NovelsFreeEsmeralda's birthday had arrived.
It was today, in fact, but she was swamped with work and would have to get through it before making any
evening plans.
She nodded absently, her gaze flickering with a trace of hope, as if she was waiting for something.
Suddenly, Elodie seemed to remember and arched an eyebrow. "Ah, that's right— your fiancé's back in town. Got
anything planned with him?"
Esmeralda's shoulders slumped as she shook her head, crestfallen. "He hasn't even called. I'm not sure he
remembers."
Before Fleming went abroad, he always made tfor her on her birthday.
Elodie ruffled Esmeralda's hair. "He'll remember. He's back now, and even if he forgets, you can always remind
him. Just tell him you want to spend the day together."
Esmeralda's eyes lit up as if a cloud had lifted. "You're right! And it's Sunday, so he's got to be free."
Seeing her friend's smile, Elodie couldn't help but grin too.
"Is everyone here?" Elodie asked as they walked down the hall.
Esmeralda shook her head. "Not yet, but Alex is inside, chatting with a few of them already."
Elodie knew steam members from the base would show up today-they'd be working together a lot going
forward.
They headed up to the third floor.
There were several men waiting there, all of them well-dressed and striking in appearance. Two of them, Elodie
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtrecognized immediately-they were special ops pilots who'd transferred from the base: Adrian and Heath.
Lily Lockwood was there too. As soon as Elodie entered, Lily stood up, shot a quick and critical look at Esmeralda
clinging to Elodie's arm, then pursed her lips and looked away.
Alexander, seeing Elodie arrive, immediately checked to see how she was doing. Satisfied she was fine, he
began introducing everyone.
Greetings were exchanged.
Suddenly, a voice called out from the doorway.
"Sorry I'm late. Traffic was a nightmare."
The moment that voice carried through the room, Elodie felt Esmeralda freeze at her side, gripping her arm even
tighter.
Elodie glanced down; Esmeralda's breath hitched, nerves written all over her face.
Esmeralda was usually cheerful and outgoing, always the first to crack a joke or stir up sfun. Yet somehow,
there was one person in the world who could unravel her entirely.
She took a surreptitious deep breath, forced her most radiant smile, and turned toward the door.
But as soon as she saw who was standing there, her smile faltered ever so slightly.
Fleming stood at the threshold, and beside him was a tall, slender woman with an easy poise.
The woman wasn't exactly striking, but she had an effortless grace and carried herself with confidence.
Esmeralda knew immediately who she was: Fleming's much-adored stepsister.
Fleming didn't spot Esmeralda right away. Instead, he looked around the room. "This is my sister, Lucy. Hope
nobody minds if she joins us."
Today's gathering wasn't strictly official, so there was no need for secrecy.
Alexander glanced at Esmeralda before replying, "Take a seat."
Lucy, however, noticed Esmeralda at
once and crossed the ora with a
bright shire Krew it you'd be here."
Lucy greeted her, though Esmeralda
felt a pang of awkwardness. She'd
always felt a bit self-conscious mn
around No) especial biter Having
ORCS cted there was
something between Lucy and
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Fleming. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
"Today's your birthday, right?" Lucy asked warmly.
vei
ana
Esmeralda was taken aback, then glanced at Fleming in surprise and delight.
He must have remembered and told Lucy-how else would she know?
Lucy, oblivious to Esmeralda's
expression, eee) herhag)
spd rosa package. 'l got
you two gifts. My brother's. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
hopeless-he probably forgot el
don't take it personally. | bought two different things, in case he missed the mark. Hope you like them."
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