Chapter 60

I'm over DJ Khaled, but I'm still using his quotes... Don't ever play yourself. 💀-Shia

2 weeks later. December 23rd, Esined

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Esined! Happy birthday to you!" my family came into my room, singing.

I pulled the cover from over my head and smiled. My mama held a breakfast tray for me and my grandparents had gift bags. Brandon had Fabumi in his arms and had a small bag with him.

I sat up. "Thanks y'all," I rubbed my eyes and yawned after covering my mouth.

Mama set my tray to the side and I got up.

"I'm gonna brush my teeth. I'll be back," I said with my hand over my mouth.

I refused to hold conversations with them until my breath was fresh.

I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth then washed my face. I fixed my bun and went back into my room.

"Okay," I laughed.

"Our gift first," Grandma said.

"No, best for last," Grandpa said.

"My gift would be last then," Mama laughed.

"I think ours is the best," Grandpa chuckled. "It definitely is,"

"We'll see,"

"I'm pretty sure that all of your gifts are great. I'll love them all either way. No need for the competition," I smiled.

"This is from me and BoomBoom," Brandon said, handing me the small bag that he had.

I smiled and took out the black velvet box. There was a gold Pandora bracelet in it. It was filled with charms. One of the charms was a heart that said Best Big Sister. There was another heart charm that had LeLe engraved. There was an angel wing charm and it had Erica engraved on the back of it.

"Awe, thanks LeLe and Brandon," I hugged Brandon and kissed Fabumi's cheek.

Fabumi squealed, smiling widely with drool coming out of his mouth.

"Ew. Ewww," I teased before wiping it. I then put my bracelet on. "Who's next?"

"Me," Grandma said, putting a Bath and Body Works bag in my sight.

"Yas, Grandma. Yaaas," I said, causing them all to laugh.

"I noticed you were getting low, so I got you some more," she smiled.

I looked at all of the fragrances and shower gels. I smiled and gave her a tight hug. "Thanks Grandma," I kissed her cheek.

"Go ahead, Eiram," Grandpa said.

"How am I gonna give her the gift now?" Mama put her hands on her hips.

"Oops. Never mind. I guess the best gotta go third," he smiled.

I laughed as he handed me a bag. I took the wrapped book out of it. I took the wrapping off and it was a photo album. I opened it. There were photos of people I didn't recognize along with letters at the bottom of them.

"You don't have to read all of the letters, but those are from our family. You haven't met them yet, but they hope to see you at the family reunion in the summer," he smiled.

"Awe. This is so sweet. Thank you. I'll definitely read these tonight," I gave him a hug.

"Well, we'll leave you to eat your breakfast and get ready. You've got a long day ahead of you," Mama said.

"What's on today's agenda?"

"Nails, massages, and shopping. Then we're gonna go to Pooka's shop so we can get out hair done. The guys will hang out with each other and get nice too. Viola's coming out with us too,"

"Yay," I cheered. "Oh, this is gonna be a great day,"

"It sure is," she kissed my forehead. "Happy birthday, Essy,"

"Thank you mama," I smiled.

They left my room after saying happy birthday again.

I picked up my phone, checking the time. It was noon and my phone was going off. I began to read and reply to my messages.

Shane: Happy 18th birthday lil sis! Wish I could see you today to give you your gift, maybe I'll see you another time. I just want you to know that I'm proud of you and your growth. You're becoming a beautiful and well rounded young woman. It's your birthday, so turn up, but not too much that I have to catch a flight and be protective 😂Know your limits. I love you and I hope you have a wonderful day. 8:04 am

😭 Awe, thank you Shane! 😘 I love you too. Thank you so much! 12:03 pm

I smiled as I read more of my messages. Travis even sent me a video of him singing happy birthday to me.

"Since you still not the age of legal drinking, dis shot fa you," he said and took a shot. "I'ma get drunk fa you. Happy eighteenth birthday, Esined!"

I started laughing and shook my head at Travis' silliness. I thanked him and told him not to get too drunk.

MDizzle: Hey lil sis. Happy birthday! I love u and I'ma try to see u today, aiight? I hope ur day goes as planned and u enjoy it. Got ur gift btw 12:01 pm

Thanks big bro. I love you too! 12:07 pm

I checked and replied to every message that I received. I sent a mass thank you on Instagram because there were too many comments to reply individually.

