THE WORST SURPRISE

Noise was one of the things Alarick Blythe hated the most, especially the kind of noise produced by people on the busy streets as they went about their business. Car horns, parents yelling at their children to stay off the road, vendors yelling to attract customers to buy their wares, and more, it was all so debilitating, but he would have to go through it all to get to his destination. With a bouquet of roses in his left hand and an expensive box of one of the finest chocolates in the city, he meandered through the crowd and waved a taxi down.

The driver spoke before Alarick even got seated. 

“Where are you headed, sir?” He asked.

“The Grand Bayou Hotel and Suites on Madeline street.”

The driver smiled at him and eyed the gifts he held in his hand.

“Going to meet a special lady, eh? I bet the madam won’t like you prancing around with girls half your age”

Alarick was irked by the man’s words. The driver didn’t know anything about him, yet he just assumed that Alarick was going to a hotel to cheat on his wife when in reality, he was going there to surprise his wife.

“You’re not paid to stick your nose in other people’s business, you’re paid to drive so do so or I’ll get down and find someone else who actually knows how to do their job.”

The driver was shocked by Alarick’s curt response.

“You rich people think you can talk to people anyhow just because you have money to throw around.” The driver mumbled as he started the car.

Alarick almost laughed. Of course the driver assumed he was rich, the Grand Bayou Hotel was one of the most expensive hotels in the country and only rich people ever went there. If only he knew that Alarick was officially penniless after spending all his savings to plan this surprise for his wife. He was married to Brianna Blythe, the only daughter of the Blythe family. They were one of the richest families in the city. He met her when he had started working as an assistant in their company, he fell in love with her and they got married soon after. But even though he was married into such a rich family, he didn’t have access to their wealth, he still had to work as an assistant to make his own money. He had never been able to give his wife the lavish lifestyle she was used to, but he would do so today for their anniversary.

Thankfully, there wasn’t traffic so they arrived at the hotel soon after. On a normal day, he would never be able to afford a room here but today, he went all out for Brianna.

“Hi, can I get the card for room 302 please?” Alarick said politely as he approached the front desk.

Brianna always got a room here anytime she was too tired to come back to the mansion. The company was just five minutes from here while the mansion was about forty minutes away if there was no traffic delay.

The receptionist eyed him with disdain and Alarick frowned even though he was used to this. He had worn his best suit but he knew that it probably looked like rags to the woman who was used to seeing men that wore thousand dollar suits.

“I’m sorry, but we’re not hiring at the moment.” The receptionist said to him.

She assumed he was here to apply for a job, how degrading.

“I’m not here for a vacancy, I paid for a special surprise package for my wife, her room is 302. I need the access card so I can go see her, then the surprise can be delivered.” I said to her and she eyed me suspiciously.

She checked her computer and scoffed.

“Room 302 is Miss Blythe’s room, how can you be her husband?” She asked as she eyed him with an irritated look.

He didn’t have time for this, if he was delayed too much, Brianna may fall asleep before he gets to her room and he wouldn’t disturb her sleep just for an anniversary surprise. She was always so busy and hardly got time to rest, so he let her rest whenever she could. He called out his order code and the receptionist’s eyes widened as she confirmed the order.

“I apologise, Mr Blythe. Please forgive me. Your order is ready. I didn’t know it was you…”

“Just get everything ready. When it’s gotten to ten minutes after I leave here, deliver it to the room. Give me the access card.”

 She immediately handed him the card and he walked to the elevator.

He fixed his brown hair properly in the reflective surface of the elevator and smiled when he was satisfied with his appearance. He got off the elevator on the right floor and swiped the card to open the door while being careful to avoid dropping his gifts. The first thing he heard was a loud moan and he recognised his wife’s voice. He rushed to the bedroom thinking she was in pain and was shocked to the marrow to see a man on top of his wife thrusting into her with so much vigour.

The flower and chocolate dropped from his hands and the sound of them hitting the floor alerted the two people on the bed that they were no longer alone. They both scrambled to cover themselves up.

“Who the fuck are you?” The man yelled.

“Alarick, I can explain.” Brianna said.

“Alarick? This man is your husband?” The unknown man said as he stood with the sheets wrapped around his lower half.

The man scoffed and sized him up. 

“He looks even more pathetic than you described, Bri. How did you even end up with such a street rat? Why are you even here anyway?” The man asked but Alarick ignored him.

“It’s our anniversary. How could you do this to me? I came here to surprise you, why did you do this to me? I thought you loved me.” Alarick said with a look of devastation.

“You will answer me when I ask you a question.” The man fumed.

“Fuck off.” Alarick snapped.

Brianna gasped and every trace of remorse on her face morphed into anger.

“Don’t you dare speak to him that way. Do you know who he is? He is Lucian Pasteli, CEO of the Pasteli Corporation. His shoes are worth more than your entire life”

Alarick was shocked that his wife was defending this man. Anger swelled in him.

“Are you really taking his side after I just caught you cheating on me? After all we’ve been through together? You’re heartless, Brianna, and you…”

He paused when Lucian shoved him backward and said angrily.

“Do not speak to her like that or I will deal with you.”

At this point Alarick was at his wits end, he was so angry and he needed an outlet for all that rage. Who better to take it out on than the man who caused it in the first place? He punched Lucian and Lucian staggered backwards with a shocked expression.

“How dare you lay your filthy hands on me?” Lucian asked with a furious expression as he picked up his phone.

He made a call and almost immediately after, two of Lucian’s security guards rushed into the room.

“Teach him a lesson.” Lucian ordered and the men pounced on Alarick.

After being kicked and punched for a few minutes, it was Brianna that gave the order for the men to stop beating Alarick.

“You are so pathetic, Alarick. Did you really think I would be satisfied with being married to a nobody like you? What have you done for me and what can you do for me? You have nothing. The only reason I married you was to secure my inheritance because I couldn’t access it until I was legally married. You’re delusional if you think I really love you. Go home, Alarick. Don’t embarrass yourself anymore than you already have.”

Alarick stared at the woman he had called his wife for three years while bleeding from his split lip. His body ached from being assaulted less than a minute ago but it didn’t hurt as much as his heart did in that moment. As he was about to walk out of the room, the hotel staff arrived with his surprise. Lucian began to laugh.

“Is this your surprise?” Lucian mocked him.

“You can’t even afford something that befits the queen that Brianna is. Poor rat.”

“It’s so cheap.” Brianna sneered.

He had spent every penny he had, yet, it wasn’t enough to please her.

He walked out of the room to the sound of Lucian and Brianna’s mocking laughter.