"Aha, Caleb!"
Lilian waves her hand as she walks toward the tall surgeon, her face is beaming with anticipation. It has been almost a month since the kidnapping incident and while the brunette still feels the effect of it on herself, she is glad that everyone comes to her aid on time.
"Lilian, going to lunch?"
"Mhmm, care to join?" her playful smile is a stark contrast to that dreadful look on her face a couple of weeks ago "I heard they have lasagna today, my fave!"
"Of course." Caleb nods, trailing behind her as they get to the cafeteria.
Despite him taking quite a few PTOs and vacation days, his popularity among the staff members and patients still increases every day. Lilian can't help but point out that his office desk is littered with gifts from patients who had been under his care and nurses who snuck their presents into the pile, knowing that Doctor Caleb doesn't receive gifts from his colleagues individually.
"I wonder how Primrose will react when she knows about that stack on your desk…" the brunette's eyes gleam with amusement "She has a tendency to make sure everyone knows not to touch what belongs to her…"
"Really? I never know that."
"I assume that staff members are quite oblivious to it, even when those earrings of yours are quite a catch to the eyes."
Caleb's hand gently brushes the ruby stone adorns his ears, smiling at the fond memory. It was a gift from his beloved in hopes that they would keep him safe, she gave them to him with such confidence that she failed to realize how lovely her silent declaration of love was at the time.
"I see, so they are…?" humming to herself, Lilian raises her head "…enchanted?"
"You can say that."
Lilian nods her head, attempting to understand the meaning behind those earrings. When she comes back to the dining table with Caleb, the brunette is surprised to see he is not carrying any tray of food with him. When she asks about it, his eyes soften and a rare loving smile spreads on his lips. Putting the lunch box on the table, he expresses that Primrose has taken her time to make lunch for him today.
"Goodness, someone is being pampered…" Lilian giggles at the revelation "But then again, that sounds a lot like her. She enjoys making lunch boxes from time to time."
As they settle down for lunch, Lilian can't help but marvel at the dynamics of Caleb and Primrose's relationship, appreciating the tenderness and care they show each other even in the simplest gestures. The hospital chatter around them fades into the background as they share a pleasant meal, each enjoying the food that is crafted with care, whether it is from the kitchen staff or Primrose herself.
While taking a bite of her lasagna, Lilian can't help but steal a glance at the young lord, amazed by the fact that she never once thought that this man was anything but human. His raven hair is neatly combed with a few strands falling down his forehead, the uncanny pale skin almost matches the color of snow, the mysterious composure that exudes around him wherever he goes, and most of all, those striking silver eyes are a statement of their own.
This man is a vampire, a lord of the prominent House Vatore in Forgotten Hollow, at least that is what she has heard from her friend.
Had she known this before her kidnapping, Lilian might have laughed it off as a joke. Vampires, werewolves, fairies – all mere figments of imagination meant to scare children into good behavior. Even if Primrose had told her the truth with a stack of money in front of her, she would have dismissed it as a silly prank.
But after the whole ordeal with Selene and blood sacrifice and how close her neck was being chopped off by the guillotine machine, Lilian now has a different look into the world of supernaturals…
"Hm…"
"Is something wrong?" raising his brows amusingly, Caleb asks.
"I still need some time to process the idea of you being a vampire and Primrose can use magic."
"Oh, well…" chuckling under his breath, he continues "It's difficult to prove it, especially when I can walk around under the sun like everyone, yeah?"
"Oh right, the sun! I completely forgot about it…" the brunette blinks a few times, and a realization dawns on her as she speaks "You CAN walk under the sun."
Her lips purse up, revealing a frustrated pout. She can't believe that Primrose has kept this secret from her this whole time, more than two decades of being friends and Lilian never once stops to think that her friend is anything but a normal human.
She feels like being left out and that annoys her…
"I need to have Primrose compensate me for keeping me in the dark this whole time."
Caleb almost can not hold back his laugh at his colleague's remark. Primrose will probably tell him how Lilian has forced her to buy boba drinks for them as a sign of apology for not telling the truth.
The brunette takes another bite of her lasagna, glancing at her phone when she spots a notification on the screen. Scanning through the material, her eyes land on the date, and another moment of silence washes through her. It is already the third week of January, which means…
"Holy cow, I completely forgot about it!"
"Is something wrong?" Caleb is surprised at her sudden change of mood "You okay?"
"I am not…no…" humming to herself, she looks at Caleb with a deadly serious expression "I may be okay, but you're not!"
"Me?" her choice of words piques his interest as the young lord gives her his full attention "What's wrong about me?"
Slamming her hands on the table, she stares at him with determination filling her eyes, realizing how devastating everything will be if she does not check the date on her phone.
"Caleb, Primrose's birthday is coming up in two weeks!" pointing at her phone screen, she continues "You better make it special, 'cause it is not just any birthday…" Lilian stops for a moment before revealing a bombshell of news "Hers falls on Valentine's Day."
