“Thanks, Hajie,” I replied succinctly, giving him a smile. 
Shemayy! I felt nervous as he kept looking at me, as if he were reading something in my eyes. 
“I think this is the first time you’ve called me by my name, but I’d prefer if you called me Chion. I want you to use my most hated second name, but for you, I wouldn’t mind at all hearing it,” he said with a gleeful grin while we danced. 
Everyone around us squealed with excitement as the lobby dimmed. I accidentally let go of Hajie because people started running towards the stage. 
Suddenly, I was startled when music began to play, and the spotlight turned on—thank you, Mayor, HAHAHAHA! Charzz!
When I heard the intro, my heart leaped with joy because one of my favorite songs started playing. 
“Cause, ah-ah, I’m in the stars tonight,  
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight.  
Shoes on, get up in the moon,  
Cup of milk let’s rock and roll.” 
I couldn’t help but laugh at Blue Ice, who seemed a bit out of sync with everyone else, his face scrunched up in concentration. 
“King Kong, kick the drum, rolling like a rolling stone.  
Sing song when I’m walking home.  
Jump up to the top, LeBron, Ding Dong, call me on my phone.  
Iced tea and a game of ping pong.” 
So many employees were cheering and recording videos; all the guys were looking so handsome! Hajie, Kuya Zach, Blue Ice, Dwayne, Green Dale, Tyler, and Hajie’s dad—he's such a character! They were fully enjoying themselves, and I was too. 
“This is getting heavy; can you hear the bass boom?  
I’m ready; life is sweet like honey.  
Yeah, this beat, cha-ching, like money.  
Disco overload, I’m into that; I’m good to go.  
I’m diamond, you know I glow up; hey, let’s go!” 
The crowd’s cheers grew louder, especially from Harmie and Airish, who were squealing beside me. I felt nearly crushed as they squeezed in next to me. Honestly, there were so many people packing in front of me that I could barely see the stage anymore. Seriously, it was like a wall of heads—I could barely see anything except their hair!
We maneuvered our way to the front, elbowing our way through the throngs of people. 
“MAKE WAY! MOVE ASIDE! IT’S A CELEBRANT! SHE CAN’T SEE THE SHOW!” Harmie shouted, while Airish pushed past the people in front. 
“Cause, ah-ah, I’m in the stars tonight,  
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight.  
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul,  
I’m gonna light it up like dynamite, woah.” 
“AHHHHHHHHH SIR HAJIEEEE, YOU'RE AMAZING!” 
“I HOPE BOY WITH LUV TOO!” 
Oh my gosh! Is this a concert? Are we witnessing BTS 2.0? HAHAHA! Even just the few people cheering along made it feel electric. I noticed Hajie had been watching me for a while, probably admiring my beauty, mwhehehee! 
“Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na, life is dynamite.  
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na, life is dynamite.  
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul,  
I’m gonna light it up like dynamite, woah.” 
Once their performance concluded, they all made their way to the function hall, where I discovered there was a buffet waiting for us.
“Did you like the gift I got you?” Hajie asked as I turned to face him; he was leaning against the doorway of the function hall, hands in pockets.
“So, is that your gift? Did you plan all of that?” I asked in surprise.
“Hmmm, yes! I’m so glad to have made you smile,” he said, raising his eyebrows playfully.
In embarrassment, I lightly punched his arm.
“Oh, by the way, the function hall is for employees only, so let’s get going,” he said, grabbing my hand as he pulled me toward the elevator.
“Where exactly are we supposed to go?” I asked, puzzled.
“SNC,” he responded with a grin.
“SNC?” I furrowed my brow, not understanding.
“Sorry, No Clue,” he chuckled.
“W-What? Sorry, no clue?!” I playfully whacked him on the arm.
“This is how you say thank you? Wow! AMAZING! No, I meant AMAZONA!” he teased sarcastically.
“SNC means SECRET NO CLUE! TSK!” I laughed, and he joined in the amusement.
“I know, I just wanted to annoy you,” I replied, rolling my eyes at him as I silenced myself.
*Ding!*
“We’re here,” he announced joyfully as we exited the elevator.
To my surprise, two fabulous makeup artists greeted me at the door; I recognized one as a makeup artist and the other must be a designer. 
“Is this the one, Sir Hajie?” asked the plump makeup artist with a smile.
Hajie nodded and tapped me on the shoulder, implying that I should follow the two makeup gurus.
“Oh, darling, don’t worry! A light makeup will do, because you are—”
“I’m beautiful!” I chimed in, finishing her sentence, and we all burst into laughter.
“Yes! You’re beautiful indeed!” the other complimented with a bright smile.
They quickly got to work on my makeup and dressed me in a stunning red long-sleeve dress with a wide back. They also slipped on a pair of red stiletto heels that added flair to my outfit.
“So the celebrant is here! Let’s welcome, MISS RENLYN CALACHUCHI!” The guests erupted into applause.
I was shocked as Hajie escorted me onto the rooftop. I had no words, just a smile stretched across my face. I was incredibly thankful for his thoughtful gift, and I began to wonder what I could give him in return to express my gratitude without feeling shy.
After the 18 roses were done, they began with the 18 candles, and wait—there’s more! 18 BLUE BILLS! YIPEEE!
I was thrilled, and we had a little gathering as I settled beside Harmie after grabbing some food.
“Happy birthday, frennyyyy!” Harmie and Airish both exclaimed while kissing my cheeks.
“Thank you, frenny!” I replied, wrapping an arm around both of them.
“OWYEAH! OWYEAH! GUYS, FOR NOW, ENJOY YOUR FOOD WHILE THESE TWO FABULOUS PEOPLE WILL PLAY A GAME CALLED ‘AMOYIN MO HININGA MO’—” the MC announced, causing laughter to ripple across the audience.
“YEAH! THAT’S RIGHT, PARNER! THE MECHANICS ARE SIMPLE; YOU’LL JUST SAY ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY RENLYN’ WHILE YOUR TWO PALMS ARE IN FRONT OF YOUR MOUTH,” explained the MC’s sidekick with enthusiasm.
“What’s the prize?” Hajie piped up, curiously.
“The winner will get to dance with the celebrant!” the joyfully talking Kuya MC explained.
“ALRIGHT PARNER! SO WHO ARE OUR PLAYERS?” the MC signaled for Hajie and the others to introduce themselves.
“Ah... *EHEM* I’m Green Dale Sebastian, aspiring professional chef—and if luck isn’t on my side, maybe you can hire me instead!” he declared with a wink at me. 
“AYIIEEEEEE!” the audience yelled, playfully teasing him.
“Shh!” Hajie interjected, snatching the microphone from him. “I’M HAJIE CHION TONACCI, AND I’M HERE TO SAY, ‘RENLYN, I LOVE YOU, I WANT YOU, ALL YOU NEED IS MY LAST NAME!’” His bold declaration made me blush, and a chorus of laughter erupted.
“AYIEEEE!!!” the crowd went crazy, cheering louder.
“MANOK KO ‘YAN WUHOOO!” shouted Harmie, laughing along with the guests.
Manok? What is this, a cockfight? 
*BANG!! BANG!!* 
As the joyful chaos unfolded, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of excitement, coupled with a rush of love and joy that filled the evening. It was clear that this birthday celebration would be one for the books!