Chapter 158 The best birthday gift
Chapter 158:The Best Birthday Gift
Xander ended the call and the ringing stopped. He tried calling again, and this time around, Golden picked the call.
“Hey Xander, don't drop the call. Follow the echo and come find me.”
Xander didn't want to believe it. Golden couldn't possibly be in Florida, let alone his house.
“Where are you baby? Why does it sound like you are in my house?” he asked.
“Well, why don't you check and see?”
Xander opened the back door and was amazed at the sight before him. His garden had been transformed into something out of the movies.
He saw a violinist playing a soft tune and a romantic set up for two. Golden was standing, her phone to her ear and a big smile on her face.
He didn't know how to feel, but he felt fireworks go off in his heart. For a man who had loved her in silence for years, this moment didn’t feel real. It felt like a dream he was afraid to blink out of.
He stood, frozen in place for a while. He still couldn't believe Golden was right there in his garden. “How?” was all he asked.
“Stop standing there and come over here. You don't intend to keep me standing do you?” Golden said into the phone with a smile.
Xander took steady steps and walked towards Golden. He noticed a chef and a waiter by a makeshift kitchen that he had initially missed.
They bowed as he passed by them. Soon, the violinist started to play the birthday tune. The clock had struck 12. It was officially his birthday.
He got to Golden's front and hung up the phone. He looked into her eyes. She was smiling and reached out to hug him.
“Happy birthday Xander. I wish you the very best in this new year. May your heart's desires come true.”
“Thank you Gigi. This is the best birthday ever.” he said with so much emotion. He broke the hug and pulled out her seat for her.
As soon as they sat, the waiter came over with a bento cake with one candle on it. He lit the candle and said, “happy birthday sir.”
“Make a wish Xander and blow out your candle.” Gigi said.
Xander closed his eyes, made a wish and blew out his candle. He opened his eyes, cut a piece of the cake and fed it to Gigi.
“The first piece is for you my love. How did you manage to pull this off? This is honestly the best surprise ever.”
The waiter served their meal and as they ate, Golden told Xander how she planned everything and who helped her pull it off.
Xander was pleasantly surprised. For her to have sought the help of others, it meant that she was ready to let other people know about their relationship.
So far, it was just Mona and Sally that knew about their relationship. He somehow figured that Rosa already knew, but when she didn't say anything, he too kept quiet.
They soon finished their meal and were left with just the wine which they sipped on. The chef, waiter, and violinist packed up and left, leaving them alone.
“I still can't believe that you are here and you did all these. Really can this day get any better?” Xander asked.
“Well we'll see. I still haven't given you your birthday gifts yet.” Golden said to a surprised Xander.
“Wait there is more? I thought this was the gift.” Xander asked shocked.
They stood up and decided to stroll a little to help digest their food. They held hands and walked in comfortable silence. Golden a little agitated about what was to come, and Xander blown away by all Golden had pulled off.
They stood under one of the colorful paper lanterns and looked at the clear skies. “Really Gigi, thank you.” Xander said.
She smiled and gently pulled him towards the house. Inside, her suitcase was placed close to one of the sofas in the living room.
Xander didn't dare think it was what he thought it was. Was Golden going to spend the night with him?
Golden opened her suitcase and brought out a small box from it and handed it over to Xander. “Happy Birthday Xander.” Golden hesitated before asking,
“Is it okay if I spend the weekend with you Xander?” she was a bit conflicted, unsure of what his answer would be.
“My plan was to spend the whole day with you today since it's your birthday. Then again I figured that since it's a weekend, I might as well just spend it with you.” Golden said, still not sure but deciding it was time to take a bold step in their relationship.
Xander couldn't help the joy he was feeling. He wanted to hug and kiss Golden. She was willing to spend a whole weekend with him, how was that not okay?
“Just give me a moment Gigi.” he said and pulled out his phone to make a call.
“Hi, please can you clear my schedule for this weekend?” pause...“Yes please. Thank you. I will see you on Tuesday. Bye” He hung up the phone.
Xander gently pulled Golden to sit close to him on the sofa. He carefully held her hands and said, “You traveled all the way from London to Florida just to see me.
You organized a romantic birthday dinner just for me. You still got me a gift and are willing to spend the whole weekend with me. How is that not okay?”
Golden decisively kissed Xander. It started slowly. Her hand was resting gently on his chest and she deepened the kiss, tentative at first, before growing more certain.
It was out of character for her, but she decided to make the first move, before her courage waned and she backed out.
She was gradually falling in love with Xander and although she still had fears and wasn't fully sure, she wanted to take the risk of loving again.
She waited for Xander to grant her access and slowly deepened the kiss. Xander, not expecting the kiss at all was momentarily shocked.
He took charge and pulled her closer and kissed her gently and sweetly. He put her hands around his neck and gently carried her until she was sitting on his lap. This was truly the best birthday ever.