Chapter 150 150

Chapter 150 150
EVA

The drive back was quiet. I stared out the window, watching the city blur past us and I wished I could go with it, my mind empty for once. When we finally pulled up to the estate, I climbed out without a word and went straight to my room.

I flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. 

What a disaster. No Becky's sale. No discounted dresses. Just a broken car and a sunburn on my arm. Thankfully it wasn't that big or visible.

I can already hear Chloe's voice in my head, telling me I should have taken the second route that Nico suggested, and that I gave up too easily. Becky's having a discount sale was a gold mine left unattended. And I was probably the reason the car broke down in the first place because the universe knew I was about to buy something cheap and it needed to stop me.

But, the last time I took any route at all, I broke an arm, a leg and ribs.

Yeah, like those bones that protect your organs. I couldn't possibly risk it again. These things give you trauma and trust that trauma is the last thing you want to have. 

The PTSD. I don't even remember the last time I went out with a public transport. Supposed to be a flex but no. Oh heavens no, it's not. So forgive me Chloe's voice in my head, for prioritizing my life over a crystal crested ball gown sold for half the price. 

Okay, now I'm just pissing myself off.

I rolled onto my side and saw the box on my nightstand. Mira's gift I was supposed to not open until today.

Well, it's today.

At least one good thing.

Books?

Money? Wards of cash? A dress from Becky's?

I grabbed it and tore open the wrap to reveal the branded box inside. I slowly lifted the lid and stared at the contents.

Lingerie. 

It's a lingerie set.

A, um…a very transparent, very I can see everything, very sexy, very much something I would never buy for myself, lingerie.

Yes, Mira, not Chloe. Mira bought me a lingerie set I can only wear in my dreams.

I held it up and laughed. Of course. Of course this is what she got me. I should have known. I should have expected nothing less from Mira. 

She probably spent weeks picking it out, imagining the look on my face when I opened it. Or worse, she was influenced by Chloe.

I could picture her now, sitting in her room, scrolling through websites, grinning at the thought of me being mortified. She knew exactly what she was doing.

I shook my head and tossed it aside. 

I'm not going to wear it, ever. Even if she paid me a grand.

The doorbell suddenly rang from downstairs.

I sat up, confused. Who would be visiting? 

I made my way downstairs and opened the door before the maids could get to it to find one of the security men holding a stack of gift boxes.

"Ms. Bishop? These came for you. All searched and cleared."

I blinked. "For me?" I stepped back and he came in to set them down and left before I could ask anything else. 

I stared at the pile of boxes, then started carrying them to the table one by one.

Staring at their return address and sender's name. They were from people I considered more acquaintances than friends. From people I used to work with. Even from ex-high school classmates I haven't spoken to in what? Years.

How did they even get my address?

As of reading my mind, my phone buzzed almost immediately with a text from Mira.

A couple people messaged me this morning for your address as they couldn't reach you. I know it's safe there so I gave them. Hbd love.

How did they even know it's my birthday?

Oh right. 

Social media. You'd be surprised what people remember when they see a notification.

I shook my head and quickly started unboxing. At least I've got something to do now.

There was a scarf from an old coworker, candles from someone I barely know, a gift card to a bookstore from a high school friend who still thought I read for fun. I don't even know the last time I saw a book that wasn't Lily’s sketchbook. There was also a small box of turkiye chocolates, is it Turkey or Dubai? I don't even remember. But they have these green grassy stuff in the middle from a neighbor I haven't seen in years and I don't plan to see anytime soon. 

I did a basketball throw in the nearest bin and went back to unboxing.

I have absolutely no idea why she would send me a fucking chocolate. What? To ease my pain.

A mug that said "World's Okayest Mom" from someone who clearly didn't know me at all.

I appreciate the gifts but how about we stick to just texts when you barely know someone. I don't even know the birthdays of seventy percent of the people that sent me gifts.

I would go out of my way to know, if any of the gifts was a dress from Becky's.

Lily appeared down the stairs, a maid turned nanny behind her, her eyes wide. "Mommy, what these?"

"Gifts, baby."

