"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!", the twins yelled at them. Vanessa and Sarah kissed their father, and then handed their gift to him.
"Dad, that was a great speech.", Vanessa told him.
"Yeah, Dad. These are for you! We shopped this for you. I hope you like it.", Sarah told him as she gave him a warm hug.
"Oh, my girls.. Thank you..", Aidan uttered. He almost choked saying the words because of his emotions. He felt like crying.. he felt happy.. he felt complete, "I love all of you, okay?".
"Okay.", the three replied.
"Now let’s get this party started!", Aidan shouted and they all laughed.
He knows he has forgotten to be this happy the time Amelie passed away. Hence, he couldn't even remember the last time he was this happy. Everything was glistening with joy.. a night of fun.. a night of hope.. A night of new beginnings
THE END
The BIG THRILL
A Beautiful Chance
(FREE BOOK 2)
2 A Beautiful Chance
The party is still on fire even though it's already 10 in the evening. Tonight is the celebration of Aidan Shaw's 55th birthday. Aidan is a multi-millionaire business man who became notable because of his hard work.
Aidan is a widower who still finds it hard to move on. His wife, Amelie, died 8 years ago. Even though he feels loneliness in his life, Aidan remained strong for his children. He has a son and two daughters who are twins.
Marcus is the name of Aidan's only son. He is also Aidan's first born. He is only 24 years old but people can say he already has potential in following his father's footsteps. Earlier at the party, Aidan talked to Marcus to say thank you for the party. Marcus is the one who insisted him to throw a great party so he can celebrate. Because Aidan is a simple man, he didn't want one and so Marcus volunteered to manage the said party.
Aidan told Marcus that he will now transition to the position of Vice President. Marcus' performance was outstanding, and because of that, Aidan thought Marcus is ready to take a bigger leap.
Even though Aidan thinks Marcus is still very young to be a Vice President, he just risked everything in Marcus' capability. He trusts Marcus so much because he's seen his attitude toward their business, their people and the twins. Aidan couldn’t ask for more.
While Aidan is out there introducing himself and meeting the lovely women Marcus has invited for him, the twins were also out talking to their friends and having fun.
Sarah and Vanessa decided to split up since they have many guests. Vanessa looked for her friends inside their area, while Sarah kept on searching the only one she invited - David.
Sarah searched for David for about an hour and a half, but it seems all her screams for mercy went unheard. She was devastated by the idea of David not showing up.
David is a man she met at their university. He is a handsome man who became a scholar in Columbia University. David is taking up Engineering in there, and when Sarah met him in a cafeteria, he was still rushing because of unfinished Math homeworks.
"Hi, are you looking for someone?", Sarah heard a very familiar voice from behind. She looked on him, and there he was.. David. Standing on a crowded, busy party late at night.
"David! You came!", Sarah rejoiced upon seeing him.
"Of course I'd come. I wouldn't miss such a good party.", he said while winking, "Listen, I bought your father a simple gift. It's not really that expensive, but I'm sure he can use this.", David added.
"Aw.. that's so sweet of you.. You really didn't have to..", Sarah whispered.
"Oh, well I wanted to. How's your night?", he had to ask her.
"Happy. Beyond happy, actually.", Sarah replied.
"That's good. I guess it's really a great party.", he grinned at her, "Hey, how would you like to go with me on Saturday? We can watch movies if you want.", he added.
"Movies? Saturday? Sure, sure. I'll be there. I owe you one.", she responded.
"And oh, before I forget, I bought something for you too..", David reached for his pocket.
"For me?", Sarah asked surprisingly. And then saw the box David took from his pocket.
"It's a silver heart necklace. I don't know, I was at this store yesterday, and I passed by this, and then I remembered you.", David said handing her the box.
"Wow, David. It's beautiful. Are you sure you want me to have this? It's amazing.", Sarah was stunned.
"I just think you deserve the best.", was all David can say to her.
