Chapter 8: Anniversary

As the sun started to go down, I picked all my things as I was preparing to go home. Lucas promised me just this morning that he'll go home earlier from work, so that we can have our celebration of our anniversary later night. And I want to make more efforts for this, because I noticed how he also does his best every year to make this day memorable, sweet and full of love.

As I opened the door of my office I was shocked to see Chelsea there with some of my staff.

"Opps! You are not going home yet, Dianna. Remember, we are going to celebrate my pregnancy!" Chelsea said in excitement. I scratched my senses, I almost forgot.

"Let's celebrate at the bar, tonight!" she added enthusiastically, the others agreeing.

"At the bar? Why there, Chelsea. Don't tell me—"

"No worries, because we'll just dance there, drink juice, no wine. Kill joy is forbidden, we shouldn't miss it."

"Guys, Chelsea, I have something to tell you," I tentatively began.

"Tonight is actually our anniversary. Hmm... Chelsea, you know we always celebrate this, right?"

"Oh, yes! But can you come too, even for a while?"

"Please?" Her smile is all over me now.

"I want to be there for you, Chelsea, but I also want to make tonight really special for Lucas and I. I thought I might be able to prepare a surprise for him." She snorted, and then grabbed my hands.

"Come on Dianna. For sure your husband will come home late, are you going to let me be sad just because you didn't even give me a little time for this?" I sighed. I looked at the clock for a moment, and then I decided.

Chelsea was positively glowing when she told our friends and co-workers about her pregnancy. I tried to be present, but my mind kept wandering back to Lucas and the surprise I am planning to prepare for him. Although hearing their topic makes me sad, I simply hope Lucas and I will be able to have a kid soon as well.

As the night wore on, I looked at the clock, realizing it was time for me to leave. I approached Chelsea, who was still chatting with some of our co-workers.

"Guys, I really need to go. Chelsea, I want to congratulate you again for your pregnancy! I'm really sorry but I need to go home." I gave them a smile, which they returned graciously.

"Well, there's nothing we can do. Go ahead, be careful when you go home. If I hadn't thought that maybe this is your anniversary, you and your husband might get together, I wouldn't have allowed you to go home yet!"

"Gosh, Chelsea! You're making Dianna's cheeks flush furiously," Lianna said, while Chelsea still laughed.

"I hope so, Chelsea. I'm going, you will also be careful when you go home. And don't let Chelsea drink alcohol."

"Yes, go ahead, Dianna! After that you will be the one to surprise Lucas."

I made my way to the exit with Chelsea's permission, feeling a mix of thrills and dread. I had no idea that my night was about to take an unforeseen turn that would leave me doubting everything. But before I finally reach the exit of the bar...

Someone brushed up against me, causing me to stumble. I turned to that person, ready to apologize, when I caught sight of a familiar face.

"Mr. Rios?" I said, when I recognized him. He raised his eyebrows slightly and then finally smiled at me.

"Mrs. Rodriguez. It's good to see you again! What are you doing here?"

"Are you with your husband?" He looked around.

"Oh, no! It's a friend's celebration, a pregnancy announcement, that's why I am here." He nodded, as if he wanted to say something more but I took the lead.

"Nice to see you too, Mr. Rios. I'm sorry, but I have to leave." I was about to step on my feet when his right hand landed on my arm, which he immediately removed as soon as I looked at it.

"I'm just wondering. Hmm, why are you always in such a hurry, Mrs. Rodriguez?" He laughed softly, at the same time as he stroked the back of his neck.

"I mean, the first time we encountered, you're also in a hurry." I stared at him. I hesitated, not wanting to reveal the details of our anniversary with Lucas. However, it was Dylan's friendly gaze that prompted me to say it.

"Actually, today is our anniversary. And I wanted to plan something special for him." My cheeks heat up when I share it with him.

"Ah! Maybe that's why Mr. Rodriguez quit his job early."

"Really?" I felt more encouraged, hoping that maybe he would recover this time.

"Yes. I meant to see him earlier because I had some important documents to sign, that's why I didn't catch up with him."

"And that's what his secretary told me. He said Mr. Rodriguez said goodbye to her because he had something important to go to."

"Alright, Dylan. I'll go first," I said goodbye again. He nodded at me and gave way, but before I could even get out he called me again, causing me to look back at him.

"Mrs. Rodriguez. Are you aware about..." I ended up facing him again.

"About what, Mr. Rios?" I asked, but his eyes became mischievous.

"Nothing..." Dylan's gaze softened.

"Anniversaries are special; I'm hoping that you have a great celebration later. Take care, Mrs. Rodriguez."

Shaking of my thoughts, I picked my car's key and headed back home. The night air was brisk, leaving behind the laughter and jubilation. The prospect of a romantic evening with Lucas piqued my interest, as I couldn't shake the cliffhangers of what Dylan said before we parted ways. I can't figure it out, but every time I go back to it in my mind I feel something strange.

Returning to our empty home, I felt a strange mix of emotions. The sound of the clock hanging on the wall made my heart beat faster.

With each passing minute, I grew more anxious about the surprise I was preparing for my husband. It had to be perfect.

I know he deserves it too. I want him to feel that I love him very much, even though I notice that he is losing time for us.

I took my cellphone and then took a picture of some of the food that I had arranged on the table. Then I went out the door to the back of our house where we can see our spacious garden.

Everything is in order here. I arranged the candles carefully so that it was shaped like a heart. I smiled, I'm sure he would love all of this.

It was better for me to just wait for him in the kitchen, but the minutes turned into hours, and he still didn't come home.

My phone was on the kitchen table, its screen was dark, there were no messages or missed calls from him. Nervousness surged through my emotions.

I started asking myself again, what was the reason why he was late again, especially since according to Dylan he left his work early. I feel like crying, because in the next few hours he still didn't come.