30. NICK
“Mr. Hale, you really have to go to this meeting,” Catherine insisted. She looked quite desperate and stressed, perhaps because she’d just gotten off the phone with one of our business partners who was quite adamant that we meet today. “You know that he rarely visits San Francisco, so this is a good opportunity that we can’t let pass.”
I knew what she meant, and I also understood the importance of the meeting. However, I had already made plans to talk to Izzy’s doctors and discuss her potential discharge from the hospital. It’s been a month now, and I knew that she’d been dying to get back home.
As I stood in my office, contemplating the dilemma, Catherine suddenly said, “The car is ready, Mr. Hale. It’s a crucial meeting, and they’re expecting you.”
I sighed, torn between my professional responsibilities and the personal commitment I felt toward Izzy. “Catherine, I need to check on Izzy’s progress. Besides, she might be released today. Can you reschedule this meeting for later in the week?”
She hesitated, knowing the weight of my request. “I understand, but this partner—”
“I know, Catherine,” I interrupted, rubbing my temples with my fingers. “I just need a bit more time. Izzy’s health is my priority right now.”
She nodded, acknowledging the challenge at hand. “Alright, I’ll handle the rescheduling. But we need to make this meeting happen soon. The partner is quite insistent.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your understanding, and I know that I can always count on you,” I replied with relief and gratitude.
I went down to the lobby and exited the building. But upon seeing my car and chauffeur, I heard Catherine’s voice behind me again. When I turned around, I was surprised to see her running toward me, sort of breathlessly.
“Mr. Hale, I’m so sorry, but he’s still pushing it. He says there’s no more time this week, and if you don’t meet him now, he’s going to pull out his investment and tarnish your company’s name.”
“What? Is he crazy?”
“Well, yes, sort of…”
I groaned, remembering that this partner was indeed quite eccentric and demanding. “Okay, fine, I’ll head over there now, but tell him I can’t stay long.”
On the way to the partner’s private villa in the mountains, I tried calling Izzy’s doctors. But there was no answer. It made me worry, so I dialed Tanya’s number.
“Hi, Nick,” she answered. “Izzy’s resting right now. And no, we haven’t heard from her doctors yet if she can be released today.”
“Okay. But how is she doing?”
“Good. You know that she’s been doing really well the past few days, right? It’s almost as if she’s back to normal.”
“That’s wonderful to hear. I’m glad.”
Now that I had such assurance, it was easier to clear my mind and focus on the business task at hand.
As I thought about it, the more I found the situation amusing. If someone had told me years ago that I’d be putting a woman first before my business, I probably would have laughed. But then, I have never cared enough for anyone in the past.
The opulent private villa, nestled in the verdant embrace of the mountains, beckoned with an air of exclusivity. As I approached, the grandeur of the surroundings became increasingly apparent. Towering redwoods framed the entrance, their majestic presence lending an almost regal quality to the setting. The stone pathway led me to an intricately designed wrought-iron gate, a prelude to the luxurious experience that awaited inside.
A personal guard ushered me in through the imposing entrance, and the tranquility of the place seemed to envelop me.
For a while, I allowed myself to enjoy the surroundings, the fresh air, and the majestic view. But in just a minute or two, my thoughts drifted back to Izzy.
There’s nothing to worry about, I told myself silently. She’s doing well now. She’s much healthier, and I can’t wait to see her.
As the door swung open, revealing the luxurious interior, I stepped inside. The air was thick with an expectant silence. Suddenly, the stillness shattered, replaced by an explosion of music that reverberated through the walls. Confetti rained down on me, catching the glint of surprise in my eyes.
My heart raced with bewilderment. In an instant, faces emerged from various corners of the room, shouting in unison, ”Surprise!” and ”Happy birthday!” The sea of familiar faces, friends, and colleagues left me utterly shocked.
I felt lost at first. I didn’t understand what was happening. Then suddenly it dawned on me. Yes, today is our birthday indeed. I had forgotten.
All of a sudden, my heart seemed to stop for a second as I caught sight of a lovely face in the midst of the well-wishers surrounding me.
Am I seeing things?
Looking radiant and more beautiful than ever, Izzy stood in the center, slowly making her way to me while carrying an intricately designed cake with my name written in script on it. “Happy birthday, Nick,” she said with a big smile upon reaching me.
I couldn’t believe she was standing in front of me, healthy and happy and amazingly beautiful. A blend of emotions gripped my heart as I gazed into her eyes. “Izzy… you’re here.”
“Yes, I am,” she said with a laugh. “Surprised?”
“Very,” I answered.
“Great. Mission accomplished then.”
I chuckled. “So, there was no meeting in the first place? What about Catherine?”
She grinned. “She was in on it too. Sorry. Oh, and she’s probably about to arrive now.”
