Rising to her feet, Amelia asked, “Darling, how do you know it’s my birthday today?”
Looking at her gently, Oscar murmured, “Silly, how can I forget about your birthday? I learned to make this cake from a master baker. Although I succeeded with his help, this is still something I’ve put effort into. Take a look at it. Do you like it?”
Amelia gaped and whispered in disbelief, “You really made this?”
“I made it with the master baker. Do you like it?”
“Of course! I’m already surprised that you’ll make me something to eat. Thank you so much, Darling, for giving me such a surprise. I feel so happy today,” Amelia said as tears fell uncontrollably.
Her tears shocked Oscar. He never thought that she would cry over something as trivial as this. To him, Amelia was a strange woman who would find all kinds of ways to extort money from him. But even though he gave her loads of pocket money each month, he had never heard her tell him she was happy. In fact, even when he asked his secretary to prepare her a set of jewelry as her gift, Amelia only insincerely told him that she liked it. She had never cried from joy; that was why Oscar was stunned to find her tearing up over a birthday cake.
Taking a step closer to her, Oscar reached out to wipe her tears away. “Why are you crying?”
Amelia shook her head as she sobbed and chuckled at the same time. “It’s nothing. I just never thought you’d remember my birthday.”
“I’ve always remembered your birthday.”
“But you’ve never celebrated with me. In the past, I’ve always spent my birthdays with Tiff alone. We’d get a small cake and would finish it ourselves,” Amelia responded in a tone that sounded like she was whining.
Oscar stiffened upon hearing that.
Amelia finally broke into a smile. “Mr. Clinton, I don’t know what’s gotten into you today to treat me so well, but today’s the happiest day I’ve ever had in my four years of marrying you. I’m telling you the truth. I don’t think we’ll have many romantic days anymore, but I’ll forever remember what you’ve done for me today.”
He felt a squeeze in his heart and mumbled, “Silly, you’re spouting nonsense again.”
Amelia chuckled. “It’s my birthday today, and you have made the rare move of preparing a gift for me. I’ll stop talking about sad things now.”
Pulling her to sit down in the chair, Oscar instructed, “Close your eyes.”
Fluttering her lashes, Amelia asked, “What are you going to do?”
“Be good and close your eyes.”
Thus, Amelia did as told.
Abruptly, she felt something cold around her neck. When she finally opened her eyes again, she looked down to see a diamond necklace. Picking up the diamond pendant, she realized there were two letters on it—”O” and “A”. Those were hers and Oscar’s initials.
“I’ve asked Jacob Cruise to carve this. Do you like it?”
When Amelia raised her head, she forced her tears away and hid how thrilled she was with a joke, “This necklace must be pricey. Since you’ve given this to me today, you can’t say I’m being greedy later on.”
Pinching her nose, Oscar huffed, “I’ve done so much, so shouldn’t you be jumping into my arms and telling me how I’m the best husband in the world?”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Amelia beamed, “Thank you, Mr. Clinton. I love this necklace. If I’m short of money one day, I’m sure it’ll sell for a good price.”
Lowering his head to look at her, he bit on her lips as a half-hearted punishment. “I’ve done so much, but instead of feeling touched, you’re saying such things? How heartless of you!”
A giggle escaped Amelia as she looked into his eyes. “Mr. Clinton, are you angry?”
Taking another bite on her lips, he muttered, “Call me Darling.”
Sweetly, she crooned, “Mr. Clinton, why are you so adamant about me calling you Darling today?”
“I’m supposed to be your darling. Who’s going to call me darling if not you?”
“All right, all right. You’re my darling. As long as you don’t divorce me, I’ll forever be your darling,” Amelia replied tentatively.
Just as those words left her lips, Oscar turned grim.
At that sight, the delight in Amelia slowly died out. She let go of him and calmly said, “Mr. Clinton, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’m thrilled about this, and I won’t ever forget how you’ve celebrated my birthday for me.”
Oscar furrowed his brows, not knowing why the woman had a sudden change of mood.
“Why are you upset?”
“I’m not. Mr. Clinton, do I look upset?” The corners of Amelia’s lips tilted upward into a cheeky smile.
“Are you full? I’ll bring you to the cruise to enjoy the night view.”
Amelia shook her head before looking into his eyes. “Mr. Clinton, I’m glad for everything you’ve done for me, but our marriage is just a contract. We’ll divorce eventually. The more you do for me, the more I might fall for you. I’m scared that if I really do, you’ll give me a devastating blow and kick me out of the house. When that happens, I’ll hate you.”
Knitting his brows, Oscar quietly observed her.
After having a piece of the dessert, Amelia said, “Mr. Clinton, I’m sure you know your charms. If you don’t love that woman, you shouldn’t give her meaningless hope. Even if that woman loves money, her real hope is to find a man who genuinely loves her.”