I ate my breakfast before it got too cold and washed it down with orange juice.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" I saison

Brandon came in. "Eric sent you a letter. Did you want to read it?"

I nodded.

He handed me the letter and began to leave.

"Can you stay in here?" I asked.

He looked at me. "Sure," he sat on my bed.

I looked at it, seeing Eric's cursive handwriting across envelope. I opened the letter and looked at Brandon. "You read it," I handed it to him.

"Esined,"

"Please?"

He sighed, taking it. He read the lengthy four paged letter to himself in minutes.

"Is it bad?" I asked.

"No. Actually nice," he said. "It's a lot of information to take in, but you should read it. He explained a lot of things,"

I put out my hand and he gave it back to me. I took in a deep breath and exhaled as I began to read the letter.

Dear Esined,

I know I was never the best dad. I completely understand why you don't want to attend therapy sessions with me.I wouldn't want to help lower the sentence of a man who abused me for years without telling me why.At first, I resented and forced my anger upon you. I would often curse and vent angrily to my therapist about how I upset I was with you for not visiting me.I had to realize that it was me. I was the problem. For years I made it seem like you and your mother were the problem. It was me all along. I know it's sad that it took me damn near twenty years to realize that I caused my life to go in a downward spiral.It was never your fault that Erica was taken. It was mine. I should have told your mother why I didn't want you both outside.I had men after me and I was too afraid to ask for help or protect my family correctly, so I made you both isolate yourself a from the world. I screamed at you as if you knew there were men after me when Erica was taken.To have men come after you over a child that you didn't know was trouble is strange. I knew I would go to jail for taking in Lauren. I had been pressed charges against.Clara... The woman who's my fiancé-

"Esined. You have a visitor," Brandon said.

I looked up, seeing Viola entering my room.

"Hey, Mr. Togel," Viola said.

"Hello," he gave her a smile before leaving my room.

I tucked the letters back into the envelope and smiled. "Hey,"

"Happy birthday, girl!" she smiled and gave me a hug.

"Thank you," I hugged her back and I could feel her small pudge against my flat stomach. "I can feel the small child in here," I joked, causing her to laugh.

"The baby is barely there yet, but alright, baby detector. And not everyone knows, so shhh," she put her index finger over her lips.

"Sorry," I giggled. "How are we doing in here?" I whispered to her belly as if it could respond.

"Doc says we're doing great," she said in a baby voice and I began to laugh.

"So cute. Have you and Mel discussed marriage or anything?" I asked, curiously.

"He would like to get married, but I'm not sure about it,"

"What do you mean you aren't sure?"

"I mean, I know want to get married, just not when. I know I don't right now at least. I just don't want him to feel pressured to marry me or anything,"

"I see. You think he'd be pressured because of the baby?"

"Yeah. And I know Sheila has been talking to him about it a lot. She wants us to get married before the baby is born and it's just too much,"

"Well, you do what you and Mel want to do. I respect Sheila, but she shouldn't force or pressure you both to do what you don't want or aren't ready to do. You're still young and you're in college with a job now. You have a lot on your plate,"

"Finally, someone who understands," she sighed.

"Just do things how y'all wanna do it. Let Mel know how you feel and he'll understand. You know Mel is wise,"

"Right,"

"I need to get ready so this day can get started," I stretched.

"I'll be downstairs, eating whatever is in your fridge,"

I laughed. "Okay. Don't touch my orange juice," I warned.

"I will,"

"And you'll replace it too,"

"I'm fine with that," she smiled and left my room.

I grabbed my towel and a new shower gel from my bath and body works bag. I went to the bathroom and took a shower.

When I got out, I pulled my damp hair up into a ponytail then wrapped it into a bun.

I picked an outfit out and debated for a moment on it. I nodded to myself and finished getting ready. I sprayed some perfume on and looked in the mirror.

I grabbed my phone and took pictures of myself.

"Essy!" my mama knocked on the door.

I went over to the door and opened it. "Yes?"

"Ready to go?"

I nodded and opened the door fully.

"You look cute,"

"Thanks Mama," I smiled and grabbed my purse and wallet. I followed her downstairs and said goodbye to the guys.

