Chapter 410 Happy Birthday
Charles was just standing there at the police station entrance, not budging an inch.
Mark and Brian were hanging around nearby. After about ten minutes, Brian couldn't take it anymore and blurted out, "You planning to stand here all day or what?"
Charles kept his mouth shut. He'd done his part; the rest wasn't his problem.
"Book us a flight for the morning after tomorrow, back to Ivrea City," Charles finally said, his voice all complicated as he looked away.
"Three tickets?" Mark asked.
Charles just nodded and started walking towards the car.
Brian rushed over and blocked him. Standing in front of the car door, he asked, "You want me to go back to Ivrea City with you?"
"Got a problem with that?" Charles asked, deadpan.
"What do you think?" Brian shot back.
Brian's home wasn't in Gedser; it was abroad. But Richard was here. If he went to Ivrea City and didn't come back for three years, what was the point of leaving the family in the first place?
Most importantly, in three years, Richard might have completely forgotten about him, which was absolutely unacceptable.
"I got important stuff to do in Gedser," Brian tried to reason with Charles. "I can't just stay in Ivrea City with you forever."
"We'll talk about it when we get back," Charles said, not budging.
"Charles," Brian called out.
But Charles ignored him, shoved him aside, and got into the car.
Brian, a bit ticked off, reluctantly got in too.
The whole ride, Brian was yapping in Charles's ear. Normally, Charles would've kicked him out by now, but today he just let Brian ramble on.
Brian didn't get a peep out of Charles the whole way and started feeling something was off.
Brian nudged Charles with his elbow and asked, "What's eating you?"
"Nothing," Charles replied.
"If it's nothing, I'll eat my hat." Brian saw right through him and added, "It's probably about Daphne, right?"
Charles's eyes, cold and distant, flicked over to him.
Brian forced himself to shut up. Better not push it. If he kept talking, Charles might stretch the three years to five.
That night, Charles told Brian to go pack, leaving just Mark and himself in the house.
Seeing Charles sitting on the study balcony for ages, Mark walked over and asked, "Mr. Lancelot, need me to send a gift to Ms. Murphy tomorrow?"
"No need," Charles shot down the idea.
Daphne already had a boyfriend. Sending a gift would just cause drama. Plus, she wouldn't want it.
She'd said a good ex should be like they were dead. Since he was her ex-husband, the least he could do was not bother her.
Mark stood at the door, hesitated for a bit, then left Charles alone.
If Mark was right, Charles had him book the flight for the day after tomorrow so he could be under the same sky in Gedser as Daphne on her birthday tomorrow.
That night, Charles stayed in the study until late.
Benjamin had set up a fancy Valentine's Day dinner for two.
With piano and violin performances and flowers, it was the most formal Valentine's Day Daphne had ever had.
She never really cared about these holidays, including her birthday, thinking it didn't matter whether they were celebrated or not.
But now she got it: it wasn't about the holiday itself but the vibe. As long as they were into each other, any day could feel like a holiday.
At exactly ten that night, after their date, Benjamin took Daphne to where her birthday gift was. Knowing she usually hit the sack on time, Benjamin let her catch some Z's in the car.
Daphne glanced at Benjamin, who looked all serious, and asked, "Benjamin, where are we headed?"
"You'll see when we get there," Benjamin said.
"Can't you spill the beans?" Daphne asked, curious.
"It's a secret," Benjamin replied.
Hearing this, Daphne paused for a moment, her gaze shifting back and forth on him as her mind started to wander.
Benjamin had changed into something more formal after work today. Could it be...
Daphne made a wild guess and asked, "Are you gonna propose?"
Benjamin hadn't expected her to guess that. In a low, casual voice, he said, "Are you saying I should?"
Daphne was stunned. Not a proposal?
"Don't worry, Ms. Murphy. I'll start planning the proposal tomorrow and make sure it's perfect," Benjamin added.
Daphne explained, "That's not what I meant."
"I get it," Benjamin said, all meaningful.
"No, you don't," Daphne shot back.
"Okay, I don't," Benjamin said, grinning.
Daphne fell silent. She wanted to explain again but realized it might be pointless. Benjamin was clearly planning to propose.
She should hurry up and make a proposal plan with Emma and the others so she could propose before he did.
While both had their own thoughts, Benjamin had already driven to the top of the mountain. Seeing it was only 11:50 PM, he locked the car and didn't plan to get out.
Daphne, puzzled, said, "Benjamin?"
"Rest for a bit," Benjamin said calmly.
He added, "Driving for so long is kinda tiring."
Daphne was even more confused. Why couldn't she get what Benjamin was saying?
Benjamin glanced outside, hesitated for a moment, then unlocked the car and got out with Daphne. As he led her forward, he covered her eyes with his hands.
They walked slowly. When they reached a beautiful building, Benjamin turned her around so she was facing away from it.
Seeing it was just a minute before February 15th, he released her eyes and said, "Okay."
Daphne's vision cleared, and she saw the situation.
They were on a high mountaintop, with railings built around the edge, surrounded by darkness.
"Why are we here?" Daphne asked, puzzled.
Suddenly, Benjamin began to count down, "Five."
"Four."
Counting? Daphne looked around but didn't see anything unusual.
Just as she was about to ask again, Benjamin put his arm around her shoulders, looked straight ahead, and counted the remaining numbers, "Three."
"Two."
"One."
As he finished, a series of sounds suddenly erupted.
The sky was instantly filled with brilliant fireworks, colorful and blooming one after another, incredibly beautiful.
Daphne, still a bit dazed, asked, "Benjamin, what's this?"
"Happy birthday," Benjamin said gently and lovingly, "Daphne."
Birthday? Daphne paused, her mind quickly running through the dates. She took out her phone and saw that it was already 12:00 AM on February 15th.
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