The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 971 Birthday Party

The day had finally arrived. It was Helin's birthday. It was a big event and Sheryl got up early at her usual time. She got ready and drove straight to the hotel where Helin's birthday party was to be held. After she handed over her car to the valet for getting it parked, she arrived at the hall where the birthday party was supposed to be held. She walked through the lobby to supervise the staff, checking the sitting arrangements, floral decorations, and the food. After discussing the on-site layout with the staff, she picked up her phone to make sure that the emcee was reaching the venue on time.

Around 9:00 am, Helin came to the hotel as well. She entered the immaculately done up party hall. She looked around with amazement and could not help but appreciate the flawless arrangement made by Sheryl. Sheryl was standing right there marking the satisfaction on Helin's face. Soon, their eyes met and they exchanged a formal smile. Sheryl came forward and ushered her inside the hall.

As they walked further inside the hall, Helin marveled at the hall and thought to herself, 'I love the design. I am sure my guests will be impressed as well.' Although she was upset with Sheryl for refusing to help her, she could not stop herself from appreciating Sheryl's efforts to put together a marvelous design for her birthday.

"Miss He, the work is almost done. What do you think of the design? Please let me know if you have any other requirement," Sheryl addressed politely, as she came forward and stopped in front of Helin. Helin maintained a straight face and replied blandly without looking at Sheryl, "Not bad."

Sheryl heaved a sigh of relief.

"Keep an eye on them. I got to go," Helin instructed, taking a quick look at Sheryl.

Helin's next destination was the beauty salon. She had made an appointment for a party make up at one of the finest salons in the city. She turned her wrist to check the time on her wristwatch and thought, 'I need to hurry up.'

Sheryl glanced at Helin, and replied, "Yes, I will."

Helin patted Sheryl's shoulder and said, "I will give you a handsome reward for this." Sheryl felt awkward as she followed Helin's hand with her eyes as it came on her shoulder and then Helin took it away from her.

Helin maintained a nonchalant expression unmoved by Sheryl's reaction as she spoke and took her leave from the party venue. She already regarded Sheryl as her subordinate, it seemed.

Sheryl got irked but ignored her arrogant attitude. As Helin left, Sheryl went out and bought some beverages and fruits for the workers. It was a hot day after all and the workers had been sweating it out to make the perfect arrangement.

Sheryl handed over the drinks personally to each worker who looked up at her with regard and gratefulness. Enthused and energetic, they went back to the work with renewed vigor.

It was not before four in the afternoon that the hall was completely ready for the guests. The lobby was spotless. The carpet spread out, the flowers clustered in a beautiful arrangement, the tables, and the seats arranged meticulously. The hall was finally ready for the guests to walk in. Knowing that Helin attached much importance to this party, Sheryl had invited the famous chefs to prepare the food. Sheryl checked the food and made sure that it presented in a buffet arrangement by 5:30 pm. After going through the entire checklist one by one, Sheryl let out a sigh of relief. Sheryl was in a pink hooded tracksuit. After everything was in place, she went to the washroom to freshen up. By the time she returned to the hall, Helin had already appeared.

With sophisticated make-up, Helin looked radiant in her party look. From her expression, Sheryl knew that Helin was pleased with the site layout. She went towards the stage and took a seat nearby. Very soon, the guests started to walk in. Helin greeted them with a brilliant smile but kept looking towards the entry door from time to time. There was an impatient look on her face and it was apparent that she was waiting for someone.

Sheryl observed Helin as she moved around greeting the guests. The restlessness in Helin's demeanor did not evade her eyes. Sheryl knew that Helin was waiting for Roger.

As time passed by, Helin grew more and more impatient. And slowly, it had started to show on her face. The party was scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm. But since the one she was dying to see didn't appear as yet, she didn't start the party even when it was 7:00. Slowly a mark of gloominess started to surface on her pretty face. No matter how much flattery she received from the guests, she couldn't cheer up.

