CHAPTER 1: ANNIVERSARY SURPRISE
1296 Words
It was already seven in the evening when I finally arrived at the restaurant where Tyler had made our anniversary reservation.
Stepping out of the taxi, I was greeted by the sight of an elegant glass door, its polished surface reflecting the golden glow of the street lights.
The restaurant had a vintage charm to it—warm lighting, intricate wooden details, and an atmosphere that exuded both sophistication and intimacy.
The sight alone made my excitement grow.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
A well-dressed waiter approached me with a polite smile. "Good evening, ma’am. Do you have a reservation?"
“Yes,” I nodded, smoothing the fabric of my dress nervously. “It’s under Tyler Mercadejas.”
The moment I said his name, the waiter’s posture straightened slightly, and he didn’t even bother checking the reservation list.
“Oh! Mr. Tyler booked the entire second floor of the restaurant for tonight’s dinner,” he informed me with a knowing smile. “Please, follow me.”
I blinked. The entire second floor?
A mixture of surprise and disbelief filled me as I trailed behind the waiter.
Tyler and I had celebrated our anniversaries before, but it had always been simple—dinners at his place, movie nights, or takeout in my apartment.
I knew Tyler came from a wealthy family, but I couldn't believe he had gone out of his way to book an entire floor just for our anniversary!
This….was completely different!
As we walked through the grand hallway leading to the staircase, my heart pounded.
I couldn't help but tighten my grip to the box I'm holding. This was so unlike our usual celebrations so I couldn't hope getting nervous about how much this would cost him and I hoped he would like the gift I had for him.
Reaching the top of the stairs, the waiter stopped in front of a large set of double doors and gestured for me to go ahead. I hesitated for a moment before pushing them open.
Darkness.
I blinked, my eyes struggling to adjust. There was no light, no candle glow—nothing.
The entire floor was pitch black.
I turned to the waiter, confusion creeping into my voice. “Um….there’s no light?”
He simply smiled. “It was a special request from Mr. Tyler for the lights to be off when you arrived, ma’am.”
I swallowed, my pulse quickening.
Tyler always had a flair for surprises, but this was unexpected.
I hesitated at the doorway, feeling a mix of anticipation and curiosity. The air inside was cool, carrying a faint scent of roses and something else I couldn't quite place.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward into the darkness.
The waiter who had led me upstairs didn’t follow, and I suddenly felt very alone in the vast, unlit space.
I hesitated, glancing behind me, but the doors had already closed.
Swallowing my nerves, I looked ahead and called out hesitantly, “T-Tyler?”
Silence.
No movement.
No response.
Just as I was about to call his name again, a soft click echoed in the room.
One by one, the floor lights flickered on, casting a golden glow along a pathway that stretched across the room. The gentle hum of a hidden sound system filled the air, the melody soft and romantic.
And at the other end of the illuminated path—standing tall in a sleek black suit—was Tyler.
My breath caught.
He looked incredible.
The tailored suit hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, the dark fabric making him look even more striking.
His hair was neatly styled, and even from a distance, I could see the small, knowing smile playing on his lips.
Like he had been waiting just for me!
I smiled at Tyler and stepped forward as he gestured for me to come closer.
As I walked down the softly glowing pathway, I noticed something beneath my feet. Scattered among the golden lights were delicate rose petals—deep red against the warm glow.
My heart swelled at the sight.
Roses. Everywhere.
I glanced around, realizing that the petals didn’t just line the path.
They were spread all over the floor, as if the entire room had been transformed into something out of a dream.
When I finally reached Tyler, I could see him more clearly.
His face, illuminated by the gentle lighting, was just as breathtaking as ever.
His dark eyes held something unreadable yet warm, and that smile—the one that always made me feel like I was the only person in the room—never left his lips.
“Tyler…” I breathed, taking in the grand setup around me.
“How did you—?” I turned in place, still unable to believe what I was seeing. “There are rose petals everywhere.”
Tyler let out a soft chuckle, tucking his hands into his pockets as he watched my reaction. “I wanted tonight to be special,” he said simply.
I stared at him, my heart swelling at his words.
“You did all this….for me?” I asked softly.
“For us,” he corrected, taking a step closer.
“Do you like it?”
I let out a breathless laugh. “Are you kidding? It’s—” I shook my head, searching for the right words. “It’s perfect.”
Tyler’s eyes never left mine as he tilted his head slightly, his voice soft yet steady.
"Then….Do you love me even more?"
The question caught me off guard.
I blinked up at him, my lips parting slightly in surprise. Tyler had never asked me something like this before—not once in our entire relationship.
He had always been confident in the way we felt about each other, never needing verbal reassurance.
So why ask now?
A strange feeling settled in my chest, but I brushed it off almost immediately.
Maybe it’s just because it’s our third anniversary, I told myself.
Maybe he just wants to hear it tonight.
Pushing away the unease, I smiled and took his hand.
"Of course, I do," I said truthfully. "I love you more than ever, Tyler."
His fingers tightened around mine slightly, but there was something in his eyes—something fleeting, something I couldn't quite place.
It lasted only for a brief moment before he let out a small chuckle.
"I'm glad," he murmured. "Because I thought I had failed."
My smile faltered.
Failed?
I frowned, my fingers still wrapped in his as I looked up at him in confusion. “What do you mean—”
Before I could finish my sentence, the lights in the room suddenly flickered on.
I winced at the brightness, momentarily disoriented. If before, only the soft led lights on the floor illuminated the space, now everything was crystal clear.
And that was when I saw it.
Right behind Tyler, plastered across the grand wall in bold letters, was a message that made my breath catch in my throat.
CONGRATULATIONS, TYLER, FOR WINNING THE BET!
My body went still.
The words screamed at me, louder than anything I had ever heard.
And then—applause.
Slow claps echoed around the room, followed by low murmurs and hushed laughter. My gaze darted past Tyler, my heart pounding as I realized we weren’t alone.
A group of well-dressed people sat at the far end of the room, their expressions ranging from amusement to feigned surprise. Some of them I recognized—friends of Tyler’s, people he’d introduced me to before. Others were complete strangers.
My stomach twisted at the sign and for what reason they were here.
I turned to Tyler with my voice shaking
“…What is this?”
- Writer
