Lily’s POV.
Today is Friday and I have plans for Ryan’s surprise plans. His birthday is tomorrow but as I know he will be busy with his family, I have only today to celebrate his special day with him. So I completed my work as soon as possible then went to different stores to pick up his gifts.
First I went to the watch store where I bought a gift for him and I wanted some inscription written on the back of it. I pick it up then go to the next stop to my friend’s house. All the paperwork is done and she tells me a helper would bring my gift to me at a given time.
Then I go to the bakery and pick up the cake I ordered for him. I am so excited. I know he would be shocked to know about my surprises. I hurry back to my apartment and start making dinner whose small preparation I did in the morning only after Ryan left.
I make tomato paprika soup with grilled extra cheesy sandwiches. I also make chicken piccata pasta and the cake will fit for dessert. After everything is ready I decorate it on the table and go up to get changed before he comes home.
I chose a forest green strapless bodycon and let my hair open by only putting a pin on one side. I apply peach colored lipstick and wear heels. I go down with his gifts and dim the light a bit. I text him to ask where he is and he replies that he would be here any minute.
I hear the jingle of keys as it turns the lock and wait till he gets inside then says on the top of my lungs, “Surprise.”
He grins and says, “What the… I thought my birthday was tomorrow, not today.”
“Well for me it starts from today.” I say as I give him a light kiss on the cheek, “Happy Birthday.”
“Well thank you.” He says and kisses me and smiles as he goes to deepen it.
“Not now. I have more surprises in store.” I say as I bite my lips.
“Then who is stopping you.” He says.
I take his hand and drag him towards the dining table where I put the cake. It is a red velvet cake, his favourite. I lit the single candle and sang the birthday song as I shot it all on my phone as he made a wish and blew the candle off. He cuts the cake then makes me eat. I do the same. He kisses me soundly.
“Here is your second surprise.” I say as I take him towards the dinner table with his favourite dishes.
“That looks delicious.” He says and we sit down to have a romantic dinner.
“So how was it?” I ask.
“Killing. I would be fat if you made dinner every night.” Ryan says.
“Don’t worry. We can do exercise to lose some calories.” I say as I brush my feet against his leg teasingly and wink at him.
“Well you are getting bold day by day and I am loving it.” Ryan says and makes me come towards him.
I sit on his lap and we kiss each other. I bit his lower lip and made him groan. His hands go up my thighs then inside the dress. I moan in the kiss as I feel his hand giving me pleasure. But I stop him and look at him.
“Why are we stopping?” He asks.
“It is your day not mine.” I say when I catch my breath.
“Well if it’s mine then you should allow me to do whatever I want and I want to see the look on your face when you come undone under my fingers.” Ryan whispers in my ear and I feel my passion rising to new heights.
“Well I have yet to give you your gift.” I say as I get up from his lap before he makes me lose my sanity.
“What? I want this gift right now, then that. Come back.” Ryan says as he frowns cutely and stands up to follow me.
“I chose this very carefully, I hope you like it.” I say as I give him a small gift with wrapping.
He sighs then takes the gift but makes me sit back in his lap again on the couch. He unwraps it as I snuggle in his chest. Then he opens the box to see an automatic watch which runs on pulse.
“It is nice. I love the color you chose.” Ryan says as he looks at the blue and grey color watch, his favourite color.
“Look at the back.” I say and he looks at me for a second then does as I say.
The back has inscription that says, ‘I can’t wait to see where time takes us but I know that the best is yet to come.’
“It sure has yet to come.” Ryan says and gives me open mouth kisses and makes me giggle, “So where were we?”
“To your next surprise.” I say as I hear the doorbell ring at the exact time and get up from his lap.
“What?” He asks as he pouts.
“Come on, Ryan. I promise this is the last one.” I say and go to open the door.
I sign the document and take the stuff inside related to the new furry baby. Then take the carriage from the woman and say thanks to her for the services. I close the door and say, “Ryan, I want you to close your eyes.”
