Loyal Always shows up for family and friends, no matter what. Their glasses chinked in a ‘cheers.’ The dining table, which at the beginning of the night had been laid with a white tablecloth, a tall red-lit candle in the centre, and fine dining ware, now bore the happy signs of a family well-fed and wellloved — empty plates with remnants of chicken marsala, and dessert bowls with faint traces of sweetness. In the background, Kojo Antwi’s Akonoba played softly, its familiar melody wrapping the evening in warmth. Nights like this were a reminder of what mattered most to Ellis. Weekends, for him, were sacred — filled with watching Arsenal matches and Netflix movies, trying his hand at new recipes, and lingering over meals that turned into hours of laughter and conversation. To Ellis, family — and friends who became family — wasn’t just important; it was everything. He carved out time, created space, and never let work overshadow love. He always showed up — emotionally, physically, financially — in all the ways that truly mattered. As the music played on, Ellis’s hand slid under the table to find Asor’s, his fingers warm as they laced through hers. His eyes caught hers, glinting with that familiar, mischievous spark. “Dinner was perfect,” he murmured, leaning in close, his voice dropping to a low tease. “But I think… dessert is still waiting.” 4 The Birthday Journal LOYA L
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