It's was like magic. It's powerful, and it's confusing.. But the only thing she was concern of was the fact that she's really falling for this guy... and she knew she can't stop it.
While Aidan is still busy making friends with Marcus' fix up, her twin sisters are out there making this party even wilder. He left his father in the pool of gorgeous women, and then find himself a great drink to go on with the night.
He went straight to the bar where the drinks are located. He noticed that the party is turning louder and louder, that he became an out casted guest for some reason.
Marcus gave the bartender a signal. He wants a scotch to top this wonderful evening. As he sits down, he reminisces his mother again for the last time. His father just told him he would now transition into a higher position, Vice President, and he couldn't be any happier.
In American language, promotion and transitioning to a higher position means you did a really fantastic job. He knows his father was satisfied with his work, and so he started feeling sad to know his mother was not able to see all his hard works.
His mother, Amelie, died 8 years ago. There were many nights Marcus wished his mother's still here. She has been a terrific mother, and somehow Marcus believes that if she is still alive, she would be gone very, very proud of him.
But sometimes, things just really happen for a reason. He might not know yet the reason, but he is certain that God has brighter and bigger plan for his family.
When the bartender handed him a glass of scotch, he immediately pour it into his mouth. The night is wild and he needs to have fun.
"There you are, Boss.", he looked to the direction where the voice is coming. He saw Melinda wearing a black dress. She looks irresistible.
"Hey there, gorgeous. You enjoying the party?", he greeted her with such a flirty line.
"Yeah, yeah. The party is great, Boss. We did it!", Melinda laughed jauntily.
"Oh, don't call me Boss here. We're not in the office. Call me Marcus instead.", he winked.
"Okay, Marcus. Why are you so alone here? Aren't you supposed to be with your father celebrating this night?", she asked.
"Dad is out there meeting the women I set him up. I'm sure he's still busy knowing them all. I invited some women that he might like. You know, he's been single for a very long time.. And I'm just trying to help him find an awesome woman. I'm sure my mom won't mind.", he smirked.
"I see.. What about your sisters? Are they busy too?", she asked once more. Marcus just rejoiced in his own thinking Melinda is trying to prolong their conversation.
"I think their busy too.", he told her.
"It must be tough to be the big brother, huh?", she joked at her.
"I think you and I know the answer very clearly.", they both laughed, "So, you came here alone?", he asked. Now he's the one trying to prolong the conversation.
"Yes. I didn't think it would be appropriate to bring my own guests here.", she chuckled.
"You're not seeing anyone special?", he is dying to know the answer.
"No. I'm not.", she gave him a deep stare as if she was saying 'I like you'.
"Hey, how come two extremely beautiful people like us come here without any date?", his flirting session started. Melinda just giggled.
"I don't know. Damn. Maybe the world is missing something.", they both chuckled.
It's very obvious that both of them have been liking each other since then. The only problem is that they are co-workers. This is what's holding Marcus to ask her out. He felt that he's been through a lot of relationships fro
m the past, and most of them turned out awfully. He's scared that he would ruin his relationship to Melinda.
Melinda has been his assistant for years now. She has been excellent in everything; she has been hands on in all the tasks. This is the reason why he couldn't even dare to retaliate asking her out. He just thinks their relationship will turn the other way around.
They just looked at each other's eyes. It is certain that they feel the connection. Somehow, both of them are moved. They can't explain how, what, or when things happened, but all they know is that they bring fire to one another.
The music turns slow and the lights started to dim a little. Marcus saw his father with a woman to dance in the center, and so is her sisters Sara and Vanessa who both have partners as well.
He then gazed back at Melinda. Boy, she is just over the top today. As he gave her a stare, there came two things in his mind: 1) how could I not ask her out? and 2) she is worth it.
Even though Marcus knows Melinda is someone he cannot date in a regular basis, he still wants her. He wants to get to know her, he wants to laugh with her. There is a part of him saying he could be the one.. but he is scared.
