Chapter I:Veronica Aisle Molina

Veronica's POV:

I'm peeking in at everyone while wearing my beautiful smile. I let them finish clapping before my smile turns bigger.

"Congratulations, Veronica. You did a great job"

Mrs. Laurel congratulated me as I glance in their direction. She's with her husband, Mr. Laurel who's currently sipping in the wine while hiding the smirk under the glass.

It makes me feel uncomfortable

"As expected, Mrs. Laurel"

I answered about my new achievement. I got the biggest deal this year I'm so proud of myself. My smile faded when I look around.

They didn't come

I felt that my shoulder got down before I bid goodbye to them to roam around.

"Are you enjoying the party, Mr. Vegas?"

I asked when I reach their table. He faces me up just from talking to some business partners. He creates a smile on his face while holding the glass of wine.

"Why wouldn't I? The party went smooth and I like it"

Mr. Vegas answered as if my question let him feel ridiculous. Why wouldn't? I find the party so boring.

My family didn't come again.

"Are you finding your parents?"

Mr. Vegas asked when he saw me looking around. I didn't talk but I think he read my eyes.

"They attended the exclusive exhibit"

Mr. Vegas muttered before he sips wine from his glass. I smile at him as an answer before I greet other people at the table together with Mr. Vegas.

I talk to the other people and they congratulated me before I get tired.

"Lena, call the driver. I got exhausted"

I commanded the secretary that waits for me on the other side. When I glance at her she's holding now her phone already that's why I just look away to keep myself not to bother her.

" The driver is currently on the way, Miss"

Lena uttered, My secretary. I just nodded before I lean my back on the wall and cross my arm in front of my chest while waiting.

I've thought they will come that's why I'm more motivated to get the biggest deal. Hope they're proud of me even if they didn't come.

I let out a heavy sigh before I open my eyes. I heard the car stop in front of me.

"I'm sorry, Miss. It's kinda traffic"

The driver announced, and his voice is pleading. I just nodded as an answer when he opens the door for me.

I'm so sleepy

"Lena, How many schedules do I have this week?"

I asked while my eyes were closed. I'm planning to have a 2 days vacation so I can rest and relax even for a short time.

"You have a lot of meetings to attend to for this week, Miss. And it includes your meeting with Varstendum's this week"

Lena uttered while she was glancing at her Ipad. I nodded even though she was not looking at me and I'm facing her back because I'm in the back seat.

"Do you think I can have an off day for 2 days?"

I asked, having a heavy breath. I wanted to sleep now but my brain said not to because I still need to do something in company.

"Yes, Miss"

Lena instantly answered and glanced now at me from the mirror. I create a small smile before I glance at the window.

I think it's midnight now.

"No, I won't go home. Let's go to the company and you can take Lena home after"

I commanded the driver when I notice that our way is at home. The driver glances at me in the mirror before following what I said.

"I'm not going home also, Miss. I'm not yet tired"

Lena smiled which made me glance at her. I know she's tired already. I can see it in her eyes. I let out a heavy sigh before I glance again outside.

Lena is my friend. Yes, she is my friend but when we're in the company, I'm her boss and she's my secretary. That's my rule because I don't want to mix personal stuff with my work. And she respects it.

"Don't you want to go home, Lena? You look tired"

I uttered when the driver opens the door. Her brows furrowed while getting her Ipad and glance at me.

"I can't let you be alone, Miss"

She answered and walk at me first so I can't stop her from going home anymore. I shook my head because she was too hard-headed before I follow her inside the company.

"Do you want a coffee, Miss?"

My Secretary asked when she knocks on the door after I let her come in. I typed in my laptop first before I face her who was currently standing at the door waiting for what I'm going to answer.

"Yes, please. Thank you"

I said and glanced at the clock. It's 11:50 pm already and I think she needs to rest now. Her eyes look so sleepy but I can't believe the energy she has.

"Lena?"

I called when my laptop blackout. I didn't notice that it doesn't have a battery already. I sigh and glance at the door when Lena didn't answer.

I told her just to make coffee. Where the hell did she go?

I wait for a minute before I heard some footsteps. My whole body felt nerve before I bravely stand up to check what was happening outside. I bit my lip and stop walking when someone opens the door.

I'm about to be afraid when I saw their familiar faces. I suppressed my tears while looking at them.

"Happy birthday to you.Happy birthday to you.."

My tears keep streaming down my face while I'm wiping it. I glance at my friends and they're wearing a birthday hat that made me chuckle. They look like a kid!

"Happy birthday.Happy birthday.Happy birthday to you.."

Lena was holding a cake while smiling widely at me, even the cake designed by some company's staff. Alana was holding tons of boxes of pizzas also Geraldine holding food while Heaven, Zylus, and Kian holding a gift.

I wipe my tears after they sang me a birthday song. It is such warm greetings, I'm so touched.

"Happy birthday, Ms. Workaholic"

Zylus greet me, but his tone is teasing. I hug him tightly after he kissed my forehead.

