I Love Surprises

I Love Surprises
ELLA

I was surprised when Nova took the initiative to speak to me and wanted me to meet someone. Although I wouldn't deny that a part of me was worried and afraid, as I knew Nova was vindictive.

She may have thought of a plan to teach me a lesson or even get me beaten up. That was probably why she wanted me to meet someone. However, I couldn't back down. I had to meet this person because it was the only way to show my sincerity.

Of course, I wasn't hoping that Lucas would forgive me, but getting Nova's anger to calm down would make me feel better. Maybe, just maybe, sometime in the future, she might not hate me so much, and Lucas might be inclined to take me back. As far as I was concerned, I was going to love him for probably the rest of my life.

So I followed her, got into my car, and drove behind her. She was driving towards a private garden, which was high-end and very few people ventured there. I became scared considering how private it was.

If it turned out that she was planning to get me beaten up, no one would be able to come to my aid no matter how much I screamed, especially because we were going to be given a section of the garden for our privacy.

Despite how afraid I felt, I came down from my car after she did from hers. I followed behind her slowly as she kept saying, "Come, come with me."

I continued following her until I arrived at the garden and was surprised that there was no one. She said, "Be patient, the person who wants to meet you is coming."

I decided to ask her, "Please, Nova, who is coming?"

She stared at me, "Just be patient. Didn't you agree to play along with me to get my forgiveness?"

I said, "Yes, but Nova, I've already apologized to you, and I've told you that I'm sorry. You do not have to get me beaten up just..."

She laughed and said, "What? Beaten up? Are you kidding me? Is that what you think of me? You seem to think the worst of me, but I am not like you, Ella."

"Okay, fine. I'm sorry. I'm probably assuming the worst because you are being all mysterious. I know you are upset with me, so it's normal for me to be worried. Please, just tell me, am I in danger here?"

She smiled. "It's funny that you began to think about your safety after we arrived. Why didn't you turn down my request when I asked you to come with me? You acted all tough and came here, and now you are worried about your safety.

Well, you just have to wait until the person I want you to meet arrives. There's nothing else I can do. If you know you're not willing to wait, you can leave. But if you want to get my forgiveness, then you have to wait."

I sighed. This was definitely Nova's evil trap, and I was going to end up as her prey. I either turned my back and left or stayed, got beaten up, and received her forgiveness. Which was better? Well, I decided to get beaten up.

Who knew, perhaps Lucas would hear about it and call me. Maybe he would feel bad about what Nova did and call us even. I was thinking rubbish though.

There was no way I would allow myself to get beaten up. My dad wouldn't even take it. Both he and my mum would go bananas if such a thing happened, and Nova and her father wouldn't be spared.

"Nova, are you okay? What happened?" A familiar voice surprised me, and I instantly turned. I saw Lucas, the last person I expected to see there. He was also surprised to see me.

"Ella? What is going on here, Nova?" He asked.

I stared at Nova and back at Lucas. "Is this the person you wanted me to meet? Lucas?"

Lucas was still staring at me in surprise while Nova shrugged and said, "I just cannot bear to see my father so miserable, so I called him over here in case you both have any final words for each other."

She turned and stared at Lucas. "Dad, I believe both you and Ella have something to say to each other."

"And what could that be?" He asked.

She walked up to him and whispered a few words in his ear, and I saw his eyes light up in excitement.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

She nodded and afterward went to stand by the side while Lucas walked closer to me. My heart began to race as I gazed at him, wondering what exactly was going on.

LUCAS

After making dinner for Nova the day before, I had gone into her room to check on her and saw that she was asleep. I wanted to drink and get wasted because that was the best way to escape my pain, well for the time being.

I knew that eventually, I would get over the pain, but for now, this was my best escape. I was avoiding my bedroom because it reminded me so much of the time I spent with Ella, and it only made my misery worse.

However, Nova ended up seeing me in my wasted condition, and the next morning she came into my room and said, "I'm sorry, Dad."

