Page 320 of Nemesync
Fortunately, Nikolai and Ben couldn’t keep a secret about it. I had spent my morning cooking a chocolate cake with strawberries scattered all over.
I don’t know if he likes chocolate that much, but he loves me, so this will do.
My baby is turning 34.
Lévi, my new Russian bodyguard, helped me and found an occupation for the Pakhan this morning. I had a surprise for my love and only awaited his presence. Moments later, he arrived, stopping in front of me, a smile spreading across his face.
Genuine.
Happy.
God, I love this man.
He approached me, smiling almost shyly, and I just whispered while holding the cake close to him, the candle flickering, “Happy birthday to you,Hayati. I’ve never been so excited to celebrate someone’s life as much as yours. I love you with all my heart.”
I lifted the plate in front of him, the flames of the candle dancing in his eyes, alive and beautiful. “Blow out your candle, now, baby.”
He smiled at me, as if I filled his heart with love and joy, as if I gave him something he had never known and my heart exploded. I was finally giving him a part of the world I wanted to share with him.
He smiled, and it wasn’t easy for him to do so.
He then leaned in and kissed me, lovingly as always, maybe more this time, “Thank you,Milaya. You didn’t have to do that.”
I planted another soft and delicate kiss on his cheek, “Of course I had to. Come on, make a wish.”
I would do so much more for him.
Elijah
Wasn’t I the luckiest man alive?
My favorite and only obsession stood before me, wearing one of my hoodies, holding a cake, and she was smiling.
“You’re beautiful,” I whispered against her cheek.
She was. My baby made my existence less painful.
I looked at her then at the cake, closing my eyes, realizing I had everything I had ever dreamed of — this woman I loved and who loved me, a tight-knit family for whom I would be willing to die and destroy everything to protect.
She chuckled and with that sweet curiosity in her that I adored, she asked, “Took you a while to decide on your wish. What was it?”
Taking the cake from her hands, I placed it on the table behind her, then wrapped Zanae’s arms around my neck.
My thumb brushed her lips, moving slowly just to make sure she was here—alive, healthy, safe, happy, and with me. I wanted to ensure this moment was real.
I was almost sure that my heart took the shape of those beautiful amber eyes who looked up at me with so much love and life.
Leaning in, I expressed, “My beautifulLittle Nightmare. You’re my only wish and gift. Having you with me fills my soul with life.”
Our lips met, intertwining in a dance of our own creation, like we were the sole choreographers.
Ecstasy and euphoria exploded around us.
Our souls kissed at the same time, tenderly, devotedly, and mostlyadoringly.
Zanae pulled away, a smile forming near my lips. “I have a gift for you,” she whispered.
She had something else for me?
