Loving can hurt

Chapter 17

3rd person POV
It was the night before Roman's birthday, and Isabella had planned a special dinner just for the two of them before his family surprised him the next day at his house.

Isabella had just finished getting ready in her spacious walk-in closet. She carefully put on her favorite pair of teardrop earrings and took a final look in the mirror to make sure everything was perfect.

Just as she finished, she heard the door to the closet open, and her assistant, Alex, appeared.

"Isabella, Roman is waiting in the foyer," Alex informed her.

Isabella nodded, picked up her bag, and made her way to the foyer. There stood Roman, a sharp black suit on . "You look stunning," he remarked as he pulled her close and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm glad you think so," Isabella replied with a smile. "But we should get going. Our reservation is in 45 minutes."

They headed outside and got into the waiting Escalade. The drive to the restaurant was filled with easy conversation and shared laughter, and before they knew it, they had arrived at Donatello's. A waiter seated them at a private table.

"I feel bad that I didn't plan anything special for your birthday, and here you are, taking me out," Roman said, reaching across the table to take Isabella's hand in his.

"Don't worry about it," Isabella reassured him, squeezing his hand gently. "I already had plans, and having you there with me is all that matters. Besides, I have a birthday present for you." she reached into her bag and pulled out a box handing it to him. She watches him excitedly hoping he would like the gift.

He took out the watch he stared at it in awe "Isabella you didn't have to..."

Next morning

I got up early to whip up some breakfast and take it to him in bed. After I was done, I headed to my room and saw that he was already awake.

"Happy birthday!!"he looks up from his phone with a smile on his face placing his phone down in the bed side table I sit the breakfast in front of him.

"I didn't know you could cook" he raised his eyebrow at me. "Hey I can do a lot of things it's just I don't feel like it"
...

8 hours later

By 6:30 pm, the once-quiet house had been transformed. Warm lights twinkled in the backyard, soft music played from hidden speakers, and a long table was set with Roman's favorite foods, just like Isabella had planned. The Anoa'i family had started arriving one by one—each person hugging her like she'd always been part of the tribe.

"Girl, you really outdid yourself," Trinity (Naomi) whispered, giving Isabella a quick side hug as she looked around. "This is beautiful."

"Thank you," Isabella said, brushing a curl behind her ear, her nerves still very much intact. She checked her phone for the fifth time that minute.

Roman had no idea.

Back at Roman's place, Isabella had told him she had to handle "some work stuff" and that she'd see him later that night. She even got Alex to back her up with a fake calendar notification and everything.

Now all that was left was getting him through the door.

She got the text around 7:10.
Roman: "Just got to your place. Where are you?"

Isabella quickly excused herself from the backyard crowd and rushed to the front door. She took a deep breath, smoothed her dress, and opened it.

Roman stood there with his usual confident smile, wearing a fitted navy shirt and jeans, but the moment he stepped inside and heard the sudden—

"SURPRISE!!"

His eyes widened as his whole family, friends, and a few WWE stars filled the room with cheers and laughter.

Isabella watched his expression carefully. For a split second, he was stunned—but then his entire face lit up. "You did all this?" he asked her, eyes scanning the decorations, the people, the setup that was unmistakably him.

She nodded, her voice a bit softer this time. "I wanted you to feel how loved you are, Roman." Without saying a word, Roman pulled her into a hug—tight and unfiltered.

"You're unbelievable," he whispered against her hair. "Thank you."

After a while, the crowd started thinning. Some guests left for their hotels, while others moved inside to relax with drinks and old stories.

Roman had been surrounded most of the night, but now he was finally alone—or at least, he thought he was.

Isabella leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching him sip from a glass of wine by the patio. His back was turned, but she could still tell he was smiling—one of those quiet, peaceful smiles that didn't need an audience.

"You always get that soft look after a big match or a big moment," she said, stepping closer.

Roman turned to face her. "That obvious?"

"Only to me," she said, holding out her hand. "Come with me."

He took it without question, letting her guide him through the side of the house and into the guest suite—her favorite room because of the wide windows and soft lighting.

She had already set it up: the fireplace flickering low, a blanket draped over the couch, and two plates of leftover cake waiting on the coffee table.

Roman raised an eyebrow. "This was part of the plan too?"

"Maybe," Isabella grinned, slipping off her heels and sinking onto the couch. "Sit with me?" He joined her, close enough for their knees to touch. For a moment, neither of them said anything. The world outside the room slowed down.

Roman broke the silence first. "This was one of the best birthdays I've ever had."

"That's the goal. I'm trying to raise your standards for next year," she joked softly. He looked at her, serious now. "You do that just by being around."

Isabella blushed under his gaze, something she didn't do often. Roman reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek before resting his hand on her neck, thumb gently grazing her jaw.

"I mean it," he said. "No one's ever done anything like this for me."

"Well," she murmured, voice quiet now, "you deserve it. You deserve to feel chosen."

Roman leaned in, slow and deliberate, like he was giving her space to move away—but she didn't. Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, full of unspoken promises.

When they pulled back, Isabella rested her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as the fire crackled quietly beside them.

"You know," she said, half-asleep, "this could be our tradition... a night just for us before the world pulls you back into chaos."

Roman smiled, kissing the top of her head. "I'd like that. A lot."

I'm back ig slow updates have a great day!!