"What are you sorry for, darling?" I asked her. "Stop beating yourself up for things that are clearly not your fault."

"No, you don't understand," she said. "I know that you would do anything for me, that's something I'm sure of. So, I guess I should be able to do anything for you."

"Interesting," I said and folded my arms. "So what do you intend to do for me?"

"I don't know," she replied. "I'm just thinking, but I'll like to do something nice for you. Mmmm... it should be a surprise, something to make you very happy.

So, when I come up with a surprise, I'll let you know. It will be something to take your mind off whatever pain you're feeling right now."

I smiled. "You're already a blessing in my life, Nova. You do not need to do anything or give me any surprises, but if it makes you feel better, go ahead. I love surprises."

Who would have thought that the surprise Nova had in mind for me was the last thing I expected?

I was just at the office when she called and said, "Dad, I need you to come to the private garden. There's someone you need to meet. It's an emergency."

I was so worried the moment she said it was an emergency. I thought about so many scenarios as I ran out of my office, got into my car, and began to drive straight to the garden. I was surprised when I arrived and met no one else but Ella, the same person I had missed more than anything else.

As I stared at Nova, she talked about us saying our final words. I wondered if she wanted me to get closure by saying goodbye to Ella, but I wasn't sure about it, so I kept staring at her.

Then she whispered into my ear, "This is my surprise for you. If you love Ella and you're sure she loves you, then you have my support. Both of you can be together."

My eyes lit up, and I stared at Nova. I couldn't believe it. My daughter was such an angel. She walked over to the side and gave us a chance to speak.

Ella was staring at me with so much love in her eyes. Her eyes had also become misty, and tears threatened to come out. I walked closer and said, "Ella..."

"Lucas..." she replied, and the tears dropped from her eyes. I wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I'm sorry for making you cry."

"No, don't apologize," she replied. "I betrayed your trust because I kept some things from you. I should have been honest from the start, and if I had, I would not have caused you and Nova any pain."

"I know," I said to her. "I've missed you so much. These past few days have been hell for me. I know we only just started dating, but I felt as though I lost a part of me."

"Me too. I felt the same way," she said. "I haven't been able to eat properly or do anything else. All I do is cry... cry myself to sleep."

"I'm so sorry, my love," I said to her.

I cupped her cheeks and for a moment, I forgot that my daughter was standing not too far away from me, as all I could see at this point was Ella.

"I love you so much, Ella," I said.

"I love you too," she replied and threw herself into my arms. I hugged her for what seemed like ages and finally pulled away. I stared at her, looking into her eyes for a few more minutes before crashing my lips against hers.

We got so carried away by the moment until a voice said, "Both of you should get a room, you're so disgusting."

I realized it was Nova and quickly gasped in surprise as I pulled away from Ella. We both chuckled and turned to stare at Nova, who said, "Yeah, I said it. You both are disgusting. Go get a room. Meanwhile, I'm going to the library. I still have a lot of books to read."

We both stood staring at her as she began to walk away.

"Thank you very much, darling," I said.

"I love you too, Dad," she replied.

As she left, I turned and looked at Ella again.

"Isn't Nova so cool?" I asked.

"Yes, she is," Ella replied. "She's so amazing, and I'm so grateful to her for giving us this chance."

I hugged her again and said once more, "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," she also said again.

"I think we should go somewhere else. This place gives me an eerie feeling."

"Me too," she replied. "It's funny that when I earlier arrived here, I thought I was going to get beaten up."

I threw my head back and laughed. "No, my daughter isn't that evil."

"Yes, I got to confirm it. Of course, I knew she wasn't a bad person, but if anything, today confirmed it. I will never doubt her goodness again."

"Is it okay if I take you somewhere?" I asked.

"I would go anywhere with you," she replied.

"Alright then, I have just the perfect place in mind."

She smiled. "Okay, but I thought you just came from the office. What about your work?"

"That can wait," I replied. "Come on, let's go."

I clasped our hands as we began walking toward where we both parked our cars. I hadn't felt this happy in a long time.