Chapter 4

"Well this engagement ring on my hand is surity of that". Showing her hand, Juliana replied. She tried to keep her cool. "Oh really?" Alice replied.

"Mhm". Juliana made a voice. "I thought you were wearing it for fashion. You know nowadays women do wear engagement rings for fashion like I am wearing one". Alice waved her hand to show that ring on her finger and left. A tear fell from Juliana's left eye. She quickly cooled herself, looked in the mirror and took a deep breath. She left the bathroom with a smile on her face. She took the cake from the counter and left the restaurant without letting Adrian know.

She was sitting in the backseat of the car while her driver was driving it. She was already missing her mom and because of Alice, she couldn't control herself. Tears were falling from her eyes but she made sure that the driver couldn't see them. She was very hurt. She murmured while looking up, wiping her tears. It looked like she was wishing something, "I just wanted to celebrate my parents birthday with someone special. I wanted to tell my mom that I have someone who loves me and makes me feel special. She didn't need to worry about me".

When she reached her house and was waiting for the main gate to open. She saw Alberto standing outside her house, holding something in his hands. She said to the driver, "You park the car, I am just coming". She came out of the car and walked towards Alberto.

"What are you doing here at night?"

"It's your parents' anniversary and you celebrate it every year. So, I thought.. as we are now colleagues…." He hesitated and took a pause.

Juliana didn't let him complete and said, "How do you know that?"

Alberto continued, "I told you I like you…ah… as a fan. I saw your interviews. I also wanted to thank you for giving me a chance. So, I thought today would be perfect as it's a special day for you. I…. Ah… also brought a cake".

"I don't remember me mentioning me celebrating my parents' anniversary in any interview. Well maybe I did". Juliana replied

"I hope you didn't mind?" He again took a pause and gave a questioning look to Juliana.

As Juliana was already sad. Deep in her heart she felt a little happiness after seeing someone coming to celebrate her parents' anniversary without any invitation. She told him to come in. It was a very big house. There was a pool and a big garden. A garage for car parking.

"Normally people say that my house is beautiful and big when they visit for the first time". While moving a few steps ahead from Alberto, Juliana tilted her head and said.

"Ah.. I was about to say that… and it's not my first time. I thought our dance was special. It was.. at least for me. So, I remember it very well".

"Oh, that skipped my mind. That masked guy is you…" Juliana felt butterflies in her stomach. She was confused at that moment. She went into the hall where her father was waiting on the dining table for her. "Dad, I brought the cake and there's someone also with me".

"I knew you would. I was waiting for you. Who else is here? I am sure its Adrian". Dad said with confidence. And then he said in a loud voice, " Adrian! Come on. Don't make us wait".

Alberto walked in and said, " Sorry, I was looking around". The smile on dad's face changed in a shocking look, when he saw that it was not Adrian. "Dad, that's not Adrian. That's Alberto". Juliana nearly whispered. But she was more confused when she saw that her dad was lost in the moment and was quite shocked.

"Do you know him Dad?" Juliana asked but no reply from her dad. "Dad!.. Dad, "she said again.

"Huh…". Dad still looked confused. "Do you know Alberto?"

"Of course not. How would I know him? I was just expecting Adrian". Dad replied. It was quite evident from Dad's facial expressions that he somehow knew Alberto but none of them said anything. Juliana also trusted her dad.

"He also brought cake". Juliana took cake from Alberto's hand and asked him to come to the dining table as he was standing far away.

"Yes, Alberto! Please join us". Juliana didn't notice the tension between her father and Alberto as she was too emotional to notice something hidden. She held her father's hand and cut the cake. Then, she got up from her chair and went close to Alberto's chair as he was sitting on the opposite side of them. She bent a little and held Alberto's hand. She smirked when she noticed that Alberto's hand was getting cold, his ears were turning red and he was shaking his leg a little bit.

She held a knife with Alberto's hand and cut the cake which Alberto brought. She also whispered "Happy anniversary Mom and Dad".

"Why didn't you get candles?" Juliana asked Alberto.

While eating the cake, he answered without thinking, "Because your mother didn't like them".

"Ah… did I also say that in an interview". Juliana asked.

"Ah… yeah!". Alberto said hesitantly.

"Maybe I did". Juliana whispered.

"I think I should go now. Thanks for having me". Alberto said.

"Thanks for the cake". Juliana replied. Alberto left her house.

"Juliana! How long have you known him?" Her dad asked. He looked a little worried and confused.

"Not for long. Why are you asking? Everything's okay?" Juliana asked her Dad.

"Yeah, it's just that… it's the first time we have somebody else other than Adrian to celebrate the anniversary".

"Alberto is my colleague and he also came to my birthday party. Remember the white masked guy with whom I danced with. That was him". Juliana said.

"Oh.. okay. You just trust people very easily. So, I was a little worried". Showing concern, Dad said.

"Dad, it's okay. He seemed like a good guy".

"Yeah". Her Dad replied.

Alberto called Juliana. She picked up. "You just left. What happened?"

" Ah.. ah..I think I forgot my car keys on the table".

"Okay, I'll bring them". Juliana took the keys and went outside the house. She saw Alberto outside the house standing beside his car. While handing keys to Alberto, Juliana said. "Here are your keys. They were right there on the table".

"It just slipped my mind". Alberto said while smirking. Juliana figured out that he left the keys intentionally on the table.

Juliana held Alberto's hands. Alberto was looking in Juliana's eyes. Alberto's ears were turning red. While looking at his lips which were giving light red shade to his face, Juliana said, "Alberto, you are a really good guy. And…. And.. I wanted to tell you that…. That… I like you". Juliana took a pause while Alberto was in shock. His lips were shaking, trying hard to smile and Juliana continued, "But I am in love with somebody else. Adrian… Adrian Butler. My fiance". The little smile on Alberto's face changed into a normal look.