Chapter 15 Birthday party
Eva looked at the other guests who were entering the party. The first thing she noticed was the ladies who were arriving at the party, all dolled up in designer dresses. Some dresses were too revealing for Eva’s dislike.
Eva was glad that she wore a dress that Rose suggested to her.
Steve offered her hand to her. She looked at the hand and then at Steve
"Do you think I will enter this party with you, especially after listening to all about your flings from your mouth only? So no thanks, I don’t want to be in the news tomorrow tagged as your new girlfriend
“So what! that’s good; you will be famous too.”
“Trust me, I never want to be famous like this in my dreams."
Steve was looking at Eva in astonishment, as until now he faced girls who were dying to make a public appearance with him. And here is this stupid girl who is not ready to enter the party with him
“If you both are done with your foolish argument, so shall we move inside?"
An icy voice which belongs to Stephen made Eva and Steve startled and they both gave a nod like kindergarten kids
So Stephen entered first. Behind him was Eva and then Steve.
The media was excited to see a girl with the Smith brothers.
"Sir, please.”
Stephen gave a nod at them and stood in front, and so did Steve. Eva stayed a little away from them, but Steve smirked and pulled her and made her stand between them.
Eva was shocked; she was not used to this type of attention. She could hear the media
“Mam on your left, mam to your right, please .“
Stephen noticed her hands, which started trembling. He held her hand in his and muttered near her ears, "Relax, it's nothing. Just smile for the pictures. I will handle them later."
Eva holds his palm more tightly and smiles at the camera. Stephen Smith, for the first time in his life, stood happily for the photos as he never liked these paparazzi, but this moment it’s different as he was holding the soft hand of his love Eva.
When the media was busy clicking pics of them, Rose and William also entered the party, and the paparazzi made them stand with their sons and Eva.
Rose reached Steve from Eva’s side and got near her to click the pictures.
Stephen didn’t leave his place for his dad and William didn’t even object that he stood beside Stephen
. After completing the photo shoot, all reached the lawn where the party was going on.
Eva was looking at everything in awe, as it was a vast lawn and the decorations were mind-blowing.
Eva noticed a middle-aged man of her father’s age who came forward to greet Smith’s family; he was looking for an older version of Richard; he must be his dad. Eva had a small discussion in her mind
After exchanging greetings, the old man noticed Eva. He gave a smile at her and asked Rose, “May I know who this angel is?
Steve, is she your lady love.?”
Steve blushed and smirked at Eva, who just returned a glare at him
‘ I wish for that, uncle, but never mind that she is our family friend. Eva Johnson “
“Yes, she is the daughter of my best friend and staying with us for some days, and Eva is Robert Paul, Richard’s father
"Oh, wonderful to meet you, dear. Hope you enjoy the party."
“Same here, sir.”
“So where is the birthday boy?” William asked Robert
“He is coming soon. As you know, it’s a surprise party for him. So we have to wait a little more.” “
Robert got busy with William, Stephen Steve and rose, and Eva got settled on a table nearby
Soon the waiters arrived with drinks. Eva and Rose picked up the soft drink, whereas Stephen and Steve picked up glasses of hard drinks.
Eva was looking around the party. She was keenly observing the elite class people, the way they carry themselves, their actions; they have style in everything. Eva thought how she does not belong in this place
Just some minutes later, Richard arrived, and it shocked him to see a well-organized birthday party with so many guests. Slowly, guests reached to him to wish him
They placed a three-tier cake in the center of the lawn. Richard looked at his dad
“Dad, I am too old for holding a party like this, cutting this cake, and receiving gifts. Don’t tell me you arranged to return gifts for the guests too.”
Everyone giggled at his joke, but Robert passed him the knife. “ There is no age limit for celebrating a birthday."
Richard knew how much his father loved him after his mother’s demise.
They left them both for each other. He just gave a nod to his dad and cut the cake.
With an enormous round of applause, the guest greeted him.
Soon, present guests started giving Richard expensive gifts and beautiful bouquets.
Rose also gifted Richard with a small box in her hand.
Stephen and Steve also wished him by hugging him.
This made Eva uncomfortable, as she was standing there with no gift.
But now what can she do? She was lost in her thoughts when she heard a rose calling her name.
She looked in the direction where Rose was standing beside Richard and signaling her to come and greet Richard.
Now there was no option left. As Richard was looking towards her with a smile on his face, Eva slowly moved towards them.
Stephen, who was also standing near Richard, was observing her actions.
He was searching for the box, which Eva carried carefully in the car
Rose told Eva, ” come on wish your mentor and what was that yes, inspiration?"
Richard chuckled, whereas Eva blushed at rose’s tease; she slowly forwarded her hand “happy birthday, sir.”
“Thank you, dear. “ Richard held her hand in a soft grip
It surprised Rose to see Eva without the box in hand. She signaled her with eyes, on which she just shook her head. Rose understood her dilemma. She just took a sigh.
Stephen noticed the signals between them, but he decided not to force Eva for her gift.
The party was going in full swing, and soon the Smith family got settled for dinner.
Eva tasted every variety of food with interest. After all, she was attending the party of the well-known chef, so the food must be delightful.
The Smith family was observing Eva in between how she was devouring every bite of each dish with closed eyes. They all chuckled at her antics
After dinner, Eva thought now they all would leave for their home, but as she saw the guests almost evacuated the lawn. But it surprised her when the Smith family entered the villa and settled in the lavish living room. Rose understood her question, looking at her confused face
“We will leave after some time, as William and Robert had met after a long time, so Robert requested William to stay a little more. I hope you are not feeling sleepy now or I can take you home.
“No, it’s ok; moreover, it’s the weekend tomorrow so no class."
