Surprise Birthday From Wifey

CHAPTER 45: SURPRISE BIRTHDAY FROM WIFEY

NOAH'S POV

I jolt awake, my entire body drenched in sweat, my breath ragged as I struggle to shake off the remnants of my nightmare. The darkness of my room offers no comfort, the dim glow of the bedside lamp casting long shadows on the walls. My heart pounds erratically as the echo of a child’s terrified screams still rings in my ears.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to sit up.

   "Not again," I mumble helplessly as I try to gain control of my senses again. Leaning forward, I rest my head on my lap, my hands gripping the sheets as I try to calm down a bit. 

Even with the air conditioning humming in the background, the cool air does nothing to ease the clammy heat enveloping me. I stay in that position for a moment, trying to slow my breathing, but the weight in my chest refuses to dissipate.

Eventually, I reach for the drawer beside my bed, pulling it open with shaking hands. That is my last option right now.

My fingers close around a familiar bottle of pills, and without hesitation, I pop one into my mouth, swallowing dry. The medicine leaves a bitter aftertaste, but it’s nothing compared to the lingering fear crawling under my skin. I shut my eyes, exhaling slowly. I need to shake this off.

A quick glance at the clock on my nightstand tells me it’s only fifteen minutes past six. Sighing, I push myself off the bed and head straight for the bathroom. The cold water does little to chase away the unease, but at least it clears my mind. By the time I step out, towel around my waist, I’ve regained some semblance of composure.

I dress in my usual crisp attire before grabbing my phone. A notification catches my eye—my secretary has sent my schedule for the day. I scroll through it, expecting a packed agenda, but surprisingly, there’s barely anything scheduled. That’s unusual.

Before I can dwell on it, another message pops up, this time from my architect. I quickly open the file, scanning through the various building designs sent for my review. Work has always been my escape, my way of grounding myself, but today, even that feels tedious.

Deciding to leave it for later, I make my way to the dining area. As I approach, I hear laughter—light, genuine laughter that contrasts sharply with the heaviness inside me.

I step into the room to find Rachel and Marco chatting, their faces lit up with amusement. The sight is oddly jarring. They both pause at my arrival, turning to greet me. I nod in response, moving to take my seat.

   "How was your night?" Rachel asks me, probably intending to start a conversation with me which I somehow do not find bothering this time around.

   

   "Fine, thanks," I reply.

Despite the closeness that has been seeping in between the two of us, I still find it hard to compose or manage myself around her. She has this kind of charm that slowly makes me lose myself and my stoic impression when I am with her.

I don't know how this happened but here I am, finding it hard to put some kind of distance between us.

Is it bad to admit that deeply within I love the fact that she is making the first approach towards me?

Throughout breakfast, I find my gaze constantly drifting to her. Should I tell her? The thought lingers, gnawing at me. It’s my birthday, after all. But does it even matter? No one else cares—why should she? I debate for a long moment before finally speaking.

 

   “Rachel,” I start, but the words get caught in my throat.

She looks up, waiting, "Yes?"

I exhale sharply and shake my head. “Never mind.”

She doesn’t push, simply nodding before returning to her meal. A moment later, she casually mentions that she’ll be heading out to meet someone and might be back late.

Something about the way she says it makes my jaw tighten. She has been going out a lot these days. Who has she been meeting up with so frequently? The thought of her seeing someone behind my back is absurd, but it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

 I force myself to act indifferent, simply nodding in response. Just because we are married as a result of a contract doesn't mean that I can limit her right to freedom, but I still can't help feeling this way.

She leaves soon after, and I remain seated, staring at the empty space she vacated.

The morning drags on with me aimlessly wandering around my property. I ignore every call from my family, including my grandmother’s, letting them all go to voicemail. I don’t want to deal with their shallow pleasantries today. I just want silence, just like I have always faced for years.

That peace is shattered when my phone rings again. I glance at the screen—Liam. With a resigned sigh, I pick up.

  “HAPPY TWENTY-NINTH BIRTHDAY, OLD MAN!” Liam’s loud voice booms through the speaker, making me pull the phone away from my ear with a grimace.

Shaking my head at his theatrics, I mutter, “You don’t have to scream, Liam.”

Liam just laughs. “Had to make sure you heard it, bro. It is a good day, after all,, and a day to be happy. I can't believe that you have been alive for twenty-nine whole damn years! Isn't that insane?" 

   "Have you had too much alcohol when it is just the afternoon?"

   "Ah-ha, so funny. Anyway, what’s the plan for today?”

    “No plan.”

Liam scoffs. “Typical. Well, too bad, because you’re coming over to mine by seven. No arguments.”

I don’t bother fighting it. I always land at his place every year for my birthday after all.“Fine.”

    “Have you told Rachel?”

   “No.”

Liam pauses. “Dude, really? Why?”

  “Because it’s none of her business.”

   "She is your wife for goodness sake..."

    "Liam, she is an employee whom I will divorce after I am done needing her  so there is no need for all of these."

Liam sighs but doesn’t push further. Instead, we talk about work and a few other things before hanging up.

When evening rolls around, I drive to Liam’s place. The moment I arrive, he’s already at the door, grinning.

    “Get in the car,” he orders.

   "Whose car?"

   "Mine, of course, silly! I will drive you around. You can keep yours here and send someone to come and pick it up tomorrow morning."

I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

   “It’s a surprise.”

I fold my arms. “Liam—”

  “Just get in,” he interrupts, pushing me toward the passenger seat.

Against my better judgment, I comply. The drive is silent at first, but as we pull up to an unfamiliar building, I frown.

  “This isn’t your usual bar.”

“Nope,” Liam answers cheerfully. “It’s my new condo. I just bought it...as a gift.”

I sigh. “And?”He definitely won't be buying me a new condo, would he?

“Just come in & stop interrogating for once.”

Liam leads me inside, talking about how the lights aren’t automatic. I wait impatiently as he fumbles for the switch.

Then—

The lights suddenly flick on, and a deafening cheer erupts.

I stiffen as a chorus of voices yells, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. NOAH!”

My body goes pale instantly as I try to recover from the shock that this has caused me to go through.

My breath catches as I take in the scene—my staff, all gathered, cheering with a huge smile on their faces and gifts in their hands. And right in front of them, Rachel stands in a beautiful white gown, holding a cake, smiling at me.

For a moment, I forget how to breathe. She looks amazing and attractive too.

She knew it was my birthday. I instantly knew that she planned this.

And for the first time in years, I don’t know what to feel or how to react.