Chelsy had woken up that morning and was pumped and ready to start her day.
After witnessing the romance between the couple camping next to her in the mountain, it made her remember the romantic times she spent with Ken.
This really made her sad. She shook it off and went into the nearby bushes to gather some dry wood in order to make a fire.
She came back with a bundle of dry wood and quickly started a fire. She made herself some breakfast, which consisted of baked beans, a sunny side up egg, some toast and a cup of mint tea.
She sat in front of her tent and enjoyed her breakfast while having a great view of nature.
After she was done eating, she took out her father's guitar and played some songs. She wrote some letters to herself, and some encouraging words to herself.
The day went by so fast and it was evening. The sunset was so beautiful. It looked like a wild bright burnt yellow flame in the center of the sky. It was particularly colorful, with hues of red, orange and pink streaked across the evening sky.
The sky truly looked like the canvas of an artist. Chelsy was so mesmerized by its beauty.
''Oh my goodness. I cannot get enough of this. If I had a camera with me, I would have taken a picture of this beautiful sunset to show Rachel.''
She muttered with a bright smile plastered on her face.
Anyway, I guess I can read a book and just lure myself to sleep. Chelsy thought to herself.
She took a book, written by one of her favorite writers, Charlotte Brontë.
As she drowned herself in reading, she could hear footsteps approaching her tent. She picked up a baseball bat she had kept in her tent for protection, and was ready to strike if anyone or anything posed as a threat to her.
Suddenly, there was a soft voice coming from a middle aged woman. ''Hello there.''
As the woman appeared in front of her, Chelsy recognized who the lady was. She was the lady she had seen earlier with her husband. The anxiety in her eyes calmed down when she saw the warm smile on the lady's face.
Her hands were still firmly grabbing the baseball bat. ''Hello ma'am.'' Chelsy replied with a forced smile on her face. The lady walked closer and spoke gently.
''My name is Esmeralda, and I live in the tent over there with my husband.'' She pointed at the navy blue tent not too far from Chelsy's.
''I overheard you playing a beautiful song this morning. It is actually my husband's, and I's favorite song. We came here to celebrate our fifteenth wedding anniversary. I wish to ask if you could please play that song for us? It will really be an honor. I would love to give him a little surprise.''
When Chelsy heard this, her heart softened, and she answered with a bright smile on her face. ''Okay Esmeralda. You can call me Chelsy. It will be an honor to play the song for you.''
When Esmeralda heard this, her countenance was beaming with excitement, and she took Chelsy's hand in both of hers.
''Thank you so much Chelsy. This really means a lot to me. Today is our last night here, and I want to make it a memorable one.'' Chelsy smiled and nodded. ''Just let me put on a jacket, then I will follow you and help you set up.''
Esmeralda's husband was sleeping in the tent. Earlier on, Esmeralda had picked some wild flowers and some wild fruits.
Chelsy helped her to set up a cozy dinner for two. They used a mat and some little flat cushions as seats. Chelsy used the flowers Esmeralda had picked earlier to decorate the mat.
It was truly beautiful. She then placed a lit lamp in the middle. Esmeralda was astonished when she saw the finished piece. ''Oh my goodness Chelsy. I didn't know you were this good. Are you a designer by chance?''
Chelsy smiled and replied. "No Esmeralda. My mom did this quite often. I learned it while watching her.'' Esmeralda who was still in awe of Chelsy's creation, looked at Chelsy and said. ''Your mother should be quite proud of you.''
Chelsy's face for a split second became sullen, but she quickly snapped out of it. ''I guess we are ready. You should call your husband now.''
Esmeralda nodded and went inside the tent to get her husband. When the both of them came out, Chelsy started playing their favorite song, 'Can't help falling in love with you.'
Esmeralda's husband was so touched when he saw what his wife had put together. He smiled and gave his wife a kiss on the cheek. ''I am the luckiest man on earth, to have an amazing woman like you as a wife. Till the wheels fall my darling Esmeralda. I will love and cherish you forever.'' He held his wife's hand, and they started swaying and dancing to the music.
Chelsy couldn't help but swoon over the lovely couple. She has always been a lover of love. She loved seeing two people loving each other wholeheartedly. But it was rather unfortunate that somekne like her was not that lucky when it came to love. She closed her eyes and poured all her energy into her her guitar and singing.
Back at Roberts corporation, Ken was sitting restlessly in his office chair. Ever since he saw Chelsy at the mall, she had constantly been on his mind.
He didn't know why he suddenly missed her so much. He saw flashes of her everywhere in his house. ''Why do I keep thinking of her so much? And why do I miss her this much? I know I am not in love with her. I can't even explain this. I miss the way she calls me baby, I miss the way her lips feel on mine. I am really going crazy.'' He muttered to himself.
He was so lost in thought that he didn't realize Larry, his secretary, had walked into his office. Larry cleared his throat and said. ''Sir Roberts. Did you hear what I said?''
Ken snapped out of his trance and asked with a voice depicting anger. ''Have you forgotten to knock before getting into my office?'' He scowled at Larry.
