Chapter 54 - Surprise

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JUNGKOOK

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JUNGKOOK

The suite looked incredible.

The hotel staff had just slipped out after setting everything up for Lana's surprise. Candles flickered softly on the dining table, the birthday cake sat perfectly displayed as the centerpiece under a glass dome, and rose gold decorations filled the luxurious penthouse. Balloons in shades of rose gold and pink floated near the ceiling, catching the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean.

The whole scene felt like a page out of a high-end lifestyle magazine, exactly the kind of understated elegance Aria knew her sister would love. It always amazed me how she could take a vision and turn it into something that felt like magic—every single detail just right.

Amir stood near the window, his phone in one hand while the other rested casually in his pocket. He had arrived at the resort, wearing a crisp, light-blue dress shirt tucked into tailored trousers, looking like he'd stepped straight out of the office. He had this effortless kind of swag about him—the loosened tie, sleeves rolled just enough to look relaxed but not undone. He exuded confidence without even trying, the kind of presence I'd seen only a handful of men pull off.

Too bad that didn't stop his kids from running circles around the couch like they were in a sugar rush. His eyes kept drifting back to them, softening in a way that told me his attention wasn't really on whatever email or message lit up his screen. Eventually he seemed to give up, slipping his phone into his pocket.

"You sure they're ready for this?" I asked, nodding toward the twins, Ayden and Asher, as they bumped into each other mid-run, both of them tumbling into a pile of giggles.

Amir glanced up, smirking like we shared some inside joke. "They're more than ready. You, on the other hand... I hope you've got energy to spare, because they've been asking about you nonstop. They think you're a superhero."

I pushed off the table with a grin. "Guess I'll take that as a compliment."

"Come on, man, handstands on command? Who can compete with that?" He laughed, shaking his head. "The last time Lana and Aria FaceTimed, Ayden asked for a gym membership. You're basically magic in their eyes."

I chuckled as one of the twins broke away from the chaos, skidding to a stop right in front of me. He stared up at me with those wide, curious eyes kids always seemed to have. "You're gonna hide with us, right? We need a really good spot."

I crouched down so we were eye level, lowering my voice like I was letting him in on a secret. "Not just a good spot. The best spot. But you've got to stay super quiet. No giggling or running. Think you can handle that?"

The kid nodded so seriously I almost laughed, but I held it together. I had my doubts about how long the quiet would last, but it didn't matter. "Go round up your brothers, and I'll be right behind you, okay?" I held out my fist, and he bumped it quickly before dashing off yelling something about "Uncle Kookie" as he disappeared behind the couch.

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