Chapter 42: Trace of Jealousy

Ronald had called his driver earlier, and the man had helped him bring his car to Jason's house. Now that everything was set, they could finally move. Jace had gotten dressed in the clothes Dorah had picked out for him, she had insisted she wanted to see him in them. And honestly, he looked so handsome in them that Mira couldn't stop gawking at him, her eyes practically glued to his frame. "You should ride with Max and me," Jace offered Dorah as they all stepped outside. They were heading to Jace's house, and lately, he'd found his friends acting a little strange, suspicious, even. But he hadn't said anything. Not yet. 'No, let Ronald take her and Miranda. You and I will follow Max," Jason quickly interjected before Jace could say more. 'But…" Jace tried to protest. Before he could finish, Jason grabbed his arm and dragged him toward his car, tossing his keys to Max in one smooth move. He opened the passenger door and gently shoved Jace in. 'Let's go," Ronald said to the girls as he beeped the car open. "You should sit in the front. I'll sit at the back," Miranda said to Dorah and winked teasingly. Dorah shook her head, half amused and half embarrassed at her friend's behavior. The drive to Jace's house was quiet...too quiet. Ronald and the girls barely spoke, and a strange calmness hung in the air. On the other hand, Jason's car was filled with music and laughter. He and Max sang loudly to every song, trying to keep Jace engaged. 'Why is everywhere so silent like this?" Jace asked no one in particular as they all got down from the cars. 'It has always been silent like this. Let's go," Dorah replied, taking his hand in hers. As they walked into the house, Jace noticed how her touch grounded him, even though his thoughts were all over the place. The hallway was lined with framed photographs, pictures of him, from the day he was born up until his teenage years. 'This…" he started but was lost for words. He looked behind him, hoping to ask someone else about the photos, but he realized he was alone with Dorah. 'Where are the guys?" he asked. 'I don't know. They should be somewhere around the house," she replied with a shrug, urging him gently to move forward. She gave him a soft smile and squeezed his hand, and he followed, taking his time to look at each picture he passed. 'I can't believe this," he mumbled, covering his face with his palm as tears began to form in his eyes. He reached the last frame and froze. It was a picture from his twelfth birthday, the last one he celebrated with his mum. In it, he stood between his parents, beaming with joy, completely unaware of the heartbreak that was to come. 'Last birthday I celebrated with mum," he whispered, and a tear slipped down his cheek. He reached out and traced the outline of the frame with his finger. 'You shouldn't be crying," Dorah said softly as she stepped in front of him. She wiped his tears with her thumbs. 'We're all here for you now." Her reassuring smile gave him some comfort. He nodded and looked back at the photo one last time before following her as she led him to the backdoor. 'This is where you close your eyes," she said with a grin, holding the door handle. He hesitated. 'How do you expect me to walk with my eyes closed?" 'I'm here with you," she assured him. 'I'll be your guide. You don't have to worry." Reluctantly, he closed his eyes, and Dorah smiled, watching how his expression relaxed as he gave in. 'Ready?" she asked. He nodded. She slowly opened the door and carefully guided him toward the poolside. 'Don't open your eyes," she warned as they approached. 'We're cool as long as you don't let me fall into the pool," he said, half-joking. Dorah smirked and gently let go of his hand as she walked to where the cake was placed on the table. 'Now what? You're leaving me here?" Jace asked, standing still with his eyes closed. 'Babe, seriously?" he added, his tone playful. Then he peeked and opened his eyes and was stunned. 'Surprise!" everyone shouted at once. People appeared from behind pillars and furniture, his dad, his grandma, Agnes, his friends, and even some of his classmates. The poolside was stunningly decorated with lights, balloons, flowers, and a beautiful table setup. It was magical. 'Gosh!" he exclaimed, completely overwhelmed. He crouched down, hiding his face in his arms. 'Get up, son," Joseph said warmly as he walked over and gently lifted him to his feet. 'You guys really got to me," Jace muttered, hiding his tear-streaked face against his dad's chest. Everyone chuckled at his genuine reaction. It was an emotional moment. Jace cried openly, for five whole minutes. 'I'm sorry, guys," he said, wiping his eyes. 'I just don't know what to say. Everything you did… it got to me. You did a great job keeping all this from me. I can't find the right words to say. Thank you all so much. I really appreciate it. This means a lot to me. Now I understand how the whole school got to know about my birthday." Laughter echoed around him at his last comment. 'You deserve more than this, son," Joseph said, patting his shoulder proudly. 'Happy birthday, Ben," Grandma said as she hugged him tight. 'It's Jace, Grandma. Not Ben," he corrected with a grin. 'Do I look like I care?" she asked, rolling her eyes as she pulled away. 'Your dress isn't complete without this," she added, handing him a small box. 'What's this?" Jace asked, looking between the box and her. 'Check it yourself," she encouraged. He opened it and found a beautiful necklace with a cross pendant. 'Wow, I love it. Thanks, Granny," he said, pecking her cheek. She chuckled and took the necklace from the box, putting it around his neck with care. 'I made the right choice. It fits you perfectly," she said, clearly pleased. Agnes and his friends stepped forward next and handed him their gifts. Then Dorah walked up to him with both hands hidden behind her back. 'Okay, it's my turn," she said. 'You still have a gift after this?" he asked, pointing to the clothes he was wearing. 'Those aren't gifts. They're just clothes," Dorah laughed. Jace joined in. 'What are you even saying?" 'I don't know," she shrugged, chuckling. 'I just said what came to my mind." 'Where's the gift?" he asked, peeking behind her. She took a quick step back, hiding what she held. 'C'mon," he whined. 'Here," she said at last, handing over a box. 'Not a box again," he teased, accepting it. He placed the box on a table and opened it. Inside were a perfume bottle, key hook, pen, belt, wallet, and wristwatch. Miranda blinked in surprise, it was exactly what she had planned to get Jace. 'You guys are making me speechless," Jace said, stepping back and smiling so wide it hurt. 'Give me your hand," Dorah said, picking up the wristwatch from the box. He stretched his left hand, and she removed the watch he was wearing, replacing it with the new one. 'Are you blushing?" she asked, noticing him use his free hand to cover his face. 'No," he said, though he was clearly trying to hide it. 'Thank you," he murmured, and pulled her into a warm hug. She wrapped her arms around him, rubbing his back gently. Phones were out, recording the sweet moment. 'I want something else too," he whispered into her ear. 'What's that?" 'A kiss," he said softly. She pulled back slightly, hands still on his waist. 'No… people are here." But he leaned in, lowering his head toward hers. 'Mira, are you not giving Jace a gift?" Ronald's voice interrupted, making them pull apart quickly.