Falling in Love with You

Chapter 5 Expensive Gifts

Jonathan Pov...

After dinner the other night, an uneasy feeling lingered that I couldn't shake off. Though Gertrude appeared unaware, the discomfort persisted. I'm suspicious that they were up to something and it's bothering me. This sense of unease gnawed at me, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

Today is our anniversary with Jessica, but again, Dad has asked me to come home early for an urgent matter that can't wait. Sometimes it feels like he's doing this intentionally, constantly interrupting my plans. I had special plans for the day, and now I'm concerned that Jessica might be upset about the change. I hope she understands and doesn’t take it the wrong way.

I sighed, picking up my stuff to leave and meet Jessica before going home. We could set some other day for our date.

"Hey, baby!"

" Babe, I'm already here! Where are you? " She asked, maybe worried I wouldn't show up.

" Just leaving the office. See you in a bit baby. I love you!"

"See you, babe! Love you too! " She beamed.

I arrived at the restaurant swiftly, grateful for the smooth traffic. As soon as I walked in, my eyes spotted her in the corner, looking relaxed and content. With a smile, I made my way over to her, and before she had a chance to react, I leaned down and surprised her with a soft kiss on the top of her head.

"Babe!" She beamed, startled, standing to hug me.

"Happy Anniversary baby!" I uttered, kissing her.

"Happy Anniversary, babe!" she giggled, her eyes twinkling and excited. I presented her with a bouquet of vibrant red roses, their petals glistening with morning dew, and a box of her favorite chocolates, wrapped in a gleaming gold ribbon. She accepted them with a beaming smile, the sweet fragrance of the flowers blending with the rich aroma of the chocolates, enveloping us in a warm and loving ambiance. As we settled down together, the moment was charged with the unspoken promise of countless anniversaries to come. Our hearts are connected with our lasting bond.

"Thank you, babe!" She squeaked happily, smelling the flowers while I signaled the crew to serve the food and serenade us later.

After, they serenaded us with a beautiful melody that filled the air with warmth and joy. I handed her my other gift, a carefully selected Yves perfume and a set from Victoria's Secret. She laughed, her giggles echoing through the room as she saw my thoughtful presents, her eyes sparkling with delight and appreciation.

"Wow! Thank you! I love them. " She mouthed, giggling and giving me a playful wink. Although we couldn’t be together tonight, I comforted myself and thought of dropping by her place tomorrow morning.

"Welcome, baby!" I winked at her. She winked back before handing me her gifts. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw what she had brought. Had we read each other's minds? She gave me a pair of Versace Barocco boxers and men's thongs, along with stamina pills and spray. I laughed, covering my mouth and looking at her. She's f*****g damn sexy!

"Thank you, babe!" I uttered, still laughing.

"Well, is it my place or yours?" she asked eagerly, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. I hesitated, unsure of how to deliver the news, as her eyes sparkled with anticipation and her joy made it even more difficult. The words felt stuck in my throat, making it hard to speak. I took a deep breath to steady myself and said, "Actually, I need to discuss something with you." As I spoke, I watched her expression shift from excitement to concern.

"I'm sorry, baby. I can't tonight as Dad called. I'll drop by tomorrow at your place and eat breakfast with you. " I elaborated, dejected. I felt sorry we couldn't celebrate our anniversary as we used to. She smiled, masking her disappointment, her eyes betraying the hurt she tried to conceal. I could see the effort to be understanding, and it only made me feel worse. Our anniversary had always been a special time for us, filled with laughter and love, and now it was reduced to a mere promise of breakfast.

"It's fine babe. I'll see you tomorrow then. " She gushed, still smiling, but I knew deep inside her, that she was sad.

" I'm so sorry, sweetheart! I promise I'll make it up to you. " I said, my voice brimming with sincerity and regret. I could see the disappointment in her eyes, a look I had come to dread. My job often pulled me away at the worst times, but I was determined to keep my promise. I desperately hoped I wouldn’t be called away again when I had plans with her. I knew I had to balance my commitments to show her that she was my priority and that I truly valued our time together.

I was surprised to see my sister in the living room. Why is Nathalie here? "I'm home." I beamed, walking towards them. Everyone looked at me. Nathalie smiled meeting me halfway.

"I miss you, big brother," she said, smiling.

" I didn't know you were planning to get married. I want to be your bridesmaid. " Her excitement was palpable, but I couldn't share her enthusiasm. I frowned, realizing that I hadn't told anyone about my plan to propose to Jessica.

"Yeah! But I haven't proposed to her yet! " I chuckled, hugging her back. I joined them in the living room, where my parents were already gathered. The center table was overflowing with lavish gifts, each wrapped in vibrant paper and tied with shimmering bows.

" These are expensive gifts, Dad! Did someone propose to you? " I asked my sister, but she shook her head.

" It's for you, big brother! They send these gifts to accept you as the groom. Am I right, Dad? " He asked, turning to our father for confirmation. I sat there, frozen, my mind racing in disbelief. The room seemed to blur around me as I tried to process the shock of his words. What was happening?

"What?" I uttered surprise. Dad looks at me seriously, clearing his throat before he speaks.

"We're scheduling it for Sunday and meeting them at a Michelin-starred restaurant," Dad said firmly, without asking my opinion.

"What, Dad? No! I can't! " I protested, frustration evident in my voice. They should have consulted me before arranging this marriage. I'm planning to propose to my girlfriend! Why are they doing this to me? I can't marry someone else!

" Why can't you, Jonathan? Then give me a valid reason to listen to your immature rants! " Dad asked, firmly staring at me.

" I am proposing to my girlfriend. I can't marry someone else! " I responded definitely and seriously.

“ Shut up, Jonathan! I am still your father and I know what’s best for you. Your girlfriend is not the right woman for you! You can't see that because she wraps you around her fingers. One day, you will thank me for doing this. ” He glared at me, emphasizing every word. I was dumbfounded, my heart pounding as I looked at them. The thought of hurting Jessica was unbearable. I couldn't do this to her.

"I can't, Dad! I love her, and I want to marry her. Please, give us a chance! I promise to arrange a lunch or dinner so you can meet her and get to know her better. " I pleaded, my voice tinged with desperation. I couldn't bear the thought of hurting her. She's the woman I envision as my future wife.

" I can't assure you of that, but let's see how trustworthy, elegant, and professional she is. Invite her for dinner tomorrow. " Dad boomed before leaving us speechless. I glanced at Mom, but she seemed equally displeased. It was clear that no one wanted Jessica around, not even the maid who had been reluctantly assigned to serve her. I couldn't understand why! I turned to my sister for answers, but she merely shrugged and walked out. I was left dumbfounded, staring at the array of expensive gifts, trying to make sense of the situation.

I’m on the verge of screaming out my frustrations. My fists ache to hit something to release my anger, but all I can do is stare at the gifts and listen to Dad. Why do they despise Jessica so much? What do they see in her that I can’t, and why can’t they recognize what I see in her that I love? She’s intelligent, graceful, and incredibly kind, everything anyone could want beyond her attractive appearance. I’m desperate for answers to all these questions.