Chapter 2. Special Gift
2. Special Gift
"Papa!!! Where is my gift?" I huffed, feeling a mix of excitement and annoyance as my parents teased me about not having bought any gift for my birthday.
"Suits you!!! You really thought your Papa wouldn't bring any gift for you. So be it, I am not gonna show you what I got," Dad feigned hurt, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Jade, stop troubling my baby and show her already what we got for her," Mom supported me, her voice filled with amusement.
"What's the fun in that, Lyn?" Dad winked at Mom, keeping up the suspense.
And just like that, I was blindfolded and led into our backyard. Without removing the blindfold, Dad handed me something that I could feel was a key to something special.
When the blindfold was finally taken off, I couldn't believe my eyes. Standing in front of me was a beautiful black Audi R8, my all-time favorite car. I had always been skeptical about asking for it, as I wanted to buy it with my hard-earned money.
But my parents had heard my unspoken wishes, and there it was, gleaming before me, with 'Iris' written in bold on the number plate, the endearing nickname my parents had always called me.
"Did you like it, Iris?" Dad asked, his eyes filled with anticipation.
I couldn't contain my happiness. I lunged forward and engulfed Dad in a tight hug, feeling overwhelming joy bubbling inside me.
*"I loved it, Papa! Thank you, thank you. You're the best! I love you," I chimed, my voice filled with gratitude and excitement as I planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Love you too, my princess," he replied, his voice filled with affection, as he kissed my forehead tenderly.
"Look who they are forgetting. Hey, I was the one who suggested the idea to get this as a birthday gift," Mom pouted playfully, pretending to feel left out.
"Come on, honey, nobody is forgetting you," Dad reassured her, a smile playing on his lips.
"But listen, you two. I would have rather preferred to buy this with my own money. You guys have spoiled me way too much," I expressed, feeling a twinge of guilt amidst my joy.
*"Oh, come on. Who would we spoil if not for our only daughter?" they said in unison, their voices filled with warmth and love.
Every time I see their belongings, it stirs up a mix of emotions within me—feelings I wish I could avoid. Yet, paradoxically, these are also the moments I cherish the most. My parents left behind everything they owned, from my dad's chain of restaurants scattered across the city to my mom's renowned art gallery.
They bequeathed me fortunes that I can access once I turn 21, which is rapidly approaching. But what they didn't leave me with is their presence, the one thing I long for the most. They did everything for me, taught me everything, except for how to live without them. And as for Mom, she didn't even bid me goodbye. How cruel life can be at times.
If even one of them were alive, I could gather the strength to pick myself up and process everything slowly. However, they both departed simultaneously, leaving me entirely on my own. I didn't realize how long I stood there, weeping for the loss that engulfed my life. But I have to gather myself and leave for work.
Wiping away my tears and fixing my tear-streaked, makeup-smudged face, I step into my car and begin my journey to work. After all, this is what they always wanted—for me to succeed and be happy.
That's my purpose now—to make them proud. And nothing can deter me from achieving that. There's no way I will stop. What else could possibly go wrong? I have nothing to lose.
As I stepped out of the car, I spotted Stacey standing at the entrance of the office, diligently organizing some papers in her file. Catching sight of me through the expansive glass windows, she swiftly closed her files and made her way towards me.
"I wish I could get my hands on the beast behind you one day," she commented, casting a longing gaze at the car that I rarely had the chance to drive as a journalist. Despite the attention it would attract, I felt the urge to take it out today after keeping it idle for so long.
"You know, you can give it a try anytime. I wouldn't mind," I responded, offering her the opportunity.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I can't handle a bicycle to save my life," she chuckled, acknowledging her lack of driving skills.
"By the way, Mr. Finn is expecting you. He mentioned having something important to discuss," Stacey informed me, her tone conveying a sense of urgency. With that, I made my way inside the office, curious about what this grumpy old man had on his mind. His use of that particular tone usually indicated a matter of great significance.