When the music hits the chorus, he decided to ask her do dance. Although the circumstances of messing things up are excruciatingly high, he thought it would hurt so much to ask her to dance.
"Dance with me?", he asked her.
"Sure.", Melinda answered without any hesitation.
The night was perfect. Every important person in Marcus' life was there, enjoying the night. Yes, he longs for his mother, yes, they were all lonely and still grieving at the moment.. and yes, he knows deep down their lives will not be the same without her, but somehow, in this crazy, cruel world, he found the people around him more beautiful.. and he said to himself "This is enough."
Aidan danced with Venice in the center. Marcus was able to bring a lot of women to the party and he was just so exhausted meeting a bunch of women as if today was his 21st birthday.
He just needs to get things slower. He knows his children can see his longingness, but still, he couldn't stop it. If he can resist everything, he should have done it the first year his wife died.
Marcus was able to gather beautiful women for this party. He met Jessica, Katy, Cassandra, Leonora, Jane, Pamela, Imogen, and what was the name of the other woman? Oh, right.. Stephanie. All of them are above 40 years old, which the age he prefers.
Aidan knows that there are many women today who might be interested in him, but he figured some of them are just after his money. This is the reason why he told his son he would only date women in the appropriate age.
Women in their 40s are just ready to settle. They have already passed the stage where they want material things, and Aidan believes 40 something women wants to be happy and are looking for a great man to love their whole life.
Although there are many fish in the sea, Aidan couldn't find himself one. It is because he is still merely in love with Amelie. Perhaps Amelie is the best woman for him.
Despite the awkward dates he has gone through, he chose Venice to dance with him in the center of the party room. He just thought Venice is similar to Amelie, not by their looks, sense of style or anything, but by the way they think.
Aidan danced with Venice whole heartedly. It appears that Venice is an artist who owns her own gallery at the Upper East Side. She is very artist and she speaks so much with passion. Aidan didn't really fall in love with her, but he felt the among the women he met tonight, she was the one being different. She is just outstanding.
"So, why'd you ask me to dance with you? There were a lot of women eyeing on you in there..", Venice told him while they are dancing.
"I hate it when women act possessive and aggressive over me.", Aidan chuckled. Venice thought he's just someone with very classic taste.
"I understand. You are a man with class.", she smiled.
"How come you never told me about your family? A lot of women in there are like, telling their favorite color, movie, etc, etc, how come you guys never told me about your families? I'm interested. I'm a family man.", Aidan grinned at her like he's very interested and all.
"Okay, alright. I don't have any family of my own. I'm never married, never divorced, never separated. Just someone who has a broken heart. How about that?", she told him.
"Broken hearted? Why? Some dumb asshole broke your heart?", he frowned and Venice just laughed.
"Well what are you gonna do? Men are just self centered, egoistic, human beings.", she made a joke and Aidan just gave her a smirk, "Not all, though.", she added.
"Honestly, I'm not offended.", they laughed, "Men and women today just look for different things. They also happen to grow apart.", he added.
"Why are you still single? You look really handsome, and you're successful and powerful. I'm sure a lot of women are dying to have you."
"I'm just not ready yet.", Aidan answered, "Would you like to grab a drink?", he asked and Venice just nodded.
When they went to their private table, they hurriedly made a signal to the waiter for a drink for two. They sat there to have a little conversation, but eventually, Venice had to go to the comfort room. Because of this, Aidan was left alone in the table.
Kevin saw him sitting there by himself. Aidan was drinking his scotch when Kevin reached the table. Kevin wanted to greet his friend for he has been a loyal one to him since then.
"There's the birthday guy!!", Kevin yelled with such an excited tone.
"Kevin!! You're here! Oh, goodness gracious. Why haven't you called me? I've been dying to spend time with all of you. Where are they?", he greeted him. He has been friends with him for three decades now.
"Oh, just there fooling around with their plus ones. Hey, I tell you what! I have a great, great gift for you!!", Kevin teased him.
