Chapter 18: Chapter 17-He Remembers

"Camelia hurry up we need to get ready!"  Jamsine calls out from Camelia's dressing room.

Jasmine and Zayn surprised her two days ago, finding them down in the dining room chatting and having breakfast while they waited for her. Not once during their conversations did they reveal that little bit of information.  They insisted the difficulty of leaving work,  providing a list long of excuses why they wouldn't be able to attend her birthday.  Of course being the trusting naive person she was she believed them.

Since then they were inseparable.  Catching up, staying up watching movies and helping their mother set up for the event.  The love and support of her family meant the world to her.  Having her siblings around made everything blur in the background.   It was like old times.  Making new memories and sharing old ones.

A sigh escapes Camelia's parted lips as she surveyed herself in the same exact full length mirror she's had in her room since a child. Only this time she wasn't wearing a birthday dress but was in her robe searching, probing into the depths of her blue India-ink like colored eyes. She wasn't certain what she was searching for but the reflection that stared back at her was one of joy. Eyes that reflected excitement.

The rush of elation coursed through her veins. Despite the underlying circumstances, tonight was one of those nights she could say she felt content and happy. It was a rare feeling where one could say they felt happiness. It was a emotion many struggled to find. It could mean several different things to many different people. But to her, it defined finding hope and positivity in the smallest things and the people surrounding her encouraged the boost she needed to liven her spirits.

Turning twenty-one was an important milestone. A age which allowed her to do everything she was banned to do. An age that opened new doors, new possibilities, new beginnings. That was what she was looking forward to, hoping a new, fresher chapter was written in the stars for her after the threat against her was over and done with.

She could only hope and onto that hope she stayed glued to. For without it she had nothing. It was the strong ones that overlooked the pains life threw at them and grew and learned from the many obstacles life dealt.

It was a similar to a game of poker. Even though one never knows what hand they are dealt, it was the smart ones that kept a straight face and used skill and wit to overcome the worst situations.

"Camelia?  Someone is knocking on the door, get it, will you?"  Jasmine called out again.

Dragging herself out of her thoughts she notices the insistent knocking on her bedroom door.  She turns away from the mirror and strides to open it.

"These things are heavy as hell!  What took so long to open the door?"  Her brother exclaims, blindly walking through the threshold.

Zayn and Max, come in holding two very large bouquets, one red and the other white placing them on the floor.  One of her twin cousins, Devon, enters behind struggling to hold a great big bear that appeared taller than a NBA basketball player.

"Sorry..."  She mumbles eyeing the flowers, huge bouquet of balloons and the gigantic bear with curiosity.  "Who are all these from?"

"I don't know but all I know is my back is killing me!"  Zayn replies with a grunt trying to smooth his slicked black hair away from his face.

Camelia smiles gratefully, steps around the flowers and places a kiss on her brother's cheek.  She turns and does the same to Max's and Devon's.  "Thank you guys."

"No problem....You're welcome....Happy birthday." They mumble all at once as they file out of her bedroom leaving her alone again.

She stood there counting the red, pink, green and white balloons. "Huh...how funny. They are twenty-one."

Camelia approaches the flowers with a smile and bends down to smell their rich aroma.  A card perched high in the center of the red bouquet stood waiting to be plucked.  She retrieves it and opens it slowly.

The muscles in her face slacken and her smile vanishes.

The breath froze in her lungs.

"I wish I were there with you to celebrate.  To a future that is as bright as your smile,

Happy 21st Birthday Camelia."

Your knight,

Stefan.

A whoosh of air leaves her lips. Nimbly, the card slips from her fingers and delicately lands to the floor.

Stefan.

Feeling weak all of a sudden, Camelia collapses with her legs folded underneath her.   A single tear slips down her cheek.

He remembers, again.

His traditional gesture re-awakens the hibernating feelings within her.

After what's happened to her in the last few months she'd nearly forgotten Stefan's annual gesture.  But this time was different.

