Zach's POV :
As I walked up to my room, I had a feeling that something wasn't right. My heart is beating rapidly with each step I took as I made my way to the room. Trying to ignore the feeling, I opened the door. As I stepped into my room, I found a box neatly wrapped on my bed. I dropped my bag aside and went to my bed lifting the box. That's when I found a note on the box with a message written in unfamiliar yet beautiful handwriting,
[ 'Wear the outfit that's inside the box. I'll be waiting ;)
~ anonymous' ]
'This is crazy. I mean it's 11:45 pm, who would ask someone to get ready at this time?' I wondered. As curious as I was, I unwrapped the box to find a really cool outfit.
"The sender definitely has an amazing fashion sense" I took a note of it before going to the shower.
After the quick shower, I got into the closet with a towel wrapped around my waist. Without any delay, I quickly changed myself into the new outfit and checked the drawer to find a watch that I thought would look perfect for the outfit. As I tied the watch around my wrist and was about to close the drawer, I found a cologne I never used before. I took the cologne and sprayed it a little before placing it back in the drawer. I then walked towards the mirror to check myself out.
'Hm. Perfect!' I thought. As I glanced towards the mirror again, my gaze fell on yet another note next to the mirror. 'Who dared to enter my closet?' I frowned pursing my lips into a thin line as I picked the note that said,
[ 'Uh-huh. You look handsome ;) Now go to the top floor of your mansion. You'll find your surprise.
~anonymous' ]
"Okay, what's happening? Who in the world is planning these if not my family?" I asked but I heard nothing in return. I was about to place the note on the table and that's when I found another note on the floor. Must have slipped from my hand. I picked it up to find,
[ 'Oh darling, I know you would be wondering 'what's happening?', 'who is this anonymous?' but you won't get the answer if you don't enter the top floor of the mansion. So, what are you waiting for? GO!
~ anonymous' ]
I dropped all the notes on the table and got out of my room closing the door without making a sound. I reached the 2nd floor of the mansion to find some red petals neatly arranged on the stairs all the way up to the top floor.
"This is fucking crazy! It makes me feel like a girl being surprised on her wedding anniversary or something" I whispered to myself as I climbed the stairs reaching the top floor. I entered the floor to find,
"HOLY SHIT!" A gasp escaped from my lips as my eyes wandered around the entire floor that was filled with not too many candles and petals nor too little which gives off an elegant vibe. There was a table with two chairs at the center of the room. To say it was beautiful was an understatement.
This looks cliche yet the inner me feels loved to receive such treatment. But, these things are scaring me for real. 'Who's anonymous? Who's trying to do this? What's happening? I can't be here when I have a girlfriend. I need to leave right now.' As I was about to get out of the room, I heard a voice that made my heart skip a beat.
"Leaving so soon?" the familiar yet unfamiliar voice said. But all my mind was on Eshana so I failed to find hints in her voice.
"Um... look, I don't know who you are and how did the outfit and the notes slip into my room but though the surprise was indeed amazing, I wouldn't appreciate it and I have a girlfriend so please It would be better if you would leave me alone" I stated firmly. I was one step ahead from leaving the room when I heard the soothing laugh that once again had my breath hitched.
"Oh boy, I do know you have a girlfriend but do you even know who she is, her voice, what she looks like? C'mon, I know your Eshana way better than you do" She chuckled and this time I listened to her clearly and found the hints I didn't notice before. She surely didn't sound like she is from the US but she spoke well not to mention how soothing her voice is.
I turned back towards the source and made my way back to the table to find a person standing in the corner of the room with her back facing towards me as she looked outside the window. It was dark at the corners of the room but as the moonlight made its way through the open window, I could see one side of her face which is covered by her hair, and that one sight of her was enough for me to say that she was just so beautiful. Her silky smooth hair flew away from her face slowly due to the breeze enough to showcase her face. She was indeed so beautiful. Now that I realize it, her voice was so familiar that matched the person close to my heart but how could she be here? I mean that's just impossible...
...right? It should be.
But what did she mean by she know Eshana well? How does she even know her name? This is so confusing.
I came out of the daze and that's when I noticed her making her way to me. As the light slowly fell on her, I swear to god my breath hitched and my jaw dropped to the ground. The last time I checked, I surely didn't have heart disease. How often did my heart skip a beat today? But seriously, when I said I haven't seen anyone so beautiful, I really meant that. God indeed took a special time to create her.
That familiar designer dress and the familiar voice were enough for me to guess who she is. The look on her face had me guessing that she knew I finally got it. I didn't know what to do anymore. To hug the hell out of her or to confront her about her being in California and how did she plan these? I was in a dilemma and the words were not making their way from my mouth. I was utterly speechless. This was too much for a day.
'No-No! I must be hallucinating. Yeah, that must be it. There's no way she'd be here' I kept chanting internally trying to not believe what I just witnessed. My thoughts broke when I felt a pair of arms around my torso and my muscles tensed.
"Is it true? I'm not dreaming now, am I?" My voice broke as glanced up at the ceiling fighting back the tears.
"No. You're not. I'm right here in front of you" I heard her mumble with a sniff and my vision blurred as I glanced down to find her chocolate brown eyes welled up too. I blinked my eyes and a lone tear ran down my cheek. She hesitantly raised her hand and caressed my cheek brushing the tear stain from it, looking deep into my eyes.
It took me a while to wrap my arms around her bare waist and realize the fact that she is here for real. I felt her tremble as my hands made a contact with her skin making me smirk at the thought of the effect I had on her. We stayed in each other's embrace for a while as I rested my chin on her head slowly caressing her hair and I couldn't help but feel warm. I truly felt home. That's when I knew she is the one for me and I'd do everything to keep her to myself.
"Happy Birthday Zachery Ashford and I'm glad to finally meet you" She mumbled, snuggling close to me. 'Birthday? How could I forget my birthday?' My heart started beating rapidly as a smile formed its way across my face.
Surprises after surprises. This Christmas season is indeed the most memorable time of my life.