Living with a secret
The thought of turning eighteen the next day kept me wide awake. It wasn't just the freedom that excited me—it was the choices I'd finally get to make on my own. My parents' gift lingered in my mind, but even that wasn't what truly occupied my thoughts.
As the only daughter of a billionaire, I never lacked anything. My father, a powerful man with three sons and me—the only daughter and heiress—made sure I was well taken care of. My brothers, in their own way, also took their roles seriously, constantly shielding me from any form of romance, especially with their friends.
And then there was my mother—a renowned judge and an advocate for women's rights. She had always been vocal about how much she had longed for a daughter. To her, I was not just her child but a reflection of her work. She wanted me to be free, protected, and not groomed into anything I didn't choose for myself.
At least I had waited this long to turn eighteen. Perhaps that would finally put her mind at ease.
Growing up in my family meant we had strict rules about who could be around us. Our mansion was filled with maids and housekeepers, but only a select few were allowed close to us—especially men. My parents ensured that anyone we interacted with was trustworthy. This made it difficult to have close friendships outside of the carefully chosen circle of fellow billionaire children. Unlike my brothers, who seemed to enjoy their company, I never felt truly connected to them.
But then… there was Larry.
Larry had been a family friend for as long as I could remember. His bond with my father went back years, even before my mother entered the picture. He was the favorite uncle—the one who always knew the perfect gifts to bring us.
I still remember how he was the first to get me a pink Barbie toy, and how he gifted my brothers a PlayStation after promising my parents he'd make sure they didn't overuse it. He wasn't just fun—he was charming, easily the most handsome of all the men my family had ever allowed me to meet.
After his company went bankrupt, he moved into our mansion when I was twelve, taking on the role of our personal driver and trusted confidant. My father believed that if anyone could be trusted with his children, it was Larry.
Now, as I returned from school on the eve of my birthday, I found myself staring at him longer than I should. My two older brothers were already in college, and my youngest brother took the school bus, leaving me alone with Larry on most drives home.
"Larry," I said, my voice testing the waters.
He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. I had always called him Uncle Larry, but today, I deliberately left that part out.
"You know tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday," I added proudly.
Larry shifted his gaze back to the road. "Really? Already?" He muttered something under his breath before adding, "How time flies." Then, in a lighter tone, he asked, "So, how do you want to spend it?"
I hesitated. "I didn't want a party, but since my mom insisted, I agreed to invite only a few classmates, my brothers… and you."
There was a brief silence in the car.
We had history—a moment that neither of us had spoken about since it happened. On my sixteenth birthday, Larry had gifted me a pet, a tiny fluffy Pomeranian I named Cue. In my excitement, I had meant to peck him on the cheek, but instead, my lips had brushed against his.
He had apologized immediately, brushing it off as an accident. I hadn't.
He never brought it up again, but I could feel the shift in the air. And now, as my eighteenth birthday approached, I couldn't help but wonder—was it just an accident for him?
Next morning
"Miss Uriel, your attention is needed in the living room!" a maid called out, pulling me from my deep sleep.
I jolted awake, momentarily disoriented. The sun was already high—I had overslept.
Quickly, I brushed my teeth, took my supplements, and rushed downstairs—only to freeze in shock.
A surprise birthday party.
I hadn't expected one, at least not this early in the morning. My parents had already gathered a few of my cousins and close classmates, with my brothers joining in the celebration.
"Happy 18th birthday!" they all chorused.
I smiled, feeling overwhelmed by the love, but as I scanned the room, I couldn't find Larry.
I brushed off the disappointment.
After singing the birthday song, cutting the cake, and receiving gifts—expensive perfumes, shoes, and luxury watches—my mother called me to her room.
She handed me a small, intricately designed jewelry box. Inside was a delicate, antique necklace.
"This belonged to my mother," she said softly. "It has been passed down through generations. Today, you are an adult, Uriel. Safeguard it well."
I felt my throat tighten as I accepted it.
My father, ever the businessman, followed the tradition by gifting me a brand-new sports car. It was a family custom for the newest adult to own a car. Overjoyed, I threw my arms around him.
But then, the real reason for the early celebration became clear.
My parents had been invited to a three-day wedding celebration of one of my father's colleagues. They had only just discovered the invitation, thanks to my brother, who had accidentally scattered the mail while hiding his semester exam results.
They had to leave immediately.
Since my youngest brother would be at a friend's house, and my older brothers were returning to college, I would be alone.
Well… not completely.
Just as they were about to leave, Larry walked in.
The moment he entered, I sensed him before I even saw him. I could recognize his cologne from miles away.
My mother, clearly surprised, said, "I thought you left already."
Larry gave a small shrug. "That wedding? I had an appointment tomorrow morning, and if I traveled, I wouldn't make it back in time."
My mother hesitated, then said almost absentmindedly, "Well, at least Uriel won't be alone. Keep an eye on her for us, will you?" She added in a near-whisper, "Today is her birthday."
Larry's gaze flickered to me. "She told me yesterday," he said. "But it looks like the party is over."
And just like that, my parents left.
Now, it was just me and Larry.
Later that evening, Larry called me out to the garden. It was an open space—not secluded, but just enough privacy to talk.
"I would have come with your gift earlier," he said, handing me a small box. "I didn't realize the party would be over so soon."
I took the box, my eyes scanning the elegant package. It looked expensive.
As I opened it, a necklace glimmered in the dim light. At the end, an inscription caught my eye: URM.
I raised a brow. "U're Mine?" I teased, looking at him.
Larry chuckled, shaking his head. "Your initials—Uriel Riela Martins."
I smiled, tracing the letters with my fingertips. "I know," I whispered. But it was nice to see him smile at the thought.
And just like that, the air between us shifted again.