It wasn't just a card that held sweet words.  This time it was a blank card where he wished her a happy birthday in his own words and in his own handwriting. He included two several dozen roses, a huge cloud of balloons and a bear that completely covered a side of her bed.

A tight painful squeeze clenches in her chest and instinctively clutches the robe at her base of her neck in reaction.

He still cared. He was thinking of her. He never forgot her for he wouldn't have thought of her.

Stefan's promised gesture brought her back to life.

It gave her a deep sense of comfort. Surely he knew by now she was all grown up. The ten year old he used to imagine in his head transformed into a full grown woman. Camelia was confident he knew this. The flowers were a obvious indication. But seeing was believing.

Regrettably, he never had the chance.

Once upon a time he was her everything–the air she breathed, the future she wished for, the man she dreamed one day would be by her side till death.  From the day they met she loved him knowing it would last till the day she dies.

As foolish as it may seem to her now, a small slither of hope always lived inside her.

Yet the worst feeling was knowing the person you want the most is unwanted by you or doesn't even know you exist. It's unfortunate fate could not have tried harder to bring them together.

She could easily imagine his girlfriend, Selena, laying her head across his bare chest, her fingertips on his bare skin. Her golden touch could melt the hardest of hearts and make any man bow down on his knees.  A magical touch that made men lose their minds. She could almost hear her laugh, could almost taste her lipstick on his lips.

Her gaze stayed fixed ahead, playing over and over again the scenes behind her eyes.   The hope slowly retracted like a wave getting sucked back by the sea.   Camelia could feel the distance spread inside her body.

Despite everything she still wished he were with her, holding her. To hear his voice once more and drink it up, like a rare expensive wine.  If only she could bottle him up and place him on a shelf to drink from whenever she wished. For it would be the only way he would live inside her forever and ever.

But Camelia was tired of waiting. Tired of fighting these feelings. For once, she wanted to be fought for–to be noticed.

The flowers were nice, beautiful and very thoughtful but it's not what she wanted.  The bear was huge, soft and cuddly wishing it were him instead.  She needed him.  Not the flowers, not the cards, not a stuffed animal.  But him.

With shaking hands she hoists herself up and smoothed down the silk robe over her upper legs.  Turning away with a sad sigh she closes her eyes, squares her shoulders and ultimately resumes to get ready for her birthday party.

******

The entire main level of the house was transformed to look like a scene from Zeus's palace–Mount Olympus, a feast hall where the gods and goddesses attended celebrations.

The floors were encased in gold with the various spot lights illuminating the effect.  The ceilings were covered with holograms etched with a blue sky and white scattered clouds.   Bouquets of blue, white and gold helium balloons were dangling with silver and gold ribbons. Greek columns were flanking the entrance to the party and many others were scattered all around the room.

A vast banquet feast worthy of the Gods was set along a Greek patterned sheet.  Gold coins masked as chocolate lay distributed as decor all over the buffet table.  A backdrop was placed behind the long rectangular table with shorter pillars holding gold headless masks of some of the most popular mythical Gods and Goddesses.

Spinach and feta pastries, Greek salad, tabbouleh, grape leaves, feta cheeses, grilled shrimp, hummus, pita chips, several types of olives, mini lamb gyros with fresh mint and yogurt sauce platters were placed, inviting the guests to taste using just their fingers. A mountain high of varying fruits ranging from grapes, watermelon, to a wide assortment of berries.  For dessert they included baklava, and almond shortbread cookies dusted with sugar.

The buffet center piece held a large ice carved Cupid sculpture.  A pink light transitioning through the ice as a display of love.

A high tower of crystal flutes represented pink ambrosia–a preferred drink of the Gods and Goddess masked as champagne.  Tall and narrow cocktail tables were covered in blue as lightning rod ice Sculptures stand as center pieces where guests stood casually enjoying the food and drink.

Four, white three foot, square shaped stands were placed accordingly around the crowd. Atop of them, women encased in white flowing dresses acted as wood nymphs playing soft renditions of modern day popular music.  The band consisted of three violinists while another was gliding her fingers over a delicate harp.