“What?” He says.
“Don’t turn around, just close your eyes. Do it and no peeking.” I say.
I take the pup out of the carrier and tie a small loose bow I got ready for him. Then as I pat him, I take him near Ryan and say, “Now you can open your eyes.”
Ryan opens his eyes and sees the pup in my hands and a boyish grin comes on his face. One of my friends had a dog who gave birth to many pups. When I saw this on social media, I contacted her immediately. And fortunately I got the last one. It is a tricolor Bernese Mountain puppy who is 10 weeks old.
“He is the type of dog I told you I always wanted to have. Where did you get it?” Ryan asks.
“From a friend. Do you like him?” I ask.
“Of course I do. He is so cute. What is his name?” Ryan asks as the puppy licks his hand as he pats him.
“Well what do you want to call him?” I ask.
“Let me see he is cute and also strong and he is going to be big so how about Teddy. We can call him Ted for short. What do you say?” He asks.
“I love it.” I say and kiss him.
“Now you want to kiss.” He says and I chuckle.
“When did I not want to?” I ask.
We go to Ryan’s penthouse and arrange things for Teddy in his room. After he is fed and sleeps in the small pan we made, Ryan throws me on bed and challenges me to make little to no noise as Teddy is asleep.
I win the challenge and also more than that on every round. We barely slept that night as whenever our naked skin came in contact we would want each other with new fire. We finally slept early in the morning.
“Ryan… Ryan… Wake up. Open the door dear birthday boy.” A female voice knocking on the door breaks my sleep.
“Wake up son. It is 10 in the morning. I thought you would be awake by now. Is he ill or something?” A male voice says now.
I rub my eyes and sit up on bed when I hear voices still coming from outside but as soon as I recognise whose voice is that I am fully awake. I panic and shake Ryan so much he literally falls off the bed.
“Ouch! What is this Li-” He starts to say but I put my hand on his mouth.
“Shh… Your parents are here.” I whisper as I look at him and his eyes widen.
“What?” He whispers after removing my hand and I nod.
“Ryan!” His Mom again calls for him.
“Yes, Mom. I am up. Why don’t you both go downstairs and I will be there in a few minutes after getting changed maybe.” Ryan says.
“Ok baby. But come down soon, okay?” Heather asks.
“Okay.” He says and soon we hear their fading footsteps.
“Oh My God! What do we do?” I ask Ryan, still whispering.
“Let’s shower first.” Ryan says and picks me up.
“What do you mean? Your parents are waiting downstairs.” I complain.
“It is my birthday.” Ryan says and puts me under a hot shower, “I can do whatever I like.”
And he does that by making love with me under the shower. I’m still weak on the back of my knees as I wear one of his long t-shirts and shorts and take the dress I wore last night. I scratch behind Teddy’s ear when he comes towards me and I look at Ryan as he wears the clothes I chose for him.
He kisses me and says, “I will distract them and then you can go. But you have to come to the party tonight.”
“What party?” I ask as I stand in the circle of his arms.
“I was going to tell you yesterday but got distracted. Kathy has arranged a birthday party for me. I will send you the details later. You have to come. You will, right?” Ryan asks as he nuzzles my nape.
“I will.” I say with a shy smile.
Ryan and I tiptoe downstairs and hear voices coming from the kitchen. He tells me to go when they start talking about Teddy. That will distract them enough. He takes him to the kitchen and his parents talk about him.
I see that as my escape and go towards the lift and get inside. I reach on my floor and get off with a sigh of relief. I get inside my apartment and chuckle to myself. Sneaking around could be fun sometimes and thrilling too.
I cleaned up last night’s mess and changed into white knit skirt and white crop top and eat some sandwiches and cake for breakfast. Then after doing some work I had left, I make light lunch of soup and salad and take a nap.
