The Next Wife novel Chapter 48

"Gosh, I'm so sorry." Jayda apologized for the umpteenth time. She felt like a really terrible person for not knowing her husband's birthday.

Fred laughed again. "I said it's fine." He turned so he could lay on his side with his elbow on his pillow and the side of his head on his palm, and was looking at Jayda with a grin.

"It's not!" She grumbled. "I feel bad."

"You shouldn't. Come here." He gestured for her to come. Jayda stood from the couch, staggering towards him on the bed.

Fred sat up and held out his arms. Jayda stepped into his arms and he held her waist, placing her on his lap and kissed her neck.

"The only birthday gift you can give me is to love me forever and never leave me alone," he gave her a peck on the lips.

She slapped his shoulder with a playful roll of her eyes and she laced her fingers behind his neck. "How would you feel if you didn't know my birthday and you didn't make me feel any more special on that day?" She pouted.

"Well... I'll feel bad... but it's nothing. I'll not forget or not know that it's your birthday in the first place," he blurted out.

"Fred," she grumbled and winced, "you're making me feel more terrible."

"Oh, oh, I'm sorry." He laughed mockingly even though he didn't fully intend to do so.

Jayda shook her head and buried her head in the crook of his neck. "Why did those men have to take so long? Now it's late."

"Who told you it's late?" Fred said in a hoarse voice, smirking.

"What do you mean? It's 8pm already."

"Well, it's still four hours left. Why don't we go out to celebrate." He suggested then Jayda raised her head, looking at him like she was entirely confused. "I mean..."

"I understand." She cut him off then the corner of her lips quirked to a grin. "That's very possible. Let's go out!" She shouted.

"Yes, we should do just that." He nodded in affirmation.

***

Fred and Jayda went to a private garden and she spent about an hour setting the place after she sent him away. Due to being such a billionaire, she was able to arrange everything she needed for the party in an hour; cakes, flowers, and other things she felt were necessary.

"Finally, you called." Fred rolled his eyes from the other end of the line and Jayda giggled.

"I'm sorry for wasting so much time. Where are you now?" She inquired.

"I'm in about three streets away. You should know that this so-called birthday ends in about Two hours and forty five minutes so I don't get why you're creating a big deal out of this."

"You have no idea of..." she trailed off.

"What? Never mind. I thought 'going out' was just to watch some movie then have fun and get back home." He yawned. "I even feel so sleepy."

"Please don't, return to the garden. Everything is all set." She smiled.

"Okay, be there in five." He said then ended the call.

Fred was returning to the private garden, feeling all bored and tired. The night was so dark and cold. He was wearing a t-shirt and shorts so the cold night breeze wavered against his bare skin.

He rubbed his palms together and shuddered slightly, slipping his hands into his shorts pocket and squared his shoulders to further emphasize his need for warmth.

It took him about ten minutes to return to the garden because he was somewhat slower in walking than usual.

As soon as Fred opened the little gate of the garden, he was beyond dazzled. Astonished was an understatement to what he was experiencing.

The whole garden was decorated with roses around it and balloons as well as other amazingly petalled flowers that denoted a birthday scene.

At the center of the garden, there were three chairs around a circular table that had a medium-sized birthday cake with drinks, snacks, and food for three on the table and a big wrapped birthday gift box.

"I mean... if I probably... I don't know, leave this marriage, will you get married to someone else?" She was asking with all seriousness which made Fred more concerned about her question.

"W–what are you... you saying?" He stuttered, "you're not leaving me, are you? I've not done anything wrong to you, have I? Please tell me if I have,"

"No, you haven't." Jayda bursted into laughter at his reaction.

"Then what's with the questions?" He furrowed his eyebrows at her.

"No big deal. I was just thinking if you were going to marry a new wife. I mean, the third wife." She chuckled.

"No way, you're my real and only wife and you'll be the last." He smiled then drew her into his embrace.

"Thanks," she blushed.

"You have got to be kidding. How would I even love anyone again, someone that's not you? I don't think that's possible."

They resumed walking hand-in-hand until... ouch!

The bright light shone against the little yet extremely beautiful figure they had hit. "Hey there," A girl around the age of five said, waving at Jayred. The child! ... She was the child they had seen on Samantha's burial day when they had gone on a walk.

"You?" Fred smiled. He was confused. Kinda.

"You?!" Jayda exclaimed. Like the last time she had seen her, she immediately became dizzy. Everywhere seemed like it was reeling and her head was throbbing harshly.

Fred, noticing her reaction, held her waist to support her from falling. Even on a cold night, Jayda was already so sweaty.

"What is wrong Jade?" Fred asked, feeling worried.

"I'll tell you what's wrong with her." That very familiar voice said out of nowhere.