Costumes were not a required theme for the occasion but guests were expected to wear Greek-like attire to help with the celebration.  Women dressed in long, satiny dresses created to resemble Ancient Greek clothing.  The gold accessories wrapped around necks and wrists helped emphasize Ancient Greek while beautifully placed leaf like hair pieces and artful hair styles added to the effect for an over all feel of rich finesse.

Men wore custom made suits with shiny satin ties. Gold wreaths were around many heads while heavy, big gold rings lay on several others.

It was a transformation from the norm.  The scene was surreal making one feel as if they stepped in another realm. A party that would stand out in people's memories.

It appeared so beautiful and enchanting. So magical.  Camelia stood silently atop the stairs soaking all of it in. She was hidden in the shadows behind a pillar peering out before she became noticed.

She glances down at the scoop neck, light beige, off the shoulder gown she wore for the night. The dress was made of fine silk, chiffon, rhinestones and heavily detailed beads.  A leaf-like gold crown was perched in her long tumbling hair while various pleated braids were wrapped around the crown.   She accessorized with gold bracelets on both her wrists, long dangling earrings and a single opal ring— her birthstone,  which she placed on her middle finger.  Any way she moved it diffracted light showing a play of multiple colors.

For her make-up, Jamsine insisted on applying it for her.  Her lips were covered in soft pink lipstick, the color matching the color of the blush covering her cheekbones.  Smoky black eyeshadow outlined her eyes making them pop out like never before.  Her eyelashes were coated with the darkest mascara color known to man–a carbon black, thickening and extending every lash into long, thick sharp points.

Despite her transformation a knot of nerves twisted in her stomach.  Whenever she received that feeling—a mixture of fear, anxiety with a little bit doubt, it diluted the joy out of everything she anticipated.

But this time it was slightly different.  This time something was changing.  Recently her life's been going down south instead of north like she expected.  Her life was getting more complicated.  Her feelings expanded past any limits she'd set.  Above all else she hated to wait to see why destiny mapped out her life the way it did.

"I thought you'd be down there already!"  Jasmine exclaims from behind her.  "What are you still doing?"

She glances over her shoulder.  "Observing, as usual."  Camelia replies with a shrug.

"Let's get this show started shall we?"  Jamsine says with a sly smile, holding the crook of her elbow for Camelia to place her hand in.  "Oh, and before we get bombarded by the crowd, and I don't get a chance before you blow out your candles, wish for two hot guys to fall out of the sky for us to marry.  I don't know about you but I need one."

Camelia let out a half-suppressed laugh.

"Make sure mine is extra, extra fine."  She concludes with a devious smile.

"Will do."  Camelia promises, beginning to descend the long staircase.

It was a intimate party with about sixty people in attendance.  People greeted her with warm smiles and well wishes. All her cousins were present along with all her aunts, uncles and grandparents. After an hour of mingling and trying the buffet, Camelia stood watching couples sway in the middle of living rooms make-shift dance floor.

"How's the party treating you, doll face?" Her mother's Uncle Brett, approaches her with a champagne glass held nimbly in his hand. His hair was as white as a cloud but for someone in his seventies he was just as handsome as ever. Camelia lifted her head and offered him a genuine smile.

"Better now seeing you here Uncle Brett." She replies and engulfs his towering frame in a big hug.

"Your mother always said I was the life of the party, you know." He smirks with a lifted eyebrow. "But these days my knees can barely hold me upright."

"Oh, but I think you're being modest." Camelia gives him a sly look. "Care to join me for a dance?" She asks holding her hand out to him.

"Anything for a pretty face." He murmurs with a knowing nod. "You're as sharp as a whip just like your mother. I could never fool her and she called me out every time." He says placing his drink on a nearby table and escorted her to the middle where others were slowly dancing.

"I've been know to have my moments." She responds with a happy smile as they begin to sway to the soft tempo music.

"Who's the fellow watching you like a hawk?" Brett asks, nudging his head to the right. Camelia eyes wander in the direction he indicates, scanning rapidly over the many heads.

