Chapter 198

Aria’s POV

I was jolted awake by my phone ringing, my body aching deliciously from last night’s passionate lovemaking with Aiden.

It was my father Benjamin calling. Today marked my twenty-seventh birthday. “Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he said warmly. “Your gift will be delivered shortly.” “Thanks, Dad! I’ll come over tonight for dinner,” I replied, smiling into the phone. Benjamin chuckled. “Enjoy your day with Aiden instead. I’ve made plans to go fishing with David anyway p>

I didn’t quite believe his convenient “fishing plans,” but appreciated the thoughtful gesture. “Then we’ll come over tomorrow for dinner instead p>

“Perfect p>

After hanging up, I noticed my phone had exploded with birthday messages from friends. I spent the next fifteen minutes replying to each one, feeling warm inside from all the love.

Then my thoughts drifted to Aiden. It was my birthday did he even remember?

As if summoned by my thoughts, Aiden pushed open the bedroom door, fresh from his morning swim. Droplets of water still clung to his broad shoulders, his dark hair slicked back.

I looked up at him expectantly. “Good morning p>

“Good morning,” he replied, approaching the bed where I sat. “Happy birthday, Mrs. Carter p>

My eyes lit up. “Thank you p>

Aiden’s lips curved into that half-smile I adored. “Is that all it takes to please you p>

I felt my cheeks flush. “Well… where’s my present p>

Without a word, he scooped me into his arms. I gasped, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck. “What are you doing p>

He carried me to the balcony, his muscles firm against my body. “Look down p>

When I peered over the railing, my breath caught. The garden below was transformed into a sea of roses-hundreds of them in full bloom where there had been none the night before.

“Did you do this this morning?” I asked in disbelief.

“Last night,” Aiden brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering against my skin. “I planned to show you at midnight, but my wife was rather… exhausted p>

Heat rushed to my face. “I don’t even remember falling asleep p>

I turned and pressed my lips to his cheek. “I love it. Thank you p>

Aiden carried me back to our bedroom and set me on the edge of the bed. “I should freshen up,” I said, slipping my feet into my slippers.

I practically floated into the bathroom, grinning as I brushed my teeth. Between all the birthday wishes and the garden of roses, my heart felt full to bursting.

When I emerged, Aiden stood by the balcony, the morning breeze ruffling his hair. I noticed a small box of mango candies on my vanity.

“Did you leave these?” I asked, pointing to the box.

Aiden turned, sunlight catching his features. “No, Doraemon must have dropped them off,” he teased.

I opened the box and popped a candy into my mouth. It started sweet before the tanginess hit. “Want one?” I walked over and held one to his lips.

Aiden took it between his teeth, his eyes never leaving mine. “Why such a fondness for mango candies p>

I returned to my vanity and pumped some facial essence into my palm. “Because they make me happy p>

“How did you discover that?” he asked, watching me through the mirror.

I patted the liquid into my skin. “Someone told me once p>

“Who p>

I hesitated. “A man I met in high school p>

“You must have liked him,” Aiden observed, biting into the candy.

“I didn’t!” I protested too quickly. “I can barely remember what he looked like p>

All I recalled were deep, dark eyes-eyes that, now that I thought about it, looked remarkably similar to Aiden’s. I stared at him through the mirror, comparing.

“What are you thinking about?” Aiden asked, catching me.

I quickly looked away. “Nothing. Just looking at you p>

“Really? Not thinking about your high school crush p>

Caught red-handed, I felt my fingers tremble slightly. “Of course not p>

Aiden approached, standing behind me at the vanity. “You were looking at me as if comparing me to someone. Could it be I’m just a replacement for him p>

“What?” I whipped around, stunned.

He leaned down, his breath warm against my ear. “Substitute love interest-wasn’t

that your favorite trope you told me about p>

“Oh God.” I’d dug my own grave with my literary obsessions.

I looked up at him earnestly. “I don’t have some idealized love from my past p>

Before he could respond, the doorbell rang-my salvation. “That must be Dad’s gift p>

I jumped up from the vanity. “I’ll get it p>

I practically raced downstairs, escaping the conversation. Behind me, I heard

Aiden’s amused chuckle as he followed at a leisurely pace.

I circled the garden, curiosity getting the better of me. As I stepped outside, I spotted

a man standing at the entrance. My heart skipped a beat-was this another surprise?

He approached me with a professional smile. “Excuse me, are you Miss Aria p>

I glanced at his empty hands, searching for a gift of some kind. Weird. “Yes, that’s me. And you are p>

“Miss Aria, I’m the driver sent by your father, Mr. Benjamin Jones. He asked me to tell you this is his birthday present to you.” His voice softened. “He wishes you a happy birthday and eternal happiness p>

The driver extended his hand, revealing a sleek car key. “Please inspect the vehicle. If everything meets your approval, Mr. Jones would appreciate a confirmation call p>

My gaze finally drifted to the car parked behind him—a stunning blue Maserati sports car. Not a limited edition, but easily worth over half a million dollars. My breath caught in my throat.

Dad’s company, Brooks Enterprises, had been struggling lately. I knew keeping the family business afloat wasn’t easy for him. Half million wasn’t pocket change, especially given the company’s current situation.

Warmth spread through my chest as I accepted the keys. I walked around the car, running my fingers along its smooth surface, checking everything carefully. Finding it perfect, I called my father.

After hanging up, I wiped away the tears that had gathered at the corners of my eyes. When I looked up, I found Aiden leaning against the doorframe of the villa, watching me with an unreadable expression.

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. “It’s from my dad,” I explained, gesturing toward the car. “Isn’t it gorgeous p>

Cars weren’t really my thing, but my friend Lillian loved sports cars and often sent me pictures. Besides, anyone could recognize a Maserati.

“Very beautiful,” Aiden agreed, his eyes never leaving mine. “Care to take your husband for a spin, Mrs. Carter p>

“Absolutely!” I bounced with excitement, climbing into the driver’s seat and putting

the top down. When I realized Aiden hadn’t moved, I frowned in confusion. “I thought we were going for a drive p>

“Have you had breakfast?” His deep voice carried across the driveway.

“Oh I’d completely forgotten about food in my excitement. My stomach chose that moment to growl traitorously. “I guess I’ll park it in the garage then p>

“Probably wise p>

I drove with excruciating caution, terrified of scratching my new baby. The villa’s garage was massive-two levels with space for eight vehicles. Aiden kept only three cars there: a Bentley, a Maybach, and a Lamborghini he rarely drove.

no’

After parking carefully, I stepped out of the garage and froze. The entire garden was filled with roses! Earlier ⇒when Aiden hat,

carried me to the

balcony, I’d thought the roses w

limited to the small patch below our

bedroom.

Now I realized they lined every path throughout the property-thousands of crimson

blooms creating a sea of red.

I spotted Aiden waiting for me at the front entrance. My heart pounded as I ran to him, throwing myself into his arms with childlike abandon.

“Aiden! There are roses everywhere!” I exclaimed, my voice high with surprise and delight. “The entire garden is nothing but roses p>

His arms wrapped around me instantly, strong and secure. He looked down at me with a rare smile playing on his lips. “Do you like it p>

“Like it?” I pressed my face against his chest, breathing in his scent mixed with the

floral perfume surrounding us. “I absolutely, positively LOVE it p>

A garden full of red roses? What woman wouldn’t?