Chapter 13 They Look Like a Happy Family
Early the next morning, Queenie got to the office and was hit with a nice surprise.
“Happy birthday!” her coworkers exclaimed, crowding around her with flowers.
Queenie was shocked. “How did you guys know?” She’d only just started working in the institute, after all.
“It’s in your employee file,” Leo said, rolling over a cake. “Happy birthday!”
“Thank you, guys,” Queenie said, feeling touched. She could barely remember the last time she had a real birthday. She didn’t even have a small piece of cake in seven whole years.
Seeing Queenie standing there, her coworkers nudged her. “Come on, Queenie. Make a wish!”
“Okay,” Queenie said, holding the flowers. She closed her eyes, made a silent wish, and blew out the candles, showing a bright smile.
Leo found himself staring at her smile. It was the kind that could make anyone fall for her.
Queenie cut the cake and handed out pieces to everyone.
“Queenie, since it’s your birthday, do you have plans tonight?” one of her coworkers asked with a grin.
Queenie’s smile faded a little. “No,” she said. ‘Not like anyone at home ever remembers anyway,’ she thought.
“We thought you might be busy tonight, but since you’re not, we’ll celebrate with you,” another coworker said.
Before Queenie could respond, Leo noticed she looked uncomfortable and said gently, “Don’t worry about it. We always celebrate colleagues’ birthdays. If someone has plans, they go out. If not, we hang out together. It’s not just for you.”
“Okay.” Queenie nodded and smiled, feeling actually relieved. She always tried not to be a burden on anyone.
*****
After the birthday celebration, everyone got back to work.
Sam came over with a gift. “Ms. Emerson, this is from Professor Emerson. Happy birthday!”
“Thank you,” Queenie said, taking it. She was surprised. ‘I thought Nathan forgot my birthday. He hasn’t wished me happy birthday in seven years. I can’t believe he remembered,’ she thought.
She opened the box. Inside was a diamond necklace. It was beautiful and obviously expensive.
Queenie: [Nathan, thanks for the gift.]
Nathan: [Don’t mention it. That’s what brothers are for.]
Queenie: [I can’t believe you remember my birthday.]
Nathan: [Of course I do. Back then, you insisted on being with Vincent, hid who you really were, and stopped talking to us. We never even got the chance to celebrate your birthday together.]
Queenie’s heart ached. She knew she’d let her family down, and that was exactly why she hadn’t dared to reach out to them for seven years.
Nathan: [Queenie, don’t feel guilty. None of us blames you. I know I sounded a bit harsh earlier.]
Queenie: [No, it’s okay.]
But her eyes were already misting over.
Queenie: [Nathan, my colleagues are celebrating my birthday tonight. Are you free? Want to join us?]
Nathan: [Sure, send me the address. I’ll swing by after I finish up.]
Queenie: [Okay.]
Right after Queenie sent the address, Vincent called and said, “Mom said you’re not home.”
“Yeah, I’m at work,” Queenie replied coolly.
On the other end of the line, Vincent sounded angry. “Didn’t I tell you to quit?”
“I already said no, didn’t I? I’m busy. Gotta go,” Queenie said and hung up.
Vincent stared at his phone in shock. ‘She actually hung up on me?’ he thought.
*****
Since it was Queenie’s birthday, everyone in Lab Team One wrapped up their work and left early.
Leo had booked a large private room at Riverside Restaurant for the party.
Riverside Restaurant was one of the top spots in Ravesdale with a nice atmosphere and good privacy.
Queenie’s coworkers were all around her as they went up to the second floor. But the moment she reached the landing, she froze.
“What’s wrong?” one of her coworkers asked, looking where she was looking.
“Isn’t that Vivian, the actress?” someone whispered.
“Right next to her is Vincent, the CEO of StarVision Media. He’s not even in entertainment, but everyone knows who he is,” another said.
“I heard they’re secretly married. Seems true. They’ve been caught together so many times, always showing up as a pair,” someone else chimed in.
“That kid with them has to be their son. People always said Vincent had a wife and a kid. Guess it wasn’t gossip,” another person added.
“Vincent probably keeps quiet about it for Vivian’s career. She’s really taking off right now. He must be crazy about her,” someone said.
“They really look like a perfect family of three,” another person remarked.
‘He must be crazy about her. They really look like a perfect family of three,’ Queenie thought as those words kept ringing in her ears.
She knew her husband and son were here for Vivian’s birthday, but seeing it herself still hurt.
Leo picked up on Queenie’s mood. He followed her gaze, saw what she was looking at, and frowned a little. “Come on. Let’s head inside. No use wishing for someone else’s love story,” he said.
Queenie followed her coworkers into the private room.
Leo had ordered lots of food, and soon the room was full of talking and laughing. Queenie forgot what happened outside and relaxed.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Nathan said, pushing the door open.
When Nathan walked in, members of Lab Team One looked surprised for a second and then smiled at Queenie. The person sitting next to her got up so Nathan could sit there.
Nathan sat down next to Queenie as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Leo was on her other side, and when Nathan showed up, his mood clearly changed.
*****
Meanwhile, Vivian and Vincent headed to the VIP room at the end of the hall. Archie followed behind them. Brian and Luke were already waiting inside.
“Happy birthday, Vivian!” Brian said.
“Happy birthday!” Luke echoed.
Brian and Luke presented their gifts to her.
“Thank you!” Vivian said, smiling as she took them.
Archie came over carrying a big box. “Vivian, this is for you. I made it myself!”
“Thank you!” Vivian opened the box. Inside was a LEGO portrait of her. “Wow, Archie, you really made this?”
“Yeah, Vivian. Do you like it?” Archie asked, grinning proudly at her.
“I love it!” Vivian said, pulling him into a hug.
Archie was over the moon.
Brian joked, “Vivian, Archie loves you so much. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was your son.”
“I’m his godmother. He basically is my son!” Vivian said, pulling Archie close.
Archie was absolutely delighted.
Luke glanced at Vincent. “Vincent, where’s your gift?”
Vivian also looked at Vincent, her eyes shining with anticipation.
“Sorry, I forgot to get one,” Vincent said, his tone flat.
Vivian’s smile froze for a moment. ‘Seriously? He forgot? I even reminded him yesterday,’ she thought.
Brian and Luke shared a glance, both feeling the awkwardness.
To break the tension, Brian chimed in, “Vivian, it’s your birthday. Order whatever you want. Vincent is picking up the tab.” He shot Vincent a look as he said the last part.
Vincent stayed silent. Anyone who knew him knew that it meant yes.
“Alright,” Vivian said with a nod, taking the menu. She knew better than to make a fuss. ‘No gift, whatever. Besides, it’s Queenie’s birthday, too, but her husband and kid are with me,’ she thought.
