Four: Lex

Friday, The Day of Lex’s 46th birthday…

“Daddy! Wake up! It’s your birthday!” I felt my bed shake as I slowly open my eyes to reveal my six year old daughter, Rosie jumping on the bed excitedly

I yawn and softly stretched my arms “Hello to you too buttercup.” I chuckled as she stopped jumping on the bed and giggled, crawling towards me and kisses my cheek.

“Happy birthday to the bestest daddy in the whole wide world!” she exclaims happily and grabs a small box that was placed on my bedside table “My Arts teacher told us to create something for the people we love for an activity so I made you a bracelet with your favorite colors on them Daddy.” She explains as I opened the box and looked at the handmade bracelet in amazement that my daughter can make something like this.

“I love it Rosie-bean, thank you.” I smiled and kissed her forehead before wearing the bracelet “Wait a minute, shouldn’t you be getting dressed for school by now?” I raised my eyebrow in curiosity

“Already am daddy! We don’t wear our uniforms every Friday. We can wear anything we want!” She giggles, showing off her outfit which were her favorite denim overalls under a purple shirt and her favorite sneakers and her blonde hair was tied up into a neat ponytail

“Well you look nice buttercup.” I smiled “I have work today but I promise that I’ll celebrate with you this Sunday.” I promised

“Shouldn’t you not work today? It’s your birthday and you’re the boss.” She wonders “Everyone deserves to have a break on their special day.” She argued

I chuckled “You do have a point there buttercup.” I kissed her forehead again “Do you want me to drop you off to school today?” I ask

She shook her head “No thank you daddy! I like riding the school bus and sitting next to Melanie and Parker.” She smiled at the mention of her friends as she sweetly kisses my cheek “I have go now, enjoy your birthday okay?” she adds with a grin before she stood up out of the bed and runs out of my room

“I will buttercup. Have a great day at school! I love you!” I hollered as she was already out the room

“I will Daddy! Love you too!” she hollers back as she goes downstairs to catch her school bus.

I sigh as I look at the handmade bracelet and smiled fondly.

Rosie has always been an artsy kid, either by holding a pencil to draw or crafting something wonderfully unique.

She is also incredibly understanding and mature for her age, she rarely threw tantrums and even if she’s spoiled with gifts she never forgets to stay thankful, kind and humble.

Camille might’ve not seen her grow but I see a lot of her in Rosella… That’s why I call her buttercup, after Camille’s favorite flowers.

I took grabbed my phone from the bedside table and called my receptionist Wilma, she answered after the third ring.

“Good morning Lex, is there something I can help you with before you arrive at the office?” she asks kindly

“Good morning to you too Wilma, I was actually calling to tell you that I won’t be at the office today.” I stated

“Rosie told you to enjoy your birthday didn’t she?” she chuckles

I chuckled too, nodding “She did and who am I to refuse her?” I joked, earning a laugh from her

“That girl is just like Camille huh?” she asks in a lighthearted tone.

“She sure is.” I smiled softly and sighed “In another topic, how’s the search for my personal assistant going?” I ask her

“Honestly, it’s all going horrible. Most of the applicants look like models instead of actually looking like a candidate for the job. They’re also disappointed that you’re not the one who’s interviewing them.” I can imagine her shaking her head in disappointment.

“And thanks to you, I can distinguish who is really perfect for the job. Reach out to me when you find the new member of the team okay?”

“I will. Enjoy your day Lex, happy birthday.” She says sweetly

“Thanks Wilma, see you tomorrow.” I sighed and ended the call, placing my phone back on the table and getting out of bed. I went to my dresser and picked some clothes to wear for the day.

As I finished picking my outfits, I look at the photo on top of the dresser and I smiled softly.

Mine and Camille’s wedding day…

“I, Henry Alexander , take you, Anna Camille, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.” I smiled and looked at her lovingly

“I, Anna Camille, take you, Henry Alexander, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.” She smiled lovingly at me as she recited the vows.

“By the power vested in me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss-” I didn’t let the minister finish as I pulled my wife in for a kiss.

“I love you so much Cam.” I smile in the kiss

“I love you too Lex. Happy birthday.” She smiled as I deepened the kiss and dipped her down.

“Happy anniversary my love, I hope you’re happy wherever you are.” I kissed my fingers and placed it on the photo before grabbing a towel and headed to the shower, finally starting my day.

___

A few hours later, I decided to go to the mall to get something for myself. I went inside my favorite department store and began looking for something that I might like.

I saw my favorite perfume was in stock and I bought about two bottles of it, along with a few new branded shirts in three different colors.

That may sound like a boring day but I rarely shop for myself. I usually shop in the kid’s section or inside a toy store for Rosie’s things so this is as exciting as it gets.

I check the things that I have bought and felt satisfied, exhaling out of the blue and went to the cashier’s counter to pay for my items.

“I swear to you Miss, these items were barely used. I haven’t even worn this lingerie set.” A young lady explains to the cashier as she placed her items on the counter

“I’m sorry ma’am but this boutique has a no refund policy.” The cashier says, clearly bored and a little rude to the girl in front of me

“What?!” the girl sighs and frowns “I need to pay the money I bought for this stupid lingerie back to my roommate.” She says in frustration

“It’s not my problem anymore.” The cashier scoffs under her breath

I frowned and cleared my throat “Excuse me miss, mind if I cut in?” I ask the brunette

“Knock yourself out, I’m leaving anyway.” She scoffs as she stepped aside but I stop her from leaving

“I actually want to help you.” I whispered, stepping next to her and turned to the cashier “Good afternoon Sam. Is your manager in yet?” I say charmingly as I place my things on the counter

“No Sir Lex, he left for a business trip.” Sam giggles and I mentally roll my eyes at her fake giggle as she puts my items inside the bag and I could feel the girl’s eyes are on me.

“I can’t help but overhear that you won’t give this nice girl a refund. Don’t you think she should get her money back as she didn’t use these items?” I ask

“We have a no refund policy here sir, Mr. Bradford will be mad at me.” She says sadly, talking about her greedy and cheapskate manager whom I’ve been aquatinted with a few times.

“Zac owes me a favor so perhaps you can give the lovely lady’s money back?” I wonder “It’ll be the perfect birthday gift for me as well.” I added with a charming grin

“Oh of course Sir!” She grabs two thousand dollars from the register and gave me the money and my items “Happy birthday Sir Lex.” She smiles flirtatiously

“Thank you Sam.” I smiled and turned my attention back to the lady “Here you go.” I say with a kind and polite smile

“Thank you, I appreciate the help.” She mumbles, somewhat rude and standoffish. I ignored her attitude, assuming that she had a bad day or something

“You’re welco-” she hurried off before I can say anything else. I sigh and shook my head as I left the boutique and headed off to my daughter’s school to pick her up before going to Leo’s nightclub.

Little did I know, I will see that girl again and she’ll change my life forever.