Falling in Love : I love you, Today and Forever
Chapter 765: Birthday surprise

Chapter 765: Birthday surprise

Joshua was pleasantly surprised to see the entire mansion dimly lit the moment he returned home. Alarmed, he drove inside and switched off his car before he sent a text message to Kaito, who was stationed to protect Ivy. When he got an all clear text from him, he sighed in relief and got out of the car. Only he knew how scared he had been to see the house this way.

Still baffled, he entered his house, only to be stumped when he saw the place completely dark. The only source of light was from the candles from the pool area and Joshua’s feet started walking automatically.

The entire pool area was lit with candles while roses adorned the vases, filling the air with their pleasant and alluring smell. The candles outlined a path and in the middle stood the woman who had pushed him out of the mansion early in the morning.

Wearing a white tank top and blue skirt, she looked absolutely breathtaking. Her black waves ruffled lightly with the mild breeze and Joshua was rendered into a state of total trance. He couldn’t take his eyes away from her at all. He had never seen Ivy this way and his heart skipped a beat while he started walking towards her slowly.

"Welcome home." Ivy looked at him excitedly, hiding her nervousness behind her smile. "I hope you liked the surprise."

"Ivy..." Joshua started but Ivy shushed him immediately.

"I’m sorry for the way I behaved in the morning. I wanted to give you a surprise. So, I had to force you out. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me." She even held her ears as an apology gesture and Joshua swallowed all the words on the tip of his tongue. He could not bring himself to say anything but stare at her silently.

"Close your eyes," Ivy said all of a sudden, stunning Joshua with her request.

"What?" He gave her a look of confusion.

"Please close your eyes." Ivy requested sweetly and even placed her palm on his eyes, forcing him to close his eyes. "Please keep your eyes closed until I say otherwise. Please. I’ll be back soon."

Joshua did not dare disobey Ivy and open his eyes. He stood in his spot while he waited for her patiently.

Joshua sensed Ivy’s presence a few minutes later and even smelt something sweet wafting in the air. But he could not make out what it was. Though curious, he continued to follow Ivy’s commands.

"You may open your eyes on the count of five," Ivy stated all of a sudden and Joshua prepared himself for the surprise she had planned for him.

"Five."

Joshua clenched his fists tight until his knuckles turned white.

"Four."

Joshua felt his heart pounding madly while the anticipation was killing him.

"Three."

Joshua licked his lips in nervousness.

"Two."

Joshua was ready to look at his surprise.

"One. You may open your eyes."

Barely had the command left her lips when Joshua opened his eyes and he was astounded to see a birthday cake in her hand. "Happy birthday, Joshua. Happy birthday, darling."

Joshua looked at the time and the date on his watch and as expected the day had changed. It was his birthday.

"Are you surprised? Did you like it?" Ivy was thrilled to see the look on his face and she beamed in joy. Her face was brighter than the light from the candles and Joshua couldn’t look away from her even for a moment. He was utterly bewitched.

"Shall we cut the cake?" Ivy walked towards the rest area where she had arranged a table and placed the cake in the middle. Surprised to see him not following her, she turned around and gave him a questioning look.

"Joshua, is everything alright?" She looked at his abnormal reaction and her smile slipped for a moment, only for it to return on her face when he started walking towards her. "Are you so shocked that you are unable to speak any words?" She teased, winking at him playfully.

"I’m glad my surprise was able to render you speechless. Shall we cut the cake?"

Ivy did not wait for him and handed him the knife which Joshua took. He stared at her for a few seconds, confusing her for a moment. His peculiar behavior flummoxed her and she was just about to question him when the man bent forward and blew the candle.

"Happy birthday." Ivy clapped and watched him cut the cake. She even took the piece he had cut and held it for him to eat.

Joshua, still silent, bent forward and ate the piece of cake in her hand.

"Happy birthday!" She wished him again and pecked his lips. All of a sudden, she became nervous and Joshua raised his brows when he saw her strange behavior. She had become stiff suddenly and he could not make out what she was up to now.

"Joshua, I have something to tell you." She started and looked at him in the eye.

"I never thought I would fall in love with a man like you."

"Ivy..." Joshua tried to stop her when he understood where this was going. But Ivy shook her head immediately.

"Please, let me say all that I want to tell you. I may not have the confidence to say it some other time."

Joshua went silent at her request and Ivy mustered all the courage in her.

"I have never been in a serious relationship before. I have only dated one boy before and he turned out to be a scumbag. I have never had someone to hold hands and take a walk along the beach. I’ve never had someone with whom I could watch a movie and then make out with him in the middle." Ivy blushed as soon as she said the words. Yet, she did not stop.

"I have never had anyone with whom I saw a future, a family, kids and a life filled with peace. I’m not a romantic person, Joshua. However, it all changed when I met you. To be honest, I never expected I’d be in a relationship with you, let alone love you. But here I am, confessing my feelings to you while I’m hella nervous."

Ivy chuckled to ease her nerves and Joshua looked at her fondly.

"Today, on this special occasion, I’d like to confess to you that I love you, a lot. You really mean a lot to me and I have no words to express how happy I am to have met you."

Joshua felt tears clouding his sight and he lowered his head to clear them. Her words touched him and he stepped forward to embrace her. But barely had he touched her that the incident from an hour ago flashed before his eyes and he pulled away immediately, startling Ivy with his actions.

"Joshua, what’s wrong?" She looked at him in concern and stepped forward, only to pause when Joshua took a step back.

"Joshua?" She was now scared and her hands turned clammy as she looked at the man before her worriedly.

"Ivy..." Joshua closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before he opened them again. "Let’s break up."