34 Surprise!

[Music Recommendation: "Scenery" by Kim Taehyung (BTS V)-available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

"Wake up, Senara."

Someone tugged me, waking me up from my sleep. What time was it? I'm sure I just fell asleep a few hours ago.

"Happy birthday, my dear daughter."

It was dad. I opened my eyes, even if it was hard from all the puffiness. I gave him a sweet smile despite my half open eyes.

"Thanks, dad."

I quickly glanced at the clock on my bedside table and it said four o'clock in the morning, Friday. Wow! That was so early. I wondered why dad woke me up earlier than usual. I rubbed my eyes and forced them to open to look at dad. Good thing he turned the lights on, it helped my senses to wake up.

"Happy birthday, sis!" A sudden cute voice surprised me! It was my younger brother! He, too, was awake so early in the morning, greeting me. He had always been the quiet type, barely speaking when you talk to him, but now, he's greeting me. That must have taken a lot of effort considering how shy he was, even for a family member. And it seemed that his voice still hasn't changed. That was nice. I'd miss his cute boyish voice when he grows up.

"Awww, even my cute little brother woke up early to greet me?" I asked him as I rummaged his hair. "Hm? Oh, why are you both dressed up?" I was expecting them to still be in their pajamas. "What's going on?"

"Get up quickly and prepare. We're going on a trip!" Dad enthusiastically said. "And don't worry about school. I already informed your class adviser."

"Woah! Really? We're going on a trip?" All my sleepiness went away. I was so excited. A trip! I haven't been on a trip for so many years—if I include my past life! "Where? Where are we going?"

"It's a secret," Dad winked.

"Unfair! How will I know what to wear and bring if you don't tell me where we're going? What if it's a beach and I don't have swimming wear? Come on! Tell me, please."

"Mom already packed your things. So no need to worry."

I paused with my mouth open for a few seconds before responding.

"... Oh. I see," my tone suddenly became awkward. Right. I hadn't fully made up with mom yet. We were still in a silent war. But she prepared my things… So I guess it's a ceasefire?

Dad let out a sigh and patted my shoulders. "Don't think too much of it yet and just enjoy today, okay?"

"Yes, I will. Thanks, dad," I smiled at him.

"Oh! By the way," Dad added, while he carefully lifted a big rectangular box from behind where he sat on my bed. It was covered in a cute and shiny blue gift wrap, with a golden ribbon delicately tied around it.

My eyes widened in surprise and skepticism. It was the first time dad's giving me a present covered in a gift wrap. Normally he just gave it to me with no extra wrappings for me to tear up and open. He always found it a waste of good paper so he never wrapped his gifts.

"You're wrapping presents now?" I snorted. "Is this real?"

"Actually… this one is not from me. As you can see, it's wrapped," Dad chuckled as he explained. "My gift for you is also a surprise. You'll get it later.

"Oh! That's why… Is it from Hora? Or Ken? Or the others?" I asked as I took the box from him and began to open it. I carefully removed the wrappings because I didn't want to tear up such a gorgeous wrapper. In fact, I could recycle it and use it as one of my notebook's covers. It's so pretty with its glossiness and when you tilt it, it changes color—like a gradient blue, red, and purple.

"I'm not sure who it's from. The maids said it arrived around midnight which was weird. I didn't know they still delivered at midnight," Dad shrugged. Even I thought the same. "It's addressed to you."

When I finally removed the gift wrap, my already widened eyes… widened even more. I probably left my mouth open for a few seconds too before I shouted in astonishment.

"Oh my goodness! It's a Red Dragon Pro laptop!"

"Woah!" my younger brother and dad were surprised, too.

"Red Dragon" was and had always been the best selling brand when it came to technology—be it computers, laptops, mobile phones, television, and so much more! Even in my past life, they continued to grow and be on top. They were owned by "Red Dragon Holdings", a multinational technology conglomerate holding company. Actually, not just technology. From the most popular games like Armageddon—yes, they created Armageddon—to top selling applications, softwares and hardwares alike, to restaurants, hotels, even cars! They owned lots of things that maybe even my puny mind wouldn't be able to memorize everything. An article I read in my past life even described them as "The Sleeping Giant" of the business world. They're the "ocean" of all the businesses in the eastern continent, while all the others were just the creatures of the ocean. If they decided to influence any form of business, they could easily do so. Only, they don't bully, according to that journalist, that's why he called them a Sleeping Giant. But if they're awakened, then whoever crosses their path would be doomed!

"Did you perhaps, order that online?" Dad asked.

"No, I didn't," I answered, barely giving dad attention. My eyes were fixed on the laptop I received for some reason.

I opened the box after and it revealed a gorgeous frost white laptop with a very sleek and slim design. It was so beautiful and it's still 2009! Imagine how much their technology would improve in the future? It was very sturdy, too, as I felt it on my hands. There was the emblem of a dragon curled up into a circle, as if sleeping, embossed at the lid—it was the logo of Red Dragon Holdings.

After marvelling over the amazing laptop, I opened its lid to reveal more of its body which was also frost white, and even the keyboard was white. Aside from blue, white was my favorite color. I grew more curious as to who sent it. That was when I noticed a small card, lightly taped on the laptop screen. I took it and opened the card.

"Thought you'd need it in your writing career.

Happy 16th birthday, Senara.

- Kai."

Awwwww… I had no words. I'm too overwhelmed. And before I knew it, I was crying while hugging the laptop he gave me. I loved the laptop… but more than that, I was so touched by his support. Even when looking for a gift for me, he carefully thought of what I loved doing… writing. So much support and kindness… I really hoped I could repay him someday.