Chapter 7: Garden


    I woke up from the incessant ringing of my cellphone andnd line phone.


    How Franco managed to make both phone lines ring was beyond me.


    I chose to answer the cellphone since that was where his handsome face was shing on the screen.


    “Yeah? So early. . .”


    “Wake up sleepy head! It’s five am! Get up and get ready! We have a long day today.”


    “Aaaarrggghhh! Five am?! Really? Do you realize that all people are still asleep at five am!”


    “Do you want me to remind you and sing happy birthday again? Come on get up. I have the entire day


    nned.”


    “Fine!”


    I tried to sleep again but I forgot he was still on the line. And he blew some kind of horn. The one used


    during new year.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    “Alright alright! I’m getting up! Geez! So annoying!”


    I was just whispering but I guess he heard since he wasughing at the other end of the line.


    “Ill call you in an hour when I’m already at the bus stop. I changed my mind, you can bring your guards


    and driver with you. I don’t want you to get into trouble on your birthday.”


    “Owwkaaay. . .” I was yawning when I answered him.


    “You’re too cute for your own good. Now go shower birthday girl!”


    “Yaah.”


    At exactly six am we arrived at the bus stop. It was just four blocks away from our house and we found


    Franco waiting with two huge baskets and arge backpack.


    I wonder what’s on those.


    I got off the car to greet him but he just ignored me and whispered something to the driver and to the


    bodyguard. Since it was my birthday, they allowed me to bring only one guard today.


    When he finally turned to me, he hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead.


    “Happy Birthday Saphira!”


    I felt lightheaded from his gesture but I just tried to ignore it. I guess I was short on sleep.


    “Thank you.”


    “Come on get in.”


    He reopened the backseat of the SUV we were using and assisted me to get inside before getting in


    himself.


    One thing I always admire about Franco is his chivalry. He is the perfect gentleman.


    “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me weirdly?”


    “No I’m not! I’m just wondering where we are going at six am?”


    “So impatient! Just wait and see.”


    We travelled for almost thirty minutes before reaching an old park. I can’t read the signs as it was all


    worn out.


    The car parked and Franco got off. He took all the things he brought and led me out of the car.


    “It will just be a short walk.”


    I tried to help him with the bags and baskets but he wouldn’t budge.


    “I can do this. You are my guest and I will make everything special. How can I make this day special if


    I’ll let you carry the surprise.”


    “Such a drama queen for a handsome guy.” I whispered, amused by him and his efforts in making sure


    I remember that the day is special.


    “I heard that and yes, I am handsome, no need to mention it each and every time. Thank you. Come on


    mdy please follow me.”


    He actually winked when he said that. I just smiled in agreement and followed him.


    The walk in the park was actually calming and serene. There were a lot of trees and flourished green


    grass. It was nice to be with nature. I was happy but nothing could have prepared me for what he had


    in store.


    We reached a small clearing hidden by long vines. There seem to be a hidden passageway that can be


    easily overlooked if you were just walking by.


    He told me to wait for a while. I did not argue since I was really enjoying looking at the surroundings. It


    was really beautiful.


    He went inside and after five minutes, he came back out with a blindfold.


    “Do you trust me?”


    He looked at my eyes and I gazed at him mesmerized.


    “Of course. I trust you even with my life.”


    He smiled and I felt myself swoon.


    “Close your eyes. No peeking.”


    He tied the blindfold gently and then led me inside the vines.


    I heard water trickling and some birds chirping. The smell of flowers turned up my excitement into a


    notch.


    Franco made me sit on something soft and silky. I think I may have heard him gasp when I reached for


    him when he was leading me to sit down. He took the blindfold off, his hands covered my eyes and he


    whispered to me.


    “Open your eyes my princess.”


    I blinked twice and tried to adjust my eyes to the sudden brightness. What I saw was overwhelmingly


    beautiful.


    There was a small man madegoon with a small water falls. There were flowers everywhere. The


    ssh of colors from the flowers dazzled me. Green, red, yellow, orange, blue, purple. I have never


    seen a ce like this before. It looks so magical and enchanting.


    “Do you like my first surprise?”


    “Like it? I love it!”


    I guess I caught him by surprise when Iunched myself and hugged him. He lost his bnce and I just


    realized I am on top of him, looking at his gorgeous green eyes.


    I think my heart may have jumped out of my chest but I managed to catch it and bring it right back


    inside.


    I got off him and pretended that nothing happened.


    “Saphira. . .I. . .”


    I turned to look at him then smiled sweetly at him.


    “Thank you for this surprise! I love it.”


    He sighed then showed me his second surprise.


    He removed the cover of the baskets that he set up on our soft and silky pic nket.


    “Wow! All this food?!! These are all my favorites! I don’t remember telling you all this. All you know is


    that I loved burger but the rest of the food here? Amazing!”


    “I told you I did my research. Now,e back here and sit down so we may have our breakfast.”


    We were eating happily chatting about random stuff.


    “Who made all these? Everything was delicious!”


    “Ahem! Me of course!”


    “No way! How did you manage to cook all these? You even baked my favorite Danish and pastries and


    made eggs benedict! Even the Caesar sd was divine!”


    Excitement and appreciation flowed out of my mouth in waves. I saw him blush and I just found it cute


    that he will blush from all myplements.


    “You’re blushing!”


    “I’m not!”


    “Look at your ears they’re all red!”


    “Franco is blushing. Franco is blushing. . . hey hey hahahaha. Stop! Hahahaha ill stop please stoop. . .”


    He was tickling me at my sides and I wasughing so hard my eyes started to water from excessive


    When he stopped, I rxed and stretched my legs and lied down. Looking up the majestic blue skies


    with white puffy clouds.


    Franco did the same thing. He took my hands and everything was peaceful. Without any words, we


    know that this day will be perfect. We closed our eyes and unknowingly drifted to sleep.