Rita's POV
"Surprise! Happy birthday!!!" Evelyn and I screamed as she took off the blindfold.
Adam was standing in front of a big cake.
"Woah!!" He was astonished, unsure of how to react. His eyes almost bulged out of the socket and his jaw dropped.
Adam always forget his birthday date, so he never saw this coming and we can't blame him, guys do not fancy birthdays as much as we ladies. Evelyn would be dramatically screaming Oh My God! Oh My God!!
"Today's my birthday" Adam muttered.
"iish! You never remember your birthdays Adam! You should always look forward to this very day and bless God for adding an extra year to your age" Evelyn scolded before wishing him: "Happy birthday to you my love, I hope and pray we celebrate more birthdays together" Then she kissed him on his lips affectionately.
"Happy birthday Adam" I said, when they were done, he spread his hands and I embraced him lightly.
"Thank you girls" He appreciated, gaily.
"Make a wish" Evelyn slightly pushed him to the front of the cake.
Adam shut his eyes, made a quick silent wish and blew off the candle lights together with his girlfriend then they embraced once again.
"That's not all my love" Evelyn chuckled, interlocking arms with Adam as she led the way to the living room.
We've already planned ahead with everyone invited. Also, Evelyn made me arrive earlier being a best friend to both the celebrant and the celebrant's girlfriend. And to start with, we wished him earlier in his room.
"Surprise Adam!" Everyone screamed when we arrived at the living room - the party room rather.
Someone popped a party popper and another popped a champagne.
Adam was even more flambagasted than he was earlier. He was speechless. Lol, he wasn't supposed to exclaim Oh My God! Oh My God!!
The hired deejays began to play birthday songs and that's how the party began.
The invited guest took turns to wish and hug the celebrant. Adam couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the love and warmth surrounding him.
As the last notes of the birthday song faded away, the deejay switched to a very lively disco music.
Feets started tapping to the beat, and soon enough, everyone was dancing vibrantly showing off their best move.
Since everything went well and lively, the way it was planned, I jostled my way sneakily while looking around for Finn. Aww! He was more like the major reason why I awaited his day.
Haven jostled my way out of the party, I bumped into the one who I was searching for at the entrance. Finn!
"Ohh! You are just arriving!" I interjected dramatically like he wasn't the one I was just expecting.
I stared at him from head to top. Gosh! This guy knows how to dress so good at anytime, anyday despite he wore just suits that hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, accentuating his tall frame.
"You're leaving already?" Finn inquired with a charming smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth.
"Leaving? Right now? No, the party has just begun" I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement upon seeing him.
I noticed he admired my look and outfit, so I pretended to pose subconsciously.
He smiled.
"Like I said, the party just started and the whole world is in there" I told Finn.
"So where are you off to?" He asked.
"Err… a … stroll" I smiled in an awkward manner. My breath caught in my throat, emotions swirling within me. "Adam's garden is not too far away and I… uhm, wanna admire some flowers" I spewed out the word separately but tried to put them together so it could make sense a little.
"Alright" Finn nodded and walked inside.
My heart raced, anticipation mounting for a further beautiful encounter between Finn and I.
I couldn't just go back inside shortly after coming out. Some guests arrived and met me at the door step seemed really embarrassing. One would think I was being left out, I was only waiting a little longer before returning to the party.
I sighed and stroded over to the garden, plucked and admired some flowers like I told Finn that I wanted to do.
"Maybe you are also not a party type" I heard Finn's voice and turned immediately.
"What are you doing here Finn?"
"Uhm, haven wished Adam, still didn't see you around, I came to search for you" He responded honestly.
My cheeks couldn't be more redden than it was now. Unknowingly to him, I was only stuck outside because I was searching for him when he didn't arrive sooner.
"I asked if you didn't enjoy the party" He repeated.
"It's crowded in there" I complained in a murmur.
"I agree" He drew closer. "We could stay here, just us, perfect" He smiled. I tried to act normal and not like a high school girl being left alone with her crush.
"How are you Rita?" Finn asked.
"I am fine" I wondered how such a simple question still made my heart flutter.
"I see" He gazed at my outfit again. "You should dress like this to the office, look at the body"
"You have made this statement a zillion times already Finn" I chuckled while we walked together.
"There's a bench over there, let's sit" I pointed and walked ahead of him while leading the way but he grabbed my hand and made sure we walked to the seat and sat together.
Of course, we observed an awkward moment of silence. I couldn't help but to feel that at this very moment, everything will fall into place.
"Rita, I really do not have a girlfriend or fiancee" Finn broke the silence and then cleared his throat.
"Uh?" I looked at his face.
"I …. I lied because I still had so much feelings for you and I felt you were joking with my emotions" While he confessed, he narrowed his eyes into mine that I had to blink severally before I could maintain a stable eye contact with him.
His eyes were filled with adoration and tenderness and it made my heart skip a beat.
"You… you haven't given up your love for me" I muttered.
"Yes" He confirmed, placing his hand on mine.
His soft touch always sent shivers down my spine and ignited the fire within me.
"I love you so much Rita. Somehow, I know you love me too, it's pretty obvious but you pretend not to" He was absolutely right.
Finn moved close to where I sat and placed his palm on my cheeks.
"Let's stop playing childish games and play it in a matured way"
I froze right there like a statue as his words echoed over and over again in my head.
The weight of his confession seemed almost unbearable. It was as if the world had momentarily stopped spinning and my heart raced as I tried to process the enormity of what he had just said.
He leaned forward and kissed me passionately. I didn't resist.
His lips softened against mine and our bodies pressed together, merging in a perfect union of desires and longing.
Time seemed to stand still as we hosted ourselves in the intoxicating embrace.
In that moment, the world faded away, leaving only the two of us in a state of pure bliss.
His hands gently brushed against my face, his fingers traced the contours of my cheeks. It was as if he was trying to convey everything he felt for me through a single kiss.
As our lips parted, our eyes met and I could see the reflection of my own desires mirrored in his gaze.
"Can I kiss you again?" I asked softly.
"And you won't call it a mistake?" He warned, in reference to the last time we kissed.
I smiled and shook my head gently.
I kissed him back, almost like I was trying to pour all my love at once into that single moment.
*******
To Be Continued