Surprised
1394 Words
Nora
On Sunday morning, I woke up to four surprises. A small tray by the bed with two envelopes piqued my interest. I peeked into the first one and screamed. It was a letter of employment.
Maxwell Ratliff, that sneaky racoon, had the letter in his possession but failed to mention it to me. Granny had to see this. After suffering for so long, a big celebration was a must. God did it for us.
I swung my legs to the side of the bed and reached for the second envelope. The words ‘vacation/honeymoon’ were written on top. I pulled the shining bright brochure out. Two plane tickets to South Africa fell out.
I perused the brochure. A big smile split my face. A nature reserve of my dreams was displayed on the brochure. I remembered Max’s mockery whenever he caught me watching my favourite wild life channel.
My love for him grew, an observant man was a treasure. Oh no, the dates clashed. l had to report to work on Monday, tomorrow to be exact. The flight dates were on the same date. What a cruel thing to do Max. I had to choose one and my choice was obvious.
My mood plummeted. Where was that cruel man? I entered the bathroom, he was not there. I quickly did my morning routine and put on a blue summer dress and sandals. I sprayed on some perfume, l was good to go.
I headed to the kitchen, no luck.
“Morning Matilda, have you seen Max?”
Matilda, our househelp looked up from stirring something and smiled at me.
“Yes ma'am, he is outside with his friends.”
l could not berate him in front of his friends.
“Thank you Matilda.”
“Don't be long ma'am, breakfast is almost ready.”
“Ok.”
I trotted out of the kitchen, the double front doors were ajar. l could see the culprit with Dr Ralph, Dr Selborne and Shad Rolan. They stood shoulder to shoulder against a car. They were so big l could only see the nose of the car.
Max's splendid physique was displayed in white shorts and a red t-shirt. I halted just shy of the doorway and studied the men. Mine was easily the sexiest.
I bounded down the steps, stood in front of him, my hands on my waist.
“Hi guys.”
They chorused a hello.
“Can we talk sir?.”
Max shook his dark head,“ no ma'am, we can't. You and i have unfinished business.”
He and his friends moved as one. They parted like the red sea and the most beautiful car emerged. A red sports car, my favourite colour. White and red were my go to colours.
Max bent at his waist, extended his hand towards the car “congratulations my love. You deserve everything beautiful in this world. You worked so hard, Dr Reidy Ratliff.”
l stared at him with sparkling eyes. What did l do to deserve this? “ You bought me a new car a couple of months ago. Return the car to the dealership and donate the money to a worthy cause. Thank you, it's the thought that counts.”
“Baby, l donate all year round. What are you gonna do when you see what's in store for you? Enjoy your ride.”
I threw myself into his arms, he hugged me to his chest and kissed the hell out of me. Someone cleared his throat behind us,“ stop it you mannerless kids. Behave.”
“f**k off Shad.”
Max mumbled and continued his assault on my lips until we came up for air.
“Let me check the car, l love it. Thank you babe.”
Max's orbs widened, his white teeth gleamed as he gave me the biggest grin.
“Well, that's new. Babe?.”
I pouted,“are you not my babe?.”
“I'm, I'm. You never call me anything other than hubby or sir.”
I hit his toned biceps,“get used to it.”
I eased out of his arms and circled the car. Colourful balloons covered the car, each with a message. My eyes spotted a mum, a granddaughter, a wife, a neurosurgeon and many more. My eyes brimmed.
My former forlorn life flashed in my mind. I saw these kinds of things from the rich kids at university or on TV. To be suddenly thrust into the lap of luxury overwhelmed my senses everytime Max surprised me. I was yet to get used to it.
I wiped my eyes and went back to the guys. I gave my man a watery smile.
“We are not done yet, come.” He held my hand and led me to the back of the house. What now? The big hanger that housed his helicopters came into view.
He fished a remote from his pocket and the big doors slid aside to reveal a white helicopter. The words NORA were written in red on the sides.
The starch went out of my limbs, l slid to the ground.
“Hey, don't faint on me baby.”
Max pulled me up and put his arm around my shoulder.
“This is your work transport. I have already equipped the hospitals in the country, to make it easier for the people who in the past had to come to Bluewaters Hospital for treatment. Now you can go to them.”
I hollered, not caring about Max's friends. This was too much, this man was too much.
“Baby, you are scaring me. I thought you would be happy, i'm sorry.” What? He thought i was crying because l did not like his gift?
“No babe, you do.. don't under understand, l f*****g love it. You have no idea what you have done for your nation. You are f*****g awesome!.”
I peppered his handsome face with kisses.
“Ok, ok, enough. You alley cats act like we don't have significant others.” I smiled sheepishly at Shad Rolan.
“I couldn't help myself, Shad. This is massive. My husband keeps showing me layer upon layer of his personality. I'm flabbergasted.”
“I understand but you are overdoing it guys. Have mercy. Your husband is a philanthropist, get used to it.”
We went back to the front of the house. I clung to Max like a leech, as if he would evaporate and leave me. I married a phenomenal man.
Max led me to a table l did not notice in my haste to berate him for making me choose between my work and the vacation of my dreams.
The table was covered with a white cloth with red piping. Champagne bottles and glasses sparkled in the sunlight.
As if on cue Matilda emerged from the house, followed by Marylin Ratliff, granny Ratliff, my granny and Cathy. I fell into Max’s arms again.
“Babe, this is too much, you are too much, my heart can't take it. I love you.”
Max gave me a quick peck on the lips, as the group was almost on top of us.
“I love you too Mrs Ratliff.”
Marylin Ratliff had a lot of explaining to do. She missed lunch at granny Ratliff 's and she was absent yesterday during a family crisis. Today was celebration day. l did not want to make a scene but she and l had to talk. She brought me into the family, she shouldn't disappear on me like that.
Matilda and Cathy brought food from the house, l tried to help. My husband refused point blank. The bunch treated me like a queen. We had a blast.
Eventually granny Ratliff presented me with the family heirloom. An extravagant set of earrings, a necklace and a huge emerald ring. The ring fitted perfectly. Someone brought a mirror, l looked breathtaking.
“Thank you so much granny. Max told me the importance of the heirloom. I feel honoured to receive such from you. Thank you.”
I kissed her hand and her cheeks.
“You are welcome sweetie. Just make sure my boy is happy all the time. That's all l ask of you.”
I nodded. I promised myself to make Maxwell Ratliff the happiest man in the world.
- Writer