We left and started off with going to the mall first. We went shopping and I picked out a few cute outfits.

"We're gonna give you girls some time alone without us adults around. We'll meet back here in about forty minutes. Deal?" Mama asked.

"Okay," Viola and I said.

Her and Grandma went their own ways. I looked at Viola and pulled her into Victoria's Secret.

"Esined, why are we going in here?"

"You ever bought a thong before?" I asked.

"I own plenty of them,"

"Well, I don't have one," I said walking over to them.

"Why do you want one?"

I looked down, searching through them.

"Esined,"

"Hm?"

She began to laugh. "Are you and August having sex?" she asked quietly.

I gasped. "Of course not,"

"Are you planning on it? If so, you should wear white or pink lingerie... Maybe red,"

"I'm not planning on it. I don't plan on losing my virginity until I'm married,"

"Girl, cut it," she laughed. "You won't last with that mindset long while you're with August,"

"Actually, we came to an agreement. He even took the step to become abstinent, sooo,"

"Ha," she laughed loudly, tilting her head back.

"What's funny?"

"August and abstinence. Girl, you've got him whipped,"

"You say that as if he's been with multiple girls,"

"Anyway, what color did you want to wear?"

"Viola," I frowned. "Don't shade my boyfriend,"

"I wasn't. I was switching the topic," she said innocently.

"His body count doesn't matter, but now I'm curious," I laughed.

"Five," she said.

"You da plug,"

She started laughing. "I'm trying to talk to Esined not Denise,"

"Since you're a reliable source... Has he ever went down on a girl?"

"I thought he went down on you,"

"No," I laughed. "What made you think that?"

"I heard things while you lived with us,"

"What'd you hear?"

"He was telling you something. It was like y'all were talking about it,"

"Oh," I laughed. "No no,"

She heard one of his dreams. How embarrassing.

"Well, no. He won't unless he really loves you,"

"Nice to know,"

"Is this why you're buying the lingerie?"

"Goodness, no. I'm buying it just to buy it,"

The more Viola brought it up, the more I thought about it. I already had thoughts of August and I going all the way. I just didn't know if he'd let it happen.

"Mhm. You tryna get popped. What size are you looking for?"

"I'm not," I whined before laughing. "I don't know. What size do I look like?"

"Hella small," she joked.

I finally picked out a few thongs and laced bras.

"You should get a see through bra,"

I frowned. "Sis, I'm like four,"

She started laughing and held one up to me. "You're eighteen, girl. Get a little lit. Are you gonna see Aug tonight?"

"We made plans, but I don't know what's up yet. He hasn't told me happy birthday yet and I texted him," I sighed.

"Wow. I wonder what he's up to because I haven't seen him since last night,"

"Meanwhile I haven't seen him in four days,"

"Why haven't you seen him?"

"We've been busy. He's been doing his own thing and I've been doing mine,"

"What the hell could he be busy doing besides making drops again? Never mind, don't answer that,"

I looked at her. "You're right though. What could possibly be making him so busy? I've never thought about that,"

"Hmm," she said.

After getting the laced bras and thongs that I liked, I even picked up a sheer set. I snapped a picture of the one I was going to wear and sent it to August.

Wanna see me in it? 2:57 pm

I took them up to check out and the lady bagged them up. I swiped my card and pressed in my pin. When it went through, a receipt was printed.

"With you or in the bag?"

"Bag please," I said.

She placed the receipt in the bag and told me to have a nice day.

"Thank you. You too," I smiled before walking away with Viola.

When it came time to meet back up with my mama and grandma, we did and we went on from there with our day. We got our massages then got our nails done. After that, we went to Pooka's shop.

"Happy birthday boo," she smiled, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey. Thank you, TeTe Pooka," I kissed her cheek back.

She immediately took care of my hair and had someone do my makeup.

When it was all over, I felt more gorgeous and loved than I ever had before. I felt like everyone was going out of their way to make sure that I had a special day. I appreciated every bit of love.

"Awe, you look gorgeous," they all said.

I smiled. "Thanks y'all. Thanks Pooka," I gave her a hug.

She hugged me. "No problem honey. Have fun today, but not too much fun,"

I laughed. "Okay,"

I loved how everyone was saying that as if they knew the things I planned on doing with August.

