The wrong kind of surprise
1073 Words
Eden Grace
“Dr. Eden!”
The voice made her stop in surprise, she turned around looking surprised.
It was Jake Rowen.
Wait, wasn't he there with the senior doctors!? How did he come here so fast? Eden gasped as she gaped at him.
Jake stood in front of her, his expression more softer now, it was almost like the old him. For a moment, her heart did that stupid thing again… it fluttered with hope.
“Jake..?” She stammered, holding the files tightly as if they might evaporate away any moment now.
“Why didn't you come to greet me? Atleast, you should have waited for me.” Jake's amber eyes fixed onto her with a quiet authority of an Alpha but there was also softness because she was his mate.
Jake had accepted Eden as his mate ever since he was 15 years old, defying his parents or his pack. He didn't care that she was wolfless, he just wanted her all for himself. He was her first love.
He held her despite all the revolts, which Eden admired the most about Jake. And from that moment, they had been inseparable, bound by a connection deeper than any bond anyone had ever known.
A shy smile touched her lips, “I..I was just taking a small break between cases. You know how hospital chaos is.”
She didn’t say how Freya had made her skip lunch, dumped back to back files on her, and humiliated her twice in front of other staff. Or she didn’t say how she had to clean the floor of the resident room after hours.
She didn't want to bother him. Jake was already working hard, building his career. She didn't want to be another burden to him.
“I see…” Jake gave a small smile which made Eden's mood which was sullen earlier brighten immediately.
Even though weeks had passed without more than brief exchanges due to his relentless schedule, her heart still responded to him the same way it always had.
One look, one smile, and she found herself softening, swaying toward him without meaning to.
Without thinking, she reached out, trying to hold his wrist but he brushed her hand away.
“What are you doing, not here!” Jake said quickly glancing around. “What did I tell you about this? No dating here. What if someone sees us?”
“Oh. Right,” she whispered, her smile vanishing. “Sorry, I forgot. But Jake, you know today is my birthday right? Let's go out somewhere today, you promised you'd make it up for not coming at 12 am.”
Jake nodded scratching the back of his neck. “I know and I'm sorry I had some late night cases but I promise I'll wind everything up today and meet you in the evening to celebrate your birthday.”
Her face lit up, “Really? Just us?”
Jake smiled earnestly, “Yeah, just us.”
Finally…
The day had come and tonight she was going to spend time with Jake. Her beloved Alpha. After so many missed days and unspoken words, she was finally able to open her heart again.
But then…everything crumbled down.
The clock struck 11:50 PM and Eden was sitting on the edge of her couch, dressed beautifully in a lilac dress that now felt too hopeful, too naïve.
She glanced at the door every few seconds, her eyes flicking to her phone in between, but still nothing. There was no call, no message nor any presence of him.
A hollow ache began to swell in her chest. Her mind told he wouldn’t forget, he promised he would wind everything and come home.
And then she heard a car arriving. Eden suddenly shot up from the sofa in one swift motion. Her heart kept racing with a rush of excitement she didn’t bother to hide.
He must be here!
She rushed to the door. Her hands were trembling with excitement as she turned the knob hope surging in.
But only to see…Jake leaning heavily on Freya Heyes. Eden's world came crumbling down.
Freya’s laughter rang out like a slap as her arm firmly wrapped around Jake’s waist while he stumbled, clearly intoxicated.
Eden’s eyes followed him and saw his shirt was wrinkled, his tie was loose and he couldn’t even stand straight without her help.
He was full blown drunk…!
“Careful, Doctor Hero!” Freya giggled, brushing his hair back with a mock tenderness. “Don’t fall for me now.”
Eden stood frozen at the door. She was still in her birthday dress, her fingers were trembling around the edge of the doorframe.
Freya looked up and smirked, “Oh, Eden! There was a pack meeting with the hospital committee, Jake was our star, of course. And we all ended up at the hotel for some moon brewed alcohols … you don’t mind, do you?”
Eden’s voice caught in her throat. She couldn’t respond. All she could do was stare at Jake, the man she thought would remember her birthday, the man who promised to always show up but he was barely standing, barely conscious.
Moon brewed alcohols were especially made for alpha and high ranks in packs. It was especially when there was a special occasion.
“You know how impressed they are by him. It was supposed to end early but the chairman wanted to treat Jake personally. And well…” she shrugged dramatically. “…Since today was my birthday too, they extended the celebration to a suite. So generous, right?”
Eden's backbone stiffened, the cold air rushing in. Today was Freya’s birthday…?
She looked at Jake as tears formed in her eyes but she told herself she wouldn't cry even though her heart cracked with a soundless scream.
Jake could barely keep his eyes open now as he mumbled something under his breath, the words that didn’t make sense as he leaned heavily against Freya.
His head was comedy resting on her shoulder while she guided him up the steps.
Freya gave a parting smirk. “Anyway, happy birthday, Eden. Hope you had a… memorable night.”
And with that, she disappeared inside with Jake, leaving the door hanging open.
It was 11:59 PM now. Just one more minute.
She shut the door softly. Then, as the clock struck midnight, Eden’s birthday ended.
And so did something else inside her.
- Writer
