19th birthday

I reach my home and I was greeted by Aunt Joey who was excited about my birthday. She asked about how my exam went and confirmed that Jace will be coming for dinner.

Dread settle in my belly and I make my up to my room with heavy legs making an excuse to Aunt Joey that I am tired.

She must know the real reason behind my escape but she didn't comment. She just gave me a motherly hug and let me make my escape.

I almost reached my room, when Uncle Mike comes out from the room opposite mine. I stiffen immediately, cold sweat breaking out on my forehead and palms.

"How did your exam go" he asks in a fatherly manner.

"Go... go..good uncle Mike" I stammer.

His face falls at my obvious fear. He signs with resignation and makes his way downstairs mindful not to come within touching distance.

I wonder what Uncle Mike was doing in Jace's room. I I ignore it and make my way inside my room. Once I close the door behind me I release the breath I have been holding.

This is my haven, my room. It's not like Aunt Joey and Uncle Mike are bad, they are good, too good to be true. I feel bad for my phobia towards men, especially towards Uncle Mike.

He made sure to step into my Father's shoes and both of them never let me feel lonely. Even Jace,s attitude towards me changed a lot.

Previously he use to say hi when he sees me and bye when we were leaving. That's it, nothing in the middle. He almost always ignored me. It doesn't mean he was rude, he just never bonded with me well. It might be because of our age difference. He was always busy with his friends.

He only used to step in when one of his friends misbehaves with me, which was rare and then I never use to see that guy again.

Now thinking about it, he was sweet and caring in his way. I don't know what I ever did to deserve these people, but they are a blessing to me. I don't deserve them, but still, they stick to me like glue.

I love these guys.

"Chloe" my aunt calls me from downstairs.

"Yes, aunt Joey" I yell back and make my towards the staircase. There she is standing at the foot of the stairs with a gentle look on her face.

"Sweetheart, do you want me to send hot chocolate" she offers.

"No aunt Joey, I am fine," I tell her with a smile.

"You seem to be tired, why don't you take a nap" she suggests.

"I will do that aunt Joey, thank you" I comply quickly.

Because I cannot do anything for the kindness and love they are giving me apart from being good to them.

"You are my sweetheart" she praises with a cheerful look.

I smile a little and make my way into my room again.

I freshen up and change into comfortable clothes and lay down on my back looking at the ceiling.

My phone chimes with an incoming message.

I grab my phone from my desk and lay down again.

It's a photo sent by Beth of a dog which I love so much. It's a throwback picture of me and my dog which I was pestering her to send me. I lost the one I had when my old mobile crashed. Jace bought me a new iPhone, the most updated version available in the market. Despite my protests to accept the phone, he insisted in his usual intimidating manner. It's not like I can talk much in front of him. All my responses to him will be single words at their best.

Me and Beth volunteer in the local shelter for the animals. The dog named Millie is a cute chihuahua which is so cute I loved it as soon as I saw it. It had a disease and her owners left her there. Sadly she didn't make it and died a month ago.

I cried for the dog for 2 days. My aunt Joey consoled me with my favorite cookie dough ice cream and reruns of vampire diaries.

I reply a thank you to her. I change my wallpaper in to the one with Mile.

I look and admire the dog for her cuteness.

I hear a dog barking from outside my room. Strange, am I imagining things?

The barking comes again, this time more insistent. I got up and make my way towards my room door. I gasp and smile so big at what I found in front of my room.

It's the chihuahua, she is white and is wagging her tail happily at me. I lift her and kiss her.

I notice a small paper inside the box from where I lifted the dog. Curiously I unfold the paper to look inside.

A simple 'Happy Birthday' is written in a neat penmanship.

I know whose handwriting it is, Jace.

"Happy Birthday" the man himself wishes from the hallway where he was standing which I failed to notice earlier.

Immediately I cast my eyes down. He comes and stands within an inch from me. He gently lifts my face by placing his finger under my chin.

I tremble with fear, which he ignores.

He pulls another box from behind his back and extends it towards me. I take it obediently as always.

"Get ready and come down" he then turns and starts making his way towards the stairs.

I should at least thank him for the thoughtful gift. I gather my courage and lift my head to stop him, only to find no one there.

Chloe you idiot, I curse myself.

The dog licks my face which makes me laugh at the tickling sensation.

I change into the dress Jace gave me which is red, It hugs me to my waist and flares up and reaches my knees. There was a diamond bracelet with charms hanging from it.

I put it on carefully and make my way downstairs with the dog held in my hands.