Chapter Forty-Two: I Promise To Be Careful

EVELYN'S POV:

I was surprised to see a saxophonist playing birthday songs. I instantly knew the surprise was from Leonard. A series of boxed gifts lay neatly packed on the table. Overwhelmed with joy, I jumped on him, giving him a tight hug.

“Thank you so much!” I exclaimed, tears welling up in my eyes. Everything was so beautiful and alluring.

We spent the next few minutes unboxing the gifts, and I was amazed at how thoughtful they were. Leonard had truly outdone himself. No words could express my gratitude. I looked into his eyes and said, “Thank you, Leonard. This means so much to me.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and my dad entered without waiting for a response. His face showed surprise at the sight of all the gifts. I quickly told him they were from Leonard, and he thanked him graciously.

But then, my dad asked Leonard to excuse us. Once Leonard left, my dad looked at me seriously and asked, “What’s going on between you and Leonard?” His voice was filled with emotion, though I couldn’t quite tell what he felt.

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “We’re friends, Dad,” I finally said.

My dad nodded but looked skeptical. “Evelyn, Leonard is Caleb’s uncle,” he said gently. “Things could get complicated. Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

“I know what I’m doing, Dad. I promise to be careful,” I reassured him.

“And besides, Caleb and I aren’t together anymore. He’s trying to win me back, but that won’t stop me from associating with people. Leonard is a great guy,” I explained, hoping to make my point clear.

My dad nodded again, though he didn’t seem fully convinced. He wished me a happy birthday once more and asked about my health. I told him I was feeling great, and he could tell. When I mentioned Leonard would be taking me out later, he reminded me to be careful and left, leaving me alone with Leonard. I could tell he trusted him but was just concerned about me.

When my dad left, I went upstairs to find Leonard waiting for me, looking as handsome as ever. We chatted for a bit, and I mentioned that a picture frame was broken, though I had no idea how. Leonard examined it closely, and his reaction suggested he knew something.

“Dana was here yesterday while we were at the hospital,” he said, his eyes narrowing.

Frustration surged through me at the mention of Dana’s name. “What was she doing here?” I demanded.

Leonard’s expression was grim. “I think she might have had something to do with the broken frame.”

“Who told you Dana was here? Do you speak in private with my security team? If she was here, they should have informed us when we got back from the hospital,” I said, trying to piece things together.

“Your security doesn’t know everything,” he replied. “That’s why I hired someone to watch over you from afar. Evelyn, I need you to trust me.”

I was surprised but also impressed. “How long has this been going on? And why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, feigning anger.

Leonard’s expression softened. “We’ll deal with Dana later,” he said determinedly. “But for now, let’s focus on celebrating your birthday in style.”

“But my birthday was yesterday,” I reminded him.

“It doesn’t matter. You deserve the best today,” he said enthusiastically.

We spent the rest of the morning unboxing presents, then enjoyed a late breakfast together. Afterward, we took a bath together, where Leonard couldn’t resist flirting with me. I couldn’t deny that the feeling was mutual.

As we were about to leave the house, Leonard asked, “If you don’t mind, can I have all your time today?”

“I don’t,” I replied, blushing deeply.

Leonard drove us to a mansion—the third house he’d taken me to, but this one instantly became my favorite. A team of staff warmly welcomed us as we entered.

Inside, Leonard got himself ready and asked if his outfit looked okay. I assured him it did. He made a quick call, and soon, a stylist arrived. Leonard took me to a high-fashion boutique, where the stylist helped me pick out a stunning outfit. When I stepped out of the dressing room, Leonard gasped in admiration before giving me a sweet, short kiss.

The stylist left in a separate car while Leonard and I drove to a top resort. There, we enjoyed a delicious meal at an exclusive restaurant. The atmosphere was magical, and I felt like I was living a dream. But no, it was hell real.

Leonard is real.

As the sun began to set, we walked around the resort taking in the breathtaking views. Leonard’s guards followed us discreetly, and I felt safe with him by my side.

Anytime we locked eyes with Leonard, I felt a ping of passion in my heart. He was everything anyone could need.

I had thousands of butterflies rumbling in my stomach.

Leonard would lean in and kiss me once in a while as we walked.

As the evening drew to a close, we sat by the beach when a casually dressed man approached. He whispered something into Leonard’s ear before leaving. Leonard helped me up, and we walked toward the poolside.

There, I saw the most beautiful birthday setup I had ever seen. Flowers and decorations surrounded the area, and my name was spelled out in bold letters.

Tears filled my eyes as I took it all in. A massive birthday cake with lit candles stood at the center of the setup. But I could tell there was more to come. The air buzzed with anticipation.

I looked at Leonard, my eyes questioning. He just smiled and took my hand. “You’ll find out soon,” he said, his voice filled with excitement.

I followed the path of flowers, knowing my birthday was about to become even more unforgettable. Then, I saw it—the biggest surprise of all. I gasped.