This diary is written on my new Toshiba laptop. My god ….. it’s so fast. I asked my boss what he want me to do with my old business laptop and he said I can give it to anyone who works in Hotel management because it’s the Hotel’s property. I just need to reassign it to someone else. It’s not hard to guess who got it after I transferred all my files to the new laptop and erased all personal info and data. My Fran, of course. He was very happy. Since I received a lot of gifts; mostly perfumes, fragrances and similar stuff, I offered them to our moms, Lidija and Tina. They all picked one they like. Ivy and I share things (except make up because we are using different ones) and she was thrilled with a pair of ear rings I got from somebody. I let her wear it first.

As promised two entries earlier: The conversation about Prince’s birthday started when B.W. asked me last Sunday when I was at her house:

- Eva ……. It just came to my mind: your husband is having a birthday next Sunday. Does he still don’t celebrate his birthdays?

I confirmed and she answered:

- That’s so sad. He is such a wonderful boy and sweetheart. I will not comment his decision, but I feel I must do something for him. There must be the way we can show our appreciation and love for everything he has done for us. His birthday is the perfect opportunity.

I said that I think the same, but I don’t want to go against his will. She was thinking and thinking and then she said:

- Hey, darling ….. I got it! He likes to grill and to cook. Right? Since we didn’t cock lately I will call him after your promotion party and ask him what he has in plan for this Sunday. If he says he has no plans I would tell him that I would love to cook with him, but in your house because I need a change and I want to spend the day with three of you….. I’m very confident that he we accept it because he never said “No” to me. We won’t tell him anything about calling his best friends to call him and ask him if they may come. Yours and Ivy’s parents will stay after the morning coffee. We will tell to your parents, Antonio, Lidija, Fran, Nick and Adriana to not to buy or bring any gift for him and not to congratulate him a birthday. If they had in plan to buy something for him, they should give that money to Fran who will give it to you later and you will buy something to him.

Me: We will discretely put it into “For the baby” budget box. He isn’t into presents and he would do the same.

B.W.: Excellent idea, my dear …..My plan can fail only if he has something else in plan.

Me: I like your plan B.W. I’m 99% sure he doesn’t have any plans, but I want you to know that I don’t want Ivy and me to be directly involved in it. If he finds it out, he will be very disappointed in us. We already failed him few times.

B.W.: I completely understand you, dear. Here is what we gonna do. We’ll stick to my plan. If he finds out that we gathered because of his birthday, I will take all the blame and consequences. I simply can’t let his birthday go like nothing happened. He is my son and my duty is to love him the best I can and know.

My boss sighed and said:

- I won’t interfere, ladies, but I must say: be careful what are you doing. I don’t want you to hurt boy’s feelings.

B.W. kissed him and told both of us to not to worry.

So, I came home and when had chance to be alone with Ivy, I talked to her about it and she was happy. She said that she believes in B.W.’s plan. After the work in Tuesday, B.W. called him while we were on our beach. My Ivy and I looked at each other hoping that he won’t suspect anything. We were relived hearing him cheerfully saying:

- No, mom, I have no plans for Sunday ………….. Of course, moooom! I will be happy to cook with you but let me check with Eva and Ivy if they have something else in plan.

He asked us if we have some plans for Sunday and what do we think if boss and she comes over in Sunday. We had to pretend we don’t know anything about it and we said we have no plans and would love them to come. They talked little bit more and we heard Prince’s “mmmm”, “OK” and “great idea, mom”. When they finished talking we asked him what they will cook. He said that they will make various cold salads but the seafood salad will be the main meal. He will also fry some sea fish for our dads. He knows to prepared them the way they like.

Everything was all right until yesterday when Lidija asked him if she may come with her boyfriend in Sunday in visit. He told her that they may. But when we were alone during the long break, he said to Ivy and me:

- Something weird is happening …..

Me: What, honey?

Prince: B.W. called me in Tuesday and asked me to cook with her in Sunday. Few hours later Antonio called me and asked me if he may come in visit in Sunday. I said, he may. Nick called me today and asked the same question …. Now, Lidija…… Isn’t it strange that suddenly everyone wants to come in visit in Sunday ……  on my birthday?!

Me: It is strange, honey, but it also can be a coincidence.

(short silence)

Prince: Listen, witches, I want you to be honest with me ……. Did you organize something for my birthday? ……. Just answer with “Yes” or “No”.

Ivy and I looked at him directly into his eyes and we said “No, we didn’t!”

He kissed us saying he believes us. We didn’t lie for it’s true: we didn’t organize his birthday party. B.W. did. Before we returned to our tasks I hugged him and said:

- Honey, it looks to me that you do not trust Ivy and me …..

Prince: I had my doubts because I know you two, but when you said you didn’t, then, you didn’t. That’s sufficient to me.

Ivy: What would you do if we did?

Prince: Nothing ….. I will cook with B.W. because I promised I will and because I respect her and love her ….. I will stay with our guests too, but, I will not trust you two anymore.

Me: Even if we did it out of love?

Prince: Honey, again …. I’m trying hard to live according to the principle: “It’s not important what I want and makes me happy, but what you want and makes you happy.” Celebrating my birthday doesn’t make me happy and you know why …… I wish you’d do the same, but if you can’t, I still love you and I always will. That will never change.

He kissed me and he left. My Ivy kissed me too and she went after him. I felt guilty. I didn’t lie to him but I participated in “conspiracy”. It is very true: my Prince tries hard to live according to his principles and it will hurt him if he finds out that Ivy and me knew about it and we supported B.W.’s plan and hiding it from him. I haven’t had a peace in my heart and I called her. I told her what just happened and how I feel. She calmed me saying that I shouldn’t feel guilty because I didn’t do anything. She said that if it will make me feel better, she will talk to him in Sunday and tell him the truth: that it was all her idea, but she will keep my Ivy and me out of it. I thanked her and told her that it will be the best if she confesses him.

I wondered again what makes my Prince so “stubborn”, so tighten to his principles? There is nothing wrong in organizing birthday party for your loved one. But, my Prince has his reasons. Whatever he does and say, it always has some deeper reason and background. Re-analyzing him, his way of living, his reactions I learned AGAIN that the he will stand against the whole world if it is needed. He is not without shortcomings and I’m not saying that he’s never wrong, but unlike many people I know who would rather deny own beliefs if it will jeopardize their security and reputation, he lives on firm foundation of personal beliefs, reasons and arguments. He follows his heart and reason caring less for reputation if he thinks he is doing the right thing. Certain things mean to him a lot no matter how unreasonable they look and sound to others. I just hoped that facing with the truth in Sunday morning won’t negatively impact his relationship with B.W.

The heat wave, the worst in the history of our city impacted all of us. There were more tensions and quarrels between our workers in some departments. Mostly between season workers. Fortunately for all, my Prince and Ivy solved them without the need for physical power usage. Some people got serious verbal warning and some were financially disciplined. My boss put a new sign on the door of our office and he added my new title Msc: Eva XXX. He was sooo cute having a big smile on his face and being proud at me. He treated my achievements as his own and my Prince and I are his two biggest projects in his carrier. He is satisfied that he is going to the early retirement with pride. He told me that. I don’t “feel” anything special about being “Msc”. It’s just a title that speaks to business world who I am. It doesn’t make me better person. But, my Prince and Ivy does. Living for them and our future children is what melts my heart. Titles? Not, at all.