She rushed over and started helping me unbox. Mimicking my opening motion until she couldn't take it anymore that the ribbons were coming off as easy as mine was. She began using her teeth. Her small teeth and hands tore through the wrapping paper with more enthusiasm than I've had all day. She held up a small box of chocolates and grinned.

"One?"

"One. And then we're saving the rest for later."

She nodded and popped one into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk. She reached for another, and I gave her a look. She pulled her hand back and giggled.

After the unboxing, I had a maid help move the safer and the ones I liked upstairs. I gave out the rest to the maid to pick the ones they liked, the unsafe ones went straight to the bin.

I went to the kitchen afterward and found the cake in the fridge along with little chocolate truffles sitting on the counter, untouched. I stared at it for a moment.

I cut myself a small slice, then another for Lily, and left the rest in the fridge. Dante doesn't even know it was my birthday, but that doesn't mean I was going to leave him some cake. It was the thought that counted, right? Even if he didn't know he was supposed to be thinking.

I took the two slices to Lily's room. She was already in her pajamas, sitting on her bed, waiting. Her legs were crossed, her hands folded in her lap, and she looked like she was trying very hard to be patient. I set the plates down on the small table and sat beside her.

We ate our cake in silence, watching a movie on the small TV the maids set up for her.

She was basically a princess now.

We were watching animated animals going on adventures with their human pets. As if that was normal. Lily leaned against me.

Halfway through the movie, she fell asleep with her head rested against my shoulder, her breathing soft and even. I stayed there for a while, not wanting to move until I was sure she was in a deep sleep. Then I carried her to bed and tucked her in, kissing her forehead.

"Happy birthday to me," I whispered.

I left her room and went to take a shower.

I let the hot water wash away the frustration and stood there longer than I needed to, letting the steam fill the bathroom and my mind drift. Wondering how this day could've gone if I'd planned well for it.

When I got out, I wrapped a towel around myself and walked to the balcony. The sound of the gate sliding open alerted me.

I leaned forward, squinting at the car pulling in. It wasn't one I recognized. 

Is Dante back?

Ugh! Thank goodness. 

I quickly dried off and pulled on shorts and a shirt and made my way downstairs, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. 

I stepped outside and saw the car parked but with no one in sight and the door still locked.

Uh, why isn't he coming out?

Wary, I glanced around. There was no one in sight, not even the maids or Nico that hung outside all day like he was part of the sun.

This isn't another one of those attacks is it? A car gets delivered to your house and blown up or worse, with a body inside.

But then, I'm certain the security wouldn't let it in, if it wasn't safe.

I was about to take a step forward when arms wrapped around me from behind. Arms and showeders  swallowing me whole.

From the scent I already knew who it was. I chuckled and relaxed into his chest.

"Where have you been?" I asked. "I thought you moved to a new city and changed your name."

He hummed in satisfaction and kissed my neck. "I spent the night outside taking surveys."

I held his arms and turned my gaze to my side "Surveys? For what?"

"I didn't know what to get you. So I had Sage gather a group of women to ask what they'd want for their birthday." He said it with so much seriousness it was hard to know if he was joking or not.

Let's ignore the fact that he remembered my birthday because this sounds more ridiculous.

A group of women for what? To start a cult? Because I'm sure he didn't do any survey for my birthday.

"You had Sage survey a bunch of women for my birthday?"

"He said they were very enthusiastic. Don't worry they were paid."

When did I look worried?
I just can't imagine what Sage went through in the midst of a room full of women telling him what to buy for their boss's girlfriend. That's probably his worst nightmare.

"So what did they agree on?"

"Sweets. And flowers."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's it? Sweets and flowers? You got me diabetes and cavities?"

He handed me a key.”Back seat.”

I unlocked the car and opened the door. It opened in a rather luxurious perfect way. 

The back seat was loaded with boxes of candy, every type I could imagine. Flowers, arranged in elegant bouquets. Branded bags from stores I could only dream of.

Is he planning to kill me?!!

What am I supposed to do with all of these?! Sell them?? Because that's the only sensible solution.

So how many women again? All of them decided the best thing for this woman stranger they've never met to have on her birthday is sweet.

He paused. “A few of them suggested otherwise though.”

“What? A Becky's dress?”

"I couldn't decide on a color, so I thought white was best."

What?????