Chapter 35
35
KAIRA
T he next morning, I woke up in Roman’s bed again, the scent of his soap lingering in the air. The fresh, clean scent mixed with the musky aroma of his cologne. I breathed it in greedily, reminded of our intimate moments shared in this very bed. He had left an hour ago, kissing me softly before he left the room. I rolled over and pulled his pillow against me.
It was becoming a dangerous habit, like I belonged in his bed. I lay there, reluctant to leave the warmth and comfort of his sheets. It was still early. I knew I should get up and start my day, but the thought of leaving did not sound appealing.
Yesterday, I felt like we made some progress in our relationship. And yes, it was officially a relationship. I still couldn’t believe it. Me, little old nobody me was with Roman Kelly. Never in a million years would I have thought this would be my life. I knew this thing was tenuous. Roman still had a lot of baggage. I didn’t want to let myself get too caught up too quickly.
But it was too late. I cared about him. Somewhere along the way, it happened. I wasn’t going to just stop caring about the guy when he kicked me out of his bed. I pushed away the thought. I didn’t want to dwell on the negative. Whatever happened, happened. It didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy the ride.
I decided I needed to be productive today. After all, I had a birthday party to plan. The idea had come to me sometime yesterday. My thought was if he was open to being with me, something that was new to him, he might see the joy in celebrating his birthday. It was a special day. He just had a bad feeling about it, but it didn’t need to be a bad thing. He just needed one good birthday to realize it was okay to acknowledge the occasion.
And I was going to give it to him.
I got up and walked down the hall to my bedroom. I quickly showered and got ready for the day. I was going to hit the ground running. I didn’t have much time to get this organized.
On my way downstairs, I spotted Marilyn. “Can you have everyone meet me in the dining room in an hour?”
“Is something wrong?” she asked with concern.
“Nope, but I have big news and I want everyone there.”
She nodded, still looking concerned. “Okay. I’ll let everyone know.”
I grabbed myself some coffee and a quick snack. There was a hum of energy coursing through me. I was so excited to do this.
An hour later, I had turned the dining-room table into a war room. The entire house staff sat around the table looking very skeptical and concerned. They probably thought they were getting fired. I knew convincing them wouldn’t be easy.
“Thank you all for coming,” I began, clasping my hands in front of me. “I have an idea, and I need your help.”
A few wary glances were exchanged. “You know we’re always here to assist, but what exactly are you proposing?” Marilyn asked.
“A birthday party for Roman,” I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster.
The room fell silent. You could’ve heard a pin drop. Then the murmurs started.
“He doesn’t celebrate his birthday,” one of the housekeepers whispered.
“Not since he was a kid,” the gardener added.
“Oh, Kaira, that’s a sweet idea, but he’s just not the type to celebrate,” Marilyn said. “I really don’t think he would appreciate a party. I’m sorry to burst your bubble. It’s a thoughtful gesture, but maybe something with just the two of you.”
That was not what I wanted to do. Yes, I could be stubborn, but I was convinced this would make Roman really happy.
“I know, I know,” I said, holding up my hands. “You guys have known him longer than I have. I get it. But hear me out. I’ve talked to him about it—well, sort of—and I really think this could be good for him. Roman works so hard, and he’s done so much for all of us. Don’t you think he deserves a little party? He doesn’t think his birthday is worth celebrating, but I for one, think it is. I’m glad he’s on this earth. I want to celebrate the day he was born.”
They looked unconvinced.
“He’s always so closed off, but I see how much you all care about him. I think this could be a chance to remind him he’s not alone. That he’s still surrounded by people who love him. Yes, he lost the two people that brought him into this world, but he’s still here. He deserves to be celebrated.”
That struck a chord. The murmurs shifted from hesitant to contemplative. Finally, Marilyn spoke up. “He’s pushed us away over the years, Kaira. But you’re right. We do care about him.”
Relief washed over me as the staff began nodding in agreement. One by one, they started sharing ideas. A five-course dinner in the solarium, live music, personalized cocktails, and of course, a birthday cake. There was even talk of dancing and fun party games to lighten the mood.
“Do you think he’ll actually enjoy this?” Marilyn asked. “I’m not going to lie; this makes me very nervous.”
“I think he’ll love it. Even if he pretends not to.”
I was filled with restless energy as I paced back and forth in the dining room, listening as the staff came up with ideas for Roman’s surprise birthday party. They seemed hesitant at first, but as we talked it through, I could see them getting excited about the prospect of celebrating their employer in a way they hadn’t done in years. I could envision the whole thing coming together beautifully.
After figuring out what preparations needed to be made, the staff went back to their duties and I got started with the guest list. I had gotten a single phone number at the dinner with Roman’s friends, and I used it.
I contacted Chloe, who was surprisingly eager to attend. “We’ve been dying to celebrate him,” she said over the phone. “He never lets us.”
“Well, this time, he doesn’t have a choice,” I replied with a grin. “He’s going to love it once it’s thrown for him.”
“I’ll contact some of his friends with the invite,” she said. “People he actually likes.”
I laughed. “You’re a lifesaver.”