I scratched my chin and laughed with disbelief and great delight. “I can’t believe you planned this all.”
Everyone had now dispersed, with Tanya and Dan leading them all to the enormous backyard with the garden and swimming pool.
Izzy shrugged and simply grinned. “Well, make a wish,” she urged, motioning to the glowing candles on the cake.
It felt silly and childish to me, especially since I wasn’t used to such. Nevertheless, I gave in and closed my eyes to make a wish before blowing out the candles.
“So, what did you wish for?” Izzy prodded teasingly.
“I can’t tell you. Isn’t it supposed to be a secret?”
“Okay, fine.” She gave me a cute little pout. I felt the desire to kiss her then, to feel her mouth on mine again after such a long time. But I held back. It wasn’t the right time.
“Thank you for this, Izzy. You didn’t have…”
“I wanted to,” she interrupted with a stubborn look on her face. “You’ve done so much for me when I got sick, so this is nothing compared to that. I just wanted to also show my gratitude and…to let you know…that I…” Suddenly, she trailed off and looked away.
I gently touched her chin and led her gaze back to me. “You what?” I asked softly.
“To let you know that I…care…a lot about you…”
My heart beat fast. It seemed to jump to my throat. There were so many things that I had been yearning to pour out to her, but I had been waiting for her to get better first, for us to be alone together so we could finally talk. About us.
“Hey, birthday boy! Let’s go!” It was Dan who’d suddenly appeared beside us and was pulling me toward the sliding doors leading outside. “Everyone’s waiting for you. This party is supposed to be for you only, but too bad we are twins. So, we don’t have any choice but to celebrate it together.”
I hesitated, because I wanted to have a private moment with Izzy. But it was impossible to do at the moment.
“Go on,” Izzy said with a smile. “Enjoy your day.”
“Are you sure you’re, okay? Maybe you should lie down and rest for a while,” I said.
She made a face at me. “Are you kidding me? I’ve been lying down for a long time in the hospital, without much opportunity to walk or exercise! Don’t worry, I’m just going to sit in one place and be a good girl. Besides, my doctors gave me permission to throw this party. But well, I couldn’t have done it without Dan and Tanya’s help.”
Dan winked at her and chuckled. “Of course!”
Just then, Catherine came rushing in with a big grin on her face.
“And of course, we wouldn’t have pulled off the surprise without Catherine,” Izzy added.
Catherine gave a little bow and then threw me an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Hale.”
I was still a bit shaken, to be honest. But I smiled at her and said, “I forgive you, Catherine. I mean, with these two…” I motioned to Dan and Izzy, and we all had a good laugh.
“Alright, let’s get the party started! We didn’t rent this super expensive place just to stand around here!” Dan exclaimed, pulling me with him.
I later found out that apparently, Dan and Izzy had split the costs of the party. I wasn’t used to others splurging on me, so I kept insisting to pay them back. But of course, they refused.
The sun was going down, splashing warm colors across the sky, and turning the massive garden and patio into an amazing hangout spot. Laughter and chit-chat filled the air, and everyone was digging the cool view of the sunset in the mountains.
“Whoa!” someone shouted.
“This is crazy amazing!” another one exclaimed.
I glanced at Izzy who’d taken a seat on one of the lounge chairs. She was gazing at the scenery with a serene look on her face, looking healthy and fresh and absolutely stunning. I was so glad to see her like this again.
Without warning, amid the festivities, Dan who was always the orchestrator of unexpected antics, rallied our cousins with mischievous grins. In a sudden burst of energy, they grabbed me and lifted me up.
“Hey!” I protested. But there was nothing I could do when four muscular guys were carrying me already. As the sun dipped lower and the lights in the area turned on automatically, they unceremoniously tossed me into the pool!
My business suit was immediately soaked. I was even wearing leather shoes, with the pair of them now ruined. The initial shock gave way to infectious laughter.
Tanya and Izzy were cheering along with the other guests. Some were even applauding. I pulled myself up and gave a bow, making them all laugh. “Another surprise, I must say!”
Dan, the mastermind behind this aquatic diversion, couldn”t contain his excitement. “You”re officially the coolest brother ever! I take back everything I said before about you!” he declared; a wide grin plastered across his face.
“Haha! Well, I’m also your only brother,” I quipped, water dripping from my suit as I joined in the laughter.
My assistant immediately came forward, handing me a towel and a change of clothes. She’d always been great at thinking of everything that could possibly be needed and everything that could possibly go wrong.
“You’re the best, Catherine,” I said genuinely.
I took another glance at Izzy before heading to a nearby bathroom to change. Our eyes met across the space, and it made my heart leap to my throat unexpectedly.
We’ll talk soon, Izzy.