Chapter 81: Her Birthday Under the Gentle Moonlight
“Come out?”
Galatea was momentarily taken aback, then she opened the door and stepped out into the empty hallway. Before she could ask anything, Alaric’s voice came through the phone again. “Go to the rooftop.”
“The rooftop?” she inquired, puzzled. “It’s dark already, why should I go to the rooftop… Hello?”
Before Galatea could finish her sentence, Alaric had already hung up, nearly driving her mad with frustration.
Despite her irritation, she followed his suggestion and headed to the rooftop. However, once she arrived, it was completely deserted. She was about to call Alaric to give him a piece of her mind when a noise above startled her.
Looking up, she saw a helicopter slowly descending toward the rooftop. To her utter shock, Alaric was piloting it.
The helicopter touched down with ease, and Alaric, sitting in the cockpit, called out to her, “Hop in.”
Galatea was stunned. After a moment, she glanced down at herself—dressed in pajamas with slippers and her hair in disarray.
Noticing her hesitation, Alaric laughed lightly and casually reassured her, “It’s okay, come on.”
Without further hesitation, Galatea climbed aboard. As she settled into the seat, the door clicked shut behind her, and the aircraft began its ascent.
“What in the world got into you? Since when do you fly helicopters out of the blue?” Galatea exclaimed, still stunned.
“I used to fly all the time back in my military days,” Alaric explained with a grin, adding, “Buckle up!”
Galatea quickly made sure she was secure. As Alaric sped up, the thrill of overlooking the entire city from above was exhilarating.
Seeing Galatea’s excitement, Alaric raised an eyebrow. “Got some nerve, don’t you? Not afraid of heights?”
Galatea just shook her head. She had never feared heights, and as a child, she loved thrill-seeking adventures. The Storm family had access to a helicopter, and those memories had always been fond ones. It felt like decades had passed since those days.
“I wouldn’t have pegged you for the daring type. How about I take you bungee jumping next time?”
Her face lit up at the suggestion. “Sure! Let’s do one of those cliff jumps. It sounds thrilling!”
“Deal,” Alaric promised. “I’ll make sure we do that.”
“And where are we headed to now?” Galatea asked, gazing at Alaric with curiosity.
“Just follow my lead, and you’ll see,” he said with a smile.
Maybe it was the moonlight that evening, but Alaric looked remarkably captivating as the aircraft cut through the night sky.
Galatea felt as if she had been whisked away on an exciting journey, thoroughly enjoying the moment.
Upon arrival, her jaw dropped in awe. She had never imagined landing on the coast beneath the starry sky, with moonlight gently reflecting off the water’s edge. The scenery felt almost magical.
“We’re here,” Alaric announced, guiding the helicopter to a soft landing on the beach.
Once the helicopter touched down, Galatea took in the sounds of the tide and the seascape before her, her senses alive with the rush of the moment.
“Why did you suddenly bring me here?” she asked, her voice tinged with wonder.
“Do you like it?” Alaric asked instead, his eyes glinting mischievously.
“I do,” Galatea responded with an honest nod.
What girl wouldn’t love such a serene, sweet, and romantic evening by the sea?
“How about we go out to sea tonight?” Alaric suggested, a playful glint in his eyes.
Galatea’s excitement surged. “Really? Can we?”
“Of course,” Alaric said, his tone reassuring as he took her hand and led her toward the water.
The soft sand clung to her feet, adding to the delicious comfort of the moment. The sky and sea merged into one, with the moon shyly reflected in the gentle waves. The beauty around them felt intoxicating, and Galatea felt her heart race.
With Alaric holding her hand under the moonlit sky, walking beside the sea, the night was undeniably magical.
They walked along the shore for what felt like an eternity until a yacht came into view.
“Is this your private yacht?” Galatea asked in astonishment.
Alaric just smiled mysteriously. “Go on, take a look inside.”
Galatea snapped back to her senses and stepped onto the yacht. As she entered, the sight before her took her breath away.
The lighting was soft and romantic, the petals of roses scattered on the floor, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. The candles casting their warm glow seemed like something out of a dream. But what struck her the most was the huge cake placed at the center of the yacht.
Was this all for her?
“Happy Birthday,” Alaric’s voice came from behind her, smooth and intoxicating.
Those simple words hit her like a wave, emotions flooding her chest. A lump formed in her throat, and moisture welled up in her eyes.
Back when she was Miss Stellan Storm of the well-to-do Storm family, her birthdays were extravagant affairs. Her father would host grand parties, and people from all walks of life would attend.
But since the Storm family’s fortunes had waned, birthdays had become days of solitude, devoid of any celebration. Only Mia and Harry had remembered, and even that felt like a rarity.
The decorations in front of her—so delicate, so thoughtful—moved her deeply.
“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice breaking with emotion. “Since my father passed away, besides Mia and Harry, you’re the first one to celebrate my birthday. I really appreciate it.”
Alaric smiled gently. “As long as you’re happy.”
He took her hand again and led her toward the cake. “Make a wish.”
Galatea closed her eyes, pressed her hands together, and made a sincere wish.
Alaric didn’t ask what her wish was. After she blew out the candles, he cut a large slice of cake and handed it to her with a smile. “Eat up.”
Without hesitation, Galatea began to eat, savoring the sweet treat and the perfect moment around her.
In that moment, with the cake, the candles, the expansive ocean, the starry sky, and the fresh flowers, everything felt beautiful—perfect, even.
“And there’s also this,” Alaric said, presenting her with a beautifully wrapped gift box.
Galatea was surprised once again. “A birthday gift for me?”
“Yes, take a look.”
She opened the box, and her breath caught. Inside was an exquisite, limited edition lady’s watch—more than just a financial gift, it was a token of deep thought.
“The gift is too lavish; I can’t accept it,” she said, taken aback.
Accepting such an expensive gift felt like adding to the growing balance of debts between them.
“Are you sure?” Alaric asked, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s too much; I can’t take it.”
Alaric didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he tossed the gift box aside.
“What are you doing?” Galatea was shocked. “Just because I don’t want it, why would you throw it away?”
Alaric gave her a playful smirk. “You don’t want it, so I’ll make sure it’s gone.”
Galatea couldn’t help but laugh despite the situation, the surreal night still unfolding around them.