Chapter 30 Gift For a Birthday Party
The moment Eva noticed her dad, she again started sobbing badly. Michael couldn’t hold himself any more and rushed to her. Steve moved aside and Stephen got up from his place as he was done with the bandage
“Dad, see how big this is? I lost lots of blood, dad."
Michael kissed her forehead and took her in a side hug, whereas Rose got worried looking at her wound.
“Stephen, call a doctor first. I think she should see a doctor.
“I already called him dad; he is on the way."
“Ok “
Eva gave a nod to Rose, who also patted her back to console her. Soon the doctor enters the dining room, checks her wound, and gives her some medicine that will help her with her pain. Soon the doctor left from the smith mansion
Michael supported Eva by his shoulders to reach her room. After making her settle on the bed, Michael returned to the living room
Whereas Stephen was curious to know about the current conversation between his parents and Michael in the study room
"What were you two discussing with him, dad?”
“Nothing, just catching up on old days?
“Hmm ok., so I guess Mr Johnson is going to stay here for some days. “ Stephen wanted to confirm his stay as his girl will not even notice him until her father is present near her.
“Not really; after all, Michael is here for Eva’s birthday."
“Birthday, when?”
“Tomorrow “
It alarmed Stephen, as he didn’t have any hint about it. He glared at Steve, who whiffed his head. Then he messaged Steve for what he had to do next
Steve read his message and then gave a nod.
."So Michael, what’s the plan for tomorrow? How do you usually celebrate her special day?”
"Well, you know Eva, she likes simple things, so I used to just arrange a small birthday party at my home. I used to invite our neighbors and Eva’s classmates, especially those three buddies. "
“Buddies?”
“Yes, Eva’s best friends from childhood are Sara, Joey, and Madison. Those girls differ from Eva’s personality, despite the fact that they are best friends and always ready to help Eva.
You know they are even ready to keep Eva with them and how much they request I not to take Eva along. “
“Mr. Johnson, if you don’t mind, can we arrange her party this time? I mean, as a friend, I would like to do this for her, and Stephen will help me." Steve requested Michael
Michael just gave a warm smile to him and stated in a soft tone, “I don’t mind it, but only on one condition: I will bear all the expenses for the party. You organize it in your way and I will pay for it. “
.Now they can understand from him that Eva has taken upon this trait, as she also refuses to take any liberties from them. But now, in this case, his words put the Smith family in trouble, as they know their parties will cost a fortune for Michael. so William interfered
"No, Michael, that’s not done. She is like my daughter too. In the past few days, her presence made this house more like home, so this time I will not hear you and Steve make sure that the party must be a memorable one. Right wife?”
William glanced at his wife, who was busy on her mobile
“Did you say something, William? Pardon me, as I just got busy checking out some gifts for Eva. I am sure she will love the gift given to me.
“Forget it, mom, she will like my gift the most, then maybe your gift."
Knowing how overexcited his wife was to buy the gift, William just shook his head. After all, she got another opportunity for her shopping spree.
"Relax; as we see, I can challenge you three that she will. Like my gift the most. “ Rose came up with a challenge in which she dragged Stephen and William too
“Challenge accepted, mom dear, “Steve replied teasingly. Then they glanced at Stephen and William, who gave a curt nod in accepting the challenge as they had no other option left.
Michael was observing all of them in astonishment.
For some moments, he forgot whose birthday it was.
This means they are talking about his daughter only or some of their family members.
Now he understands how much Eva got merged with them.
It’s not surprising, as his daughter is a sweetheart. He chucked at their childish bantering.
Michael was going to join them in the competition, but rose was quick enough to refuse the thought only
“No! Do not even think about that, as then there will be no need for competition. She will choose your gift over us."
Michael chuckled at her accusation, but she was stating the fact. so he put his hands up in surrender
Soon Steve and Stephen left for their workplace, as today they are already late for their work, whereas William stayed at home to give company to Michael.
After reaching the office, both the brothers got busy with the lined-up meetings.
It was already evening when Steve and Stephen were busy discussing the birthday party.
They called Richard too, as they have decided on the party arrangements, and they agree to give Richard the responsibility of food, as Eva will love something from the recipes of her favorite chef.
While discussing things, the Smith brother observes Richard used to check his phone now and then. so Steve teased him.
"What's the matter? Are you expecting a call? Don’t tell me you already found a girlfriend for yourself. “
“Sorry to disappoint you, bub, but I am very much single till now. You know everyone can’t be as lucky as your asshole brother, who found his love in his house only; moreover, the girl herself reached for his house."
Stephen smirked at his jealousy. “Shut up, you jealous man, you didn’t answer his question?
Before Richard could reply, a ringtone disturbed them. Richard gleaming at reading the caller's name, he excused himself and left the cabin to attend the call
Steve and Stephen both just looked at his retreating figure in wonder, as he never behaved so discreetly with them
Steve murmured again. "I am sure he is hiding his girlfriend from us. But why?
"Not us, but you? You know, but it’s high time you should reanalyze your lifestyle, so-called flings and affairs, as they are only damaging your image."
