A/N: I am really grateful to all the Readers for reading, following and marking this story as their favorites. I would also like to mention, mlivingston1432, hodhod2011danger, the anonymous reviewer, Shirahane Aikawa and Orel Havi, for reviewing the last chapter. I am extremely thankful to all of you for showing your love and support for this story. Thank You!

Chapter 10

(Kate's POV)

I took out the chocolate cake that I had baked for Leon's birthday. I had set it in the refrigerator for a bit, so its frosting could set. Claire and I couldn't really decide on what I could get him, so she suggested it would be great if I could make him something with a personal touch, and since a birthday is incomplete without a cake we thought it would be good idea if I baked him a cake. So we just bought the ingredients and I woke up early to bake him a cake in time. Of course I could have baked it yesterday evening or last night but it would have really ruined the surprise, so we just decided that Claire would take care of Leon's alarm clock which would make him sleep in, thereby giving me enough time to bake a cake, given I wake up just a little early to do it.

I set the cake on the counter, and hoped that it tasted as good as it looked. Although Claire had known Leon for years but she still didn't know his preference for cakes. I was even doubtful if he likes sweet things like a cake. Taking in consideration that he might not be fond of sweet things, I had baked him a dark chocolate cake, so that the little bitterness of dark chocolate balances the sweetness. But still I felt a little anxious and really hoped that it wasn't too sweet for him; ruining his birthday would be the last thing I want.

"Looks great!", I turned back to see Claire smiling at me, "It must have taken a lot of time."
"Not really", I shook my head, "Do you really think he'd like it?", I asked her, feeling slightly nervous.
"Well don't worry, if he doesn't likes it, then I'll personally finish this cake before I go", she said with determination, looking at the cake.
I couldn't help but laugh a little, "By the way do you think he would be up by now?", I asked her.
"Yeah", Claire replied and looked at Shadow, who was on his bed in the kitchen, "I trusted Shadow to wake him up for him, so he's not late for work", she smiled at him and he barked in agreement, "I'll go get him! I can't wait to eat this cake", she said and hurried out of the kitchen.

(Leon's POV)

I hurried a little through my morning drill. My alarm clock didn't wake me up today and I missed my morning jog, and barely woke up in time to get ready for work. And if it wasn't for Shadow, I would have definitely been asleep still now. I was really glad that he woke me up, otherwise I would have been late for work or in worst case scenario missed it.

I buttoned up my shirt, put on my holster and pocketed my stuff, when somebody banged at my room door. I knew it was Claire because Kate knocked politely and did not try to beat down the door. Maybe they too were wondering why I wasn't up yet and Claire came to check on me as well. I moved up to the door and pulled it open.

"Good morning, Claire!", I wished her smiling.
"Good morning!", she smiled brightly at me, and I stepped out of my room.
"What brings you to my room?", I couldn't help but ask, as we descended the stairs.
"Well you weren't up so I was just checking", she told me with a wide smile.
"My alarm clock didn't ring today", I told her in a casual tone.
"Oh", she said in realization and continued to smile.

"Something good happened today?", I couldn't help but ask seeing that unfaltering smile on her face.
"Yeah!", she said with an enthusiastic nod.
"What?", I asked her, as we made our into the kitchen.
"You'll know, have patience", she smiled patting my shoulder and looked ahead.

I followed her gaze as we both entered the kitchen and spotted Lauren smiling widely at me. Again, I was surprised to see her early in the morning and before I could ask anything, she moved close and kissed me. I expected the kiss to be brief peck on the lips that usually served as a greeting, but it went on a little longer than that. Lauren pulled away from the kiss only when she ran out of breath, and smiled widely at me.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart!", Lauren wished me and kissed me once again, briefly though. I quickly recalled the date and yeah it was my birthday. I had really forgotten my own birthday, "Look I got you a cake!", Lauren dragged me to the chocolate cake that was sitting on the counter.
"Thanks!", I couldn't help but say smiling at her and slightly taken aback.
"Happy birthday, Leon!", Kate wished me with a smile.
"Happy birthday, Leon!", Claire wished me with a warm hug but her smile seemed a little dimmed now, possibly because of Lauren's presence.

"Am I late?!", John said making a dramatic entry.
"Yeah very!", Claire said in a strict tone, almost a glaring at him.
"Happy birthday, buddy", he wished me with a brotherly hug.
"Thanks", I thanked them all collectively, looking from one smiling face to another. I wasn't really expecting this, hell I didn't even remember it was my birthday, but these guys did and they had really surprised me. I really felt very blessed to have these people in my life.

