Testing Vickie

Chapter Eight

In front of me was a miraculous five minute picnic that was all vegetarian friendly. It was wonderful. Hummus with carrots, celery and crackers, Indian and Malaysian curry, roti bread, pasta all in sample sizes but in different varieties. I stare at the food in awe until Nick says: “You ok there? Is it good?” I stare at him in awe now.

“I’m not ok.” His face falls. “I’m absolutely joyous! It’s amazing! But, how?”

“Well, I went to all your favourite restaurants and called in a favour with all the chefs. They were all more than happy to satisfy a customer so, yeah.” He says, a light smile and twinkle in his eyes. I hug him with all my might and he squeezes me and lifts me up into the air! I squeal with glee and elation and see the world from above. It’s beautiful. Then I see his gorgeous eyes looking up at me. My hands, once resting on his shoulders now cup his face and I kiss him, tender and slow. He spins me around again and I squeal from surprise. I could do this all day. He looks up at me again and says to me: “Do you want to eat?”

“Uh? Yes!” He sets me down gently and kisses my check. We tuck into the food, the rich flavours from the pasta and curries and the saltiness of the hummus starts to induce me into a food coma. I feel a food baby coming and look down. Nick, seeing this look laughs softly.

“Take care of that food baby!” I chuckle.

“I will.” I reassure him.

We’re back in the car and we continue driving. In half an hour we’re already there. I see the tall, warmly light high rise building and take some time to admire its grandeur.

“Like it?” Nick whispers into my ear.

“It’s beautiful.” I whisper back, almost breathless.

“Not as beautiful as you.” He whispers back, planting a kiss on my cheek. I blush at that and stare up at his eyes. It’d be so cool if Ana could draw them. They’re so beautiful. The dark rim of blue outside the lighter greenish blue, a hint of grey weaved in between. His long eyelashes sweeping over his loving eyes.

We walk into the building and Nick goes to the reception counter to get the room key. I stand by the elevator and think about how I might have met Nick. Maybe it was like in a movie or book and we met at a coffee shop. I don’t think it was like the way Mum and Dad met though. I chuckle at that and Nick walks over. “What are you laughing about?”

“The way my parents met.” I chuckle again.

“Oh.” He chuckles too. “That makes sense. Ready to go up?”

“How far up?”

“Well you’ll just have to wait and see.” We head into the elevator and he gently places his hands over my eyes. I let out a small squeal of protest. “Shhh, it’s ok. Just wait.” I feel the elevator shoot up and in no time we’re on the floor and he takes his hand off my eyes. He takes my hand and guides me to room three. “This one’s ours for the night. Hope you like it.” I let out a gasp as he opens the door. Inside is just a large bed with two floor to ceiling windows on two walls and a floor to ceiling mirror on the third. A bed leaning against a dark grey wall. I ran to the window and marvelled at the city below me. “Like the view?” He says with a little smirk.

“Um, yes! This- how?” I stood there with my mouth gaping.

“I love you.” He replies and gives me a hug, kisses me then lifts me up and spins me in the air. I stare into the endless love in those eyes. He throws me onto the bed and I fall into a soft mattress and fluffy pillows. “Get up sleepy head.” He says, a joking tone in his voice. “I’m going to get changed for tonight and I have something for you too. You’ll find it in your bag.” A wink and a kiss then Nick leaves. What is with this man and his surprises? Oh, and leaving me before each surprise. I open my bag and rummage through. There’s a lot of normal clothes in there like trackies, shirts, a hoodie. Then I find a cream bag with gold accents and my heart skips a beat. Under that is a black shoebox, a smaller bag and a note.

‘I hope you like these, they’re in your size and I can’t wait to see you in it. It’s yours to keep for whenever you want to wear it (like tonight). There’s shoes, a dress, a bag and jewellery. I hope you like it. See you at the restaurant at 6.’

I open the smaller bag and find a beige half-moon bag with a gold chain. I look around the duffel bag a bit more and find a smaller box and open it and inside, see a short pendant necklace with a clear, pear shaped pink gem in the middle. It was stunning. Next to it were matching earrings. I wonder what else he chose for me. I decide to open the shoebox next and after fluffing with the crepe paper hiding the shoes, I see a simple yet classy black heel. A strap for my ankle and I squeal with delight. He really knows me well. I finally take the dress out of the bag and gasp.