Steve just gave a pout to his brother the same moment Richard returned to the cabin, where he noticed the questioning look on Stephen and Steve’s faces
“See what I got for her? “ Richard forwarded a picture on his mobile screen
Steve and Stephen grimaced at the picture, which was looking like a cooking range
They both gave a serious look at him
“Forget it? Stupid me! How could I expect you both to know about this? So this is the latest cooking range and I am sure Eva will like my gift the most. “
“You are going to give her this, and who told...?” before Stephen could complete this question, Richard was ready with the answer
“Yes, and Rose told me about the best gift competition. You know I am also going to give her the best baking kit. You know, the professional baking tools and kit kind of stuff. See like this: “ he again forwarded the picture.
Steve was dumbstruck at his thought, as undoubtedly it was something that Eva would love to have as a gift. But now what about him? So he also got busy in searching for gifts
“I thought I should give her an exclusive diamond bracelet. What do you think, Stephen?"
“Good, that will be very nice. “
Steve did smile at him and then visited the jewelry showroom in the evening
Stephan was looking at those two morons who were celebrating their victory even before the competition had started.
He chuckled in his mind at how foolish these two can be; they are talking about Eva.
, the same girl who least bothered about materialistic things and, of course, not much fond of that.
So he has a clear vision of how much she is going to appreciate these gifts too, only if she accepts them.
But now Stephan was in some thoughts as he was also speculating about the gift that he should select for Eva.
He wanted to give some special gift to Eva, something extraordinary that will make his girl happy and thrilled—not for the challenge, but he wanted to see her delighted.
Maybe this way he could also apologize to her for behaving rudely that day.
In smith mansion, Eva was enjoying her time with her dad; she was more detailed about her classes
While discussing her encounter with media outside her classes, she mentioned Harry’s name
“ Harry? Who is he?”
"Harry Hudson, he is my classmate. Dad, Harry is so caring and helpful towards me. You know, dad, I got so scared that day when the reporters surrounded me and started asking me weird questions. He was the only one who came up to defend me from the crowd, and before that in the class when my classmates were commenting incorrectly about me.”
Michael took a deep breath to hold on to his emotions. He already decided not to keep Eva in the dark. He just has to wait for tomorrow and then he will discuss Lisa’s connection with the Hudson family
"But you know, dad, Mr. Smith has a business rivalry with Hudson’s, so he told me to stay away from him."
“ William knows them better than us so you should follow his advice, OK? “
“Yes, fine."
That night’s dinner was a delightful event, as Stephen and Steve both had joined the family for dinner. All dinnertime, Eva kept smiling and chatting happily with his father. It was looking like she forgot all her surroundings in the presence of her dad.
Rose, William, and Steve were just admiring their bond, but Stephen was not comfortable, as she never glanced at him at dinner time.
After dinner, all of them retired to their respective rooms. Eva was excited for midnight, as always on this day he will enter her room with a single cupcake on which a candle must be present, and then he will wake her up to wish her a happy birthday.
It was something that reminded her of her mom, who used to wish her like this on the eve of her birthday.
After her mother’s demise, her dad used to follow this habit to wish her this way.
She quickly got settled in her bed, waiting for midnight.
Soon she fell into a deep sleep. It was almost midnight when a sudden sound disturbed her sleep.
She tried to switch on the side lamp, but it didn’t work.
Eva searched for her mobile and turned on the flashlight.
She checked the time. There were 5 minutes left until twelve.
She slowly stepped down from the bed. She was getting scared off in the darkness.
Eva reached the door and prayed that it wasn't locked now.
Discovering that it was not locked, Eva felt relieved and opened her door slowly.
To her shock, she saw that there was total darkness in the corridor too. , which made her more scared.
"Dad, Rose...“ she tried to call for them but no one replied, which made her sweat badly.
She reached the stairs so in slow steps she started stepping down the stairs with the help of a flashlight on her stairs.
There was total darkness in the living room. Eva was getting more frightened; she was regretting leaving her room now, but why could she not see any other soul present in the whole mansion? Or are they still sleeping in their rooms? Is she the only one who woke up at midnight?
The darkness and uncomfortable silence were enough to make her fearful, for once she thought it was a dream so she closed her eyes tightly so that whenever she would open it, the dream would be over but to her disappointment, nothing happened like that, as when she opened her eyes, she again encountered the darkness
She gulped down her fear and again tried to call.
“Dad... Rose... Steve... Where are you?
A sudden candlelight appears in her sight. In slow steps she reached near the candle
Someone placed the cupcakes on the table and fixed only one candle on the cupcake in the center.
A loud popping sound was heard, and the light went on before she could inhale a breath. Eva shrieked in surprise, but the view in front of her made her smile and cry at the same time.
A beautiful balloon decoration was adorning the corner of the hall.
"Happy birthday!"
Eva found her dad, Steve, Stephen, William, and Rose, who were standing alongside the decoration to wish her. She gave a smile to them and reached out to them. She hugged her dad first and then blew the candle.