|88| • Amelia
"Hey! No fair, I don't even know how to play this!
" I squealed, watching my character get beat up by Liu Kang who being controlled by a grinning Evie.
I tried to back away but he gave me a triple kick, sending me flying.
"You don't hit a lady!" I squealed at him, not looking away from the screen. I heard Evie laugh.
"Alright, I'll let you land just one hit." He teased, his character backing away and doing nothing but swaying side to side with an alert posture. Glancing at him, I saw that he was looking right at me. "Just because it's your birthday." He whispered, winking.
Huffing in annoyance, I checked my characters health, it was almost red!
Nibbling on my lips, I ran towards him, trying to do the special move but before I could finish it, he dodged the rest with ease, slamming my character to the ground and finishing her off in seconds.
"Ugh!" I hugged, dropping my head on the couch.
"I said one hit." Evie said, shrugging. I could sense his triumphant grin from a mile away. "Meh, meh, meh." I mocked sassily, warning a laugh from him. Everest moved closer, pulling me in by my waist.
"What? You said not to go easy on you."
"Yeah, not literally dominate the game." I hissed back.
"Someone hates losing." He teased, kissing my cheeks. "If it makes you feel better, I gave it my all." Evie mused, smirking. I eyes him suspiciously. Gave it his all? He looked so relaxed while smashing my character's every bone!
Then again, I was glad he didn't go easy on me. That meant the one round I won was actually earned.
Throughout the day, we'd been playing different games, talking and laughing a lot. Evie had the idea to compete playing Mortal combat on the play station he got from his family house. I'd tried it out a few times and honestly thought I stood a fair chance again at him.
Well, I thought wrong.
When he got competitive, not even my cute pouts could stop him. He'd grin and still kill my character! Smiling to myself, hugging my knees.
"This is fun." I admit, grinning at me. He leaned in, touching foreheads. "Oh yeah? You know what's even more fun?" I arched my eyebrows at his question. Intrigued, I asked what and he mirrored a grin of his own.
"The beach. What do you say? I was thinking we have fun on the beach tonight."
"Really?" The idea made my ears tingle, I hadn't gone to the beach in a while!
Not to talk of going there with Evie. "Was that why you wanted me to buy swim wears?
" I asked, smirking at him. So he'd planned this all along?
My heart swelled in adoration for this man.
I was absolutely content with spending the day indoors with him but of course he doesn't even more to melt my already liquid heart.
Gosh, was this man real? I almost cried thinking of him.
"Yes really. It's already getting dark, so how about we get ready?"
Looking out the window, I realised that the sun was already setting. The nearest beach was about an hour away. Taking a hold of his hand, I got up as well. "Thank you." I say, stealing a hug from him. "You've been saying that a lot, you're welcome my love."
"You've been giving me a lot of reasons to say it." I defended, pouting. He chuckled, kissing my cheeks. "I'm glad to hear that."
"See you in thirty?" He asked.
"I'll try my best." I say, I wanted to look good, it was my day after all. He turned to go and I tapped his butt. Evie gasped dramatically. "Pervert." He seethed, entering his room. Giggling at his theatrics, I skipped to mine as well.
We were going to the beach, I was beyond excited about that.
When was the last time I'd gone to the beach?
! Humming to myself, I searched through the bikini's Evie had bought for me, picking out my favourite.
"Okay, I'll just wear this as a cover up.
" I chose a loose dress which flailed to my thighs and had a deep V-cut which still covered my chest.
I tied my braids into different styles, contemplating which would be the best and ended up going for the high bun.
Doing my baby hair with my trusty gel, I was done with my attire.
"And I'm just thirty minutes!" I grinned to myself, checking my phone.
Neither Kaji or Binta had messaged me till now, though I wasn't expecting anything extraordinary, I at least hoped they'd send me a message.
Sealing my lips together, I wondered if they remembered today was my birthday — until two days ago, I forgot as well.
