Liz and Penne finished lunch and went to the mall to shop and distract themselves a bit. They walked around a lot until they found the perfect outfit. Liz paid the bill and said it was a birthday present. Then they went to the salon, Liz changed her hair a bit, wanting to look different, and Penne said she looked beautiful.
"We look beautiful," Liz said, hugging Penne. "Today is your day, so you have to be even more beautiful than you already are, if that's even possible."
They left and went home.
"Do you still need to stop by the office?" "No. We can go straight home." "Then let's rest a bit, and tonight we'll go out. What are we doing tonight? Or is it just a dinner for two with Nick?" "We're all going out together. You've always been with me, and now Nick will always be with us too. Little do you know there's a lovely party waiting for you."
Liz sent a message to Nick saying everything was set.
"She suspects nothing. Tell her you'll be a bit late so she'll come with me. When we get to the venue, you'll already be there with the guests waiting. That will be better. See you there."
"Liz, Nick asked us to wait for him at a restaurant. He sent me the address so we can go ahead since he'll be a bit late. He's been missing all day..." "Don't be sad. Maybe he wants to surprise you? Or maybe he forgot my birthday, right?" "Impossible." "So let's finish getting ready and call a taxi since we don't know where it is," Liz said, pretending not to know. "You're right, as always."
Nick sent a car to pick up the girls, while Penne thought it was a taxi. Suddenly, they arrived at a beautiful place, the entrance all lit up, many flowers, even balloons. The car stopped, the driver opened the door for them to get out and then left.
"Liz, is it really here?" She replied that the address was correct, and they went in. When they reached the door, she saw Nick, very elegant, waiting for her. Liz stopped and let her friend go to her boyfriend alone, who was holding a beautiful bouquet. He took her hand, kissed her, and wished her a happy birthday. They went inside, where the guests were waiting, and as they entered, the lights came on and everyone sang happy birthday to her. Penne looked at Liz, who entered behind her, and got emotional with the surprise. Nick handed her a gift box and when she opened it, she saw a beautiful engagement ring.
"Penne, will you marry me?" She cried and said yes, showering him with kisses as he put the ring on her finger. Liz looked and saw Henry watching her closely. She pretended not to see and hugged her friend, congratulating her, and hugged Nick, wishing them both happiness. Penne looked at Liz and said she knew everything.
"Of course I did. We planned it together, but Nick did most of it. The credit goes to him."
Everyone there congratulated her on her birthday and engagement. Liz hugged the couple and said they would be very happy and that she loved them very much, then left them alone and went to get a drink.
Henry came over to her with two glasses in hand and handed her one.
"Thank you, but it wasn't necessary, I was just about to get one." "When we were friends, I did this, now I can't anymore?" "Okay, Henry." "You look beautiful in that black dress, and you cut your hair too. I prefer it long, but you look beautiful anyway. I see you put your ring back on. Why?" "Because this way no woman will think I'm available, that I belong to only one, who is very special, jealous, and beautiful, and the most important thing: I love her, and she loves me too." "Goodbye, Henry. Let me go greet some friends I haven't seen in a while." "I'll be here for you."
Liz talked with several associates who were present. Then, Piter came up behind her and hugged her, saying he missed her a lot. She also hugged him. Meanwhile, Henry couldn't take his eyes off her. Liz and Piter talked a lot and also laughed about something.