Camelia could not, would not acknowledge his presence through the night. She could not pinpoint exactly from where due to the big crowd but she definitely sensed him watching her. Although her head and eyes waged a war with each other, her stubbornness intervened and took over—forcing her to ignore him.

However, her skin reacted to the pressure of his heavy laser pointed stare searing her skin.

Her feelings felt tied in knots. The turmoil of emotions coursing through her veins skyrocketed.  Camelia didn't know what she wanted, who she wanted, what was right or what was wrong.

At first glance she was stuck with a strange bolt of awareness.  Next, a wave of goosebumps rushes over her arms, and down her legs.  Camelia had to blink several times to make sure it was him she was staring at.

Devilishly handsome all groomed up.  Standing tall and confident.  Giving the vibe of a highly successful business mongrel in a expensive black tux stood Kent partially hidden in the shadows.

His hair was styled back and slick while a ear piece was clasped in and behind his ear. The beard he had now was a light scruff.

He trimmed his beard for you.

It was difficult to discontinue staring at him, all the while appraising his new look. Kent nods at her when their eyes clash.  One side of his lips lift into a slight sexy smirk that could melt the coldest heart.

He's smiling like that for you.

Camelia's cheeks instantly flush pink and she reciprocate his smile with a shy one of her own. Too nervous to hold his gaze she lowers her lashes and looks elsewhere pretending to scan over the others in attendance. It was difficult to cover how she reacted to his presence.

"That's my, ummm....bodyguard, Kent." She stutters, meeting her Uncles gaze once more.

"Yeah and I'm a monkey's uncle." Brett replies sarcastically with narrowed eyes. Camelia raises her eyebrows in surprise.

"Oh, don't you look at me like that. I saw the way your eyes nearly popped out of your pretty little head. He hasn't taken his eyes off you since you entered. Looks like someone's smitten with my niece." He says singing the last part.

Camelia flushes from head to toe. She'd never admit to him how much she liked Kent. But as soon as she heard her Uncle hint Kent's interest out loud confirming the vibes she felt from him, her stomach did a somersault.

Perhaps he was to blame for her anxiety.

Kent was keeping secrets from her.  Secrets that may very well damage her faith and trust in human kind.  Her obsession with Stefan was one great lesson, however damaging and degrading.  Camelia didn't know if she could afford more disappointment in such a short amount of time.

"That's not true. Kent is a friend. He's super kind and caring. He's just looking out for me, that's all.  It's his job Uncle Brett."

They sounded like excuses to her own ears.

"Hey doll, take it from a man that has seen it all. Both your parents would make eyes at each other when they believed nobody was watching. I know what I'm seeing. That tall, dark and handsome young man has the hots for you. And I believe your feelings are mutual."

Camelia just pursed her lips and slightly shook her head in denial. Whatever she said would be a lie and she hated lying.

"Ah, ah, ah...."  He chides.  "Try to deny it all you want. Remember I'm your great Uncle Brett. I'm never wrong. Never."

It was well known fact that outsiders always see more than the person involved. Could it be true? Was it possible Kent had genuine feelings for her?

If it were true, Camelia was afraid. Deathly afraid to admit he was right. Aside from knowing he was hiding things from her, Kent already kindled feelings within her she thought were once reserved for another and that person left her devastated. She wasn't prepared, yet she knew she was hopelessly falling for him.

What she previously felt for Kivanç felt like a weak flame compared to Stefan and Kent's roaring fire.

A sense of disloyalty courses through her suddenly, feeling as if she emotionally cheated on Stefan with Kent.

It didn't feel right.

*****

They played Zeus's challenge where some of the men participated and the women separated and were placed in groups.  The women's job was dressing the men in togas using rolls of toilet paper. They jumped up and down clapping in utter delight as Zayn, Max, her best friend Sammy, her two twin cousins Pierre and Devon were declared the Guinea pigs and hand picked for the challenge from the small majority .

