Stella decided to give the pen as a gift tonight.
From the time she got home until now, which had only been an hour, her attention had already been drawn to the gift box dozens of times.
Whenever she had a free moment, she would stare at the box and smile, and once she started smiling, she couldn't stop.
She couldn't focus on studying, her mind filled with thoughts of Leo, like a fool deeply in love.
No, not like a fool—she was one.
But if being a fool means being this happy, then so be it. Leo just had that effect on her.
Pushing aside the textbooks she hadn't really looked at, Stella gleefully ran to the entryway to set up her surprise. She planned to give the gift to him the moment he walked through the door!
Leo got off work at six o'clock and typically arrived home around six-twenty.
The wait was agonizing, with each passing minute feeling like a cat's claws scratching at her heart.
Stella wandered around the house, stopping and starting. She watered the flowers on the balcony, brewed tea in the kitchen, rehearsed her lines several times in her head, and checked her reflection in the mirror five, six, seven, or eight times. Finally, the clock pointed to the Roman numeral "Ⅵ."
She picked up the gift box and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring intently at the entrance to their community.
At six fifteen, Stella saw Leo's car drive into the complex.
She quickly stood up, tidied her clothes and hair, hid the gift box in her hoodie, and stood by the entrance.
#803 [OP] Stella
November 15th, 18:20
Operation "Heartfelt Gift" is about to commence. Bless me!
Just after she posted this, she heard the elevator ding, and her heart started racing.
She heard Leo activate the door lock screen, she heard him enter the six-digit password, and then she saw him open the door.
Stella's heart was in her throat.
"Why are you standing here?" Leo was a bit surprised to see her standing so properly at the door.
Stella swallowed and smiled, her dimples showing: "I was waiting for you~"
Leo smiled and walked closer: "I'm back, honey."
The mood was perfect; now was the time.
Stella secretly raised her hand.
At the same time, Leo moved too.
"A gift." A large black-and-gold box was handed to her.
Her hand paused mid-air.
"For me?" She looked at Leo with wide eyes.
"Yes," Leo raised the box a bit higher, "open it and see."
Stella's hands were shaking slightly.
Seeing the simple "TF" logo on the box, she had an idea, but when she opened it, she was still stunned.
Sixty black tubes were neatly arranged on both sides of the gift box, full-size, with no repeated colors. She hadn't even seen this many shades at the counter this afternoon.
Oh my god! Leo had bought her lipsticks!
A whole box full of lipsticks!
What a godsend of a husband!
Leo carefully watched her expression: "Do you like it?"
"I love it!" Stella nodded repeatedly, her face flushed with excitement, "Thank you, Leo."
Leo pinched her cheek, finally relaxing his tensed shoulders: "I'm glad you like it."
Leo was carrying too many things for Stella to block his way, so she followed him inside.
Her own gift was still undelivered, and Stella trailed behind Leo like a little tail, looking for a chance to speak.
She followed Leo to the kitchen for water, to the study to put away his bag, to the bedroom for a change of clothes, and finally all the way to the bathroom door.
"Want to join me?" Leo asked.
Stella snapped out of her daze, blushing: "No, no, I've already showered. You go ahead, I was just looking around."
Leo stepped aside to make way.
She was puzzled: "What are you doing?"
Leo smiled: "Aren't you just looking around? How can you see if you don't come in?"
"That's not what I meant!" Stella's face turned bright red as she fled.
She didn't manage to give the gift that night, either.
Leo was busy that evening. After dinner, he watched a variety show with her in the living room for a while before taking a call and heading to the study to work. He didn't come out for the rest of the evening.
Stella, having changed into her pajamas, leaned against the bed, hiding the gift box under the covers.
Her "Husband Pursuit Plan" couldn't be delayed. Even if it meant staying up late, she was determined to wait for Leo.
Stella's phone kept vibrating, with the girls in the forum eagerly awaiting her update.
#847 Scented Hands
Where's our girl? Did you give the gift? Was the operation a success?
#848 Inevitable Truth
I want to know what gift you gave [hehe.jpg]
#849 Sweetness Detector
+1, and I want to know how your hubby reacted [blushing.jpg]
#850 Know-it-all Prince
It's been four hours, why hasn't she come back yet? I'm so anxious!!!
#861 [OP] Stella
I'm here, but I haven't given the gift yet [facepalm.jpg]
#862 Fish Lover
Huh? Why not?
#863 Know-it-all Prince
Did your hubby not come home yet?
#864 [OP] Stella
No, he came home around the time I posted at 803.
