2 - Surprise!

"Me?" She curiously asked, wondering if the man referred to her. But no one else was around except her, the security, and the other woman.

This time, it was her turn to stare and study his face, realizing he looked familiar. It took her a few seconds before she eventually remembered where she had seen him beforehand.

"Let her go." He ordered, noticing the man behind her, still holding her captive. Quickly, the man complied and stepped away.

"It's me. You saved me the other day." The older man reminded her of an incident just a few days ago. "Do you remember me now?"

She did. But she swore the man looked different from the man standing before her. Probably because the last time she saw him, he was wearing sweatpants. 

Then, she also recollected his pale face and almost lifeless body sprawled on the grassy bed of the park, quite a contrast to this perky and vigorous man.

"Of course I do." She acknowledged seeing this man on the park trail while jogging the other morning.

She noticed he was holding his chest while heaving and trying to catch his breath before he finally collapsed on the ground. She immediately knew he needed her help.

Quickly, she stopped and kneeled before him, helped him onto his back, tried to calm him down, and hastily called for an ambulance. 

"I'm glad you look ok." She looked at the man, pleased to learn he had recovered from his unfortunate health mishap. "By the way, I'm Charlie."

Luckily for him, the medic arrived just in time to assist him with his condition. Then, the ambulance promptly rushed him to the hospital.

"I am. I feel great." He happily spread his arms to show her that he was perfectly fine. "And it is all because of you, Charlie."

He said that because of her, the paramedics arrived in time, and he got the first aid treatment he needed before his condition worsened, making his recovery faster.

"Oh, anybody would have done what I did, Mr. Saunders." She said, not wanting any credit for saving his life. She believed she only did what was necessary.

Truthfully, he reminded her of her father. Well, at least the father in her dreams. She thought if she wanted a father, she wished it would be like him.

He appeared kind and gentle, the kind of father one would wish for. But, of course, what did she know about fathers? She never had a good one.

"Just call me James." He urged her. "Anyway, what is the problem?" The sweet man eventually asked her.

"Well, I was trying to buy that watch, but she would not let me." She pointed to the second item she chose. She believed it was the only one she could afford. The other one she liked was just too expensive for her.

"But I don't..." The judgmental saleswoman tried to interrupt them.

"Ah-ah!" Again, Mr. Saunders silenced her. "Why don't you wrap that watch and give it to her?" Instead, he ordered, instructing the nasty woman to do his bidding.

"Sir?" The woman appeared dumbfounded. "But..." She looked between her and the older man disbelievingly.

"I said, wrap the watch and give her whatever she wants." Mr. Saunders reiterated with his authoritative voice, not liking that he had to repeat himself. 

"No. You don't need to do that." She immediately stopped the woman, but the man insisted.

"It is the least I can do after you saved my life." Then, he lowered his voice when he looked at her with a friendly smile. "Please, it will make me happy if you accept my gift." 

The man shifted his gaze to the other counter and picked an expensive item from the display shelf. "I also want you to have this." Then, he presented her with a beautiful piece of jewelry.

"But..." She tried to protest, but her words died in her throat when he tenderly smiled at her.

For a quick moment, she saw him as the fairy godmother that she had longed to have during her lonely and difficult nights. 

But in this case, he turned out to be her fairy godfather.

"Let me." He moved behind her, assisting her in putting the necklace on. "Please, I hope you like it."

She did not wish to accept anything from him. But she also did not want to be rude. After all, no one had been this nice to her except for this man.

"It is truly stunning." She touched the exquisite gemstone nestling on her chest, thinking it must have cost a fortune.

The pendant had a red ruby stone with smaller diamonds encircling it.

"You deserve it." The sweet gentleman assured her as he lightly patted her shoulders. "It matches perfectly with your fiery red hair." He complimented.

She would probably think he was flirting with her if he had been young. However, she felt a different vibe around him.

Frankly, she felt safe and comfortable in his company, even if he was still practically a stranger. He just exuded a fatherly figure that she had always dreamt of.

"I guess you won't let me say no." She more or less asked, but already predicted the answer as he shook his head. "Then, let me just thank you."

"There is no need to thank me. Anyway, don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything." He suddenly pulled a card from his jacket pocket and handed it to her.

"Oh, sure." She said, but she doubted if they would see each other again. She believed they lived in two different worlds. Bumping into each other again would be very unlikely.

"I'm sorry." She hastily said when her eyes glanced at the time. "It was great seeing you again, but I must go." As much as she wanted to enjoy this man's company, she still had to prepare for her surprise.

"Wait! I'm just wondering. For whom is the watch for?" Mr. Saunders nosily asked as he handed her the bag.

She could not blame him for his curiosity since the watch was clearly for a man.

"Oh, it is for my fiancée. It's my gift for our anniversary." She happily informed him.

She wanted to pay for it, but the man would not have it, insisting it was on the house. Surprisingly, the man she saved was the owner of the jewelry store.

"Ah! A fiancée! Please consider it as an early wedding gift." James nodded, acting delighted for her. 

Then, he stepped aside, letting her go on her way. "It's just unfortunate." He seemed to whisper.

"Pardon?" Charlie wondered if she had heard him correctly.

"Well, I thought you might be single. I truly wish to introduce you to my son." The man said, looking slightly regretful. "I think you two will be a perfect match."

She mildly laughed, thinking the older man must be joking. "Sorry, but I'm already happily taken." But she was amused by the man's attempt at matchmaking.

Of course, she was flattered that he would even consider her for his son, but she would never take him seriously. What father would choose a stranger, a nobody at that, to marry his son?

"Then, I guess your fiancée is a lucky guy." He commented. "Then, I should not keep you." He finally escorted her out the door.

She thought his behavior was bizarre. Truthfully, the entire event was strange, but she still appreciated his kindness as she walked out of there and returned to her car.

But—

Back in the jewelry shop, "Hey, Tom. I want you to find everything you can about that woman." The man instructed as he watched her leave. "And fire her." Pointing to the rude employee.

But, of course, she did not hear him anymore as she drove away.

After several hours, she was finally ready for her surprise. She parked her car outside his apartment building, excited to get on with her plans.

It was a bit late, but she did not mind since she expected to find an empty apartment anyway. She still had plenty of time to set up her surprise.

"Wait! What is this?" But it seemed she was the one caught unaware.

She found his luggage already lying on the living room floor. She assumed he must have come home earlier than planned. She looked around the place, but he was nowhere in sight.

Quickly, she set the balloons, decorations, cake, and her gift on the dining table, ready to surprise him once she saw him.

"I'm sure he's gonna love this." She muttered as she put the finishing touch.

But where was he? 

She imagined he was probably taking a shower upstairs in his room. Excitedly, she finally climbed to the second floor, eager to celebrate their anniversary with him.

"Collin..." She softly called to him. 

Oh, my! She could not wait to see his face when he saw what she got for him.

"Collin!" 

Surprise!