"Of course, if you really don't have time, I'm not going to force you.”

Picturing Holden celebrating his birthday alone, Ariana thought it was so pitiful.

She couldn't help but think of what Jennifer had said before. Holden hadn't had friends since he was a child. Perhaps he had never celebrated his birthday.

Her heart softened at this thought and she gave him a short reply, "Okay, I'll go.”

Now she had to prepare a gift for him. She couldn't afford to get him an expensive gift. It became a real dilemma what she should get for him.