Groups of five were distributed across the grand foyer and each team had two minutes to dress up their model. Camelia was the one judging the game and was expected to make an unbiased decision therefore was not allowed to participate, but only watch.

The woman begin wrapping and shrouding the men.  Toilet paper was flying everywhere.  Their laughter was loud, the men looked ridiculous strung in white standing like statues while the females made them look like respectable 'Gods' wearing togas.

Camelia could not keep the wide smile off her face.  It was the most fun she's had since being a child.

"Ladies, please! I need to look like a sexy ass Goddess!"

"I better win this thing you hoes!"

"Don't you dare put that there!"

Sammy's ranting was heard above all the shouting, the talking and the music.

Camelia bent over in uncontrollable laugher, leaning a hand against a nearby table to keep upright.  He kept demanding where the toilet paper should go, squatting slightly.  He was much taller than the four women helping look into the creation he wished to be.

"One of you skanks needs to start making me a crown!"  He continues to order them around.  Perspiration begins to accumulate on his forehead and he looks ready to turn into a fire breathing dragon with the way his winged lashes fluttered and his nostrils flared.

Camelia muffles her laughter and switches her gaze to Zayn who was rolling his eyes, complaining if they were done with him.  The women appointed in his group appeared to be feeling him up and stroking his chest instead of doing their job correctly.  He stood there looking more like a person dressed as a ghost rather then a God.

The twins were enjoying themselves, flirting and making jokes with the women in their group.  The ladies could barely concentrate on the task at hand as they blushed or just stood there flirting back.

Camelia covers her smile with a hand and turns her back to search for the watch clock.  Thirty more seconds.

"Half a minute left everyone!"  She declares to the crowd.

The voices rose and the intensity mounts.

Camelia decides to quickly get a drink before the time is up and hurriedly skirts towards the buffet table.  Lifting a flute of champagne she brings it to her lips and takes a small sip.  The sizzling liquid bubbles down her dry throat.  She holds the glass away from her and eyes the pink liquid.   It was the first time she'd ever tried any form of alcohol.  Surprisingly it was sweet and light on the taste buds.  She takes a larger sip, then another until she held an empty glass.

It was so tasty, she wanted more.

Reaching forward ready to take another, a hand shoots forward and halts her attempt.  Camelia frowns, shifting her gaze at the intruder's warm hands.  Her eyes widen.  She raises them and comes face to face with Kent.

"Easy there birthday girl.  You wouldn't want to end the night tipsy and a heavy hangover the next day."  He says easily with a charming smile.

"Well, hello to you too."  She grins easily, craning her neck to get a better look at him.

She noticed he hadn't let go of her fingers but tightened his hold.

"Hello."  He flashes his brilliant white smile.  He lets go of her hand.  Now that his beard was not constricting her view she could easily see his teeth.

She tilts her head to the side.

Camelia felt like she was in the presence of another man. His cheekbones. The lashes framing his crisp blue eyes. Although his glasses were still in place she could finally imagine him without them now that his features cleared.

This was not Kent.

Camelia tried to shake the passing observation blaming the champagne that already began muddling her senses.

The beeper on the stop watch goes off.  "I need to go."  Holding up the watch wrapped around her wrist.  "Times up."  Camelia begins to brush by him when his hand clasps her elbow tightly.

She stops.

His physical touch sent tingles of lightning bolts skimming the surface of her skin.    His touch felt too intimate, reminding her of the countless times he touched her and the sparks he evoked.

"Happy 21st birthday Camelia."  He whispers closely to her ear.  His deep voice sent a shiver of delight down her spine and in the next instant his words make her stiffen.

He abruptly lets her arm go and leaves her alone.  She stood there frozen in place, a sense of déjâ-vu never leaving her.  In the back of her mind she felt it.

Not a moment it came to her like the rush of a strong breeze that left her speechless.

For he closely resembled Stefan.

_________________________________

Thanks for reading, voting and commenting everybody.

Next chapter is a week from today. The scene continues with Camelia's birthday.

Thanks,

Shaz