Larry felt as if his spirit would leave his body. Ken's stern gaze sent chills down his spine. He stuttered and said. ''Ehm. Sir Roberts, I knocked twice and there was no response. So I walked in.''
Ken, who didn't have time for Larry's explanation, asked. ''What is it?"
Larry adjusted the tie on his neck and replied. ''Sir, the meeting with Starlink Conglomerate has been scheduled for Wednesday. The wedding planner also called to find out what time tomorrow you and Miss Richards would be coming for your final fittings?''
Ken didn't utter a single word. He brushed his fingers through his lush hair and took a deep sigh. After some seconds, he said. ''Larry, clear my schedule for today. And I don't want to be disturbed.''
Larry answered with a yes. But before he could leave, he turned and said. ''Happy birthday Mister Richards.'' He smiled and left.
Suddenly, Ken realized it was actually his birthday, and no one had wished him a happy birthday. Not even his fiancé Helena. He suddenly realized how, last year, Chelsy waited up until midnight to wish him a happy birthday.
Flashback to over a year ago. It was Ken's twenty eighth birthday.
Chelsy had waited up until the clock ticked midnight. She picked up her phone and placed a call to Ken. When Ken answered the call, she started singing a happy birthday song.
''Happy birthday my love. I wish you all the good things that life has to offer, and may you find happiness in all of your endeavors. I love you now, and I will always love you.''
Ken was really elated, and smiled from molar to molar. ''Thank you so much my baby. You are actually the first person to wish me a happy birthday. I love it.''
Chelsy gave a little giggle. ''Anything for you my big baby.'' Ken could hear her inhaling and exhaling. Before he could say anything, Chelsy asked. ''Are you free tomorrow?''
Ken said yes and that he was free after two pm the next day. ''Perfect. Please join me tomorrow at the blue garden park by four in the afternoon. Make sure you dress in casual wear. Nothing too fancy nor too flashy.''
Ken answered in a deep but seductive voice. ''Yes ma'am. I will be there.'' They spoke for a little while and ended the call.
The next day, Ken got to the blue garden park at exactly four pm. He called Chelsy and said he was there already. Chelsy, who had been waiting by an ice cream truck, walked towards Ken with a blindfold.
She spoke with a very soft and sweet voice. ''Hey Kenny. Welcome.''
She stood on her toes, and gave a peck on his cheek. She went ahead to place the blindfold over his eyes. ''Don't worry, I have got you baby. Do you trust me?'' Chelsy asked.
Ken answered with a little smile plastered on his face. ''Yes love. I do.''
Chelsy, led Ken to a little picnic spot she had prepared by the lake. It was set for two. She had decorated the mat with happy birthday balloons, a basket full of so many varieties of exotic fruits and snacks.
In another basket, there were two glasses and Ken's favorite wine. She scattered red rose petals all over the mat, which made it truly beautiful. She asked Ken to take off the blindfold from his eyes.
His eyes were wide with surprise when he saw all that Chelsy had prepared. He felt so much joy inside of him which made his heart beat so fast as if it would pop out from his chest. She was holding a bouquet of orange dahlias mixed with white carnations.
''Happy birthday my love.'' Chelsy said.
Ken couldn't hold his joy anymore, and hugged Chelsy so tight as if his life depended on it. The hug was so tight that Chelsy felt as if she was being squished in his arms .
She tapped his back and said with her voice depicting she was struggling to breathe. ''Baby, if you don't release me now, I might be squished like an orange in your arms. The hug is too tight.''
Ken released her with an awkward smile and said. ''Sorry baby. I was just overwhelmed. No one has ever done something like this for me. Thank you so much my love. I really love the surprise.'' Chelsy smiled and replied. ''You know I will do anything for you, right?''
Ken leaned forward and passionately kissed Chelsy on the lips.
Ken was suddenly brought back from his reverie when his phone started ringing. When he checked his phone, the caller ID indicated that it was Helena.
There was a little frown on his face. He answered
with an indifferent tone, ''Hey, Helena.'' Helena, who was at the other end of the line said with an excited tone. ''Hey honey. The wedding planner called. I have told her we will be meeting tomorrow after midday. So ensure you are ready by then, okay?''
Ken didn't know why he felt so annoyed. ''Did you even remember that today is actually my birthday?'' He asked with his tone a little bit high pitched.
Helena was stunned and answered. ''Oh. Is it actually today? I am sorry, I didn't remember. Don't worry, I will ensure I don't forget next year. Anyway, I have to go now. My friends are waiting for me. Bye honey.'' She ended the call.
Ken was so stunned. He didn't know whether he should laugh or or get angry. He had a thousand thoughts running through his mind. He gave a painful chuckle and said to himself. ''Kenneth Robert. You are so messed up."
He decided to dial his mom's number. When she answered, he asked. ''Mom, are you at home? I am coming over. I need your help with something.'' Ken's mom said she was at home and that he could come over.
What is it that Ken needs from his mom?