Hot Coffee (The Hollens)

Emma's POV

It was only one week until my birthday and, for the first time in my life, I was looking forward to it. Mr. Hollen was throwing me a joint birthday party with his grandma. Double the cake and double the enjoyment.

When we'd gotten back to New York from Miami, he'd brought me to a bakery shop and told the bakers there what cake I would like to have on my "special day". He also said he had some special surprises for me.

Sharon extended her stay so she wouldn't be back until after my birthday, and Mrs. Hollen wouldn't be attending because she had to travel. Mr. Hollen didn't seem to care much about that. He was busy making calls for arrangements on the party.

Halley and I were in the laundry room folding clothes.

"The party is going to be amazing. I know he would go the extra mile for his grandmother, and for you."

"Thanks Halley."

"So are you going to be with him if he breaks up with Sharon?"

"I don't know. I don't want him to just leave her for me because how you get them is how you lose them. What if he leaves me for someone else?"

"That makes sense. But he's a great guy, Emma, and it seems like he cares about you."

"Yeah, but he's engaged!"

"That could easily be broken."

"Okay, now you're sounding just like him."

"Emma, do you know how your life would transform if you married him? He's a billionaire. You wouldn't have to work a day in your life."

"I don't care about that. I don't care about the money. I just care about him, but it hurts."

"I understand, but you better prepare for the wrath of Sharon."

We laughed.

__________

12th. Happy

was my birth date, marked on a piece of paper, along with a note stating they couldn't take care of me anymore. I never look

morning for an outfit and to



walked in in huge numbers. A DJ was playing music outside by the pool, balloons and decorations were everywhere. Caterers

walked in and I greeted her kindly and led her to a seat.

and handed me a small

said as I sat down next to her. "I don't know if you remember me

looked at me

You came over and sat next to me— I was reading a book and you had a newspaper. You forgot it so I ran to give it to you but I was stopped by one of your bodyguards. I still have the newspaper with me."

hand in hers. Her eyes twinkled at me and she nodded her head. "Take care of my grandson,"

people came over to wish

was sitting next to Mr. Hollen's grandmother as two huge cakes were pushed in front of us. The candles indicated our ages; Mr. Hollen lit them. Everyone began to sing "Happy Birthday" and tears of joy came to my eyes. I

cut into the cakes. She gave the first slice to her grandson, though I wanted to give

nice, even the DJ who kept wishing us happy birthday over the microphone. We laughed out when he actually began to sing 'Happy

by the pool chatting with Halley

Mr. Hollen whispered and handed me

you," I said while taking a

anxious to see what he had given me, so I quickly excused myself and ran to my room. I laid the bags on the bed and picked the yellow one first.

he got me

believe my eyes as I held the

pink bag next and unwrapped the gift. My eyes popped out of my

Number 5

and the was worth about

huge picture of Halley, Mr. Hollen and I on the jet to Miami. We were sipping our drinks and I was mid