I checked my phone as we were leaving Pooka's salon.

I thought August would have responded to the pictures of my lingerie, but still, no texts or anything from him.

I sighed and Viola looked at me.

"You good?"

"August still hasn't texted me," I frowned.

"Just give him some time. That boy is always up to something,"

"I know,"

I tried not to become whiny and start complaining, but it was my birthday and August promised to clear his schedule for me. We had everything planned out for today and him not sticking to our plan was kind of upsetting me.

As it got later and later, my mama told me that we were all gonna go out to eat. I tried to call August to see if he was coming, but he didn't answer. It was going on eight o'clock and I still hadn't heard from him. At this point, I was annoyed and didn't bother to attempt to contact him again.

While I was all dressed up in the car for my birthday, I noticed my mama talking on the phone.

"You said what happened?" she asked, her tone becoming worried. She told Brandon something and he drove by the restaurant that we were supposed to eat at, passing it.

"Mama, what's wrong?"

"Change of plans. I'm so sorry, Es," she sniffed.

"Mama," I said, worried. "What's going on?"

She became too emotional to speak.

"It's okay, babe," Brandon said.

I sat in the backseat confused as he drove. I looked at Viola and she shrugged.

Soon, we pulled up to a venue.

"I have to get something. Es, can you come inside with me?" Mama asked me.

I nodded and got out of the car. I walked up to the door with my mama.

We had walked through a dark hallway.

"Mama, where are we?" I asked, standing a little closer to her.

She stayed quiet and we kept walking. I was tempted to turn around and run away. Her silence was creepy. I had knots in my stomach and my palms were getting sweaty.

We entered a dark room and the lights were cut on. Four banners that said HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY ESINED fell from the ceiling along with black and gold balloons and streamers.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, Esined!" everyone screamed and I started laughing while holding onto my chest.

"Awwwe, y'all are so sweet!" I smiled and fanned my eyes.

"Awe. Don't cry," I heard them begin to say and some even came over to hug me.

"Country self," I looked up, seeing Shane.

"Shane!" I smiled and hugged him tightly.

He laughed, hugging me back just as tight.

"You said I wouldn't see you today," I pushed him playfully.

"I know. I didn't want you to find out about this,"

"This is so amazing. I love you all," I said.

The DJ got the music going and it was a great time.

I began to greet all of my guests and there was around seventy or so of them. I searched the whole room and not once did I see August.

I went over to Mama. "Ma, where's August?"

"I don't know, Essy. He hasn't answered any of my calls,"

I folded my arms and sighed. "Hmm. Okay,"

Although I kept on thinking about August and why he wasn't here, I decided to push him to the back of my mind and have fun.

I walked away and went to talk to some of my friends that are in the modeling industry.

There were cameras around everywhere snapping pictures of me and my surprise party in general.

I danced a little and even went outside with Mel and Travis to smoke. Luckily, no one noticed me leave the party with him and Travis.

"So, where's y'all brother?" I asked after blowing the smoke out of my mouth.

Travis shrugged and I passed the backwood to him.

"I don't know. He told me he might not make it," Mel said.

"When did you talk to him? Because he hasn't even told me happy birthday yet,"

"I spoke to him in the morning. He woke up early, so I asked him where he was going and he said he had business to handle," he spoke before Travis handed the backwood to him.

"Interesting," I mumbled.

We passed the backwood in rotation until it was gone.

I definitely was gone, but I wasn't too faded to where I just couldn't interact with my friends and family.

We snuck back inside and interacted with the other guests as if we never left,

An hour and a half or so had passed and they thought it was time to sing happy birthday and cut the cake.

I stood behind my cake and everyone began to sing.

Happy birthday to you!Happy birthday to you!

I felt warm arms wrap around my waist.

"Happy birthday dear PoohBear," August sung lowly in my ear, sending chills down my spine. "Happy birthday ta you,"

I placed my fingertips over his, smiling widely.

August kissed my cheek and I turned, hugging him tightly.

I kissed him and cameras were flashing as everyone awed.

We rocked side to side, hugging each other tightly.

-Congratulations, you played yourself. Lmao.

Okay okay. I got y'all with something at the end of the next chapter frfr.

Anyway. Excuse typos please.

Comments & Votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo