Love x betrayal

chapter 28: Birthday plans

The past few weeks at the mansion had been surprisingly different from anything Sadie had expected. After all the fear, tension, and animosity between her and Jake, things had taken an unexpected turn. The quiet moments, the occasional laughter, and the way Jake’s intense demeanor would soften when they were alone—it all felt surreal. They were bonding, though Sadie would never admit that out loud. She still couldn't shake her suspicions, especially after everything that had happened, but something had changed between them. There was a strange comfort in their proximity.

One morning, Sadie woke up much later than usual. The golden sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over her room. She stretched and rubbed her eyes, realizing that the house felt eerily quiet. Jake was nowhere to be found.

"Where could he be?" she muttered, getting out of bed. She felt a growing sense of suspicion as she wandered through the mansion. It wasn’t like Jake to leave without saying anything. Her mind raced with thoughts as she began to worry that he might be up to something dangerous again.

Meanwhile, Jake was sitting in a small, cozy café in the city. Across from him was Camelia, a long-time friend he hadn't seen in years. She had always been the life of the party, beautiful and poised with a sharp mind for planning events. Her etiquette and charm were unmatched, and her confidence only added to her allure. When Jake entered the café, Camelia was already waiting, sipping on a cappuccino, her bright red lips curving into a smirk as she saw him.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Jake, the infamous woman-hater himself,” she teased as he sat down across from her.

Jake rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help the small grin tugging at his lips. “Camelia, you never change.”

“And neither do you,” she quipped, leaning forward. “So, what brings you here? The last time we talked, you said you’d never throw a party in your life. You hated the whole concept of it. What’s changed?”

Jake shifted slightly in his seat, feeling uncharacteristically flustered. “I’m planning something... for someone special,” he said, the words coming out quieter than he intended.

Camelia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Someone special, huh? And here I thought you didn’t trust anyone, let alone care about anyone.” She paused, then added with a grin, “Wait, don’t tell me you’re finally in love?”

Jake’s face turned a faint shade of pink, and despite himself, he felt warmth creeping into his cheeks. The thought of Sadie, with her defiance, her stubbornness, and even her small acts of kindness, made him smile involuntarily. He quickly composed himself and cleared his throat.

“I have my reasons,” he said curtly, trying to avoid any more personal questions.

Camelia couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, this is rich! The great Jake, blushing like a schoolboy. Who is this girl?”

Jake avoided her gaze, changing the topic swiftly. “It’s Sadie’s golden birthday. She’s turning 19 on July 19th, and I want to throw her a party. Nothing too big, just something intimate, with her closest friend. But I want it to be perfect—something she’ll never forget.”

Camelia gave him a knowing look but decided not to push him further. “Alright, I can work with that. What do you have in mind?”

“A gigantic cake, something grand. And a really expensive gift—something meaningful. The venue needs to be beautifully decorated, something that reflects her. Oh, and a chocolate fountain. She loves chocolate,” Jake said, his voice softening slightly as he thought of Sadie.

“Chocolate fountain, expensive gift, beautiful decorations... got it,” Camelia said, jotting down a few notes. “Anything else?”

Jake leaned back in his chair. “That should cover it. But make sure everything’s perfect. I’m trusting you with this.”

Camelia raised her eyebrows. “Trusting me with five million dollars, you mean.” She watched as Jake transferred the money to her account with a few taps on his phone.

“If you do a good job, I’ll double the payment,” Jake added, his tone serious. “And don’t forget to pick something that Sadie will like.”

Camelia shook her head, smiling as she watched the transaction go through. “Don’t worry, Jake. You can count on me. I won’t let you down.”

They both stood up, exchanging a quick hug before going their separate ways.

When Jake returned to the mansion, the first thing he noticed was the faint aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. He followed the scent and was surprised to see a carefully prepared meal sitting on the counter, clearly made for him. He blinked in disbelief. Sadie had cooked for him? It was unexpected, to say the least.

As he walked further into the house, he saw her lying on the couch, her hair splayed out across the cushions, her face peaceful as she dozed. Jake found himself staring at her longer than he should have. His heart did a strange flip, and before he could stop himself, he felt his cheeks flush again.

What was happening to him?

Shaking his head, Jake approached her quietly. Without waking her, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, the warmth of her skin sending another wave of unfamiliar emotions through him.

He straightened up quickly, feeling embarrassed by his own actions, and took the food she had made up to his room. As he ate, he couldn’t stop thinking about Sadie. This birthday surprise he was planning wasn’t just for her. It was for him, too—to show her that maybe, just maybe, there was more to him than the cold, controlling persona he often wore like armor.

As the sun began to set, Jake sat by the window, staring out at the horizon, lost in thought. For the first time in a long time, he was excited about something—about Sadie’s birthday, about seeing her smile. He hoped she would be happy with the surprise.