Chapter 96 : Surprise (2)
Chapter 96 : Surprise (2)
Lights in the room suddenly turned on, flooding the space with a sudden, bright luminosity. Surprise overtook me immediately, as I hadn't expected such a spectacular welcome. My heart raced as I tried to comprehend what was happening. Then, from a corner of the room, Ema emerged running, her dress trailing behind her. In her eyes, only overflowing joy was reflected, lighting up her entire face.
Adorable dimples formed on her flushed cheeks from excitement.
Ema wore a red dress that accentuated her natural beauty, paired with a black blouse that further enhanced her unique style. Her hair was tied up in two playful and charming pigtails. When she stopped in front of me, her excitement was palpable in the air; I could almost feel her vibrant energy.
She opened her mouth in a radiant smile, hands outstretched towards me in a welcoming gesture that filled the atmosphere with warmth and affection.
"Surprise!" she exclaimed with excitement.
Watching her tenderly, it was impossible not to recognize how adorable she was. Her outfit, short stature, and childlike aura gave her an irresistible charm. Every detail of her appearance, from her red dress to her pigtails, contributed to this image of delicacy and sweetness. It was as if she was enveloped in a magical atmosphere, radiating innocence and contagious joy.
Ema undoubtedly possessed that special quality that made her stand out from the crowd, attracting attention with her natural charm and enchanting aura.
Exploring the room with my gaze, I was impressed by the exquisite decoration. Every corner was carefully adorned, creating a cozy and festive ambiance. My attention was quickly captured by the main table, where a magnificent two-tier strawberry cake stood, crowned with delicate decorations and topped with fresh strawberries. The sight of the cake was simply irresistible.
Around the cake, numerous plates of food were distributed, each one seeming more appetizing than the last. The aroma of mixed spices filled the room, creating a tantalizing fragrance that invited to savor every bite. There was a variety of dishes, from savory plates to delicious sweet treats.
In particular, exquisitely decorated sweets caught my attention, each one resembling a small culinary masterpiece. Next to them were some elegantly decorated cookies. It was evident that great effort had been put into preparing the food, adding a special touch to the celebration.
Behind the table stood Elsa, Nicol, and Roberto, each with their own expression and distinctive style. Elsa wore an elegant blue dress that reached her knees, her loose and radiant hair framing her face with grace and femininity. Nicol opted for a more casual outfit, wearing blue jeans and a light blouse that highlighted her natural beauty and relaxed attitude.
However, my attention was focused on Roberto, whose expression of total boredom did not go unnoticed as he watched me. Although he hadn't changed much since the last time I saw him, his apathetic and disinterested demeanor made it clear that he was still the same as ever. I couldn't help but think with some irony that, despite the passage of time, Roberto seemed to maintain his unchanging attitude.
"I'm back," I said with a smile. Elsa rushed over and came towards me, though her expression held a hint of concern. She began to look me up and down, checking for any physical injuries. After a few seconds, she said, "Are you okay?"
With a small laugh, I replied, "Don't worry, as you can see, I'm still in one piece, as promised I returned in a month." My tone was infused with calmness and confidence, trying to convey to Elsa that there was no need to worry. Her gesture of attention and care only increased my appreciation for her and for the warm atmosphere surrounding me.
But I felt a small, very small murderous intent directed straight at me, a pair of eyes piercing through my body. Smiling to myself, I stepped aside, a beautiful girl in a red dress that we bought on the way to the inn, her beautiful black hair braided with her two red eyes and her lips red, although she smiled kindly her eyes deeply looked with great attention at Elsa from head to toe.
The atmosphere in the room changed instantly as Lysandra made her entrance, drawing all eyes to her. Even Roberto, who had previously seemed immersed in boredom, was surprised by the sudden presence of this enigmatic young woman. Ema's bright eyes fixed with curiosity on Lysandra, observing her closely as she tried to decipher who this new figure was that had captured everyone's attention.
Clearing my throat to get attention, I decided to introduce her: "Allow me to introduce Lysandra, or as you'll know her from now on, my fiancée." I extended my hand towards her and felt her grip mine firmly. At that moment, the subtle murderous intent I had perceived vanished as quickly as it had come, replaced by a beautiful smile adorning her lips.
Somehow, her gaze turned proud, as if the simple act of being introduced as my fiancée filled her with satisfaction and security.
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise, displaying a collective expression of astonishment. A chorus of "Oohs!" filled the room, while Ema, with her eyes as wide as they could be, let out a gasp of surprise, bringing her hands to her mouth in a gesture of amazement.
Nicol, slowly emerging from the back of the room, approached me with measured steps, extending a silent invitation for Lysandra and me to enter. Meanwhile, Elsa remained motionless in a state of shock, her position unchanged as if she had been frozen in place by the surprise.
Roberto subtly approached me, casting discreet glances at his wife before whispering, "Tell me, boy, how did you manage it? You know what I mean."
Somewhat surprised by his question, I caught the implicit insinuation in his words. I responded with another whisper, looking at him with an ironic smile, "It's quite simple, I just had to lose an arm and almost die. You know, the easy way."
The ironic tone in my voice did not go unnoticed by Roberto. After giving a quick glance at his wife, he responded to me with barely contained indignation, "Brat! Don't lie to me," he whispered firmly.
However, I maintained my stance and reaffirmed with determination, "But it's the truth. That's how I won her heart." Every word I spoke was sincere; I had actually lost my left arm and had been on the verge of death in a battle against her. If it hadn't been for the external help I received, I would be dead or consumed by that thing right now.
Elsa finally emerged from her daze, taking hesitant steps as she approached Lysandra with a somewhat awkward smile. "H-hello... Nice to meet you, my name is Elsa," she said as she extended her hand in an attempt at a friendly greeting.
Lysandra looked directly into Elsa's eyes with a kind smile, reciprocating the gesture. "The pleasure is mine. As you may already know, my name is Lysandra," she replied courteously as she shook Elsa's hand.
Observing the two girls engage in conversation, I decided not to interrupt. The welcome party continued as if nothing had happened, and Ema began to hop around me, asking if I could tell her some interesting stories. With a smile, I took her in my arms and began to recount some fascinating anecdotes as the celebration continued energetically around us.
As the hours passed, the festive atmosphere remained lively and bustling. The plates around the table gradually disappeared as the guests enjoyed the food and drinks. Nicol and Elsa, with their usual diligence, began to distribute slices of cake among the guests, making sure everyone could indulge in that sweet finale.
A sizable piece of cake fell into my hands, and my taste buds couldn't contain the excitement. The cake was of a vibrant strawberry color, my favorite flavor without a doubt. With a spoon, I carefully scooped up a portion and brought it directly to my mouth. The soft texture of the cake melted in my mouth, releasing a delicious aroma that flooded my senses and brought instant pleasure.
Every bite was a burst of flavor, a perfect combination of sweetness and freshness that made me savor every moment of that culinary experience.
Nodding in approval, I quickly devoured it, asking for a little more cake as time flew by. Ema was the first to fall asleep; cradling her in my arms, I took her to her room to tuck her in. She was undoubtedly the one who had the most fun; she was jumping around in good spirits, so it was reasonable for her to be very tired when it was time to sleep, leaving the room, slowly close the door.
Returning to the living room where everyone was, they began to pick up and clean the entire room. Each of us was assigned a specific area to clean, bringing the party to an end.