It takes the young lord a few moments to process her words before it dawns on him. His striking silver eyes wearing a usual calmness are now widened in shock at the revelation.
"Valentine's Day?" Caleb mutters under his breath, a mix of disbelief and realization coloring his tone "That is quite a day of its own…"
"That's right, Caleb! It's not just the usual lovey-dovey day, it's double-whamming! It is her birthday and Valentine's Day rolled into one! You better come up with something good for her!" Lilian's excitement is evident in her eyes "She might not say anything, but I bet Primrose is expecting a lot, especially when this is the first time she spends her birthday with you!"
Caleb leans back in his chair, crossing his arms, and Lilian can practically see the wheels turning in his head as he contemplates the challenge ahead.
"I've got to make it special, huh?" he muses, a playful glint in his silver eyes. "I suppose I have my work cut out for me. Any suggestions?"
"Nuh-uh, no way you're asking me that, good sir!" Lilian taps her chin, pretending to think deeply "But since you ask so nicely, I may as well lend you a hand…"
Caleb chuckles, appreciating the brunette's enthusiasm for her friend's celebration.
"Primrose is a romantic person at heart and she is hopelessly so. Pretty on theme with the whole Valentine's Day thing, right?" she hums "Something sentimental or at least, something evokes her sense of creativity. She is an author, so maybe take her somewhere she can find inspiration for her new book. I think that would work."
The young lord nods his head, absorbing the given information from Lilian. As they continue their lunch, she can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at being the bearer of such crucial information. She knows that Caleb, with his genuine affection for Primrose, will undoubtedly come up with something extraordinary. The hospital's cafeteria becomes a hub of conspiratorial excitement, with Lilian playfully teasing Caleb about the expectations of a Valentine's birthday celebration.
Primrose's fingers graze delicately on her keyboard, continuing the script for her new book. The soft glow of her computer screen illuminates her face as her room is filled with a serene atmosphere, occasionally interrupted by the distant sounds of the city outside.
Caleb is busy with his hectic schedule at San Myshuno's Hospital again. She stifles her laugh, thinking about Lilian's words earlier this week of how everyone in the hospital is glad to see him finally return to work. It doesn't take long before his calendar is booked with a plethora of surgeries and patient care.
"Oh Primrose, he is one of the best surgeons in the hospital after all."
Lilian's comment dances in her ears as the raven head wonders if he is not coming home tonight. Despite them living in separate apartments that happen to be next to each other, Primrose and Caleb choose to spend a few nights together, whether it is at her place or his. It has become a habit for both of them as she realizes how uncomfortable it is at night when he is not by her side. The bigger spoon Caleb wraps her in a cocoon of safety and love, making the nights more bearable.
She also notices how excited Lilian is recently, her eyes gleam in anticipation as she drops hints about how spectacular the next few days will be. Her choice of words and 'nudge-nudge-wink-wink' attitude amuses Primrose as she wonders what her friend is scheming, especially when her birthday is drawing near.
Maybe she is trying to pull a surprise party for me…
Lilian has always enjoyed the liveliest parties she can get into while Primrose herself prefers to stay away from them, the loud cheering and music blasting make her ears hurt. The brunette also embraces her adventurous lifestyle which includes various outdoor activities, quite different from her mundane and peaceful life within the safety of her apartment.
To have such a stark contrast lifestyles yet Primrose and Lilian's friendship remains strong throughout the years baffles the raven head. Maybe it is the differences that bring them closer, after all, matching behaviors prove to be quite boring from time to time.
Primrose takes off the glasses, allowing her onyx eyes to rest after bullying them into writing the script, a content sigh escapes her lips as she stretches her body, getting rid of the stiffness of her muscles. She turns her attention to the pile of paper on her desk, eyeing the blue rose paperweight sitting on top of the stack, a fond smile plays on her lips as she grazes her fingers on the smooth glass surface.
This paperweight was a Christmas gift she received from Caleb.
Her face paints a lovely shade of red when she reads the note underneath the paperweight, a milestone in their relationship as they spent their first holiday together. It still surprises her that they are almost at a one-year anniversary, time goes by so fast when Caleb is by her side. In this year alone, so many things have happened to them, from the party at the Cent's manor to Nathaniel and Ember's problems to the kidnap of Lilian, despite all the issues and a two-week cold war, their love for each other continues to grow.
This time last year, she was a single woman in her twenties, struggling with a guarded heart and a lingering pain that haunted her for years. Right now, it seems like all her worries are slowly fading away as Caleb shows her his commitment to making their relationship work. The walls around her heart are no more, replaced by the warmth and tenderness of his affection. Even the thought of him engulfs her in a cocoon of love and joy that she can feel butterflies in her stomach.
Her phone rings, receiving a message from that special someone. The smile on her lips grows wider as Caleb, in his limited free time, texts her to ask how she is doing. His text is simple, telling her to not stay up too late at night, knowing how absorbed she can be when it comes to her script. There is also a reminder to get herself some chamomile tea as it can help her relax and sleep well at night. A confession that warms her heart as he wishes her good night and how much he adores her.