I planned to give him the gift as soon as he got home, but he surprised me with a gift first, and I didn't get a chance to speak... He's working in the study now, so I'll wait a bit longer.
#865 Fish Lover
Wait, let me get this straight. You prepared a gift for your husband, and he also prepared a gift for you?
#866 Sweetness Detector
Ahhh, what kind of divine love is this!
#867
Twin souls sharing a single heart!
#868
What did he give you, Stella? [let me see.gif]
#869
+1, want to see!
Stella raised an eyebrow.
Since you all insist, don't blame me.
#870 [OP] Stella
Lipsticks
[side photo]
[overhead photo]
#871 Fish Lover
Whoa?! The entire Tom Ford set?
#872
Damn! I'm so jealous, I'm so jealous, I'm so freaking jealous!
#873 Inevitable Truth
This set must be over $20,000... rich people, wow.
#874
Admiring, I'm admiring, the "other people's husbands" series.
#875 Know-it-all Prince
Can you use all of those?
#876 Sweetness Detector
Hey, Prince, would you complain about having too many AJs at home?
#877 Know-it-all Prince
Oh! Now I get it! Stella, your husband treats you so well!
Yes, yes, he does.
Stella rolled around on the bed in excitement.
She felt a bit cheeky.
But flaunting her love felt so good.
She heard footsteps in the hallway and quickly smoothed out the covers, sitting up.
#880 [OP] Stella
He's coming, he's coming! I gotta go, this time it has to work! [goodnight.jpg]
#881 Fish Lover
Good luck, babe!
When Leo walked into the bedroom, he saw his little wife wrapped in a quilt, holding a pillow, staring at him with big, blinking eyes, looking incredibly sweet.
Leo walked over and patted her head, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Waiting for you~"
She even learned to stretch her words to act cute.
"Alright," Leo kissed her, "I'm here now."
He quickly freshened up, lifted the quilt, and got into bed.
"Leo," Stella snuggled closer, "Do you guys do 'paperless office' now?"
"Mostly," Leo said, "But some important documents still need to be in paper form, like contracts and tender documents."
"Oh," Stella poked at the muscles in his arm, "Do you often need to write?"
Leo thought for a moment, "I sign a lot."
"That's great!"
Stella burrowed under the quilt, pulled out a rectangular box, and gently handed it to him.
Although the scene wasn't quite as she imagined, the sentiment remained the same.
Leo was stunned for a moment, "What's this?"
"A gift," Stella's eyes curved with her smile.
Leo asked again, "For me?"
Stella laughed, thinking, what's up with Leo today? There were only the two of them here, of course, it was for him.
She nodded, "Yes, a gift for you."
Leo's reaction was unusually slow. He paused for a few seconds before taking the box and carefully opening it.
Stella watched him expectantly, her fingers twisting together under the quilt.
"A pen?" Leo took out the pen, examining it under the light.
Stella nodded, "Yes."
The deep blue pen body rested in his long, fair fingers, the gemstone on the cap shimmering under the light, looking both luxurious and beautiful.
Leo stared at her, "Did you pick this out yourself?"
"Yes," Stella nodded, "This pen is called 'Deep Sea Blue.' I thought it suited you."
Just as deep and mysterious.
Just as vast and accommodating.
Leo's smile grew wider and wider as he looked at her.
Stella smiled too, gradually relaxing, "Do you like it, Leo?"
Leo hugged her and kissed the corner of her mouth, "I love it. Thank you, baby."
Stella's heart raced, her hands slowly resting on his shoulders, then wrapping around his neck. For the first time, she actively kissed his lips, "Leo… I'm glad you like it, I also, really like…"
Really like… you.
Leo's eyes darkened, he tightened his grip on her waist, preventing her from pulling away, his nose nudging hers, "Baby, kiss me again."
Stella leaned in again, the kiss short but intense.
"Leo," she snuggled into him, softly, "Will you carry the pen with you every day?"
How could Leo refuse, "Of course."
Stella added, "And use it every day, okay?"
Leo didn't hesitate, "Okay."
Stella giggled, her forehead rubbing against his chin, "Leo… Leo…"
Leo's voice was hoarse, "Hmm?"
Stella shook her head, then lifted her head to kiss him again, murmuring, "I'm so happy…"
Leo's breathing grew rapid, unable to resist, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her deeply.
Stella stared at the ceiling, her head dizzy, her hands slowly falling limp from around Leo's arm.
The lights flickered. Just before she fell asleep, she heard Leo say, "Baby, call me."
"Husband"