The Billionaire's Daughter

8 - On the Road to Happiness

When I woke up, I felt strong arms around me and I heard strong steady beats of a drum.

 Wait, was that a drum? When I looked up I saw the gorgeous face of my bestfriend, peacefully sleeping, arms draped around me in a protective manner that made my heart flutter.

I was resting my head on his chest which explains the drums I as hearing. 

I looked at him thoroughly for the first time. I always know him to be good looking. The first time I saw him I thought I was imagining someone talking to me. 

He seemed like a Greek warrior God that was sent down from Olympus to protect the people. His most prominent feature was his nose. So perfect and manly. And his green eyes encased in that impossibly long lashes that always looked at me with tenderness. 

If he was not my friend, I would really be attracted to him.  But of course, this is just my fantasy. I will always be just a friend to him and I will always cherish that no matter what.

When I tried to move away from him, he pulled me closer and murmured something but I was not able to hear.

I tried to look at the time and it was past 11 am. We slept for more than two hours. But I don't mind. Whenever I am with him, time is irrelevant so I just closed my eyes  and wait for him to wake up. 

After a few minutes, Franco stirred. He smiled at me.

"Good morning my bestie. Time for the next surprise."

"You mean there's more?"

He let go from our embrace and I momentarily felt empty. I wonder why.

He got up then took my hand and pulled me up.

"Of course! We still have a long day."

Still holding my hands, we walked along the lagoon. He pointed some swans floating gracefully and I wished I had a camera with me. Then I took out my phone and took some pictures. I felt stupid for not realizing it earlier.

"Stay there. I'll take a picture of you."

He smiled. Then he did some wacky faces.

Then he pulled me back and got my phone.

We took several pictures together. With his long hands he was able to take our pictures like a pro.

"Come on. See my next surprise."

He lead me to a worn out playground but nevertheless I was overjoyed. It was always my lifelong wish to be able to play on a playground.

As a child, I was never allowed to go out or play at the park. I just stayed home and played alone in my play room. I never experienced being pushed on a swing. To play in a slide and the other kids stuff.

"Come. Sit here. This is safe."

I sat on one of the swings and Franco pushed me gently.

I was really having the time of my life. I loved how the wind kissed my face whenever I swayed up and down the swing.

"Here try this."

He lead me to the see saw.

"This is fun!" I can't help but giggle that two grown ups like us enjoys our see saw ride.

When we had enough, we tried the slide then the merry go around where Franco naughtily tried to make me fall by making me so dizzy.

It was past noon when we returned at our picnic site.

"Let's have lunch."

He opened the second basket and again, I saw various food that were all my cravings. He may have spent some money for this as some of these are really expensive like the lobster, crabs and shrimp.

"This is really good Franco. You can be a great chef!"

"Nahh. I just did this for you. I won't do this for a living coz its tiring as hell!"

I can't help but laugh at him.

"Thank you for today. This is my best birthday ever."

"Anything for you Saphira. Anything."

The rest of the day passed by with just us chatting and sometimes bickering about simple stuff and after a while we will just laugh it all off.

We went home after watching the sun set which was also one of his surprises. The view from one side of the park was perfect. The way the orange horizon reflected on our eyes as we look into each other was pretty romantic, if we were lovers I mean.

My 17th birthday was the happiest time of my life, thanks to my best friend.

***

A/N: I had to set the next few chapters into Private to protect my copyright.

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