“Hmm, that’s good. We should plan for something for your weekend break.
Richard was busy chatting with Stephen, whereas Stephen used to keep stealing glances at Eva. He was relieved when he found her happily chatting with his mom
Robert was also observing Eva. He didn’t talk with her much at the party, so he asked her, “So dear, what are you doing.? I mean, are you here enjoying your holiday break? Or you are studying something
Before Eva could answer him, Richard beat her. "Dad, she is a very talented girl. She has joined some culinary classes here. You know that day she guessed all the ingredients of a sweet dish, and it will surprise you that no matter how many people dislike me, she is my fan.
Robert chuckled, as he knew Richard was taunting him and the men of the Smith family.
Actually, when Richard expressed his wish of becoming a chef, Robert denied the thought only as it was not he wished for him as Robert Paul was a well-known interior designer; his firm has clients from Hollywood and high-profile business circles.
But he has to agree with Richard at the end of the argument, and he is now proud of him as his hard work made him more successful and famous than he ever thought.
Eva just gave a small smile at Richard, who was looking at her only.
‘ That’s interesting, dear, but Richard, why is she joining some other classes? I mean, why not your classes, as she is your fan, right?"
Eva's face paled listening to this question as she always wished for attending Richard’s classes, but when she searched for the fee structure, her jaw dropped as it was expensive for her father, so she dropped the idea and searched for some other classes that would be in their reach.
Richard noticed her face and cursed the reason too, so he handled the situation
"It's not important which class we attend or which course we choose.
What is important is our hard work and determination for our passion.
You know, Eva, my dad chose the best classes for me, but I left the class in between the sessions as it did not satisfy me with the teaching method.
So if you like it there, then trust it is the best for you. "
Eva gave a nod at him. Stephen noticed this all, and he asked to guess the reason for Eva's gloomy face, but he was glad that Richard made her comfortable again.
“Richard, you know you didn’t receive the best gift yet." Steve declared, entering the believing room. It shocked Eva to see her gift box in his hand. She reached near him. She tried to snatch the box but Steve pulled it back so she whispered to him
‘ No, don’t do this. What if he doesn’t like it? Don’t spoil his birthday."
“Let him decide. You can not decide for him
Listening to their banter, Robert asked, “What is happening, Steve? What gift are you talking about? “
“Eva made some cupcakes to give to Richard, but I don’t know why she is hesitating.” Before Eva could stop him, Steve reached near Richard and forwarded the box to him
“Richard, this is for you, and dare you say the wrong word for my friend? She did so much hard work for this?
“Friend.” Listening to the care for her in Steve”s words, Eva got tears.
She always thought Steve to be a Casanova, a spoiled brat, but in these last days he tried nothing wrong with her; he just used to tease her, and it will be lying if she says that she didn’t like it as she loves bantering with him.
Richard opened the box carefully and was appalled to see the perfect icing on the cupcake. It was like some professional baker. He ordered the house help to serve the cupcakes. But the smith family denied for it so only for Robert and Richard
Thevmomdbt Richard took the first bite. He closed his eyes to devour the flavors, and Robert finished it in three bites.
Eva was getting restless now. As she was observing their reactions, Rose patted her hands to comfort her.
Stephen was not caring for their decision for him; whatever Eva do is best and that’s the only truth for him
The moment Steve noticed Richard's expressions and then Eva’s sweating face, he himself took one cupcake and tasted it. He almost moaned at the first bite
He quickly finished it and reached Eva, “ don’t worry, dear, I am not a chef but this was the best cupcake I have ever had in my life, so it was 100 on 10 from my
Eva flashed a smile at him and littered a small thank you.
Robert was the first kind to speak. “ Eva dear, I have a suggestion for you. “
“Hmm?"
"See, I am not a chef like Richard, but I am sure after tasting this that you didn’t need classes as you are already a chef. It was one of the best cupcakes. Great job, keep it up."
Eva bit her lip to control her sobs. She muttered a small thank you to Robert too
But she was getting eager to listen to a word of appreciation from Richard’s mouth as he would judge her more specifically
Richard finished the cupcake and drank some water first. All the bad thoughts started churning in her mind.
She thought maybe it was too dry from inside for his dislike; she was on the verge of a panic attack.
Stephen was also getting annoyed by Richard‘s delay.
He thought he was showing off his importance to Eva.
He decided that if Richard muttered a wrong word against his love, then he beat Richard into pulp, not here today but later.
Richard looked at Eva and started in a confident tone. “Eva, I have an offer for you."
Now Eva was sure that he was going to scold her for choosing this career and must be offering to join his classes for improvement.
Still, she took some courage and gave a nod at him to continue.
There was a pin-drop silence. All heads turned towards Richard; William and Robert were also curious to know the upcoming offer.
Whereas Stephen made a fist ready to punch Richard, he didn’t care for the outcome now.
“I want to offer you a job as head of desert cuisine in my new restaurant.”
The people present in the drawing room took some seconds to observe the new information, whereas Eva was looking at Richard with her mouth agape.
Rose broke the silence and jumped to hug Eva.
Eva was still in shock. Tears of happiness started flowing from her eyes. She couldn’t believe what she heard now
Steve jumped to hug Richard. “I just told you to say kind words, but you offered her a freaking job. excellent man”.
“ She deserves this and much more You know she made it better than me, Eva; it was so delicious, Trust me, I need someone like you in my restaurant You are so perfect with this, dad. Is so right? You really don’t need any classes."
Rose wiped her tears and made her drink some water
“Thank you so much for these kind words. And your offer too. Trust me, it will be an honor to work with you, but I am sorry I cannot accept it.”
Everyone looked at her in shock as she was refusing an offer of her mentor