On the day of Hinari’s birthday, she hosted a birthday party. It was a lavish affair. She wore a long, off the shoulder, bright red dress that hugged her sexy figure and she wore lipstick that matched its colour. She wore a simple diamond necklace and bracelet which sparkled under the light. If there was a goddess of seduction, then Hinari was the picture of one.

She invited many people to her birthday party as she had made many connections from being a successful author and bookstore owner. She also reluctantly invited her family thinking they would reject her invitation but to her surprise, they actually turned up.

She mingled with her guests, laughing and talking about this and that but she couldn’t stop her eyes from drifting towards the entrance. She also couldn’t help but glance at the clock every now and again.

"Don’t worry so much. He will come." Hinari heard Davi’s soft words of reassurance and she smiled at her best friend.

Davi had obviously noticed her not so subtle actions and tried to reassure her. After all, it was her best friend’s birthday and she only wanted Hinari to be happy. ’Zaki, where are you?’ Davi thought silently.

The time came for Hinari to blow the candles on her cake so she stepped up to the front of the room as everyone sang the Happy Birthday song. She was so focused on thinking about her wish that she didn’t notice a man had arrived at the entrance. However, he didn’t enter. He just stood there, staring at the goddess in red as she closed her eyes, made a wish and blew out the candles.

As soon as she opened her eyes, they went straight to the entrance as she thought she saw some movement coming from that direction. However, it seemed it may have been just her overactive imagination as there was nobody there.

Hinari was obviously eagerly waiting for Zaki to arrive but the man didn’t come. She saw that she had received a gift from him but this wasn’t what she wanted from him. She didn’t want any material things. All she wanted was him, being with her at this moment. But it seemed like, after all these years, what she wanted was still ever so unreachable. He was so close yet so far and Hinari knew how that felt right from the start. Zaki put up a huge barrier deflecting her every attempt to reach his heart. She knew that they were just like oil and water, never able to mix, but still, her heart longed for no one but him, like an idiot.

’Why? Why didn’t you come? Today’s my birthday, you know. Do I really not mean anything to you?’ She silently cried on the inside as she hid her true feelings under the guise of a bright and happy face. It had always been like this. For many years, Hinari learned to hide the sadness and pain in her heart especially when in front of Zaki. She would always choose to be playful and naughty because she knew Zaki was doing the same. However, it seemed like she was reaching her limit. She thought that her heart had already become used to it, but it seemed like she was wrong. The pain intensified as she started to realize that this was hopeless and maybe it was time for her to give up.

The party kept going till late at night but still, there was no sign of Zaki. As it got closer to midnight, people started to take their leave and the numbers dwindled down until it was only Davi and herself left.

Davi tried her best to coax Hinari until Sei arrived to fetch his wife. The man was still wearing his business suit as he just came from his office after working overtime.

Looking at the godly being walking towards them, Hinari looked at Davi and asked her to go.

"Davi dear, it’s time for you to go. Your hubby is here." She said and Davi who noticed the sadness in her was reluctant to leave her.

"Hinari, why don’t you come with us?" Davi asked, but the birthday girl politely and immediately refused her best friend.

"Don’t worry, my dear. I have already booked a room here so I’ll be fine." She said before she looked at Sei and greeted him. The man also gave her a bouquet of flowers and a gift which made Hinari at least feel a bit better. Well, this was the first time this mighty Sei, who always threatened to feed her to the crocodiles, gave her something and somehow, she couldn’t help but think that it might be nice if she had an older brother like him.

"Thank you." Hinari then said before she immediately turned to Davi.

"Okay, okay. Go ahead now, Davi, dear. I’m fine, I’ll be going upstairs now to take a rest." Hinari said as she gently and playfully shoved Davi to Sei.

Seeing that Hinari’s mood was somehow lifted, the couple then both wished her well and headed off.

Watching the sweetest couple’s back as they left, Hinari smiled. She was really happy for them. They were really two souls tangled with each other; they were just the definition of the perfect love, something that was rare in this world.

...

Meanwhile, inside the car, Davi thanked Sei for not forgetting to bring something for Hinari.

"You reminded me so how could I forget?" Sei replied and Davi reached out her hand to loosen up his husband’s neck tie.

"Hehe, I was just making sure because you tend not to bring anything even when you visit prominent people." Davi said and Sei held Davi’s head and caressed her hair.

"Hinari is family and she’s important to you and Zaki, and I don’t want to disappoint you, so..." He replied and Davi smiled. However, her smile soon faded when Sei mentioned Zaki.

"Darling... where is Zaki? He received the invitation personally from Hinari but why he didn’t come?" She asked with a worried look.

"Lately, he’s been spending too much time with little Shin. I almost don’t see him having time for himself." Davi continued and Sei let out a deep sigh.

"I will speak with him tonight."

"Okay. I am just worried about those two. Also, I feel Zaki is being strange lately."

"That guy is... there’s a serious problem and he doesn’t want anyone to know about it."

When Davi heard what Sei said, her eyes turned wide.

"S-serious problem?" She stammered. Davi somehow felt that Sei’s expression also changed as he said those so she couldn’t but felt worried.

Seeing Davi’s worried look, Sei immediately spoke.

"But don’t worry, I will still try to speak with him about it again." He said and somehow, Davi looked like she was relieved.

"O-okay. Let’s at least help them. Little Shin is also doing his best so I hope we can still do something for them."

"Mm. We should try."

"But I’m really worried for Hinari. She’s really hurt right now because she’d been waiting, expecting him to come. Can we do something about this?"

"Do you have an idea?"

"Mm. I have an idea."