CHAPTER 3- SURPRISE

GENEVIEVE POV

Words alone cannot express how happy I was. My heart was full, soaring with gratitude and joy at how long I’ve come. It was a moment I anticipated, and I was glad it came to pass.

All my hardwork didn’t go to waste. My burning of the midnight candle led to a happy ending. My heart was joyfully pounding, and I could feel that happiness radiating in every part of my body.

But yet, I felt my mouth might hurt from too much smile I had to put on for today. Even with the event over, I still had to take pictures with the school administrators.

We had already taken tons of pictures, and I could not help but admire how their faces looked radiant as ever. At that moment, I wished my parents were around, but sadly, I could not reach them.

The photo shoot ended, and my legs were aching to meet Anabelle outside. Ever since the end of the graduation ceremony, I was the only one with the school administrators inside the school hall.

Taking another round of hugs, pecks, and congratulatory greetings from them all, we all stepped out of the hall. My eyes met with Anabelle, whose grin was outstretched as I walked closer to her, pulling her into a hug.

We pulled out of the hug, as we made our way out. Every step I took reminded me that I was the overall best graduating student as people congratulated me, those I knew and those I haven’t for once seen in my life.

“You should see the look on Bryan and Stella’s faces when you were called on stage. It was priceless.”

And just those words from Anabelle left my mood suddenly going sour. I thought I had forgotten all about them.

As if noticing my mood, she hissed. “I’m sorry. I…” I rested my hand on her shoulder, stopping her from speaking further.

“It’s fine. We should take some pictures,” I grinned, as we both raced outside, meeting hundreds of graduating students.

Every photograph we took was enough to remind me of our journey together. It has been one of the best.

“Genevieve.” I turned abruptly upon hearing my name.

My heart leaped with joy as I saw my parents.

“Congratulations darling.” My mum embraced me.

“You came late,” I whined, as she smiled, before proceeding to hug Anabelle, who had been looking happily at our reunion.

“I’m sorry to cut this short, but we have to leave now Genevieve,” dad stated. I glanced at mum, who simply nodded.

What is happening?

A lot seemed to be going on, and if I wasn’t careful enough, I might be putting a lot of strain on my mental health.

While happy with my parents’ arrival, I could not help but felt everything was cut short. I was supposed to meet Anabelle’s family for the first time. I wonder how the poor girl must be feeling now.

I have been on scholarship since high school and even down to my College. My parents were not financially stable and every so often, I was grateful I was the only child.

But seeing them in one of the latest Corolla cars only surprised me.

Recently, dad complained about his business failing, and even though I had contributed some amount to help, I doubt if it had gone far enough with the business.

And even when I asked mum about it, by whispering, she only told me to be patient.

I will be, but I hope my patience won’t wear off soon.

Just when I decided to rest my head, my eyes squinted at the direction my dad was heading to. It was different from the route to our house.

“Dad, where are we going?” I asked, my mind a little unsettled.

A lot keeps happening today.

“Our new house, Genevieve. We have a lot of good news to share with you.”

I held my palms against my mouth, excitement jolting out of me. I was speechless. Yet, I wondered how everything moved so quickly.

Within a few minutes, the car was parked in front of a house. The house my dad was referring to left me stunned beyond what words can describe.

It was in an estate, a three-bedroom flat that was well furnished even from the outside.I entered as mum directed me to my room.

Behind the closed doors of my new room, painted in sky blue with rainbow colors imprinted, it took my breath away. The bed was comfortable and it felt so real.

“Mum, all this happened within three months I left home? How?” It came as questions from me to her, and I really wish she could answer the tons of questions ravaging my head.

Instead, she placed her hand on my shoulder, squeezing it lightly.

“It’s alright, my daughter. We will answer your questions, but for now, you should rest. We will be having a guest in the next three hours.” I nodded, not wanting to bother her any longer.

But that didn’t stop me from trying to think of everything, especially the past. I had to acknowledge my mum and dad had changed. They looked better than before.

We once lived in a manageable apartment with two rooms along a living room which contained two sofas, a TV SET, and a center table. It was a little home that had kept us secured for years, not until today, when it all changed.

“It’s fine mum. I will freshen up,” I stated, as she left the room.

I was in a pool of thoughts until I realized I needed to tone it down a bit. I already had a long day, one enough to bring down my emotional restraint.

As long as all these – the buildings, cars came from a good source, I’m cool with it. And with those final thoughts, I walked to the bathroom-my best place to find solace.

With my eyes covered, I walked carefully to the living room. My parents insisted as it was meant to be a surprise and I could not help but wonder what it was.

With my mum’s hands gently lifted off my face, I came in contact with the supposed surprise as I felt my body tremble.

My gaze landed on a man, his handsome face well shown under the light. He was dressed in a three-piece suit, as I was lost for some seconds.

He looked dazzling.

I shook my head, darting my eyes to my mum and dad. My dad had a complicated look, while my mum simply averted her gaze from mine.

I glanced back at the stranger sitting comfortably on the sofa, his eyes fixed intently at me as if he were in a staring competition.

“Can someone explain what is going on here?” I asked, trying my best to calm myself.

“Mum, dad, who is this person and why is he the surprise you had for me?” My heart pounded at every word I said.

Silence followed.

I had anticipated a gift as a surprise, but never in my world would I imagine my parents had another surprise for me?

I was indeed surprised.

“I am Anderson, your betrothed husband.” His alluring voice passed through my ears, as I felt my inside churn.

My eyes widened in shock, as I felt almost numb.

“That is true, Genevieve. You are getting married to him,” my dad finally spoke.

Within seconds, I felt the world spinning.

What the hell?