The knot in my chest was there, with a deep breath, I tried to bury the thought.
Evie had made this day more than exciting for me.
Perhaps the three of us would go out tomorrow.
Nodding to my own thoughts, I looked for my lipstick.
As I lined my lips, I realised how well I was handling my thoughts now.
Before, I'd still be beating myself up over the fact that my two closest friends probably forgot my birthday, but now, it was fine.
..sort of. Spreading the lipstick my smacking my lips together, the deep red color blended with the gloss I applied.
"Look at you." I teased myself, smirking at how pretty I looked.
In several minutes, I was done applying my powder, eyeliner and other make up essentials. Since we were going to the beach, I didn't want to have on so much; or else it'd look muddy if I buried my face in water.
A knock on the door brought me from my thoughts.
"Baby? Are you almost done?" Evie asked, creaking the door open a little bit.
Humming, I looked at my reflection, nodding.
"As a matter of fact, I am!" Getting up, I took my handbag, grabbing my phone as well.
He opened the door wide, revealing his handsome self.
Everest had on a button up white top which he unbuttoned until it reached his chest — giving me a peek of it.
He flailed the shirt out on top of a dark pit of loose jeans and a pair of slides.
My man looks good. I giggled inwardly, he was so nice to look at.
"You look handsome, Evie." He broke out into a smile at my compliment, narrowing his eyes.
"Thank you. You look incredible pretty my lady." He said, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips. "Do I?" I say teasingly, basically grinning from ear to ear. Everest chuckled, budging my shoulders. "You know you look good." We made our way out of my room.
"This is the best birthday ever." I whispered to him when he locked the apartment door.
He chuckled, "Oh I haven't even pulled my best card yet.
" He said to me with a smirk. His best card?
Those words made me giddy. Was there a surprise waiting from me?
Nibbling my lips, I let my mind wonder, intertwining our hands.
"Now I'm thinking what to do on your birthday. " I said to him as we entered the car.
"My birthday? Don't overthink it."
"Yeah well I sort of said the same thing and yet you still made mine an amazing day."
He laughed.
"It's you, I can't help it."
He said so casually but those words made my ears tingle and my face got. It's me. Ah, this man was unreal. Shy, I hummed, not knowing how to respond. Evie noticed and smiled, driving out of the parking lot.
"So, how's the beach like? I haven't been to one in ages."
"Me neither, but I think you'll like this one." Everest said, his hand clasping mine.
If he thought so, then I was definitely looking forward to it.
Looking out the window, I watched quietly as we sped past people and other cars.
The scenery made me think back to the day we met.
We've come quite far, hadn't we? I'd never imagine dating anyone because of how 'childish' people said I was.
I never imagined even going to culinary school instead of getting a job and working round the clock.
Things had changed. It was only now dawning on me.
"What's on your mind?" I heard him ask.
"Nothing in particular...but I guess everything at the same time." After a few seconds, I replied him. Turning my head, I saw that he was giving me a weird look. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked curiously.
"Well, it's more like a walk down memory lane.
I was thinking about how in a span of like a year, I've gotten a job, I've started schooling again.
Also, I'm grateful because I and Papa are closer now, and that I actually have people I can call friends.
It's just...I wondered how I was living before; it was pretty lonely I admit.
And it seemed like everything began to change when I met you — like you sped up the process for me.
" The words flowed from my heart to my lips.
It did seem that way when I thought about it.
If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been proactive in looking for a job or even consider following my culinary dreams. "Evie...I'm honestly so grateful for you. I know I don't say this much but thank you for everything. You are an amazing man, in every sense of it."
Everest eyed me quietly, a small smile on his lips.
"You're kind, you're chivalrous and so attentive.
I bet I could speak on how loving and forgiving you've been in our relationship for hours.
Whenever I think back, I kind of feel unworthy you know?
But I just remember what you told me that one time and hold on to it. "
He had said that day 'You're worth it, Amelia.
