Just as Diana was about to enter the library, she heard a loud "Surprise!" behind her. She turned around to see Charles, along with the rest of the staff and some familiar faces, standing in the hallway with big smiles on their faces.
Diana's eyes widened in shock as she took in the scene before her. There were balloons, streamers, and a huge banner that read "Happy 28th Birthday Diana!"
She couldn't believe it. She had thought that no one had remembered her birthday, but here they all were, waiting to surprise her.
Charles stepped forward, a large cake in his hands. "We didn't forget, Diana," he said with a smile. "We were just waiting for the perfect moment to surprise you."
Diana felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at the people around her. They had all come together to make her birthday special, despite everything that had been going on.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As they sang "Happy Birthday" and Charles handed her the cake, Diana felt a sense of joy that she hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, this birthday would be the start of something new and special.
As Diana blew out the candles and took a bite of the cake, she felt a sense of belonging she had never experienced before. She looked around at the smiling faces, feeling grateful for this new family she had found.
But as she scanned the room, her eyes searched for one face in particular - Mark's. She had grown close to him, and his absence was noticeable.
"Where's Mark?" Diana asked Charles, trying to sound casual despite the growing concern in her chest.
Charles's expression faltered for a moment before he replied, "Oh, Mark? He's... uh... not feeling well. He sent his regrets."
Diana's heart sank. She knew that Mark would never miss her birthday, especially not after everything they had been through together.
She tried to brush off the feeling of unease, telling herself that Charles must be telling the truth. But as the celebration continued, Diana couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.
Where was Mark, really? And why was Charles being so evasive about his absence?
Just as Diana was about to press Charles further, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. She turned around to see Mark standing behind her, a warm smile on his face and a small gift box in his hand.
"Happy birthday, Diana," Mark said, his voice low and sincere. "I'm so sorry I'm late. I had to take care of something unexpected."
Diana's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of Mark, feeling a mix of relief and happiness. She had been worried about him, and now here he was, standing in front of her with a gift.
"Thank you, Mark," Diana said, taking the gift from him. "You didn't have to get me anything."
Mark chuckled. "Of course I did. You deserve it. Open it."
Diana unwrapped the gift to reveal a beautiful silver necklace with a small crystal pendant. She gasped in delight, feeling touched by Mark's thoughtful gesture.
"It's beautiful," Diana said, looking up at Mark with gratitude.
Mark smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you like it. I wanted to get you something special."
As Diana hugged Mark, feeling a sense of joy and belonging, she knew that this was where she was meant to be - surrounded by people who cared about her, and with Mark by her side.
With Mark's arrival, the party atmosphere shifted into high gear. Diana's friends and the staff cheered and clapped, happy to see her so happy.
Charles, looking relieved that the tension had been broken, stepped forward to refill drinks and hand out cake. Mark took Diana's hand, leading her to the center of the room, where a small dance floor had been set up.
"Shall we?" Mark asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Diana laughed, feeling carefree for the first time in weeks. "Definitely!"
As the music started, Mark pulled her close, and they swayed to the rhythm, surrounded by cheers and applause. Diana felt like she was floating on air, her heart full of joy.
The rest of the party was a blur of laughter, music, and celebration. Diana blew out the candles on her cake, made wishes, and opened gifts. Mark stayed by her side, his presence a constant source of comfort and happiness.
As the night wore on, the party showed no signs of slowing down. Diana's friends and the staff danced, sang, and told stories, creating memories that would last a lifetime.
In the midst of all the chaos, Diana leaned over to Mark and whispered, "This has been the best birthday ever. Thank you!"
Mark smiled, his eyes shining with warmth. "Anything for you, Diana. You deserve it."
Mark's expression changed in an instant, his smile fading into a look of concern. He excused himself from Diana and made his way through the crowd, his phone pressed to his ear.
"Sorry, I have to take this," he said to Charles, who nodded understandingly.
Diana watched as Mark disappeared into the hallway, wondering who could be calling him at this hour. She tried to brush it off and continue celebrating, but her mind kept wandering back to Mark.
A few minutes later, Charles approached her, looking serious. "Diana, I think you should go talk to Mark. He's been on that call for a while, and he looks worried."
Diana's heart skipped a beat as she made her way to Mark's room. She knocked softly on the door, and Mark's voice called out, "Come in."
She entered to find Mark pacing back and forth, his phone still pressed to his ear. He looked up, his eyes locked on hers, and Diana saw a flicker of something there - concern, worry, maybe even fear.
"What's wrong?" Diana asked, feeling a sense of trepidation.
Mark hesitated, then said, "I have to go. Something's come up."
Diana's mind raced as she tried to process what was happening. What could be so important that Mark had to leave in the middle of her birthday party? And who was on the other end of that call?