135

135
Chapter 135
The Surprise 

He smiled. “It’s always been real, Cassy. Today just made it legal.”

I chuckled. “You always have an answer for everything.”

He leaned closer. “Only when it comes to you.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled. “You’re something else, you know.”

He reached out and brushed his hand gently against my cheek. “You’re my something else, wife.”

I blushed, turning my face away. “You really need to stop saying that in public.”

He laughed. “Why? Everyone should know who owns my heart.”

I looked at him, eyes soft. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I know,” he said proudly.

After a while, I rested my head on his shoulder. He looked down at me and smiled again. “You tired?”

“A little. Too much excitement,” I said softly.

He held my hand. “Rest. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, listening to the hum of the car and his slow breathing beside me. 

When I opened my eyes again, we were parked somewhere beautiful, a private garden by the lakeside. The breeze carried the scent of flowers, and a small table with champagne glasses waited under a white tent.

“Nikolas…” I whispered, surprised. “You planned all this?”

He smiled, stepping out and coming around to open the door for me again. “Of course. You think I’d let my wedding day pass without celebrating with my wife?”

I laughed as he helped me out. “You’re too much.”

“I take that as a compliment.”

We walked toward the table. The lake sparkled behind us as he poured two glasses of champagne and handed me one.

“To my wife,” he said, raising his glass.

I smiled, raising mine too. “To my husband.”

We clinked the glasses softly and took a sip.

He looked at me again, his gaze full of warmth. “You know something, Cassy?”

“What?”

“I never thought I’d get this lucky. I’ve had everything, money, power, respect, but none of it ever felt like today.”

I looked at him, my eyes soft. “Nik…”

He smiled faintly. “You’re my peace. My reason to slow down. My home.”

I couldn’t speak. My throat tightened a little as tears welled up in my eyes.

He reached out and wiped one before it fell. “No tears today, wife. Just smiles.”

I nodded, smiling again. “I love you, Nikolas.”

He leaned in and kissed me softly. “I love you too, Cassy. More than you’ll ever know.”

“I think I should visit my father…” I said suddenly, breaking the quiet moment between us.

Nikolas lifted his head slowly from the couch, his eyes moving straight to me. “Uhm… I won’t stop you if you want to,” he said softly. His tone was calm, but there was something in his eyes I couldn’t quite read.

I smiled faintly, reaching for his hand. “Even though he isn’t my real father… he raised me,” I said quietly. “I have to see him for the last time. I have questions to ask.”

Nikolas didn’t say a word for a while. His jaw tightened slightly, and I could see he was thinking deeply. Then he nodded. “If that’s what you want, wife, I’ll take you there myself.”

“Thank you,” I said, smiling warmly. I brushed my fingers across his palm slowly. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

He gave a smile then, just enough to melt my heart. “You’ve done enough for me, Cassy. It’s time I start doing more for you.”

I chuckled softly, “You already do too much.”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Not enough.”

I was about to say something when his expression suddenly changed. That mischievous glint I knew so well appeared in his eyes.

“What’s that look for?” I asked, narrowing my eyes playfully.

Nikolas smiled, leaning back. “I have a surprise for you.”

I frowned a little, half curious, half excited. “What surprise? Tell me!”

He shook his head. “Nope. It’s something I want you to see… not just hear.”

“Ugh, Nikolas…” I said, folding my arms.

He chuckled. “You’ll love it. But first…” He stood up and reached into his back pocket, pulling out a folded black cloth.

“What’s that for?” I asked, looking suspicious.

“For this surprise, I’d have to close your eyes first,” he said, already stepping closer.

I gasped, taking a step back playfully. “You’re not serious.”

“Oh, I’m very serious,” he said, that smile of his stretching wider. “Come here, wife.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine… fine! But you better not lead me into a pool or something.”

He laughed too, shaking his head. “You don’t trust me?”

“I do… I just don’t trust your surprises,” I said, giggling as I turned around.

