With a sudden gasp, Ivy’s lips parted, and her eyes sparkled with astonishment. She had completely forgotten it was her birthday; the date slipped her mind amidst the chaos of her current worries. But now, a warm flutter erupted in her chest, and her fingers intertwined with unbridled joy. “Oh, Zack… that’s incredibly sweet of you…” she whispered, her voice barely audible yet brimming with emotion. “Thank you.”
Zack’s face radiated satisfaction, his smile still stretching as he offered her the bouquet. Ivy accepted it, her own smile unwavering, feeling truly blessed in this moment. A surge of warmth coursed through every fiber of her being, leaving her breathless. When was the last time someone surprised her with such a thoughtful, dramatic gift on her special day? She couldn’t remember; the particular date to her was just like every other day for the past nine years.
“Shall we?” Zack gestured toward the plaid mat and nice treat waiting for them. “Of course…” Her hands intertwined around his arm as they gracefully settled on the woollen tartan surrounded by decorative daffodils.
Her gaze fell on a maid approaching, her hand gloved in white, delicately cradling a resplendent cake in her arms. The sweet fragrance filled the air as she made her way toward them.
The lit candles adorning the surface reminded her of how wonderful birthdays were supposed to be. “Come on, do the birthday ritual. Make a wish…” Zack said, nudging her while the cake sat in front of her.
As she gazed upon the cake, her eyes widened in wonder; a gentle chuckle escaped her lips while steepling her fingers together, partly closing her eyes. After what seemed like a brief second, her eyes peeled open, lingering on the cake’s designs. Delicate daffodils crafted from sugar and icing swayed around the edges, their bright yellow petals shining like miniature suns. Cursive script-‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY WIFEY’-spread out on the smooth surface.
“Seriously, Zack, this…” She was lost for words as her eyes were still pinned on the cake, unwilling to look away. A pleased sigh spilled over from her lips, mesmerized by the baker’s craftsmanship and grateful for her husband’s thoughtfulness.
Zack gently stroked her shoulder, letting her float in amazement. After a few seconds, he snapped her out of her awe. “Cut the cake…”
With an affirming nod, she held the penknife and slightly sliced the middle, cutting a small portion and lifting it up to his mouth. “You’ve been feeding me at the hospital, and it’s my turn.” Her lips curved up in a mischievous grin.
A smirk played on Zack’s lips. “As you wish, wifey,” he complied, taking a bite, his eyes locking on hers, not looking away for a second.
Ivy suddenly felt compelled never to look away, her eyes wandering over his lips dancing in slow motion as he chewed on the piece she had fed him. She subconsciously bit her own lips, unable to free herself from the subcutaneous infatuation shoving her mind into a one-way impetus. She felt impelled to crash her own lips onto his inviting ones, which was way out of character for her. ‘What the hell is wrong with me?’ she snapped out of it, but it was too late for Zack to go unnoticed.
“Do you want to eat my lips?” he said, leaning closer, his face beaming with unsuppressed lust, which she had seen many times before.
She gently pushed him away, her hand retracting from his chest, but he swiftly grabbed it before she could succeed. “You can if you want to.”
She cringed, her face wrinkled. His words only added to her discomfort. “I…” she stuttered, avoiding eye contact.
She didn’t know how to respond nor escape from the seductive look on his face.
Zack’s smile stretched across his face, amused by her repulsiveness. As his intense gaze made her uncomfortable, he averted his eyes, looking far off in the distance. “I don’t know why you’re holding back. We are not strangers…”
Ivy exhaled. “I… know… it’s just…” She fumbled for words to explain herself but couldn’t find a reason why she kept repelling him even when her body and soul craved him every time they were inches apart. “Well…”
“Let’s eat; the food’s getting cold,” he said, saving her from the explanation.
Thankfully! She sighed in relief, digging into the mouthwatering meal that had been prepared. The air around them was oppressive with silence, accompanied by the heavy tension of awkwardness. While they ate, she kept stealing glances at Zack, who would pretend not to notice. After quite some time, he couldn’t ignore her iterative peeping. “How many times have you peeped by now?”
Ivy’s eyebrows quirked, her mouth pressing into a lipless smile, speechless…
She couldn’t help it; no matter how she tried, she had no control over her body… it was like they had minds of their own. She was beginning to admit her feelings but found it hard to express them completely.
She let out a feeble sigh, looking up with a helpless gaze. “Zack, can’t you just ignore…”
“I had been ignoring…” He cut her off, his lips wry in ridicule. “And you made it so obvious you were stealing glances at me…”
Ivy quickly rose to her feet, an awkward glint in her eyes as she walked out of the garden.
Zack followed behind, hastening to catch up with her. “Ivy…” he called, picking up the pace.
Ivy’s feet quickened in a stride, trying to get far away from him as soon as possible as her mind replayed her earlier behavior. What was she thinking? Yes, she knew what she was thinking but refused to admit it. Ever since her breakup with Dave, she had been unwilling to create a space for anyone, nor had she been ready to let herself fall back into her interpretation of love. She had always been naive about love, and now she was falling in love all over again.
It had only been a gap of five months since her downtrodden breakup, and she was already falling for the man she married out of impulse. She berated herself each time she thought of it but still felt excited about it at the same time.
She reached their bedroom and dashed inside, slamming the door behind her. It didn’t take long for Zack to cut to the chase. He sauntered inside the room, his expression serious, hands dipped in his pockets and leaning on the wall. “Just admit it.”
“Admit what?” She feigned obliviousness, with an intense stare.
“You know what I’m hinting at…” He responded, his gaze steady on her as if trying silently to probe what was downplaying in her mind.
Ivy pressed her lips, fighting the urge to repel what her body wanted but finding it really difficult at the moment, seeing how alluring he was, leaning sexily against the wall. Now she couldn’t take it anymore. She gulped, knowing that what she was about to do would rupture the boundary she had set for herself the day she had her fair share of heartbreak.
But that’s all in the past; now she was driven by fierce longing, its unbridled energy propelling her forward. She rushed toward him like a wave crashing on the shore, every fiber of her being brewing with anticipation. As their lips collided, the world around them melted away, leaving only the thrum of their heartbeats and the sweet surrender of their kiss.