No way.

I ran all the way downstairs with what I would likely call the speed of light and there it was, standing there in all its glory.

I sent a picture to Ivan with a text,

You have a new competition. There is no way you're going to top that.