He tied the cloth gently around my eyes, careful not to hurt me. His hands brushed against my cheeks. “Too tight?” he asked.

“No… it’s fine,” I said softly.

“Good.” He took my hand. “Now, no peeking, alright?”

“I promise.”

I could hear him gesture to someone, maybe Dre, because I heard footsteps and the sound of keys jingling. 

Nikolas led me gently by the hand. “Slowly now, one step at a time.”

“I’m trying…” I said, laughing nervously.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” he said quietly, his voice close to my ear.

We walked for a bit, and I could feel the cool air brushing against my skin. Definitely outside now.

“Where are we going?!” I asked, trying not to stumble.

“You’ll see… well, you won’t see yet,” he teased.

“Oh, Nikolas…” I groaned.

He chuckled again, then stopped walking. “Alright. We’re here.”

I heard Dre’s voice from somewhere close. “Boss, everything’s set.”

“Good,” Nikolas said. I could tell he was smiling from the way his tone softened.

I heard a sound, a door clicking open, then closing. 

Nikolas came behind me again. “Alright wife, ready?”

“Uhm… I think so,” I said, gripping his hand tightly.

“Okay then. Before you see it, touch this…” He guided my hand forward until my fingers brushed against something smooth and cool.

It was hard, metallic, and I could smell that new car scent.

“What do you think it is?” he asked.

I ran my palm over it again, it was wide, shiny, and curved. My heart started racing. “Wait… wait.. Nikolas…”

“Yes, wife?”

“Is this…”

“Go on…” he teased.

I pulled the cloth off my eyes and gasped so loudly Dre burst into laughter. “Oh my God!!!”

Right in front of me stood a brand new Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Coupe, the latest model, sleek silver body with pink ribbons tied around the handles and colorful balloons floating over it.

My hands flew to my mouth as I almost jumped on Nikolas. “Nikolas!!!”

He laughed as I hugged him tight, my eyes wide with shock. “This is my dream car!!” I screamed, my voice shaking with excitement.

Nikolas laughed again, holding me tightly. “I know,” he said, brushing his hand on my hair. “You mentioned it once… I didn’t forget.”

“Oh my God, I can’t believe this!!” I said, pulling away to run straight toward the car. I placed my hand on the hood, running my fingers along the sleek lines. “It’s real! It’s really mine?!”

He nodded, still smiling proudly. “It’s yours, Cassy. All yours.”

“Are you serious right now?!” I asked again, still not believing it.

“Yes, wife,” he said, coming closer. “Your name is on the papers too.”

I turned sharply, eyes wide. “Nikolas!!”

He grinned, watching me circle around the car. I touched the side mirrors, then the glass, then peeked inside. “The interior is all white leather!! And look, oh my God.. it even smells new!!”

Dre, who was standing close by laughed quietly. “She’s going to cry, boss.”

Nikolas smiled. “I think she already is.”

“I’m not crying!!” I said quickly, even though my eyes were glistening.

Nikolas came closer, standing beside me. “You love it?”

“Love it? Nikolas, I adore it!! I’ve been dreaming of this car since forever!” I said, my voice trembling a little.

“Then that’s all I need to hear,” he said softly.

He opened the car door and gestured toward it. “Go on, take a seat.”

“Really?!” I asked, still shocked.

“Really,” he said with a smile.

I squealed softly as I stepped inside. The leather hugged me like a dream. The dashboard gleamed.

“This is crazy…” I whispered, brushing my fingers over the steering wheel. “It even has my initials here…”

I turned to look at him. “You put my initials here?! Cassy D?”

He chuckled. “I wanted it to feel personal. You deserve something that’s only yours.”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I unbuckled the seatbelt, jumped out, and ran straight into his arms again. “Thank you, Nikolas. Thank you so much.”

He wrapped his arms around me gently. “You don’t have to thank me, wife. I just want to see you happy.”

I pressed my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “You make me too happy, sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve it.”

He pulled back a little and lifted my chin.