Olivia felt an electric buzz of anticipation humming right under her skin. She’d been waiting for him to get home from his downtown office all day, a day spent meticulously preparing for this very moment. It was her boyfriend Nick’s birthday. All afternoon, in their quiet suburban Chicago home, she had been cutting out delicate flowers and playful arrows from colorful cardstock, writing tiny, clever notes, and painting a huge banner that declared in swirling letters, “Happy Birthday, My Love!”

Her plan was a killer. A scavenger hunt of affection. The moment Nick walked through the door, he’d see the colorful arrows on the polished hardwood floor of the foyer. The trail would lead him through the house, room by room, eventually ending at a small cabinet in the den. Inside, he’d find the first note, hinting at the next location.

And so it would go, a chain of loving clues. Nick would find notes tucked into kitchen cabinets, inside books on the shelves, even hidden in the microwave and the oven. The final clue would lead him to their master bedroom, where the entire floor was carpeted with the paper flower petals she had spent hours crafting.

The banner, “Happy Birthday, My Love!” was strung across the wall, and on the bed, a beautifully wrapped gift sat waiting. Olivia, wearing a new sundress that made her feel special, hid behind the heavy blackout curtain. She wanted to watch from her hiding spot as Nick unwrapped his present, to see the look of pure delight spread across his usually serious face.

After that, she’d step out, give him a deep kiss, and take his hand. She’d lead him out to the backyard deck, where a small table was set for a romantic dinner for two, illuminated by twinkling fairy lights. She imagined how surprised and happy Nick would be. No one had ever done anything like this for him before. He was always so focused, constantly buried in his work at the firm. This burst of romance would be a complete, wonderful shock.

He definitely wasn’t expecting it. She drifted into thought. They hadn’t known each other for very long; friends had set them up at a party just a few months back.

She and Nick were polar opposites, but maybe that’s what created the spark. Everything had moved at lightning speed. Two months after they met, Nick asked her to move in with him. They really were completely different.

Her friends affectionately called her a «human sparkler.» She could turn any small, insignificant event into a true celebration. She always created a unique atmosphere, carefully planning every detail—the decor, the table settings, the color coordination of their outfits, all sorts of unexpected little touches. And she made it all look so effortless, as if it were all just a joyful game.

Olivia found joy in every little thing, with the wide-eyed wonder of a child. Nick, on the other hand, was the definition of serious. Always composed, he almost never showed emotion, as if he were completely devoid of a romantic bone in his body. He’d always just offer a faint, slightly patronizing smile whenever Olivia showed him a new piece of decor she’d found, or when she told him about a fun party she and her friends had thrown for someone.

That condescending little smile, and not a single word. Olivia could never tell if he actually liked any of it. Her mother, however, was absolutely thrilled with Nick.

  • You are so lucky to have him! — she’d say over the phone. — Such a serious, reliable, successful man! That’s security, honey. Hold on to him! Leave all that childish stuff behind and please, don’t screw this up!

And now, finally, the day had come when Olivia could create a celebration just for her beloved Nick.

The low rumble of a car engine pulling into the driveway snapped her out of her thoughts, followed by the familiar beep of the garage door opening. Nick was home. A moment later, Olivia heard the crunch of his dress shoes on the gravel path leading to the front door…

Nick had parked his car and was walking toward the house. She held her breath behind the curtain, her heart thumping. She imagined Nick’s look of surprise, pictured him walking from room to room, a slow smile growing on his face as he found each new note, and finally, appearing in the bedroom doorway.