On the evening of April 24th, Adam's family gathered in the small garden of their home to celebrate his birthday with a cozy and intimate party. The garden was adorned with soft lights and colorful decorations, creating a warm atmosphere. The entire family was present, except for Lilly, who was abroad. Despite her absence, Lilly made sure to send a small gift, which was wrapped neatly with a heartfelt note, making Adam smile as he opened it.
The party began with laughter and light conversations as the family shared stories and memories. When it was time to present the gifts, each family member stepped forward with something special for Adam.
Adam's mother, with a proud smile, handed him a beautifully wrapped box. Inside were the latest designer clothes, carefully selected to suit his style. "You'll look so handsome in these," she said, giving him a loving hug.
Next, his father approached, holding out a small velvet box. When Adam opened it, he found a key inside. "It's the key to your bike," his father explained, "but you're only allowed to use it after your exams. Until then, it's something to look forward to."
Adam's eyes lit up with excitement as he held the key, already imagining the freedom it represented.
Then, his grandmother stepped forward, a twinkle in her eye. She handed Adam an official-looking document. "This is a property deed," she said with a smile. "It's yours now, a little something for your future." Adam was speechless, overwhelmed by the significance of the gift.
Atlas, his brother, followed with a large, framed painting. The painting depicted the entire family, captured in a moment of happiness and togetherness. "I thought you'd like to have something that reminds you of us all, even when we're not around," Atlas said, his voice warm with brotherly affection.
Finally, Adam's grandfather approached, holding an envelope. Inside was a ticket for a volunteer program focused on photography. "I know you've been wanting to pursue photography," his grandfather said, his tone more affectionate than usual. "This is your chance to learn and grow. Consider it the first step toward making your passion a reality."
Adam felt a wave of gratitude and emotion wash over him as he looked at each of his family members. They had all given him something meaningful, something that showed how well they knew and cared for him. As he thanked each of them, the love and support surrounding him made the evening truly special.
As the birthday party concluded, the family members dispersed, each retreating to their own space, leaving Adam to gather up his gifts. Among the presents, Adam noticed an additional package that hadn't been handed to him during the celebration. Curiosity piqued, he opened it to find a watch. It looked strikingly similar to the one Theodore had given him earlier in the evening.
Theodore's watch had broken almost immediately when Adam tried to wear it, causing a moment of panic. Not wanting to upset Theodore, Adam had rushed to his brother, Atlas, asking for help. Atlas, ever the dependable older brother, reassured Adam without hesitation, "Don't worry about it. I'll fix it for you, or I'll get you a new one. You focus on your studies and get some sleep."
Relieved, Adam nodded, "Okay, brother. I'll go to my room now."
When he entered his room, Adam spotted the mysterious gift waiting for him on his bed. Opening the box, he was surprised to find another watch that looked almost identical to the one Theodore had given him. If someone looked closely, they might notice subtle differences, but at a glance, it was nearly indistinguishable.
Without much thought, Adam slipped the watch onto his wrist. It fit perfectly, and he admired how it looked, pushing aside any lingering thoughts about the broken watch. He was pleased to have a replacement, especially one so similar.
Meanwhile, far away in Country B, a message popped up on a phone screen. The moment the recipient read the notification that Adam had worn the watch, a satisfied smile spread across their face. He had never imagined Adam would wear it so soon. This unexpected turn of events filled him with a sense of triumph, as though a plan had fallen into place with perfect timing.
Theodore's watch broke in a way he never anticipated. He had obtained the watch through a bit of luck, unaware that it was part of a unique couple's set, with the first piece already bought by someone eagerly waiting for the second one. Confident in his skills, Theodore decided to modify the watch to make it more personalized, not realizing the delicate balance of its design. His alterations caused internal damage that went unnoticed at first, leading to the watch malfunctioning when Adam tried to wear it. The irony here is that Theodore's attempt to make the watch special tools or say gift inadvertently ruined it, a mistake he never imagined would happen.