"Really? What? You brought me a stripper? Oh please, stop. Marcus just set me up on a date with a bunch of women, and I happen to like just one.", he made a joke.
"No, my man.. this is one awesome gift. You see, my wife and I are going on a vacation in Paris. How would you like to come with us? It will be fun and adventurous. Bring your children with you. I'm sure Marcus, Sarah and Vanessa would love it! I'll have the jet ready for all of us!", he laughed.
"Paris? We're going to Paris?!!", Vanessa joined the conversation. With her is Sarah as well going to their table.
"Dad, we're going to Paris?", Sarah asked again.
"Oh, there you are! I was just asking your father to go with me on Paris with all of you! How would you like that?", Kevin asked the girls.
"Uncle Kevin, that is so awesome!!", Sarah replied with such an intense tone. She couldn't believe she's going in Paris. They haven't been out the country for too long.
"Okay, okay.. calm down, all of you. We have so many things going on for this month. It will definitely be a hectic month, to be honest. I don't think we can all go to Paris just like that.", Aidan told Kevin and the girl just frowned at him.
"Aidan, you still haven't changed! Lighten up! We need to have fun! I say you go with us!", Kevin insisted.
"Dad, please..", Sarah even insisted more.
Aidan has been busy for the past few months. However, he knows it wouldn't really cost him that much to have a three week vacation with Kevin in Paris. Besides, the twins wanted to get away from the city for a while. So even if he thinks he don't want to go to Paris.. he said..
"Okay, fine!!"
And the girls cheered up wanting to find Marcus to give the big news. Just when the party has almost ended, there goes their Uncle Kevin extending another beautiful event for them to endure.
Aidan found himself thinking about Amelie once again. They just arrived to Paris and he was stunned to see the city. It was very beautiful; no wonder it is called the most romantic city in the world.
At first, Marcus didn't want to come in Paris because of his job. Aidan just announced that he will be transitioning to Vice President and Marcus didn't want to start his first w
eeks as the new Vice President relaxing in Paris.
However, despite his protest, Marcus didn't have so much of a choice because of his sisters. Sarah and Vanessa really wanted for this vacation to happen, and so he was forced to come with them in Paris.
Sarah has hectic schedule as well. But unlike Marcus, she can ask her professors to excuse her for some time and that's exactly what she did. Now, for Vanessa, she just got a new project because of her proposal. She knew it would be awful to miss the vacation so she talked to her people and asked them to move the project a little later than the planned schedule. Fortunately for her, their team agreed and gave her enough time to unwind in Paris.
Even though Aidan's children had a tough time making this vacation happen, they still ended up going with him in Paris. He felt loved and supported because of this. Aidan realized he has been rewarded with such amazing son and daughters.
Before they hopped on the plane, Aidan and Marcus dropped a very big news for the twins. Aidan told the girls that when they graduate, they will be supported by him. As a matter of fact, he has been planning to make a firm for the girls so they can have their own company.
Sarah is taking up Interior Design while Vanessa is taking up Architecture. Aidan thinks that by being together, they will be able to make a good and stable company. Marcus already knows this and now doing his best to make everything happen.
Sarah and Vanessa were beyond thrilled, flattered and amazed after hearing the news. At first, they could believe that their father has been planning this for them for quite some time now. They also felt very pressured but their brother Marcus told the two of them that he will be there for them every step of the way.
The twins are both 3rd year college at Columbia University right now. They have been doing great in their academics, but they are not as good as their older brother Marcus.
Marcus graduated in Harvard. He took the course Business Management because of his intensions of helping his father to run their business. This is the reason why the twins valued Marcus help. They both know everything will be okay because of Marcus. He just never fails. He worked really hard to get where he is now and Sarah and Vanessa are just thankful to have him as their brother.
Mystery :Hidden - Hidden From The Past: (Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Suspense Crime Thriller) (ADDITIONAL BOOK INCLUDED ) (Suspense Thriller Mystery dark, murder) Page 4