"Our baby turned 19"

Kian hug me after I let go of Zylus's hug. I'm the youngest in our circle of friends that's why they're teasing me! "Happy Birthday" He whispered between his hugs.

He wipes my tears before he lets go of my hug. I didn't notice that I'm crying again.

"Guys, let her blow the candle first before that"

Alana stop the boys which made me laugh. In all, Alana is kinda and strict. I am strict also but not like Alana, She's so strict!

"Blow"

They uttered that's why I close my eyes to make a wish.

I hope someday, I can be free and let feel the love that they're saying even if it's not existing for me.

I smiled and wipe my tears before I open my eyes. I look at them but my smile faded when I saw the pain in their eyes instead of happiness. I look away.

"Happy birthday, Nica"

Alana whispered while hugging me. I close my eyes and feel the warmth of her hug. I wish I can hug my family also the way my friends used to do.

"Thank you"

I answered trying to suppress my sob. I don't know if she felt it or what but her hug got tightened.

I sigh when she let go of my hug and cupped my cheeks.

" You're a strong woman, I know you can do this, okay? We're always here for you. Happy birthday again"

Alana muttered smoothly while cupping my cheeks. Her voice is so comforting that's why it feels like I wanted to cry. She looks away when she saw my teary eyes.

I know. I know my family never treats me the way my friends treat me but what can I do? They are my family.

"Happy 19th birthday, the most matured woman in the world...and gorgeous"

Heaven greeted. He has a high tone of voice that's why I almost got deaf.

Kidding.

"Thank you, Mr. Womanizer"

I sarcastically answered, trying to joke. He looks at me acting as if he looks hurt, he even holds his chest, tch

They laughed after I teased Heaven. I laughed also and hug him."If you're not just my friend..."Heaven muttered not finishing his sentence.

"Then what?"

I answered and raise my brow. He laughed at me and shook his head.

Tch. I look away and glance at Lena, She put down the cake and smiled at me.

"Happy birthday!"

She energetically greeted that making me laugh. She's the most energetic person that I met. Lena is not that rich like us but she's gorgeous and you can't notice to her that she's not rich because of her fair skin.

Geraldine greets me next and she even cries. She's the most emotional of all of us.

"Happy birthday. We're always here for you, okay? Don't forget that. We love you"

She uttered and wipe her tears. I chuckle and nodded at her before we decided to eat. We didn't finish the food because it's so many that's why we just gave it to the guard and other employees

"You sure you can drive?"

Geraldine asked when we were now in the parking lot. We decided to go home now since we're all tired

"Yes, Of course. We didn't drink, okay?"

I answered and chuckled. She nodded before she opens her car.

"Guys, Call me or message me okay? When you all got home"

I reminded before I start my engine. They all nodded as an answer.

I glance at my wristwatch before I open my condo.

It's 3 am now. We talk a lot and I can say that I have fun. I smiled trying to think positive because I don't want to be sad even just for this day. I didn't eat dinner anymore because I'm full. We ate a lot.

I open my closet and get my nighties to wear because I'm going to take a shower.

I let myself in the bathtub for half an hour before I decided to wash my body and brush my teeth. Currently, at 4 am before I decided to sleep, I put on an alarm clock before I doze asleep.

"Holy Sh*t"

I instantly open my eyes when there are so many loud noises. I answered the call first before I stop the alarm clock. My eyes are half-closed before I'm still sleepy.

"Hello?"

I answered, massaging my head because I felt a little bit dizzy, I don't have enough sleep that's why.

"Where are you, Miss?"

Lena asked in the other line, she seems to tease. I am so sure that she knows that I just woke up.

"What?"

I answered and tie my hair into a messy bun. I glance at the caller ID making sure that it's Lena. I sighed when I glance at the clock and it was already 7 am.

I have a meeting for 8 am, damn.

"You have a meeting for 8 am"

She reminded and I nodded, even though she didn't see me. I drink the glass of water before I answered her.

"Yes, I will be there in a minute"

I put down the call after she informs me that she needs to do something. I look at the watch again, I'm going to visit the house after my work.

Hope that they remember that it's my birthday.

I smiled bitterly while getting my bath towel. I think that is unbelievable. They never celebrate my birthday even though they're here in the Philippines. Shush, I open the door of the bathroom before I even got sad. I don't want to be sad even just for now.

"Your breakfast"

I glance at her when she put down the paper bag on my table. I never notice Lena came in. She smiled at me and put her index finger on her wristwatch, wanting to remind me about the meeting.

"Thank you"

I uttered and she just smiled before she walks away. She knew that I didn't eat breakfast, how sweet.

"Wish you're still here"

I whispered before I glance at the picture frame that was placed on my table. She's smiling like an angel and having a peace sign in the camera and I'm there beside her, looking at her while smiling. I miss you so much. I promised myself that I'm not going to cry or even got sad because it was my birthday but I can't help it because every time I will remember that she was not here anymore, It makes me sad.

I miss you so much. Why do you need to die?