Seemingly deep in his thoughts, Oscar queried, “Have you fallen in love with me?”
Amelia rolled her eyes at him and winked. “What do you think, Mr. Clinton?”
Oscar replied, “I’ll allow you to fall in love with me today.”
Amused by his response, Amelia asked, “Do you mean I’m not allowed to fall in love with you at times other than today?”
She could not believe he actually nodded to that.
Amelia was speechless. He’s truly narcissistic.
Rising to her feet, Amelia looked downward at him and uttered, “Didn’t you say you’ve made other arrangements for me? Let’s go. Since you’re a generous man, I’m sure the activities you’ve planned won’t disappoint. I look forward to them.”
When they left the restaurant, Oscar had wanted to drive Amelia to the cruise. However, Amelia said, “We always go on cruise vacations; it’s quite boring. Since I’m the birthday girl, I wonder if you will agree to any of my requests.”
“Speak your mind. I’ll do anything with you today.”
“Thank you in advance, then.”
Staring at the crowded street, Oscar frowned before turning to look at the excited Amelia. “I thought you like high-end bars and branded goods, and that you don’t like to come to ordinary places like this. These are places that only the poor would visit.”
Amelia chuckled, “Someone as high and mighty as you won’t come to ordinary places like this, of course. However, before I married you, my place was a shoebox. Other than a bed, a table, and a chair, I have nothing else. I ate whatever I could afford. Although my life was tough, it was interesting.”
Holding his hands, she smiled. “It’s my day today, so you’ve got to say yes to anything I ask for.”
A trace of fondness flashed past Oscar’s eyes without his own knowledge as he followed Amelia into the crowd.
Leading Oscar to a small barbecue restaurant, Amelia said by the counter, “Ma’am, please give me chicken wings, shrimps, and onion rings.” After making her swift order, she turned to Oscar and asked, “Mr. Clinton, what else would you like to eat?”
Oscar’s frown was deep as he questioned, “You’re having these?”
Happily pinching his cheek, Amelia beamed. “Mr. Clinton, I’m sure you’ve never tried these things in your life. You should try some; they’re delicious.”
Oscar nodded.
“What would you like to eat, then?”
“You can decide for me.”
The owner of the store looked at them and smiled. “Is this your boyfriend?”
Amelia replied, “My husband.”
“You’re very fortunate. Your husband doesn’t look like the average guy. My guess is he’s the boss of a big business.”
After ordering several other dishes, Amelia crooned, “He’s a busy man. He only agreed to come out with me because it’s my birthday.”
“It’s your birthday? Well, happy birthday, young lady. It’s nice that you’re so sweet with your husband.”
“Thank you, Ma’am.”
“Would you like to order any desserts?”
“Not yet. Ma’am, could you please give the table and chairs a harder rub? My husband’s never had these foods and he’s a little germaphobic.”
“I understand. I’ll clean them right away.” The owner was an enthusiastic soul. She promptly cleaned the table and chair for Oscar.
Finally, Amelia pulled Oscar to his seat. “Mr. Clinton, since it’s my birthday, please accompany me for the meal.”
Looking at the served dishes, Oscar continued frowning. “Are these really edible?”
Amelia rolled her eyes at him. “So many people have eaten these and they’re still alive and well. Mr. Clinton, you’re only shocked because you’ve never had these. Maybe you’ll fall in love with the flavor. You’ll never know.”
Pushing the plate of onion rings toward him, Amelia then picked one up and put it near his mouth. “Open your mouth, Mr. Clinton.”
It took Oscar a while to mentally prepare himself before he could part his lips and take in the onion ring. Amelia then looked at him in eager anticipation. “So, how’s the taste?”
Staring at her bright eyes, Oscar blurted out, “It tastes good.”
Amelia smiled in delight. “If you like it, you should have more. Try this chicken wing.”
Oscar looked at the chicken wing in front of him, took a deep breath, and finally ate it.
Despite his reluctance, he ate quite a fair bit, making Amelia grin from ear to ear.
The two ate a lot and spent around two hundred. Rubbing her stomach, Amelia commented, “I’m so full I can barely walk.”
Looking at her carefree demeanor, Oscar could not help but smile at her. He did not even realize he had been gazing at her tenderly.
“Who told you to eat that much?” Oscar remarked.
With a satisfied look, Amelia explained, “It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten these things. Now that I get to eat them again, I realize they taste amazing. If I weren’t too full, I’d have continued eating.”
“Can you still walk?”
“I’m too full. Give me a moment.”
Oscar then walked by her side as they strolled down the busy street. As both of them were good-looking individuals, they caught many passersby’s attention.
Noticing the attention, Oscar frowned. He could barely stand such a noisy place.