"Let's cut the cake now", Lauren said tugging on my arm and I looked at the cake from her.
"Here!", Kate handed me a knife.

I cut the cake and they all sang the birthday song for me, with John singing it more enthusiastically than anyone else. It was sort of embarrassing to be treated like this, but still it felt nice to have them around on my birthday. I cut out a piece and fed it to Lauren. She kissed me once again and wished me once more making me eat a small piece of cake as well.

"The cake's really great!", I couldn't help but say.
"I want to have some too", John said looking at the cake hungrily.
Kate cut the cake and served it to us properly, "Wow it's really great!", John said the moment he tasted it.
"It sorts of melts in your mouth", Claire said enjoying a big piece of cake all to herself.
"Yeah, best chocolate cake I had in years", I said as Kate served me and Lauren a piece of cake as well, "Thanks!", I thanked her with a smile, which she mirrored.
"I took extra care to make it just for you!", Lauren said very lovingly, "It had to be special because it was just for you, my baby."
"Thank you!", I replied with a smile.

"Oh before I forget", John said and handed his present to me.
"Thanks John!", I said once again unwrapping his gift which turned out to be a bottle of expensive wine of the finest brand.
"Here's my gift", Claire said sliding a square box towards me, "I hope you like it!", she added as I unwrapped it.
"I loved it", I told her retrieving the watch from its case. I removed the one I was wearing and put it on immediately, "How does it look?", I asked her.
"Superb", she said with a smile.

After we had a bit of cake, Kate served us proper breakfast. We chatted normally through the breakfast trying to make a plan, about my birthday party. And since today it was impossible because of the busyness of my schedule, we fixed it for the next day. It would serve both as my birthday party, as well as, a see off party for Claire. After we finished our breakfast, John, Lauren and I headed out to get to our work. Usually John and I head to work together in either my car or his, but since I had to drop Lauren to her work, so we took our cars separately.

"You liked the surprise?", Lauren asked me with a smile, a little while into the drive.
"Yeah, I did", I affirmed it with a nod.
"And you really liked the cake?", she asked me again.
"Yes", I told her with a nod and a smile.
"I am glad you did. To be honest I was a little afraid that you wouldn't like it because it wasn't as pricey as your friends' presents", she said to me looking ahead.
"Well sentiments matter more than the price", I told her the truth, "And even though their gifts were pricey I don't think they were thinking about the price tags when they were buying it."
"Yeah right!", Lauren said in a sarcastic tone but I didn't contest it.

My girlfriend saw my friends in a different light, and to be more precise, in a very wrong and negative light. But I couldn't really change her perception no matter what I say. I had already accepted the fact that she won't ever see my friends for what they really were, and I wasn't really bothered about it either. It's a free country, everybody has their own perceptions and opinions, and it wasn't like I was agreeing with everything my girlfriend said. So, it would be basically hypocritical for me to think she'd share my views and beliefs.

I was busy concentrating on the road, when I heard Lauren's almost muted curse, and I looked at her briefly. She seemed a little bit troubled, "Any problem?", I asked her stopping at a red light.
"Well I was doing calculations of my bills and guess what?", she turned to look at me and gave me a displeased look.
"What?", I asked her puzzled.
"My paycheck's is not enough", she whined calculating something on her phone once again, "And I kind of spent all my money but this month's rent is still due, and that landlord's been breathing fire on my neck." I couldn't help but laugh, "Don't laugh I'm serious here! I really need money!"
"Well how about I pay the rent this time?", I suggested.
"Oh you would", she said and I gave her a nod, "You're the best boyfriend ever!", she hugged me as the lights turned green and other drivers honked at us. She settled back in her seat as I drove it to our destination, "It's 1500$, you can give it to me. I know you're busy to settle this on your own."

"Well I don't have it on cash now and I'm not carrying my checkbook either, but I'll give it you when we meet for coffee later today", I told her stopping in front of the bank, where she works.
"Don't forget it alright?", she said getting out of the car, "My landlord just gave me an extension till today."
"I won't", I assured her with a smile.
"Okay so see you then", she smiled at me closing the car door.
"Yeah!", I said with a nod.

I smiled as I watched Lauren walk inside her office building. Today, for some reason, I felt very different about her. I let out a sigh and shook my head to get rid of those thoughts and feelings. It was no time to think about Lauren, because I was already running a little late. I turned the keys in the ignition to start the car, pushed the gas pedal and drove full speed ahead to my work.

