Whispers of Serendipity: Rediscovering Love's Melody

Chapter 10

Emma's phone rang, displaying her dad's name on the screen. She picked up with a smile.

Dad: "Happy Birthday, Emma! How's your day looking?"

Emma: "Thank you, Dad! Well, just the usual work stuff. Nothing special planned."

After ending the call with Emma, her dad decided to give Tom a heads-up about the occasion.

Dad: (calling Tom) "Hello, Tom. It's Emma's birthday today. Just thought you should know."

Tom: "Thanks for letting me know. I'll keep that in mind."

As the day unfolded, the anticipation of Emma's birthday lingered, creating a subtle tension in the air.

Charlotte's warm birthday wishes brought a smile to Emma's face at the office.

Charlotte: "Happy Birthday, Emma! Any special plans for the day?"

Emma: "Thanks, Charlotte. But, no plans. You know the deal with Tom. We decided not to interfere in each other's private lives."

Charlotte: "Come on! It's your birthday. I'm sure he'll do something."

Emma wasn't entirely convinced, but Charlotte's optimism planted a seed of hope for a surprise from Tom.

Emma walked into a house filled with the people she cared about, all wearing smiles and birthday hats. Tom, with a grin, approached her.

Tom: "Happy Birthday, Emma!"

Emma was genuinely surprised and touched by the effort Tom had put into making her day special.

Charlotte: "We thought we'd celebrate with you. You deserve it!"

Emma, moved by the unexpected celebration, felt a warmth in her heart, realizing that maybe, just maybe, this marriage of convenience held more surprises than she initially thought.

Tom presented a beautifully decorated strawberry cake, and as Emma hesitated at the sight of it, memories of Rachel's aversion to strawberries crossed Tom's mind.

Tom: "I didn't know you dislike strawberries."

Emma, looking at the cake, chuckled.

Emma: "Yeah, never been a fan. I prefer chocolate, actually."

Tom, taken aback by the echoes of Rachel's preferences, suggested playfully.

Tom: "How about pineapple? Or is chocolate the winner?"

Emma, laughing, responded.

Emma: "Chocolate, definitely. I'm a chocolate cake kind of person."

The shared moment revealed the uncanny similarities that seemed to bridge the gap between Emma and Rachel in Tom's mind.

In the kitchen, Charlotte remarked to Emma.

Charlotte: "Looks like our business-minded Tom has a soft side. Maybe this marriage isn't just about convenience after all."

Emma, while nodding, still held a hint of doubt. Meanwhile, in his thoughts, Tom couldn't shake off the uncanny resemblance between Emma and Rachel.