As I ascended the stairs, my heart was racing, getting heavier with each step. I couldn’t stop asking myself: *Why is he here? He should have been on a work trip, right? With whom is he meeting? My stomach began to drop, but I persisted because I was determined to learn the answers.
Meeting rooms and a few private suites dotted the second floor. When I spotted him again, I stopped at the top of the stairs and looked around the hallway. He was talking to a woman in a sleek black outfit while he stood outside a door. After giving him a smile and touching his arm, she vanished into the room with him.
My blood froze. *Who is she?* I made myself remain composed even though I wasn’t sure if I should cry, shout, or rush into the room. As I got closer, I saw that the space was marked “Private Event.” I could hear a little chatter and laughter coming from within because the door hadn’t closed completely.
I paced outside and waited for a while, trying to decide what to do. *Should I storm in? Should I confront him? Do I really want to know what’s happening? As I dialed his number, my hands shook. To find out if he was lying to me, I needed to hear his voice.
Once, then twice, the phone rang. Then I heard it. His ringtone. from within the space.
That was it. It was more than I could handle. I opened the door and went inside.
Around a table adorned with flowers and champagne glasses, the room was crowded with people wearing suits and cocktail dresses. My fiancé was standing in the middle of everything, beaming at the same woman I had seen before while holding a glass of champagne.
When he spotted me, his eyes widened and he whispered, “Emma?”
There was silence in the room. Everyone’s eyes were on me, and I could feel my face getting hotter. “What’s happening here?” With a trembling voice, I demanded. “You were meant to be traveling for work. Nevertheless, you are here, celebrating whatever it is.
He put down his glass and moved in my direction. “I can explain, Emma—”
“What can you explain?” I lost my temper. Why did you lie to me, please? For this reason, why did you call off our wedding?
The black-dressed woman raised her voice. “Please, Emma, don’t be angry. You’re going to be surprised by this.
I blinked. “What?”
With a groan, my fiancé combed through his hair. “Emma, I was never traveling for work. The entire situation was a set-up. For your birthday, I wanted to give you a unique surprise. I didn’t want the day to pass without honoring you, even though we couldn’t have the wedding today.
I gazed at him, trying to process what he was saying. “A surprise?”
He gave a nod. Indeed. It’s your birthday celebration. Everyone is present, including our relatives and friends. Even though we couldn’t get married today, I still wanted to make it special for you.
I looked around the room and saw people I knew for the first time. His parents, my sister, and my best friend were all there, grinning tensely, as though they were anticipating my response. The décor, cake, and even the background music playing on the playlist were all for me, and the woman in the black dress turned out to be the event planner.
My eyes were watering, and I was unsure of whether to laugh or cry. I said, half laughing, partly crying, “You idiot.” “You simply could have informed me.”
With a sheepish look, he said, “But then it wouldn’t have been a surprise.” “I apologize; I realize I scared you. All I wanted to do was make you feel unique.
I laughed through my tears and shook my head. “I’m so terrified of you. However, thank you. This is really lovely.
The room erupted in cheers as he put his arms around me. Even though it wasn’t the wedding we had planned, it didn’t matter since we were with the people we loved at that very moment.
In the end, it was one of the most memorable days of my life.