|A L W A Y S & F O R E V E R| B O O K 1

23||S u r p r i s e

Date: 10/25/15
Day of the Week: Sunday
Location: Los Angeles, California
Place: Ciara's Condo

Russell

Things have been going great at the firm lately. Last month, we pulled in over a million dollars with a profit. My team and I have worked hard for the past two months to keep this business above water. The hard work paid off. I took some time off to fly to Cali for Ciara's birthday today. She doesn't know I'm coming, so she's going to be surprised. When I landed at the airport, I called Lala to make sure she and Ci weren't at the condo.

"Hey. I just landed. I wanted to make sure the coast was clear before I came."

"Yeah. She's in the dressing room trying on a few clothes right now. Now's the perfect time. Okay, I have to go." She whispered before ending the call.

My Uber got here twenty minutes later. I got my luggage and quickly walked to the car. I told the driver my destination, and we were on our way. When he reached the destination, I tipped him and thanked him before getting out and walking into the building. I walked over to the front desk and told the lady who I was there for. She smiled and gave me an extra key to her room. I thanked her and headed to her condo. After letting myself in, I went to her room and sat my luggage against her dresser. I checked the time on my watch, 4:15 PM. She should be here any minute now. I took my phone out of my pocket to text Lala to let her know I was here. So she could bring Ci home.

As time passed, I waited for the two of them to get here. The keys rattling at the door got my attention. I took my position, sitting on the edge of her bed. I could hear the two of them coming in.

"Girl, I know I said we were going out tonight, but my mama just called. She's not going to be able to watch Kiyan. They just called her to come in to work at the hospital." She sighed.

"Aaawe. Really?"

"Yeah, boo. I'm sorry. Maybe next week I can make it up to you."

"Alright. I understand."

I listened to their conversation and not long after, they said goodbye to each other. The front door closed, so I'm sure she would be making her way to the bedroom now. I saw the door knob turn before it opened. She froze in place, her mouth slightly open before a smile plastered across her face. I stood up and she ran to me, jumping into my arms. I caught her, holding her up by the back of her thighs. Her legs wrapped around my waist as she kissed my face repeatedly.

"Happy Birthday." I managed to say in between her kisses.

"Baby, calm down." I chuckled at her excitement. She blushed as her shower of kisses came to an end. I put her down on her feet.

"What are you doing here? No, how did you get in here?"

"Lala helped me set everything up. I told her to get you out of the house for the day. Then the front desk lady worked with us to get the extra key to your condo so I could surprise you." I explained everything to her.

"I'm guessing nothing came up with Kiyan? She just wanted us to have this time together." She chuckled and shook her head.

"Yep." I smiled down at her and pecked her soft lips.

"What about work?"

"I'm taking the week off. They promised they wouldn't call, and if anything happens, they would get it under control." She wrapped her arms around my waist.

"I'm so happy that you're here. I missed you so much, baby."

"I missed you, too." I kissed her lips once more. She bit the bottom of my lip gently, asking for more access. My lips parted, allowing her to slip her tongue in. Our tongues moved together in sync as they explored one another. My hands held both sides of her waist while hers wrapped around my neck. After a minute, we pulled away from each other, and she looked down at the carpeted floor, blushing.