I kept stealing glances his way and I was sure my husband had noticed since we had locked eyes a few times now.
He arrived back from work and we were having dinner which meant he had yet to go into his office, which also translates to my gift has yet to be given to him.
I should have done it the moment he walked through the front door, but my head had thrown a bad thought my way and I was quick to chicken out at the last minute. I told myself I would wait for him to freshen up and later on I told myself after dinner.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw him push his plate away which meant he was retiring to his room for the night. I had to summon my courage and do this now else I would not have another opportunity to do it.
If I wait till tomorrow, it would take out the fun in it for me. I had to get it over with. He started getting up so I cleared my throat to get his attention.
“I have something to give you” I bit my lips hard as nervousness took over me. I watched his eyebrow hitch up in question but thankfully he sat back down.
“Is that a question or statement?” Of course he had to point out my mistake.
“Don’t be such a smartass” I fired back and he raised his hands in surrender.
“What is it you have for me? I’m sure I haven’t done anything to warrant a gift”
“You sure haven’t but I wanted to. Is that so bad?” I was finding it difficult to hold myself from spitting out words to him angrily but I would just blame it on my nerves.
“Nobody said anything about it being so bad. I was just surprised. Where is this gift?”
“In your office” I suddenly found the table very interesting. “And it’s staying there” I added without looking up.
I heard the chair move back and he made his way out of the dining room probably to his office. I waited a few seconds before following behind to see how he would react to my gift.
He arrived before me so I found him standing in front of the couch staring at the portrait with an emotionless face. I didn’t want to panic so I just stood there silently waiting for what he would say.
“I never imagined I would get a drawing of myself as a gift. You are as talented as they say” he spoke with his back to me.
“Who are they?” I asked him, wanting to decide if I should be jealous or hopeful.
“They are people only I should be concerned with” I could hear the amusement in his voice but I didn’t want to comment on it. “But thank you. It’s very nice”
Atticus finally turned to face me and he didn’t have a smile on his face but he wasn’t scowling and didn’t look like he was saying thank you just for the sake of it.
“I’m glad you like it. Where are you going to hang it?” I wanted to subtly tell him I was not going to allow him to just toss my gift to the side just like he had planned to do with me.
“Choose a spot. Where do you think would be better?” I narrowed my eyes in suspicion but he just ignored me and went back to studying the frame because I wouldn’t call it admiring since he just stood there staring at the portrait.
“Why are you asking me to pick a favourite spot? Is it because you can’t be bothered with picking a spot to hang my portrait?” I don’t even know why I was trying to pick a fight when I should have just been happy with it.
“Are you trying to pick a fight?” he asked with a gleam in his eyes.
I didn’t know if he was finding my actions amusing today. Is that an improvement or a setback? It was hard to tell with this man
“I asked you to pick a spot because it was your artwork and I figured that you would know better a suitable spot for it to be rather than just placing it wherever” he explained with a teasing smile, surprising me even further.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to pick a fight or anything. I am just tired. I had a long day”
“Really? Then I should let you be should rest”
“It’s fine. I think it would look better there” I pointed towards the wall behind the couch. It was plain and had enough space to fit the frame and some “I like that spot”
“Okay, then that’s decided. I’ll have Nathan put it there tomorrow. Thank you for this. It’s really good and you are talented indeed” I swear I saw his lips curl up in a genuine smile but I couldn’t be certain.
“I’m also glad you like it. Good night” I gave him a small smile and left the office.
My heart was pounding but I held myself until I got into my room and jumped on the bed and let out a muffled scream in excitement. I couldn’t believe I did it. I did it and now I felt as though I could do anything now that I had gotten this over.
I scrambled off my bed once more and hurried to my desk to grab my note where I had written off my to-do list of stupid ideas I thought I could do for him.
I didn’t think any of the things I had listed out was going to work but now that I was striking off the first thing on the list, I was a little bit confident that I could do all or even half of the silly things I had written down.
The next thing on the list was to bring him lunch while at work. This would be a little challenging since I had no idea what he liked to eat or what he hated or was allergic to if he had any.
I decided to call Danielle for help because she was the only one I could tell about my current situation. She picked up almost immediately I dialled her number as if she had been waiting for my call.
“You would not believe that I was about to call you when you called instead. We are definitely soul mates” she squealed from the other end of the phone as soon as she picked up the call.
I could never get used to her squealing like that so I removed the phone from my ears before they burst my eardrums.
“Calm down babes, my ears are bleeding” I warned her with a soft smile.
“Oh sorry. I am just so excited. Must be all the sugar” She chuckled as if she said something hilarious.
“Aren’t you a little too old to be getting a sugar rush?” I teased.
“There is nothing like being too old for sugar rush” she giggled.
“Of course there is honey but that’s not what I called to discuss. I think my plan may be working a little bit”
“Is it the same plan that I am thinking of?”
“Yes.” It was my turn to be giddy “Oh my goodness, I’m still reeling from the aftershock of it all.”
“So what makes you think it may be a success? What did you do?” she asked, sounding more interested now.
“I drew him a portrait. Wait I’ll send you a photo now” I removed the phone from my ears and sent her the photo I had taken before placing the phone against my ears “I just sent it”
“Wow..fuck..how..when..how..you can draw?” She struggled to form words and I laughed at how shocked she sounded.
“I thought you knew. I didn’t mention it?’ I knew I didn’t mention it but I wanted to mess with her a little.
“You think I wouldn’t remember if you did. This is fucking awesome girl. Why are you hiding such a talent? You should be doing fucking exhibitions in your gallery”
“It’s just a little hobby. I don’t plan on painting professionally. I doubt I could compare with all those artists out there anyway” And it’s true.
I may love to tell myself that I was a good artist but I knew that there was no way I would survive in the industry.
“Says who? What I am looking at is pure talent but it is your decision at the end. Moving forward, how did he like it?”
“I am not sure but he asked me to choose a spot to hang it in his home office and told me thank you. That has got to be something right?”
“Of course it’s something. Wow, I’m so freaking happy. That is for sure something. Now we have to head to the second plan immediately so he doesn’t have room to breathe okay? Attack upon attack” How can someone look so stunning and yet beave so silly?
“You are insane” I laughed at her “Why do you sound like those spy agents on television series?”
“For effect obvi. Now tell me quick”
“Lunch at work?”
“You want to prepare lunch for him and take it to his office? Now that’s some domesticated shit you don’t see every day” Now when she puts it like that, it makes me feel stupid.
“I knew it was a bad idea” I groaned out and let my head fall against the table in frustration.
The phone was making me uncomfortable so I removed it and placed it on the table making sure to put it on the speaker.
“Nooooo. I didn’t mean it like that. I like it because it’s not what women like us do so it is a bit shocking but good shocking” She assured me. “But why does it seem like you are unsure of it?”
“I don’t know what he likes and I don’t even know where his office is”
“You are so dumb, Hazy bear.” I could hear the pout in her voice and picture her eye roll “Don’t you have a chef? Why not ask him? And for his office, I am sure your bodyguards know the direction or you can even google it” She sounded exhausted talking about it and I didn’t blame her one bit. I also felt stupid.
“I can’t believe how dumb I am. I’m dropping the call now. I believe I have a meal to plan and a husband to surprise”
“Okay, babes. Tell me how it goes, okay?” She said before cutting the call.
Okay, now on to the next plan.