Marking the sulky expression on Helin's face, even Heron got disturbed. He scowled and pulled Helin aside to a quiet corner and scolded, "What's your problem? So many guests are watching you. Besides, there are so many news reporters among the invitees. And look at yourself. What if they make up stories?"

Helin furrowed her brows and lowered her eyes but remained silent breathing heavily. Her silence enraged her father. He snapped at her, "Talk to me. What are you doing? Why do you have such a long face?" "Dad, have you met Roger recently?" Helin asked as she looked up at her father with a solemn face.

"What are you talking about?" Heron scowled at her for bringing Roger up. "So you look unhappy because of Roger?" he asked. Helin looked at Heron's face and blinked her eyes for a couple of times. She really had to muster a lot of courage to talk about Roger in front of Heron.

"Dad, I really like him," Helin said decidedly as she stared straight into his eyes. Heron's eyes were burning with fury as he narrowed his eyes and fixed his stare at Helin. Helin swallowed and continued, "Whether you agree or not, I will not marry anyone else other than Roger in my lifetime."

"Are you out of your mind?" Heron blurted furiously. Helin's face was ashen as she found herself at the receiving end of Heron's fury. "Do you even know what you are talking about? What's so good about Roger that you are so obsessed with him?"

He glowered at Helin and warned, "I don't know what you are up to. But it is my sincere advice as a father that you should give up that crazy thought. No matter what you do, I will not let you get married to him."

"Dad!" Helin raised her voice as she looked up at her father. "I don't know why you dislike Roger so much. But I am telling you that you have no right to decide who I should be in love with. I will not let you use me as a pawn for your commercial benefits. I will choose the one I love and get married to him. If I replace you interfering in my love life, I will not spare you. Do you hear me?"

"You..." Heron was too angry to utter another word. Father and daughter turned their face away from each other for a moment. As Heron regained his composure, he said adamantly, "Good. Since you have expressed your own stance, I will let you know mine. You can date anyone you like but Roger. Do I make it clear to you?"

Noticing that the two were in a fierce fight, Sheryl approached them and stopped before Helin. She said courteously, "Miss He, it's almost time for the party to begin. I was wondering if we should make the announcement to start the party."

Sheryl's arrival interrupted their heated argument. Helin cast a glance at the entry door and curved her lips into a bitter smile.

Her face went pale and her eyes went blank as she could not see Roger walk into the party as yet. Her heartbreak could very well be noticed on her face.

Heron was completely nonchalant towards Helin's feeling. He cast a stern glance at her and said, "I have let you do whatever you want since your childhood. But I will not make any concessions this time. If you dare to do anything against my wishes, don't blame me for hurting your love."

Heron then turned around and walked away. Helin kept staring at him from his back seething with anger.

Sheryl reminded Helin, "Miss He, it's 7:00. I don't think there is any hope for him to come to the party. The guests are waiting for you to start the party."

"I see," Helin responded impassively. Helin looked away from Sheryl as she was still upset with her. 'Would Roger have been here if she had agreed to do me the favor?' she wondered.

"Okay then, start the party," Helin said sounding utterly depressed as she cast an expectant look once again towards the entrance of the hall.

Sheryl summoned the emcee to give her speech.

"Here we embrace the prosperous midsummer as we gather together to celebrate Miss Helin He's birthday party. First of all, please allow me to share my sincere gratitude to all the esteemed guests on behalf of Miss He!" As the emcee's bewitching voice echoed through the hall, a round of heated applause broke out among the crowd. "Now, let us welcome our birthday girl..."

She repeated it several times but Helin sat still as if she heard nothing. She was distracted. Heron's face darkened with fury. Sheryl strode ahead to Helin and whispered to her, "It's your turn, Miss He." Sheryl's reminder broke her reverie. Helin hurried to the stage and walked to the emcee's side. She took the microphone and addressed the guests with a smile-a smile that failed to reach her eyes.