And I'm not doing this because you deserve it or not, I'm doing this because I want you to feel loved and because I love you.
' If I hadn't blushed since I was born, I sure blushed that day.
Those were the sweetest and most heartwarming words I'd ever heard.
"The day I saw you crying in your room? He asked cautiously. That day was an emotional rollercoaster for me. It was after he came back, I get so guilty that day and cried until my tears dried up and cried some more. It was when he opened the door to ask a question that he saw me that way.
I guess thou could say that was one of my lowest moments.
Chuckling, I nodded. "Yeah, that day. It just solidified how awesome you are."
"Oh stop, I can't take anymore compliments." He said, holding in a smile. I giggled covering my lips. "They're just facts."
"I appreciate that you know? It's nice to hear you say it." Everest mused, caressing my palms. Leaning into his touch, I smiled to myself as he continued to drive.
The beach began to come into view after about thirty minutes of us having lighthearted conversations.
I could see the palm trees and people in bikinis walking towards the gate.
Excited, I clapped my hands, anticipating the fun we would have.
Evie brought out his phone, typing something with a smile.
"You have a pretty smile." I tailed off absentmindedly, grinning to myself.
"Aren't you just full of compliments today," He replied, leaning in to give me a kiss.
Evie parked the car, coming out to open the door for me. I hopped out as well. "So where are we staying? Is there like a table for us or we roll in the sand?"
"Roll in the sand? Would you like that?" He asked, snorting.
"I don't know! I haven't been here in a while.
" I defended as he snickered at me. Now that I think about it, his was sand not snow!
Rolling in the sand sounded yucky. "Come on.
" He held my hands and we made our way into the beach.
The sand hurried to familiarise itself with my toes.
I could feel the coolness of the sand now that night was nearing.
I bet it was scorching hot in the afternoon.
"Now, this is where you close your eyes." He said. I turned to him, arching my eyebrows. "What? Close my eyes? Why?" I was still taking in the beautiful scenery! He shushed me, taking his palms to cover my eyes. "Evie! I can't see!"
He chuckled. "That's kind of the point."
"How will I know where to step!"
"I'll guide you, baby."
Ugh, now I couldn't argue with those sweet words.
Huffing, I gave in and held his wrist for support.
We walked in silence for less than a minute and I was already feeling tensed.
So he actually planned this, it wasn't just a random idea.
Gosh, how long had he been planning this while I was so preoccupied with school?
! I felt giddy just thinking about what to expect. A romantic diner?
Balloons?
A happy birthday choir? Oh, that would absolutely vaporize me.
"Are we there yet?" I asked, the thoughts thinning my patience.
"Nope." He said, his lips close to my ear. Shivering, I nudged him playfully. He was definitely liking this. We continued to walk, and after what seemed like a minute—
"Are we there yet?" I asked again. Don't judge, I was really curious! Who wouldn't be?
"No we're not, baby."
"Are we there yet." Okay, in my defense, this was after a whole minute!
"Hmm, are we?" He asked. Oh, so it wasn't a no this time? Smirking, I inhaled but didn't get a hint.
"You tell me, you're my eyes." I say, gritting my teeth. Evie chortled. "Okay, I will."
He kept quiet for a bit and before I could ask him again in my purposely high pitched voice, he bit me to it.
"We're here."
It was quiet, apart from the soft tunes playing from somewhere. Oh it was definitely a romantic getaway. I snickered to myself. His hands left my eyes but my eyes were still closed. I guess I was kind of nervous to open them not knowing what to expect.
"Open your eyes, my love."
When he said this, I summoned the courage and peaked open my eyes.
A loud bang made me jump, confetti spraying all over. "SURPRISE!!!" Said the sea of people in front of me. I stumbled back, confused out of my mind. I was still adjusting to the light so these people were blurry but I could recognize the, anyway.
"Happy birthday Amelia!" They all said in unison and that was all it took for me to start crying.