Found Love When Your Gone

Chapter 5 The Surprise & Spam Email

Jonathan POV

Nothing felt normal after that dinner with Homer Cushe. I felt I was the only one who couldn't understand anything and felt my life was already signed ages ago.

I also felt I was a stranger in my own home. They always exchanged looks before entering rooms. Dad is answering calls in his study and mom cries when she thinks no one is looking.

Thinking of Gertrude is making me lose my sanity. Something unspoken is haunting me but I couldn’t manifest and am still choosing Jessica over her.

Shaking the thought that gnawed at me, I picked the best clothes for today. I don’t want to ruin our anniversary because of Gertrude, yet it is inevitable.

Before I could meet Jessica, dad called asking me to go home early, ruining all my plans. Still I allotted some time to meet her.

Arriving at the restaurant, I saw her glowing waiting at the corner. She wears a long yellow dress and lets her wavy hair loose. Of all the people at the restaurant, she is glowing differently because she has a distinct style.

She smiled when she saw me, the smile that captivated me. I don’t want to hurt her tonight but it's bound to happen, and I am not comfortable turning her down.

“Happy Anniversary love.” I said kissing her forehead.

"Happy Anniversary babe!" She giggled. I gave her the bouquet and chocolates before sitting down. Her eyes lit up, smelling the flowers, closing her eyes.

It was a perfect night colored with beautiful roses, addictive perfume and a sweet serenade, including her wicked gifts, but I love them especially the Versace boxer and stamina pills.

With the gift alone, the night was alive, sensual and burning your spirit. It’s the life that I’ve been enjoying for four years.

After I gave her my other gifts, she bit her lowers lips seductively, leaned across the table and whispered. “My place or yours?” Still wearing a seductive smile.

I almost gasped.

The tranquility of the night that I am enjoying suddenly fades and it breaks my heart to say no. She saw my mood change but still she didn’t show disappointment, maybe hoping for a good response

“I’m sorry love but we can’t tonight!”

Her excitement changed into disappointment, but she masked it immediately.

“But I’ll see you tomorrow morning. We’ll have breakfast together.” I was disappointed as well. I’m sad we couldn’t celebrate like we used to.

"It's fine babe. I'll see you tomorrow then." She gushed still smiling, but I know deep inside her is sad.

"I'm sorry baby! I'll make it up to you!" I promised her again.

With a heavy heart, we parted with just a kiss, but surprises in my life weren’t over. My heart almost jumped, shocked to see our living room.

The room looks like a royal engagement covered with expensive gifts. Imported wines, velvet boxes. Jewelry cases and silk-wrapped gifts stack across the table.

I couldn’t bring myself to walk forward still staring at those gifts, then I saw my sister grinning. I didn’t even know she arrived.

“Natalie!” I said.

“Did you come home to tell us you are getting married?” I asked smiling. My sister is beautiful but dresses like a man.

“Nope!” She replied.

“What?”

“These are not for me big brother?” She casually said before going back to her phone again.

“But I haven’t proposed to my girlfriend yet so this is not for me too.” I replied, glancing at the gifts again. Just then, my father came down with a serious face. He didn’t speak, just walked past me and sat opposite mom.

“You don’t have to propose to her!” Dad said and it was final. No room for discussion.

“Why not dad?” I asked, wondering if they had maybe met her parents and settled then. Everyone knew Jessica was my girlfriend.

“Because your perfect match agreed to marry you, and we like her too.”

“No dad! I can’t marry someone other than Jessica.” I retorted. They should have asked me before agreeing.

“Shut up Jonathan! She is better than your Jessica. That woman is not right for you!” He glared at me. I have never seen him mad like this. I want to scream, ‘Why do they hate her so much?’ My chest tightened as we continued to speak. I want to ram all those expensive gifts out the window furious.

Who the f**k is the woman who wanted me?

They hated me when that scandal came out and only Jessica stayed.

“I’ll propose to Jessica no matter what!” I still fight, insisting.

The living room went quiet and my spine went rigid, anticipating my father’s outburst. Even Natalie stopped what she was doing.

“If you believe she is elegant, trustworthy and innocent, then invite her tomorrow for dinner.” Dad replied instead.

My jaw dropped speechless.

“But if she is not what you think of her, you will meet your fiancée on Sunday at the Michelin Restaurant!”

That night, I couldn’t sleep, wondering about what my father said. It sounded like I’m going to lose, but I believe Jesica can pull herself in front of my family. Though obviously no one likes her!

Don’t be afraid, Jonathan! I said to myself like a fool, talking alone in the dark.

Jessicca called many times but I didn’t answer as my thoughts were wandering elsewhere. The feeling of the unknown and thoughts that I don’t know where it is coming from.

Everyone is already asleep but sleep is not in love with me, so I went out to the living room. Looking at the pile of the gifts, I saw one of the velvet boxes had a different shade.

I got curious and grabbed it. The moment it touches my palm feels different; another jolt of an unexplained feeling creeps over me. I was supposed to open it when my tablet lit up.

I put it back and grab my tablet. The message went to my spam but my curiosity spiked to check what it was.

‘When you open this, it means no turning back.’

I frowned while reading it. My finger hesitated to tap on open but I did it anyway. Then my tablet slipped out of my palm, shocked by what the email was all about.

All my mind wants to say is ‘why’ and ‘how’.

“That’s impossible!”