After we said our goodbyes, I went on a hunt for Marilyn. I found her in one of the sitting rooms, making a list.
“Marilyn, have you seen Ruby?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Where would I begin to look for her?”
Marilyn laughed. “Airport, harbor, or Grand Central would be my first guesses.”
I laughed, understanding she was a rambler. “I really want to get her confirmation that she’ll be here for the party. She’s Roman’s only living family. I know her presence would mean something to him. I need to find her.”
“I’ll make some calls,” she said. “I’ll talk to the young lady taking care of her room. She can leave a note at the very least.”
“Thank you, Marilyn. I appreciate it.”
As I got texts from Roman’s friends replying to my invitation, it felt like a small victory. I was on a high, my excitement building with every passing hour. It wasn’t just about the party—it was about Roman. About showing him that, despite everything he’d lost, he still had people in his corner. People who cared about him deeply.
Including me.
I grabbed my new laptop and started doing some shopping for decorations. I wanted classy but maybe a little silly. As I shopped online for party supplies, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nervous anticipation. I wanted this birthday celebration to be perfect for Roman. He deserved to feel loved and appreciated, even if he didn’t know it. I hoped that when he felt the love, he would be happy we went against his birthday ban.
I ended up ordering an elegant floral centerpiece for the dining table, along with some string lights to hang around the room. A few playful decorations like a large “Happy Birthday” banner and colorful balloons added a touch of whimsy. I wanted the atmosphere to feel warm and inviting, a far cry from the formal, solemn vibe that usually permeated the mansion. Roman mentioned he liked the sound of laughter in the house. I couldn’t really buy him anything that he couldn’t buy himself, but I could give him laughter and friendship. I could make him feel more human.
I put in the last order and felt like I accomplished all I could for the day. Marilyn appeared in the doorway. “Kaira, I have some good news. I was able to reach Ruby. She’s thrilled about the party and said she’ll be here. She’ll be back in this hemisphere by then.”
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. “That’s wonderful! I’m so glad she’s able to make it. Roman is going to be so surprised.”
Marilyn nodded, a small smile on her face. “He is. We all know how much it will mean to him, even if he tries to play it off.”
“Exactly. He may act annoyed or dismissive at first, but deep down, I know this will mean the world to him. I’m just glad you all were on board to help make this happen. I couldn’t have done it without your support.”
“We care about him, Kaira. Even if he’s built up these walls, we see the man underneath. The one who is kind and generous, even if he hides it well. This party is the perfect way to show him that he’s not alone—that he has a family here, even if it’s not the traditional one he lost.”
This wasn’t just a party. This was a chance to show Roman how much he was loved and appreciated. By the time evening rolled around, I was exhausted but exhilarated. I retreated to the library with my new laptop and opened my manuscript, diving into the world I was creating. My fingers flew over the keys, the words pouring out of me faster than I could keep up.
Thank God for grammar checker.
I didn’t even hear Roman come in until he was standing behind me.
“Hey,” he said softly.
I turned in my chair, a smile spreading across my face. “Hey, yourself. I didn’t hear you come in. You’d make a great cat burglar. What time is it?”
Before I could say another word, he leaned down and kissed me. It was the kind of kiss that made my toes curl and my heart race. When he finally pulled back, his eyes were full of heat.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Good. Even better now.”
“What have you been doing?”
“Oh, nothing,” I said with a sly smile. “I’ve been here all day. Waiting for you. Working. Writing.”
He kissed me again. “I’ve missed your lips since the moment I left this morning,” he murmured against my mouth.
I giggled breathlessly. “Hang on. Let me write that down. That’s a good line.”
He chuckled, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”
“So I’ve been told,” I teased, my cheeks flushing.
“I’m going to make myself a drink, want something?”
“Please,” I said and closed my laptop. I left it in the library and followed him into what I was calling the lounge. It was basically another living room but it had a full bar in the corner. There were a few couches and chairs but no TV.
Roman went behind the bar. He pulled out two glasses and a bottle of scotch. “Do you want something specific or just something that isn’t scotch?”
“I’ll try the scotch,” I said, surprising myself. “When in Rome, right?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Pun intended?”
I grinned. “Maybe. Depends how adventurous you are.”
He poured two glasses, sliding one toward me. I took a tentative sip and immediately coughed. It burned going down, far more intense than any alcohol I was used to.
Roman chuckled, watching me with an amused expression. “Not quite what you were expecting?” he asked, taking a smooth sip from his own glass.
“It’s like drinking smoke and dirt,” I gasped, my eyes watering. “How do you drink this?”
“Practice,” he said with a smirk. “Want something sweeter?”
I shook my head, determined. “No, I can handle this.” I took another sip. It went down a little smoother. The gross taste was growing on me.
We moved to sit down, settling into comfortable silence.
I couldn’t help but marvel at how much had changed between us. When this all started, Roman had been an enigma—a cold, calculating man who saw me as little more than a means to an end. But now? Now he felt like so much more.
I glanced up at him, my heart swelling with a warmth I couldn’t ignore. Maybe I didn’t need book boyfriends anymore. Not when I had a fake fiancé who ticked every box.
Minus the fake part.