I get a call from Richard after waking up saying to join them to go to Ryan’s birthday party and after saying no for one or two times, I say yes. As I read Ryan’s text, the doorbell rings. A delivery is sent for me and I sign it and take it inside.
I unwrap the rectangular box and open it to see a small card saying, *’I will love to see you in this or may be out of this.’*
I smile and see it is a light grey off shoulder tulle formal long dress with lingerie. I raise my eyes at his choice but feel confident to wear it. I apply light lipstick and curl my hair a bit. I part my hair from the middle and make a small braid on each side and pin it and let some of the strands frame my face to give it a soft look then leave the rest of it open over my bare shoulders.
I wear the necklace that he gifted me along with silver heels and a small bracelet. I put the things I need in my clutch purse and go down when I get a text from Richard that he is waiting for me downstairs.
“You look pretty.” Heather says as I sit inside the limo with her.
“Thanks.” I say shyly.
“You do look beautiful and exactly how Prim used to look.” Richard compliments me too as he kisses my hand.
“Thank you.” I say.
Soon we reached the venue of a hotel. The party is arranged on a roof where there is an open bar with dinner in buffet table style with some tables and chairs. I also brought another gift for Ryan and saw him standing with his friends and Freya but I ignored her so as not to spoil my and Ryan’s mood.
We go near him and Richard and Ryan hug each other then Heather kisses Ryan on cheek. I come forward and wish him birthday and he smiles covertly at me. I give him a small gift of keychain which has another inscription on it. He puts it in his pocket sneakily.
‘I am allowed to drive you crazy but you are not. Drive safely my love.’ The inscription says.
It is the first time I called him my love and I hope he feels comfortable about it. We would be sharing Teddy between, I hope he doesn’t think it is going too fast. Because I am falling for him every second and can’t resist showing it to him.
“Hey.” Theo and Noah say as they come to stand near me.
“Hey.” I say with a smile.
“We heard Ryan got a puppy named Teddy.” Noah says.
“So?” I ask.
“So in case you ever think about breaking up with my brother, feel free to look around and make your eyes stop at me.” Theo says as he puts his arm around my shoulder and I giggle.
“Take your arm off of her, Theo. Otherwise you will have two Andersons beating you to pulp.” Noah says as he looks at Ryan who is glaring at Theo and Richard who is giving warning glares to Theo.
He immediately takes his arms off me and says, “You are precious and dangerous.”
“Lily.” Vance calls for me and I go to meet him and he introduces me to his wife, “Meet Kathy, my wife. And Kathy, this is my new executive assistant Lily. She is also god daughter of Richard.”
“Hi. It is a pleasure to meet the Boss Lady.” I say and shake hands with a beautiful woman beside Vance with brown eyes and dirty blond hair.
“Same here. So that is what everyone calls me?” Kathy says.
“With respect.” I say and she chuckles.
The party starts in full flow then and Kathy gestures for a waiter to bring out cake. I stand with Noah as Ryan cuts the cake and makes his parents eat it first then his brothers and friends. And Ryan has to make Freya eat it as she comes forward, Theo comes back to me.
“Aren’t you jealous?” He asks.
“You don’t wanna know what we did with cake last night.” I say and Theo grins at me knowingly.
“That is why you are not upset with all these?” He asks as he gestures at Freya making Ryan eat it with her hands.
“I am but I will show it later if Ryan doesn’t end things with her soon or make things clear with her.” I say as I look at her clinging to Ryan. It should be me, not her, by Ryan’s side.
But at the end of the night I am the one by Ryan’s side as we dance slowly on romantic tunes. We have to make sure no one knows that we are so happy to be in each other’s arms. I tease him about having a nice watch on his wrist and he says that someone special gave it to him.
Later at night as we are in bed exhausted after round two, I think about wanting to be with Ryan in front of everyone rather than a secret. But I also think that I love our little world where nobody knows about us except his brothers and I can have these blissful moments without the judgement of someone.