Bitter sweet affair

Chapter 56 - Surprise

It was lunch break. She wanted to get a cappuccino, to stay awake and some donuts too.
She came out through the revolving doors to see someone she wasn't expecting.

"We need to talk"
"No, there's nothing to talk about. Annie"
She tried to walk away but Annie stood in front of her.

Annie could see the hurt in her eyes. Her words had hurt her deeply.

"I'm sorry.. I reacted harshly without confirming what was what. I hurt you with my words and I'm sorry" Annie pleaded.
She stared into Amelia's eyes, tears had formed.

"Gosh Annie.. five years, five years Annie. I didn't date anyone, I didn't have any physical contact with any man. And now I had an affair with your husband?"she scoffed.
"If I craved so badly for a man's touch, I wouldn't go for your husband. I can't believe you'd think I could stoop so low" she added.

"I'm sorry. I.. I don't have an excuse. I bragged about how much I loved you but yet I.. I.. accused you of something you wouldn't do"

" I feel like I can't breathe,Annie. My mind is distorted, I feel like my life source has been cut off from me. It seems like I'm exaggerating, but that's how I feel. I'm being honest about how I feel"

Annie burst into tears.
"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.. I understand you need space to think. I.. Please come home. Archie.. threatened to leave me If I didn't sort things out with you. I don't wanna lose you and then lose him too." She paused.
"I know I seem selfish right now and I'm sorry.
Please.." she pleaded.

Amelia just stood there before tearing up.
She pulled Annie into a hug.
"I hate you. I hate you" she said
"I love you too" Annie said hugging her back.

They laughed and stared at each other.
"I brought your bag. Your phone and other stuffs I thought you might need is in here"
She said handing it over to Amelia.

"Hmm, I see. Now get out of my workplace"
"Yeah, I'll see you at home for dinner?"
"Yeah, get going" Amelia smiled as she watched Annie leave.

"Who was that?" A voice said from behind.
She shrieked. "That scared me" she said holding unto her chest.
"Why? Were you doing something shady?" He grinned.
"No. She's my elder sister."
"There's a lot I don't know about you, Amy"
He said brushing her cheeks.

"Likewise, M" she smiled walking ahead of him.
"Is that a nickname for me?" He smiled.
"You coming, or what? She said making a turn, walking backwards.
Mason chuckled before catching up with her.

**
"Happy birthday" Amelia,Archie and Jasmine said. Annie just stretched before getting cozy in her duvet.

They started singing "happy birthday to you"
She had to force her eyes open.
"Thank you, thank you" she said half awake.
"Can I go back to sleep, now?" She asked.
"No" they all said simultaneously.
"Why?, why?" She groaned, kicking her legs against the bed.

"It's your birthday. We have a surprise planned for you"Amelia said taking a sit beside her.
"Cancel it for like an hour. I wanna go back to sleep" she said falling back on the bed.
"Jasmine, get me a bucket of cold water from-
Annie jolted up. "Fine.. I'm awake. I'll go take a shower" she said, dragging her feet to the bathroom.

...

"Why am I blindfolded?" Annie asked impatiently.
"Trust me, okay?" Amelia said holding onto her.
"Hm. Fine"
"Are we heading to the basement?"
"Who knows?.. watch your step"

Amelia took off the blindfold. Her vision was blurry at first.
She stared at the room it was decorated with her favorite color-purple.
Even the dress she was wearing was purple.

The light in the room were dim but radiating.
Purple and white balloons were tied to the pillars in the room.
A stack of unopened presents stood in the corner of the room.

A huge cake covered in chocolate, with dots of cream on it, sat on a table in the middle of food bowls.

She turned to look at them.
"Surprise!!" They cheered.
She chuckled. " Thank you"

* ding dong*

"Are you expecting someone?" Annie asked Amelia.
"Yeah. A friend from work and dad"
She said rushing out to get the door.
"Dad"
She said hugging him.
"How are you my pearl?"
" I'm fine, please come in"

As soon as she shut the door and moved two steps away from the door; the door bell rang again.
" I'll get it, they're in the basement" she said to her dad.

"Mason. I didn't think you'd come" she said hugging him briefly.
"Miss a chance to meet your family? Nah"
He said walking in.

"Everyone, meet Mason. My friend from work and boss too. He's the vice president, where I work"
"It's nice to meet you" Annie said with a smile.
She pulled Amelia to the side.
"Friend. Really? Are you sure it's nothing more?" Annie chuckled.
"Annie, we're just friends"
"That's how a good relationship starts" Annie smiled before joining everyone else.

"Can I get your attention" Annie said standing by the stairs.
Once she got everyone's attention she started.
"I just wanted to say, that I'm grateful. I'm thirty three, married and blessed with a son. And of course my first family. I feel like I have everything. Thank you all for being with me, for sticking by my side and for loving me with all my imperfections. In a nutshell, I love you all"

"We love you too."
"Don't cry, my love" Archie said wrapping his arms around her.
"Amy.." he called her to the side.
"Yeah?"
"I have to leave, something urgent came up. I'm sorry"
"I understand. I'll walk you to the door"

"I'll call you.."