Chapter 88_ Surprise!!

“How is your devious plan to bring Evelyn and Marco back together working?” Arya asked, and Kane sighed.

“Not very well. Evelyn would like to get back with him, but she wants him to make the first move. I don't know. If you noticed, Marco is the only human on the planet who's more stubborn than me.” Kane said, and Arya shook her head as a cunning smile appeared on her lips.

“My poor king, you should have come to me sooner. I'm sure that together we’ll think of something to outstubborn him. But for now, I just can't wait to say happy birthday to Alex.” Arya said, and after some time, she drove to the hotel’s parking lot and headed straight to the room as she got on the computer and called Alex on a video call.

“Hey, where have you been?" Alex asked, immediately he picked up the call.

“I’m so sorry that I didn't call you sooner, but I was in the hospital.”

"What? The hospital? What happened? Are you fine?" Alex exclaimed, with concern evident in his tone.

“Nothing major. I was just a little stressed out and fainted.” Arya said,

"A little stressed out? People don't faint when they're just a little stressed out. You’ve been working too much.” Alex said, and Kane nodded.

"I confirmed.”

"Well, maybe. But I will be more careful in the future.” Arya said,

"And you are one hundred percent sure you feel fine, right?” Alex asked, and when Arya nodded at him. He continued, "I’m happy to see you two in the same room again, by the way. Is everything cool, or you’re just avoiding killing each other because of my birthday?”

Arya let out a small laugh. “Don't worry, everything's cool.”

"Yeah, I was the usual bonehead, but slightly more than usual." Kane chimed in.

“And I was a bit stressed out. Everything’s resolved.” Arya said, and Alex nodded as he clapped his hands excitedly.

“It was about time. Can we get this party started now?”

"So, you are turning 15 today, which is terrifying because it means that you're just one year away from getting a driving license.” Arya said,

"Oh, come on. I’ll drive safely; Kane will teach me.” Alex said, and looked at Kane through the screen.

"You got it, pal.” Kane assured him, and Alex grinned.

“Time goes fast." Arya said,

“What do you mean?" Alex asked with a furrowed brow.

“I mean that, before I even know it, you’ll become an amazing, grown man with his engineering degree, maybe even on the way to his wedding, and I can't wait to see you in all your glory. But I already know that I will miss like hell my cranky little brother smuggling computer hardware from the public library to play some video games.” Arya explained, as the past hit her with the bittersweet joy of its visceral memories, making her happy and sad at the same time.

On the other side of the screen, Alex teared up, moved by her words as he said, “I can keep stealing from the public library, if that can make you feel better.” They looked at each other for a split second before bursting into laughter.

“Pftttt. Hahaha!”

“Oh God, I don't know what I would give to hug you right now.” Arya said, her eyes shining with love for her little brother.

“Me too." Alex said,

“I don't know what I would do to be there with you.” Arya continued, her voice filled with longing.

"I know, me too.” Alex said,

"Alright, enough with this loop. You two are turning a joyful birthday into the most depressing event of the season.” Kane said, butting in.

“Well, we miss each other; what can we —-”

"Goodbye, Alex! Happy birthday!" Kane said, cutting Arya off as he pulled the plug, turning the computer off.

“What the hell? I still need to talk to him." Arya said, glaring daggers at Kane.

"Calm down, Tigress. I have a surprise for you.” Kane said, and Arya's eyes lit up at his words.

“Do... . Do you have a private jet to go see Alex? Arya asked, her voice filled with hope.

“That would have been incredibly awesome, but I'm afraid my surprise has nothing to do with that.” Kane said, and Arya's eyes dimmed.

"Oh. Can you at least give me a clue?” She asked,

“All I can say is that it's a special occasion, so it would be wise to dress up nicely. We’ll leave in thirty minutes.” Kane said, and Arya nodded as she went to the bathroom to shower and dressed up for whatever surprise Kane had in store for her.

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Some minutes later, Arya came out of the hotel and met up with Kane at the parking lot as she twirled for him and said, “How do I look?” Arya was wearing a Victorian-fitted pink knee-length flared gown with long, sheer lace sleeves and ruffled cuffs that cascaded gracefully on her hands. She had simple makeup on, let her hair fall down over her shoulders, and completed the look with black suede and a reticle handbag.

“My gorgeous Tigress! Let's go.” Kane said, moving to open the car door for her as he kissed her lightly on the lips and made her enter the car. He closed the door, went around the car to enter the driver's seat, and drove off, leaving the hotel in the wake of his tires.

Kane made Arya wear a blindfold over her face as he drove her to the 'surprise’ and when they finally arrived, Arya took the blindfold off and was surprised to find herself at a very big karting center in Italy.

“More racing stuff? Honestly, I was hoping for something different.” Arya said, a sigh escaping her lips.

"Don't be so impatient. At least wait for the actual surprise.” Kane said, and as they entered inside, they came across someone they weren't expecting to see.

“Isn't that Al-Hakim? Is this your surprise?” Arya asked with a scowl.

Kane shook his head and said, “Nope."

While Arya was trying to hide her surprise at seeing Al-Hakim there, he came forward to greet them.
“Arya, what a pleasure to see you. What brings you here? You look like you own the place.” Al-Hakim said,

Kane nodded. “Mr. Al-Hakim, I couldn't agree more. She should own the world.”

Arya giggled and said, "Mr. Al-Hakim, what a pleasure to meet you here. You can't stay away from racing, huh?”

“You are perfectly right. My younger son is a huge fan of go-karting, so when I miss him, I go to watch a go-kart race. And what brings you here?” Al-Hakim said,

“Well, we are here to support our drivers.” Kane said, and Arya turned to him with a raised brow.

"Wha —--"

Before Arya could complete her words, she was stunned when she heard two familiar voices behind her. “Surprise!!" Alex and Selma said simultaneously as they ran out of their hideout and rushed towards her.