ISLA”So…” Riley began, grinning knowingly as she slung her bag over her shoulder, “where are we going for your birthday?
Drinks?
Dinner?
Karaoke?
Come on, don’t tell me you’re going home to sleep like a grandma!”
Our shift had just ended.
It was already six-thirty in the evening—my body felt drained as usual, but Riley still had energy to spare.
I only laughed faintly.
“You know I’m not big on birthdays.”
”That’s exactly why we should go out!
It’s your day, Isla.
You’re always so absorbed with work.
Try indulging yourself for once—you’re already twenty-five, for God’s sake!” She rolled her eyes.
My smile faltered as her words dug at something raw inside me.
Birthdays had never meant much—not when most of my family treated the date like it was nothing.
The only person who ever tried was Grandma, who always baked me a small cake, even if it was just the two of us.
This day always carried that chill—indifference, distance, coldness.
Celebrating only reminded me of what I lacked.
“Riley…” I sighed, shifting the strap of my bag higher.
“I don’t think I’m up for it.
Maybe next time.”
She frowned, clearly about to argue, when my phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen and froze.
Grandma.
A small, warm smile spread across my lips as I answered.
“Hello, Grandma.”
”Happy birthday, sweetheart,” her soft voice greeted me.
Simple words, yet they wrapped around my heart with warmth.
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat.
“Thank you, Grandma.
I’ll try to visit soon.
I have a surprise for you.”
Her laughter was light and warm.
“Oh dear, I can’t wait to see you.”
We exchanged a few more words before hanging up.
I quickly messaged her back, promising I’d make time.
When I tucked my phone away, Riley and I were already walking toward the hospital exit, our chatter filling the space between us.
But then I stopped dead in my tracks—my eyes widened.
Parked right at the entrance again, in plain view, was the luxurious car I knew too well.
Its presence was impossible to miss—overbearing, commanding, as if it owned the very ground it sat on.
My pulse kicked up a notch.
Beside me, Riley’s jaw dropped.
“Oh.
My.
God.”
She leaned closer, whispering like we were at a crime scene.
“That’s Alistair’s car, isn’t it?
Is this the reason why you didn’t want to go out with me?”
Her tone dripped with mock resentment.
“I don’t even know why he’s here.”
”Yeah, I get it.
You’re already married.
Guess I just got ditched.” She gave me a teasing pout, though her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
I nudged her lightly, trying to downplay the rising panic in my chest.
“Stop it,” I glared at her.
“Let’s go out some other time.
Go home now.
I’ll see you tomorrow.”
”Fine, fine,” she grunted, still grinning cheekily.
“Enjoy your special day, Mrs.
Montgomery.”
I gave her a look, but she only winked before heading the other way.
Taking a steadying breath, I walked forward, every step tightening the nervous knot in my stomach.
This was only the second time he had come for me after work, yet the effect it had was no less staggering.
The car door opened smoothly, Evan giving me a polite nod.
I slipped inside quickly.
And there he was…
sitting in the backseat with the ease of a man born to command.
His sharp profile was illuminated by the faint glow of the dashboard, and the cool fragrance coming off him immediately wrapped around me.
His lips carried the faintest curl—not quite a smile, but enough to disarm me.
Too late, I noticed what he held.
A large bouquet of pristine white roses rested in his hands—their petals were flawless and untouched.
My breath caught.
Before I could even form words, he pushed them toward me unceremoniously.
I blinked at him, stunned.
“What…
what are these for?”
His eyes flicked briefly to mine.
Then, with his usual cool detachment, he said, “For your hard work.”
My lips parted in surprise.
That was it?
No grand speech, no softness—just a simple statement.
“Drive,” he ordered Evan.
The car eased away from the hospital, but my thoughts didn’t move at all.
I sat frozen, clutching the roses in my lap—the faint fragrance of their petals mingling with his scent.
That strange, unbidden rush of warmth surged through me, even when I tried to suppress it.
Who would have thought—of all people—he would be the first to ever give me flowers?
The car entered what I assumed was an exclusive private dining place, its name etched in gold letters on the tall gates.
It wasn’t one of the loud, glittering places in the city, which I imagined someone like Alistair Montgomery would favor.
This one was quiet, tucked behind the bustling streets, with warm amber lights spilling across the sprawling lawn.
It exuded more of a manor vibe than a restaurant.
But obviously, it was the kind of place where a billionaire like him loved to throw money.
When the valet opened my door, I hesitated.
“Why are we here?”
”We’re going to have dinner,” he answered, already stepping out.
Then he extended a hand toward me.
His hand fell back casually, but I caught the glint of amusement in his eyes.
I didn’t ask any more questions and just followed him into the European-style building.
Inside, the restaurant felt intimate, almost too much so.
There were other guests having dinner, and almost all of them were…
couples.
Why did it feel like we were on a date?
I looked at Alistair’s way, but was met with his teasing look.
“What?
Is this your first time having dinner with a man?” he drawled as he pulled out the chair for me.
His tone was casual, as was his expression, but it caused my cheeks to flush deeply.
I gave him a look, but he only raised a brow, as if daring me to refuse.
“Sit,” he ordered.
Against my better judgment, I did.
He took the seat across from me, and the waiter appeared instantly.
Alistair ordered without even glancing at me, as if he already knew what I would want.
I glared at him.
“You didn’t even ask me what I wanted?”
”I didn’t need to,” he replied smoothly.
“You don’t like seafood, you prefer your steak medium, and you hate overly sweet wine.
Did I miss anything?”
My jaw dropped slightly.
“How do you—”
His expression remained sharp—enough to unsettle me.
“I’m not sitting idle in the office, Isla.”
His tone was too smooth, and as he spoke my name, it sounded so natural and pleasing to the ears.
I opened my mouth to throw him a clever retort, but I couldn’t form the words.
The intensity of his gaze almost took my breath away.
As the food arrived and dinner started, I ate under his keen eyes, finishing everything on my plate.
I didn’t care that I was with the most popular CEO.
I was honestly very hungry and tired.
I just wanted to finish this dinner soon and collapse into bed.
Just when I thought the evening was over, the waiter returned and placed a small birthday cake in front of me.
My eyes widened.
More than the gesture, it was the detail that floored me.
It was my favorite—Tiramisu!
I lifted my gaze slowly to Alistair.
“You—” My voice caught.
“How did you know?”
He leaned back in his chair calmly.
“I make it a point to know the essentials about my wife.”
The word wife slipped off his tongue smoothly, leaving my pulse racing.
I couldn’t find more words to say.
My throat tightened in a way I couldn’t explain.
No one—absolutely no one—had ever done this for me before.
His next words left me completely undone.
“Happy birthday, Isla.”