(Kate's POV)

I scrubbed the dishes and couldn't help but feel a little upset. I let out a sigh washing the last cup under the tap. I dried those cups and plates with a bunch of random thoughts on my mind, which I couldn't just seem to shake off. I felt someone was watching me and I turned to see, Claire was sort of glaring me over her coffee mug. She really looked pissed and had been giving me the silent treatment since the time others left for their work and it was really kind of bothering me now.

"What?!", I couldn't help but ask her but she didn't reply, "Claire, will you please tell me why you're mad at me?", I asked her more clearly.
"What were you thinking?", Claire finally spoke, setting her coffee mug down, after like 20 minutes of shooting angry looks at me. I knew what she was asking but I didn't know how to explain it to her, "You let her take all the credit. How could you do that?"
"Oh well", I began with a sigh, "You see, she forgot that it was Leon's birthday today."
"Your point?", Claire asked impatiently.
"Well if Leon came to know that she forgot his birthday then…", I was explaining.
"Then he might have seen her real face and might have broken up with her", she said cutting in between.
"He really loves her and he would have been really, really hurt!", I gave her my point, "He already has enough pain in his life and I didn't want the pain of a breakup to be added to that", I took her cup to the sink to wash.

"You do love him, don't you?", I almost dropped the cup, as Claire spoke these words.
"No, no, no… absolutely no!", I replied turning to look at her and she began to laugh, "I don't… I don't… no… no… I can't really…", I repeated it more to myself nervously.
"Why can't you love him?", Claire asked me puzzled, once her laughs died down.
"Because he's my boss!", I reminded her and she gave me a weird look, as if I had said something really, really stupid, "And he already has a girlfriend, who he loves very much", I added feeling a little sad about the subject.
"I hate to break it to you but you're already in love with him", she said in a matter-of-fact tone, "You can deny it all you want but you know it's the truth, don't you?"

I really didn't want to be in this situation and I was really avoiding this subject, but what Claire was saying was true. I was already in love with Leon and I didn't even know since when, but I didn't want it to be this way. I leaned against the counters feeling distressed and a little frustrated as well. I had to no clue how to deal with these feelings, and my reason and my feelings were always at a constant conflict. Sometimes it felt really great to be in love with Leon, while other times it just felt like a big mistake.

"What am I going to do?", I muttered to no one in particular.
"Just tell him!", Claire said to me with a smile, "He's pretty dense when it comes to women and love, so if you don't tell him he won't know."
"And he doesn't need to know", I said to her trying to regain my composure.
"Why?", Claire asked me puzzled, as I moved to wash her cup as well.

"I already told you, he has girlfriend and me confessing my feelings would just complicate things more", I told her starting to wash her cup, "I know he can't return my feelings and if I tell him I love him, it would just make things super awkward between us", I couldn't help but let out a laugh, "I don't want to come in between him and Lauren. He loves her very much and I don't want to cause him any trouble. He's a really nice guy and he deserves much more happiness than what he lives with everyday", I felt my tears run down my cheeks.
"Exactly, he deserves you!", Claire said and I turned to face her drying my tears.
"I am glad you think that, but he doesn't want me", I told her shaking my head and again tears streamed down my face, "Or love me."

"Urgh… if only he wasn't so dense", Claire said in frustration, slamming a fist on the counter.
"I am happy with this setup", I told her trying to smile sincerely.
"Yeah right!", she said sarcastically, "Kate…", she began.
"Please, Claire, let's just end it here. There's no point in this discussion", I told her starting to move out of the kitchen, to attend to my other work.

Claire followed me around telling me all the pros of dating Leon and trying to convince me that I was better suited to him than his current girlfriend, as I cleaned the house and tidied Leon's bedroom. I listened to whatever she had to say, but I was more than determined to not disrupt Leon's love life. It would not only be selfish but also highly inconsiderate on my part. It was better to leave things as they were, because eventually I would grow out of this feeling, or so I hoped.

A/N: Thanks for once again taking time to read the story. If you had trouble understanding the context due to my grammar or typos, then I am extremely regretful about it. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please, feel free to leave your comments and let me know about it.

I also want to request you check out my collaborative piece, Undercover, which I wrote with my dear friend, Shirahane Aikawa. It's more of mainstream story starring Leon, so please give it a read and let us know where it stands.