LOST LOVE

CAT'S BIRTHDAY

Catherine's pov

Today is my birthday.

I spent last night at my dad's house.  He insisted on throwing me a birthday party even though I told him there wasn't necessary. , He said something special about this one. Everyone is busy with the arrangements. Susan picked out a dress for me. Sometimes mom mentions James, but I avoid the topic. I don't want him in my life anymore.

"Dad, let me help you," I offered as he bustled through the hall.
"No, go get ready for the party. I have invited some special guests for you. So you should look extra beautiful, he said. I didn't invite anyone. It was his department. I stayed in the room wondering what he planned.

Third POV

The house is decorated with balloons and lights. The cake was chilling in the fridge and guests were starting to arrive.

As invited, Dominic came to the house. He was Jordan's special guest.

"Hello, Dominic," Jordan greeted him warmly.
"Hello, Mr. Johnson," Dominic responded, glancing around.

"If you are searching for cat, she is upstairs," Susan said, pointing towards the door.
Dominic looked at both of them with shy smile.

"What are you waiting for?" Jordan encouraged him. 

Jordan had come to realize that Dominic was the right man for Catherine. But the final decision is hers. 

Hearing Jordan, Dominic didn't wait. He ran to the upstairs. The door was not locked. he found  Cat was admiring her dress.

"Happy birthday, cat," he said from the doorway. She was surprised to see him here.

"Thank you," she replied, a bit unsure . A silence fell between them, which was unusual. Catherine could sense something was off.

"What's wrong, Dominic?" she asked noticing he hadn't moved from the doorway.
"Nothing," he said, trying to dismiss her concern.

"No, there is something," she insisted, not liking the evasiveness.

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have to rushed things. I should have waited longer", he confessed, worried she might think he was trying to take advantage of her recent divorce.

"How much longer are you going to wait?" she asked softly. He had been waiting all these years and was still willing to wait.

"If it's for you, I can wait until my last breath." The sincerity in his eyes are undeniable. Catherine felt her eyes welling up.  Why hadn't she realized it sooner?. If she had known before  James, she might have been leading a happy life with Dominic.

Dominic noticed the unopened valentine's day gift on her table.

"You didn't like my Valentine's Day gift," he asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.

"How do you know?" she asked, looking directly at him.

"You didn't reply to my message, and you didn't wear the chain," he said, glancing at the box. He had held onto this hope for so long

"I didn't wear the chain because you didn't put it on me," she said with a fake angry expression.

 Dominic was taken aback. Did she really say that? or was he dreaming?. He pinched himself, he wasn't dreaming. His face light up like the sun.

She opened the box and handed the chain to him. He took it and she turned around so he could fasten it around her neck, which he did , very slowly.

"Nic, you have waited long enough, but I can't wait any longer. Not even for a second." Her cheeks flushed a deep red. He loved the way she called him "Nic" . Especially when it comes from her, it was so sweet.