Oh Caleb…
The fluffy feelings continue to simmer within Primrose, warming her small body on a snowy winter night…
While Primrose is enjoying herself in the solace of her apartment, Caleb takes off his doctor's coat and hangs it in his office as he slumps down on the chair, allowing himself to relax after a hectic workday. He is on the night shift today and the ER department is witnessing a spike in admissions tonight. Apparently, the combination of fast speed and snowy winter is the cause of most incidents that got admitted to their hospital.
Pulling out his phone, a smile grazes his lips when he receives a text from his beloved, wishing him well on his work day along with a picture of her holding the paperweight with a vibrant grin that warms his heart. Primrose's love for his gift is evidenced.
With her birthday coming up next week, Lilian has suggested that she and Primrose's family will celebrate it on the 13th, allowing him and Primrose to have Valentine's Day all to themselves. His beloved's birthday falls on the 14th of February, marking a significant holiday that is filled with love and romance.
The coincidence explains Primrose's romantic nature and how she is the author of several love stories that capture the hearts of readers, including Caleb himself. Lilian even jokes about how hopelessly romantic Primrose is and yet, the raven head gets flustered easily when it is her on the receiving end of any romantic gesture, especially when it comes from the young lord.
The preparation for Primrose's birthday has gone smoothly and according to plan. Kian, his brother-in-law, has given him VIP tickets to the musical event where he is playing as the main musician. A celebration of love, as Kian said, the event will be filled with the most classic love pieces that have ever been written. Caleb will have to express his gratitude to Lilith and Kian later for their help in reserving a spot for them.
He thinks of taking the raven head to a restaurant she has been eager to get into. The water mage mentions it to him a couple of times, her editing lady has claimed that the place has the best dessert in town. Knowing Primrose, no matter how full she is, she will always have a second stomach for dessert.
He has reserved a spot at San Myshuno's Planetarium for their date night as well. A night of star gazing will surely bring in that creative muse she needs for her newest book. Caleb has taken notice of her writing, how Primrose weaves their dating life experience into the book and even uses him as the base for the new main male lead. It is amusing to see her deny it when he asks her, stating that it is a mere coincidence that the male character happens to have raven hair and striking silver eyes.
As Caleb continues to plan for a secret birthday date for Primrose, he wonders what kind of gift will bring a smile to her face. While the raven head has stated many times that she loves everything he has for her, the young lord wants to surprise her with a present that resonates well with her personality. He recently took notice of her apartment, particularly how she decorates. He thinks about Primrose's bedroom, how it is filled to the brim with soft pastel colors, a fluffy faux fur blanket drapes across the bed, and that body pillow that she hugs to sleep every night. The warm and inviting ambient, as well as how bright and lively the decorations are make him wonder if he should get…
Hm…Maybe something simpler will suit her taste this time…
Primrose stirs lightly in the bed, her eyes fluttering at the smell of fresh toast and eggs. Her body feels lighter and the arm that usually drapes over her is nowhere to be found. She slowly rises off the bed, groggily looking around, searching for a familiar tall figure.
"Caleb…?"
A knock on the door, followed by a creaking sound as the young lord stands by the entrance, smiling warmly with a tray of food in his hands. Primrose blinks a few times, still dazed and woozy from her sleep. Memories of last night's celebration fill her mind as she realizes that today is February 14th, Valentine's Day and her birthday…
"Still sleepy, beloved?" setting the tray on the table, Caleb sits on the bed, caressing her tousled raven hair gently as he places a kiss on her forehead "Happy birthday, Primrose. I make breakfast."
His warm, soothing voice sounds like a melody to her ears as she rubs her eyes, shaking off the wobbliness in her. The smell of freshly toasted bread, buttery and with a hint of nuts, is a delicacy of its own.
Caleb dotes on her, unable to hold back at the adorable sight in front of him as he leans in, hoping to capture a morning kiss. However, Primrose immediately stops him, covering his lips with both hands with a blush on her face. She doesn't wish for him to notice her morning breath. The young lord chuckles, finding her worries to be quite silly as he moves her hands away and closes the gap between them, a soft peck on her lips to welcome the beautiful morning of Saint Valentine's Day.
"Caleb…" she pouts, the rosy hue on her cheeks deepen its color.
"You worry too much, beloved." an amusing chuckle escapes his lips "You know I care naught about those things."
"I do though…" she sighs, eyeing the breakfast tray on the bedside table "But thank you, breakfast in bed is lovely."
Caleb's smile widens as he appreciates her gratitude as he moves the tray to bed, eager to share the morning meal. The tray holds a delightful array of food, from perfectly scrambled eggs to nicely toasted bread, a feast fit for a special day. The young lord encourages her to dig in, a promise of other surprises coming her way on this special day intrigues her. Primrose's eyes light up at the news, wondering what her man has in his hands to celebrate her birthday.
