Chapter 1: The Surprise
~Vivian~
"Oh my God, Tasha, I swear, I feel like a teenager in love all over again!" I giggled into my phone as I carefully arranged the pack of blue and silver balloons in the backseat of the Uber.
“I still think this is a bad idea, Vee,” Tasha said, her voice filled with concern. “It doesn’t ever end well when women try to surprise their men. They’re either caught doing something they shouldn’t, or just plain ungrateful. I get that you want to make your husband feel special, but I don’t know if surprising him like this is okay.”
I brought the phone close to my face and scrunched up my nose playfully at my best friend. “You’ve seen too many movies, Tasha, and it’s affecting the way you view men. Besides, Nathan isn’t like that. I trust him.”
Tasha rolled her eyes and tutted. "I don’t understand how you’re always so hyped up about a man that you’ve been married to for five whole years."
Staring dreamily into the air, I began to muse about Nathan and I. I’d met him when I was only twenty, during one of my frequent visits to the library five years ago, and had fallen head over heels in love with him. We became inseparable and so crazy in love that we got married the same year. It has been pure bliss ever then, and even though Nathan had his shortcomings, I still don’t think that I can live without him.
“Oh my god, please stop,” Tasha groaned, breaking through my musing. She clutched her chest and gasped dramatically. “I can barely breathe because of the love radiating from you over there.”
A laugh tore from my throat as I adjusted my grip on the little cake box resting on my thigh. "I can’t help falling for him all over again.” A little smile lingered on my lips as I caressed the gift that I’d prepared for him. “It’s his birthday, and I can’t wait to see his reaction when he sees me. He thinks I’m still in Paris, you know?"
Tasha’s voice crackled through the phone. "Girl, I hope he doesn’t have a heart attack from all this excitement. Also, I hope you’ll be filming his reaction. I wouldn’t want to miss anything."
"Obviously," I laughed, rolling my eyes playfully. The Uber slowed in front of our house, and I waved to the small group of people waiting at the gate.
I’d invited some of Nathan’s friends, coworkers, and a few mutual friends who had agreed to help with the surprise. I knew it was extra, but it was still my husband’s birthday and I wanted to make it special for him.
According to what I heard from his co-workers, he had an important meeting to attend, and wasn’t going to be home for another twenty minutes. That gives us enough time to make all the necessary arrangements and preparations that was needed.
"Okay, I just got home,” I said into the phone, lowering my voice and switching to audio call. “Everyone's here. We’re going in now."
"No, don’t hang up, keep me on the line.” I could hear the excitement in Tasha’s voice, “I want to hear him scream in excitement like a kid. I’ll use it to taunt him whenever I meet up with you two."
I whispered an okay to her, and stepped out of the uber. The others rushed to help me get the balloons and other stuff that would be used for the decoration that I’d planned out.
With one hand balancing the cake, I dropped my phone into my handbag, pushed open the front door and stepped inside, signaling for everyone to follow me.
The house was quiet as I stepped in. There was no sign of anyone at home, which was weird, because the househelp was supposed to be in at this time preparing dinner. But that was also okay, because it availed me the opportunity to set things up quickly without spoiling the surprise.
Moving quickly, I set the cake down on the center table in the living room, and began to work on the decorations. We decided that we should be as quiet as we can, so that Nathan wouldn’t pick up noises coming from the security camera and decide to check what it was about.
I giggled occasionally while setting up the decorations. The thought of how pleased Nathan would be gladdened my heart. All I could think of was how happy he would be that I left the one week work conference in Paris and flew back to New York just to celebrate his birthday with him, even though he had countlessly told me not to bother myself and just focus on my work.
The scented candles took the atmosphere to a hundred after I lit it. “Perfect,” I whispered, inhaling deeply.
I was about to put up a happy birthday banner when I heard a sound. Like a groan.
I thought it was Tasha playing around with me, but the sound came again. This time, even heavier, and coming from our bedroom.
A few of the guests exchanged glances, some chuckling softly, thinking maybe Nathan had gotten home earlier than he said, dozed off, and was snoring in his sleep.
I set the banner down on the entryway table, motioning for the others to wait. Slowly, I walked toward our bedroom door. It was slightly ajar. I stood in front of the door and listened again. It wasn’t just groans this time. It was soft moans. I could hear Nathan's voice breathlessly whispering dirty things to someone who wasn't me.
My body went cold.
No.
No, no, no.
Without thinking, I pushed the door open. My heart crumpled at the sight of what I saw.
My husband…the love of my life with our housekeeper, Bella. Naked. Tangled up on the sheets, his balls slapping against her butt as he plunged in and out of her without a care in the world.