Unboxing Surprises

It was the weekends, and the family had a birthday party to attend. It was Roman's daughter, Sophia's fifth birthday. As family friends, attending his daughter's birthday was mandatory.

"Your dress is beautiful," Ryan said, looking away from his screen with a smile as I walked down the stairs with our son. “And Ethan, you're looking as handsome as always.”

I smiled. I was wearing an off-shoulder, simple white lace dress that stopped below my knees. The beauty of the dress was the luxury fabric and the intricate designs that ran along the hem, neck, and shoulders.

The only one in the world. Because I personally designed it. I also designed Ethan’s three piece suit, and he looked absolutely amazing in it.

“Thank you, Daddy. Credit to mommy,” Ethan looked up and beamed at me with pride in his eye.

What more could I ask for?

“Oh, my talented wife. Come here,” Ryan took my hand and spun me around. A squeak escaped my lips before I could stop myself. “Ethan, go wait in the car. Your mom and I have something to talk about.”

“Yes, dad.” Ethan smiled before leaving with a big wrapped gift.

Just as he shut the front door behind him, Ryan pinned me down on the sofa and claimed my lips with a hunger that left me breathless. His hands roamed freely, sending shivers down my spine.

How I've missed this intimacy. We stopped being intimate for almost a year now. And I've craved the day he'd find me this attractive to be so hungry for me.

My heart raced, matching Ryan's intense desire. But as our lips parted for air, I noticed Ryan's eyes – usually bright with affection during intimate moments – seemed slightly guarded, haunted even.

My hands slid up his chest, palms flat against him. "Is anything the matter?”

Ryan's gaze dropped, his voice low and husky. "Just really missed you, Adele. I've been a bad husband, letting my work take more of my time.” He sighed, “When was the last time we had sex?”

“Eleven months and nine days.” I replied without missing a heartbeat.

His sharp jaws tightened, as his nails slightly dug into my skin. “I'm sorry, Adele. How about tonight? Let's give Ethan a sibling.”

Butterfly feelings crashed into my stomach in waves and I locked my arms behind his neck as I pulled him down for a kiss. “I want a girl.” It has been my dream to have another child, a girl preferably.

“Me too," he chuckle and we locked lips, kissing like two hungry bulls.

….

The party had already begun by the time we arrived. It was held in a garden, attended by men and women of high statuses.

It was a child's birthday, but within us, adults, we knew it was a business gathering.

Few heads turned our way as we walked hand in hand towards the crowd.

“Couple of the year has arrived!” Roman teased as he made his way towards us, champaign in one hand, the other outstretched to shake me.

“Welcome, Adele,” he kissed my knuckles, eyes locked onto mine. “We're honored to have you here.”

There was something I didn't like about the way he kissed my knuckle. It was too intimate… Or maybe I was paranoid, considering I was hypersensitive and horny after Ryan had turned me on a while back.

Roman let go after I gave him a forced smile.

“Make yourself comfortable, I'd love to snatch your husband for a moment." He said, his eyes darting to my husband.

I smiled, turning to Ryan as I planted a kiss on his lips before unhooking my hand from his. “Don't be long. You know I'm not confident around so many people.” I whispered to him.

He smiled back and gave me a faint nod. “Ethan, look after your mother. I'll be back soon.” With that, he left.

A heavy sigh left my lips as Ethan and I walked towards the crowd.

I hate crowds. Something always tends to go wrong. And with kids around, adult dramas are a bad mix.

As I drew closer, more eyes began to notice me - mostly from women and girls, and it wasn't the kind of look that'd make anyone feel comfortable.

“She copied everything down to the shoes,” someone uttered. She wasn't discreet. She said it to my hearing. I didn't know who they were talking about until...

Simultaneously, I saw her.

I froze, my eyes locked on what Roman's wife was wearing. My gaze trailed up and down Julia's identical white lace dress, same intricate design, same style! And same shoes!

This was no coincidence. I refused to believe that.

“Adele, what a coincidence,” Julia said with a forced smile, walking towards me with the birthday girl. “I didn't know we'll be wearing the same outfit. I feel so awkward.” She giggled.

“Both of you look very pretty,” the birthday girl, Sophia, smiled.

“But Aunt Julia looks better in it. As a supermodel, she wore it best.” Ethan chimed in. And a boisterous laughter erupted from the crowd.

My muscles stiffened, gaze shifting with disbelief toward my son. He wasn't looking at me, he was gazing at Julia with adoration in his eyes.

A sharp pain pierced my heart. Sophia was just five, yet she knew how to use her mouth, but my son, Ethan…

I glanced back at Julia. She was indeed beautiful. A renowned supermodel – size 2, as they called it. Unlike me, a full time housewife who'd added weight over the years. – XL.

Julia chuckled, “Ethan, don't be like that, your mother will feel bad,” she said, but she couldn't hide the smug look on her face.

“Children don't lie. She looks like an elephant in that dress. Why must she wear it if she can't pull it off?”

“She's trying too hard to become Julia. She is a cheap replica.”

“Her dress must be cheap. Let's take a picture and make her famous. How dare she try to snatch the limelight from the celebrant’s mother.”

I felt like a cold bucket of water was doused on me from head to toe. I stood rooted, unable to move, unable to speak. Memories of my days in school came crashing down on me.

These jeers, these sneers, these hateful words were familiar. I've lived this life before.

This was why I hated crowds. This was why I designed my own dresses and gave them to my designer.

I didn't want to clash with anyone, didn't want to offend people, but still, it couldn't be avoided. Old wounds had been reopened, and now, it was difficult even to breathe.

“Hey,” I felt Ryan's presence enveloped me, his hand on my shoulder. “ What's wrong?”

I blinked back my tears and glanced around. Everyone was minding their businesses. It was as if nothing had happened. I frowned, what was going on?

“Ryan, thanks for coming,” Julia's voice pulled me back from reverie.

“Hello, Julia, you look breathtaking.”

“How sweet of you to notice, Ryan,” she blushed.

“One can't help but notice. You're like a shining star that dulls everything around you.”

Ryan continued to heap praises on her, ignoring me, his wife who was standing beside him. He didn't praise me like this.

My chest tightened with every sweet word that left his lips. This man had stopped caring about what I put on, save for today, yet he was praising another woman so smoothly.

My mind suddenly flashed, remembering the day I designed this dress. I'd shown it to Ryan. He'd complimented my taste and said it'd look good on a model...

So, this was it? He gave her my design?

A soft chuckle escaped my lips, causing them to turn towards me.

“What's wrong, Adele? Do you want to go home?”

“Go home?” I pulled away from him.