Morning broke over Kinshasa, bathing the hotel in golden light.
Dylan stretched lazily in bed, unaware that today would be unlike any other.
He thought it would be just another ordinary day: rehearsals, preparations for upcoming concerts, discussions with Diego... He had no idea that something extraordinary was waiting for him.
Meanwhile, Diego had been busy since dawn. He was coordinating the final details of the surprise he had been planning for weeks.
Everything had to be perfect. Today was special: Dylan was celebrating a crucial birthday, his first since the beginning of their rise to fame.
**
In a large, privately reserved banquet hall, carefully decorated, a huge banner floated from the ceiling:
"Happy Birthday Dylan!"
Tables were piled high with lavish gifts, silver balloons floated everywhere, and an orchestra was quietly preparing to play.
At the center of the stage, three closed chests waited. Inside, Diego had hidden his gifts: a deed for a prestigious villa in London, two luxury cars, and finally, an incredible check.
A check that read, in golden letters:
"Nine hundred billion dollars."
Diego had never organized such a grand surprise before.
He wanted to show Dylan how much he meant to him... and to strengthen their bond.
**
Around noon, Diego sent for Dylan.
— "Dress up nicely," he said with a mysterious smile. "We have a little important meeting."
Dylan, intrigued, put on an elegant black suit and followed Diego without asking too many questions.
They walked through the hotel corridors, took the elevator down...
Then Diego swung open a pair of double doors wide.
— "SURPRISE!"
An explosion of cheers, music, and confetti overwhelmed Dylan.
He froze, completely stunned.
All around him were dozens of smiling faces: musicians, dancers, collaborators, technicians... everyone who had crossed his path since the beginning of his journey.
In the front row, Ryder, Daniella, and Andréa stood, also amazed.
They didn't really understand what was happening.
**
Diego stepped onto the stage with a microphone.
— "Today, we celebrate someone exceptional," he announced loudly.
— "An incredible artist. A brother. Dylan, happy birthday!"
A thunder of applause erupted.
Dylan blinked, caught off guard.
His birthday...
How had they known?
**
Diego motioned for the three chests to be brought out.
With a big smile, he presented the first gift:
— "Here, for you: a villa in the heart of London, in Kensington."
The room fell silent for a second before bursting into amazed cheers.
Then Diego opened the second chest.
— "And here, two luxury cars. A Bugatti La Voiture Noire, and a Rolls-Royce Sweptail, both customized."
More applause, murmurs of admiration.
Finally, Diego opened the last chest.
He held up the giant check, which majestically read:
"Nine hundred billion dollars."
At that moment, the whole room went wild.
Even Dylan was left speechless, unable to react.
**
In a corner of the room, Ryder, Daniella, and Andréa exchanged heavy glances.
— "It's his birthday..." Andréa whispered, surprised.
— "We didn't even know," added Daniella, feeling uneasy.
Diego, as if he had heard their thoughts, walked over to them with a smile:
— "You know, it's a big day for Dylan. Today, he celebrates his birthday."
Ryder slightly frowned.
In their hearts, another thought lingered.
"Today is also Victoire's birthday..."
They didn't know it, but deep inside, a part of them wanted to celebrate Victoire more than Dylan.
They had never realized that Dylan was actually Victoire, the boy they had once loved so much.
And deep down, a bitter feeling was growing.
"Why does Dylan get all this?" thought Ryder, envious.
"Why are we always left in the shadows?"
**
The party was in full swing.
Dylan moved from group to group, smiling, thanking people, posing for pictures.
Diego stayed close to him, like a protective brother.
**
Several times, Daniella, Ryder, and Andréa tried to approach to simply wish him "happy birthday," but Dylan was constantly surrounded.
And deep down, even if they sincerely wished him well, a part of their jealousy held them back.
"He doesn't even notice us anymore," thought Daniella, clenching her glass in her fingers.
"It feels like we don't exist," thought Andréa.
**
Later that evening, Diego invited everyone to raise a toast.
— "To Dylan, to his talent, to his future! May his star shine brighter than ever!"
Everyone raised their glasses.
Dylan raised his too, but deep inside, he felt a bit empty.
All these gifts, all this wealth... did it really fill the void he felt?
The loneliness, the loss, the growing distance between him and his friends?
He glanced briefly at Daniella, Ryder, and Andréa.
They were smiling, but their smiles weren't genuine.
They were forced smiles.
And Dylan felt it.
**
After the speech, Diego came to sit beside him.
— "Did you like your surprise?" he asked.
Dylan gently nodded.
— "Thank you, Diego. It was incredible. I have no words."
Diego placed a hand on his shoulder.
— "Remember, brother. You are never alone. I will always be here for you."
Dylan smiled faintly.
He wished his friends would have said the same.
But tonight, he knew something had changed — maybe forever.