"Eric! Clara!" Henry shouted, trying to locate his friends in the dark, when a balloon popped for people to jump out of nowhere yelling "Surprise!!!" The lights came back on, exposing a room full of guests from school and church. The more surprising guests were his dad and grandmother, both in Clara's house, talking to her parents. "Happy birthday to you." They sang in unison, Ellen clapping and singing by his side with a big smile. "Whose brilliant idea was it, to use you as bait?" Henry asked Clara when they were done singing, and the party had begun. "The mastermind herself." Clara said proudly, pointing to Ellen. "Happy birthday Kobby. So sorry I didn't call you today, I had to fake being sick as per your girlfriend's instructions." Clara spoke again, giving him a hug. "Hey, happy birthday bro." Eric came to wish him as well, together with the sports team. People gathered around him, not giving him a chance to talk to Ellen about this surprise party. He had to admit, that clever girl really was something. She showed no signs about there being a party for him, all he knew was she just planned a special date with a heavenly and passionate attraction. "Elle!" Abby and Kelly came to her, calling her name excitedly. "Wow, you actually pulled it off." Kelly teased and commended her. "Couldn't have done it without you guys and Sister Clara. Thank you, guys, so much." Ellen said, hugging them. "Wow, it's my house and they are the ones receiving hugs and thanks. What about me? I had to put off calling him the whole day, I didn't even reply to his texts. Plus, I was bait. What do I get?" Clara complained behind them, pouting. The girls laughed and hugged her as well. "Thank you so much sister Clara. This wouldn't be possible without you." Ellen expressed her gratitude with a smile. "If you really want to thank me, stop calling me Sister please. Clara is fine." Clara said and Ellen nodded. They continued talking while being at separate points from the boys. "Aren't you going to wish your son?" Rosie asked Terry, who was sipping wine and looking on his phone, after the Bensons left to attend to the guests. "I doubt he wants to talk to me. It's even a miracle I've not been asked to leave yet." Terry replied indifferently, not looking up. "So, what are you doing here then?" His mother asked with sarcasm. "I'm attending my son's party. When Clara called me, she said she's throwing a surprise party at her house for Kobby, and I was invited, so, here I am. I'm surprised you are here too though." Terry replied with a smirk, still on his phone. "I'm here because Kobby's girlfriend specially invited me. She's a refined lady, and very matured too." Rosie said proudly. "Come on mom, when has he dated someone without standards? He'll grow tired of her soon anyway, then I'll be burdened with the trouble of cleaning up his mess. I almost lost the partnership with George and Aaron because of his infatuation with George's daughter." Terry commented, talking about Stephanie. "I know that, but you are wrong. He loved Naa, and they are friends now, he told me. I'm even surprised she's not here tonight. Anyway, his new girlfriend is the girl talking with Afua. The fair one in Gucci dress. I believe she's someone who has managed to turn your son's heart, aside from Naa. Besides, he brought her home, made her apple pie and introduced her to me." Rosie said, surprising Terry. "What? He did that? Apple pie? Where is she again?" He asked in disbelief as his son does not do that with his girlfriends. He finally looked up to the direction his mother pointed, and his eyes dilated. "Are you sure that's her, mom?" He asked for clarification when he saw Ellen. "Yes, she is. Her name is…" Rosie answered, but got cut off when she was about to mention her name. "Eleanora Wilson." Terry finished, disbelief on his face. "You know her? She was home this afternoon, Kobby came out because of her, and get this, he wants you to hand over this, to him in person." Rosie asked and explained, bringing out the car key from her purse. She had brought it with her, when Ellen told her this afternoon after Henry went to get ready, about the party and the fact that Terry was invited. Terry looked at the key and his features softened. "He wants that?" He asked with excitement. "Yes, he does. So, let's go wish him a happy birthday." Rosie said, taking the lead. "Hey ladies." Henry greeted the girls as he finally got away from his friends, placing an arm around Ellen. "Hi Henry, Happy birthday. How do you like your surprise?" Kelly as usual, teased after wishing Henry. "Happy birthday Henry, may God bless you. Hope you had a good day." Abby also wished him and asked. "Thank you, ladies. I must say, you did a great job in pretending that date was all there was, to my birthday gift from you. As for my day, it started rough because someone didn't call me (looks at Clara with raised brow and she laughs). But she made it more special than the last seventeen birthdays I've had. Thank you, baby girl, I'll never forget today, hope you don't either." Henry answered and kissed Ellen on her cheek. "I won't, and you are welcome." She replied with a blush. "May I have everyone's attention please?" Terry announced, hitting his glass with a spoon. "This isn't my house, but I'd like to give the vote of thanks, may I? (turns to Clara who gives her approval beside her parents). Thank you all for sparing time to come celebrate my son Kobby, tonight. I was very pleased to receive an invitation call from Clara, concerning a surprise party a week ago. Good thing she called last week, we'd be having two parties by now, hahaha. Shall we all raise a toast to the man of the hour, my only son in whom I am well pleased. Happy birthday Kobby, proud to have you as my son. Cheers to Henry and great years ahead!" Terry spoke with emotion and the crowd responded "cheers!" amidst clapping. The cheering went louder when Henry went to hug his father, Rosie getting teary with bliss. "Happy birthday son, I got you something I hope you will like." Terry said, handing over the key to him when they left the center, and the party continued. "You bet I love it dad, thank you." Henry said, hugging him again. Anyone watching them now wouldn't think they had a toxic father-son relationship due to Terry's affairs; they just looked so great together. "By the way, you are eighteen now, destroy this car, and your next one will be the one you buy with your own damn earned money." Terry warned with sarcasm. "I won't, I promise." Henry replied with a laugh. Terry smiled back but it faded when he saw Ellen from a distance again. "Kobby, I just heard a story from your grandmother that I'm hoping it's not true." Terry began. "What story?" Henry asked, his smile fading too. "Are you dating that girl?" He asked, pointing to Ellen with his eye movement. "Yes." Was his simple answer. "Henry, you better not carry your shenanigans on that girl. I would skin you; I'm not kidding." Terry warned with all seriousness. He called him Henry seldomly when he's being serious. "What do you mean? Why?" Henry asked, growing irritated. "She is Aaron Wilson's freaking daughter, that's why. I asked you about your relationship with her after the quiz and you said there was nothing between you two. Now I hear she's your girlfriend?" Terry explained, growing irritated too. "Is everything alright over here?" Rosie came over when she saw there was tension rising between those two. They changed mood quicker than seasons changed. "Mom, do you know she's Aaron Wilson's daughter?" Terry asked his mom, looking at Ellen. "I know what you are thinking, and I am sure that won't happen. She and Naa are different, right Kobby?" Rosie defended, understanding what her son meant. "I take that as a yes then. How can you allow that mom?" Terry said in annoyance. "So, it's fine if she allows you to disrespect your wife, but bad if she allows me to be with my girlfriend?" Henry answered his father with sarcasm. "Okay that's enough. No need to air your dirty laundry here. We came for the party, let's just enjoy and leave in peace." Rosie said with authority. "You are right mom, sorry I got annoyed Kobby, but don't you dare pull any tricks on her. Aaron is important personnel for me, and I won't lose his friendship/partnership, because he has a beautiful daughter." Terry said and left. "Kobby, don't let your day be ruined by this. Your father is just…" Rosie tried to console but Henry cut her off. "It's fine Rosie, nothing or no one, not even dad, can ruin my day today. Thank you." Henry said with a smile and hugged his grandmother. "Oh, by the way, your father did something else." Rosie said in a cheerful manner.
