A Royal Love Story

Chapter 18 - Birthday Blues.

So, it was now the beginning of April. John and I had been seeing more of each other for the past couple of months, and it was fun being around him. He had stayed round for a couple of nights and stuff, so we were pretty much in a relationship. Harry had gone out of the limelight, ever since he split with Chelsy. I wondered what he was up to and how he was, but I never mustered up the courage to actually pick up the phone and text or call him.

I was really looking forward to the next week. It was my birthday on the 18th and then William and Kate invited me to a party to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Harry would be there, but William and Kate invited John as my plus one. There was something going on there I think!

So, today was my birthday, the 18th of April. The day I turned a year closer to 25. One year! I was woken to the most gorgeous breakfast in bed. John kissed me on the cheek, and placed the food on my lap. “Thank you handsome! You didn’t have to do this for me!” I gave him a small peck on the cheek before tucking into pancakes and honey.

“That’s alright babe! Anyways, I have the best surprise for you later! But first, presents!” Surprise? I like surprises, and PRESENTS! I feel like a 4 year old, not 24. John went out into the landing to get my presents, which he’d obviously wrapped when I fell asleep on the sofa last night. I had five boxes from him, which were all the same size, but he knew which ones I had to open first. So, I opened the first present, which was a beautiful heart-shaped signet ring. I thought it would have so much bigger! The second present was a new pair of wedges to wear in the summer. The third was a purple dress, which apparently I had to wear tonight. The fourth was a pair of tickets to see Coldplay in concert, tonight, and the fifth present was the best. It was a key. It looked like a house key.

“What’s the key for?” I asked inquisitively.

“Well, beautiful, if you get up now, we can go and have a look.” Sneaky. I like it.

I hadn’t moved as quick as I did for about 2 weeks, mainly because I wasn’t teaching, it was the Easter holidays. I had a shower and got changed in 15 minutes flat. That was quick for me! Once I had put my finishing touches to my outfit, we were out the door, John unlocked his car and got in. “You coming then?” he asked hurriedly. I got in the car next to him, and we were off. We must have only driven 5  minutes down the road and we were at our destination. A block of flats, but no ordinary flats, flats in the middle of Chelsea. Expensive flats.

“What are we doing here?” I asked John before getting out of the car. He held my face and kissed me.

“Just come inside.”

We got into the flat, and it was gorgeous. 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. So much better than my old, dingy flat. John turned to face me. “Do you like it?” I was speechless.

“Yeh. I love it. Why?”

“Because it’s ours. This was your last, and best present, so Sophia Smith, will you move into this beautiful flat with me?” What? Has he just me that question?

“Oh my God! John I would love to move in with you!” I jumped into his arms and kissed him. At last I thought my life was complete, with a man that I now believe I loved. “When can we move in?”

“Whenever you can. I’m moving in tomorrow I think.”

“Ok, I’ll talk to my landlord today and tell him. We have to get to my parents. Like now.” I said.

“Right, let’s go.”

“Wait, John. I love you. Thank you for this.”

“I love you too Soph. More than you will ever know.”

He took my hand and we headed out of the flat, and when we got to the car we kissed again. Then, I saw Harry out of the corner of my eye, just walking down the road, obviously coming to see me at the flat. He just looked at me. I whispered to John, “Look who’s here?” I made him turn around, and he saw Harry. I turned and buried my face in John’s shoulder. Then, all of a sudden, John said,

“Wait here. I’ll be back in a sec, I love you.” And he gave me another kiss, and then walked towards Harry. All I could see was that they were talking and John looked angry. Harry gave him something; I think to give to me. When they stopped talking, Harry looked at me and then turned away to come back the way he came. John came back to me and gave me what Harry had given him. “He said he wanted to give you this.” I got into the car, as did John and I opened it. It was the picture of our first date. Us looking so happy. There was a note stuck to the picture frame, it read,

‘Dear Soph, I’m sorry this is the only way I have spoken to you in 4 months, but I don’t know what to say when I want to call you. I suppose it’s now or never. I miss you Soph. I was an idiot, truly a right pillock. I keep thinking of you in my head. The amazing, beautiful, gorgeous and intelligent woman you are. I want you back Soph, so bad. I have never loved anyone the way I love you. Every time I see you with John, I’m glad you’re happy, but you should be mine. Just tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it. Love you forever. H xxx (P.S. Happy Birthday, one year ‘till you’re 25!!)’

I shed a little tear. Why couldn’t he have said that earlier? John looked at me, “Baby, you alright?”

I turned to him, “Yeh I’m fine. Let’s get to mum and dads before our lunch gets cold.” I held John’s hand tight with one hand and held my phone in the other. I need to talk to Harry, but not now. Lunch at my parents was amazing, and they got me some nice presents.

When we got back to my flat, john headed back to his to get ready for Coldplay tonight. That gave me 2 hours to get ready and talk to Harry. I got dressed first into my new purple dress, and did my hair. I now had an hour and 45 to talk to him. I dialled his number, praying he would answer.

“Hello, Soph?” I was so glad to hear his voice again.

“Hey Harry. How are you?”

 “I’m good thanks Soph. John told me not to phone you.”

“Did he? Well, he never told me not to phone you, so I am. I read your note by the way.”

“Yeh, well I suppose it has everything you need to know. What were you doing at the flats earlier?”

“I was going to see my new flat. Harry why haven’t you told me how you feel before today? What has changed?”

“I didn’t think it was relevant to tell you. You seemed so happy with John, I didn’t want to see you unhappy because of me again. All I want is for you to be happy Soph.”

“What about you, when are you going to be happy Harry? I want to make you happy, but I don’t trust you. I love you Harry, just prove to me how much of a man you are.”

“I’ll find the time to be happy myself. Are you going to the anniversary party next week?”

“Yeh I am, and so is John.”

“Ok, at 10:30, meet me outside by the big oak tree. I need to talk to you face to face.”

“Ok, I have to go, I’ll text you. I love you, bye Harry.”

“Bye Soph, I love you too.”

What do I do now? I have two guys who love me, and I love them both, this was definitely a case of the birthday blues.