𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞.
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I opened the door to Lorenzo's office, which was a masculine, spacious, and luxurious room with a dark, old-money theme...
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Enzo's 26th birthday was a grand affair, as expected. Our villa in Spain was a bustling hub of high-profile business tycoons, influencers, and dignitaries from around the world. Despite being seven months pregnant, I was determined to make this day unforgettable for him. He deserved nothing less.
Christmas had been a dream—a family vacation at Enzo's house in Aspen. The snow, the mountains, the cozy fires—it was perfect. Now, back in Spain, I had another surprise up my sleeve for my husband.
I admired my reflection in the mirror, smoothing down the off-the-shoulder emerald green dress that hugged my baby bump. I felt glamorous, and tonight, I wanted to shine for Enzo. My stamina issues had been getting worse, but tonight, I was determined to push through.
As I stepped into the grand foyer, I had to catch my breath. It had been transformed into a winter wonderland. Twinkling fairy lights hung like stars, and artificial snow dusted every surface. Enzo's mom was a party-planning genius.
Enzo turned as I entered, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. "Wow, you look stunning," he said, crossing the room to meet me.
"Thank you," I replied, giving him a playful smile. "You don't look too bad yourself."
He chuckled, wrapping an arm around my waist. "I'm glad you like the decorations. My mom went all out."
"I can see that," I said, taking in the scene. "It's beautiful."
The evening was filled with laughter, music, and an air of elegance. I made my way through the crowd, exchanging greetings and accepting compliments on my dress and baby bump. But after a while, the fatigue set in, and I found myself needing to sit down.
Enzo was immediately by my side, his concern evident. "Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
"I'm fine, just a little tired. Growing a human is hard work, you know."
He laughed, but his eyes were still worried. "I'll get you some water."
As he walked away, I looked around at the guests, feeling a sense of contentment. Despite the exhaustion, I was happy to be here, surrounded by family and friends. And as I watched Enzo return with a glass of water, I realized just how lucky I was.
He handed me the glass, sitting down beside me. "Here you go. Drink up."
"Thank you, Enzo. For everything."
He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle. "Anything for you, Claudia. You and our baby mean the world to me."
I leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "You know, we make a pretty good team."
He smiled, kissing the top of my head. "The best team."
When it was time for gifts, I knew I had something special for him. As the guests gathered around, I stood by his side, holding his hand.
"Enzo," I began, my voice steady despite the excitement bubbling inside me. "I wanted to give you something that reflects how much you mean to me, and how much I believe in your dreams and ambitions."
His eyes sparkled with curiosity as I handed him an envelope. He opened it, revealing the key to a penthouse in New York. The look of astonishment on his face was priceless.
"A penthouse? In New York?"
I nodded, smiling. "I know how much you love the city, and I thought it would be a perfect place for us to escape to whenever we need a break. It's our little piece of the Big Apple."
Enzo pulled me into a tight embrace, his gratitude palpable. "Claudia, this is incredible. Thank you."
"There's more," I said, stepping back slightly. I handed him a small, beautifully wrapped box. Inside was a custom-made watch, engraved with the words, "Forever yours, Claudia."
He took the watch, his fingers tracing the engraving. "This is perfect," he said, his voice husky with emotion. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," I whispered, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
The room erupted in applause, the guests cheering for us. Enzo kissed me, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world.
As the night progressed, we danced and celebrated with everyone. Despite the exhaustion creeping in, I felt a sense of contentment and joy that made it all worthwhile. Enzo's happiness was everything to me, and seeing him so elated was the best gift I could ever receive.
Later, as the party wound down and guests began to leave, Enzo and I found a quiet moment alone on the balcony. The night air was cool and refreshing, a stark contrast to the warmth inside.
He wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his hands on my growing belly. "This has been the best birthday ever," he said, his voice soft and sincere.
"I'm glad," I said, leaning back against him. "You deserve it."
"Thank you for the penthouse, the watch, everything," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. "You've given me so much more than I ever thought possible."
I turned to face him, cupping his face in my hands. "And you've given me the world, Enzo. Our world."
We kissed, a tender, lingering kiss that spoke of promises and dreams yet to come. As we pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his, feeling a sense of peace and completeness.
"Happy birthday, Enzo," I said, my voice filled with love. "Here's to many more birthdays together."
"Here's to us," he replied, his eyes shining with devotion.
