Tiffany Hwang's POV

"Happy birthday, Signora." I smiled at my trusted secretary for years. "For you, I hope you like it."

"Oh, thank you, Gina." I took the offered paper bag in her hands before I went to my office. Goodness, I just turned twenty-nine today. By these past few weeks I felt that I am older than my age.

I sighed as I tuck away my secretary's gift. I have tons of work to be done. I looked at the new folder in my desk as my ever efficient secretary must have put it in here. I clicked the folder. I have new client that wanted me to teach his daughter how to act in society. His daughter will have his debutante party in few months for no.

I sat back from my chair and think for a moment when my mobile phone sounded. I took it out from my bag and smiled when I saw the caller. "Boungiorno, Jessica."

"Happy birthday, Tiffany!" she sand merrily on the other line.

I laughed at her cheerful manner. She's one of my dearest friends I've only met her over a year ago but for me it feels like we've known each other over a years. I am so touched that she remembered my birthday.

"Any plans later, dear?" Jessica asked offhandedly.

"I have a tons of work, Duchess." I said with a rueful smile looking at the mountains of paper in my table.

"Are you at office now? Can I drop by?"

Although I am so busy today. I always have time for her. "Sure, what time do you think you will arrive here?"

"Actually," Jessica said with laughter in her voice. "I am at the door of your office."

Before I could comprehend what she said the door of my office opened and the very beautiful Duchess entered my office.

"Surprise!" Jessica said with a paper bag in her hands. "Happy birthday!"

"Oh…" I am so speechless by this unexpected visit from my friend. I stood up from my chair and hugged her warmly. "Thank you for visiting me, Your Excellency. My eyes were misty now. The aged of twenty-nine makes me emotional, Jessica."

"Twenty-nine is just a number." Jessica said with laughter in her rich violet eyes. "You still look pretty, Tiffany."

I laughed wholeheartedly. "You do know to make me feel better, Jessica."

"I learned it from you." She said gratefully. "You taught me how to feel better and believed in myself over a year ago when I was still the wallflower heiress who dreads the society."

"That's all because of you, Jessica." I told her truthfully, smiling at the woman who overcomes so much pain in her twenty-six years. From the betrayals of the people she trusted most, to meeting the powerful Duke and falling in love with him and now starting a happy life with Sooyoung.

"Enough with this drama, Tiffany." Tiffany laughed while wiping her wet eyes. "This is supposed the happiest day for you. No drama."

I joined her laughter. "Yes." I agreed. "You were right, Jessica."

"For you." She said with a grinned as she presented the paper bag she'd been holding. "I hope you like it."

I took the paper bag and muttered. "Oh, thank you. But you must not bother to buy anything for me, Jessica."

"Pshh…" she waved her hand as if my protest wasn't important.

"I wonder what this is."

Jessica surprised me when she wiggled her eyebrow evilly. "Open it once you are at home. Trust me, you will like it."

"Why do I have a feeling that it is one of a kind gift to me?" I asked curiously at the posh paper bag/

"It is!"

I have a strange feeling about her gift, but I ignored it. "How's the twin?" I asked, changing the subject. "Did you finally decide to take a nanny for them?"

Jessica shook her head. "Nope, only part time one, Sooyoung persuade me to get one even only as part time nany."

"Sooyoung is right, Jessica. You can't take good care of the twins on your own while running your family's hotel empire."

"You have no idea." She said ruefully. But I could see the blissfulness in her eyes. "There are times that I just want to take them with me at the Rostov Hotel."

But before I could reply her mobile phone rang. "Excuse me, Tiffany. Hello? Oh—alright I'm coming." She smiled regretfully in m direction. "As much as I like to chat with you more the nanny just called the twins refused to settle. They got their father's temper."

"That must be it." I agreed with a laughed. "Go now, Jessica."

"Yes." She hugged once again before leaving my office. "I hope you like my gift."

The rest of day went uneventful. Even Taeyeon didn't bother me today. Was he busy with the Kim Industries? Even if, I told myself that is more better that he will leave me in peace. Part of me—okay, a huge part of me wished he just made a single phone call to me on my birthday. But I guessed he didn't even know that my birthday today.

At exactly 5 p.m. I left my office. I want to rest today enough of work for now. I as a woman needs to rest even once on her special day.

I am in the lobby of the building when I saw a familiar figure outside the glass door. My leaped considerably in my chest.

He's here!

As much as I want to tame the happiness that bubbled inside me I can't dampened it.

"Tae—"

"Get in." He said as soon as he saw me with his signature rudeness.

"Where are we going?"

He permitted himself to smile a little. "It's surprised."

I knew from experience not to question further because it will only lead to futile try. So I slid to his Bugatti a little reluctantly but my heart dance with happiness.

After half an hour in the road we finally pulled in front of the one of expensive restaurant in Rome. After he tossed the key to the waiting valet he gripped my hand and led me inside.

"What?" Taeyeon asked when I stopped from my track.

"I don't think they are open tonight, Taeyeon."

He frowned at me. His intense eyes focused in me that made me nervous like a teenager. "What makes you say that?'

"No other customer were present." I whispered to him.

"Simple." He said casually as if it wasn't that important news for to him. "I have the whole place rented."

"You did what?" I gasped at him in astonishment. I think I didn't hear him right.

He threw me a heart-melting grinned as he continued to walk further inside the room. "It's your birthday I don't want nuisance tonight."

He did know my birthday, after all. The waiter approached us with such smile on his face.

"Signore Kim." He said with much enthusiasm. "This way, please."

He led us to the beautifully arranged candlelight table. The whole lace was dimed that gives effect to the table for us.

I slid in the chair waiter pulled at me with the shock still place in my face while looking at Kim Taeyeon.

We gave our order first before Taeyeon finally spoke. "Happy birthday." He said pulling something in his jacket pocket. "For you."

I took the square red velvet box he presented. I gasped when I saw what's inside it. It's a Cartier love bracelet.

He took the gold love bracelet from its nest and placed it on my wrist. He screwed it until it fits my wrist perfectly.

"You'll wear it everywhere." He announced arrogantly. "I will keep this key. Don't bother to ask new key for that bracelet. That is a custom made only this key can unlock that."

"Why do you need to do that?" I asked slightly frowned at his direction.

"So it gives people message."

"What message?"

He smirked like he's enjoying a joke in my benefit. "That's a secret, Tiffany."

I stared at this man in front of me and glancing at my new handcuff. I am in trouble I think my heart is already halfway from falling for him. No. I need to do something before this…