Chapter 84 The Birthday Boy
At eight o’clock in the evening.
The servants had dispersed inside the villa as per Cherise’s request, leaving behind only a few bodyguards.
Dressed in a white lace princess dress, Cherise drew a deep breath before knocking gently on Damien’s study door.
The room was cloaked in darkness, with moonlight seeping through the windows, creating a subtly chilly ambiance.
In the study, Damien was stretched out in his wheelchair. His eyes were covered with black silk, making it impossible for Cherise to determine whether he was awake or asleep. She gently turned on the lights and approached, calling out, “Hey, hubby?”
The man furrowed slightly.
Damien had spent the entire afternoon poring over reports from five European consortia, and his weariness had finally caught up with him as he drifted off in his wheelchair.
Thirteen years ago, on this very day, his sister, whom he dearly loved, had tragically perished in a fiery blaze.
This heartbreaking incident compelled him to push himself to the limits, endure humiliation, and carry weighty responsibilities.
That was why when he founded those consortia and companies, he established the rule that he must conduct an annual year-end review on this particular day.
It served as a constant reminder to himself. To never slack off, pause, and forget the bitterness he once harbored.
And, this year had brought frequent good news from Europe, drawing him closer to his goal.
“Hey?” Cherise’s delicate voice broke the silence.
Damien opened his eyes.
He saw a dainty woman before him, dressed in a white princess dress. Her fair, almost ethereal skin glowed under the soft lamplight. A hint of surprise flashed in Damien’s eyes beneath the black silk blindfold.
He couldn’t help but think Cherise looked beautiful in the whimsical princess dresses,
adding an innocent and elegant touch to her demure. Unless you knew, you’d never guess she was initially a girl from the countryside.
“Are you awake?” Cherise asked, noticing his movement.
She smiled and continued, “It’s time for dinner. Should I wheel you downstairs?”
Damien nodded faintly. “Sure.”
Cherise could tell he was not in a good mood from his indifferent tone.
Unsurprisingly, when she returned in the afternoon, the servants were all moving around. on tiptoe, behaving like skittish kittens.
Cherise took a deep breath and guided him out of the study and down the stairs.
Downstairs, the dining room remained dark, but the table was adorned with several candles and red wine and steak – the quintessential candlelit dinner.
Cherise’s heart skipped a beat. She had asked Frances and Mr. Hurrell for some favors in preparing for Damien’s birthday celebration.
Had they gone through all this trouble for her? This was her first experience of a candlelit dinner like that. Before this, she had only seen it on television. She didn’t even know how to cut a steak properly.
Taking in everything on the table, Damien narrowed his eyes slightly and inquired in a chilly tone, “What’s for dinner?”
“We’re having… Steak and a birthday cake,” Cherise said almost inaudibly as she wheeled him closer to the dining table.
Damien’s voice grew even colder. “Birthday cake?”
“Did Jacob tell you?” Cherise nervously bit her lip.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Did he also tell you I don’t celebrate my birthday?”
The dining room remained dimly lit, with only the flickering light of the candles. Cherise instinctively clutched the lace hem of her dress, her voice timid yet steadfast.
“I know you’ve never celebrated your birthday before.”
“But…”
She drew a deep breath, directed her gaze at Damien, and conjured up a warm smile. “But now, you have me.”
Her eyes glistened in the candlelight as she fixed her eyes on him, her sincerity and enthusiasm shining through, “From now on, I’ll make it a tradition to celebrate your birthday every year, marking another milestone in your life.”
