The Secret Admirer.

"This just has to stop, it's making me feel uncomfortable already. Who on earth is sending these gifts?" Lydia stuttered upon stumbling on a package at her door.

"Take it easy, dear. It's just a package, and you can't even tell what's in there," Joe replied, reaching for the small box wrapped in a brown paper bag.

"You won't understand, honey. The wrapper is very familiar, and there are some things happening that I didn't tell you about," Lydia replied, unlocking the door.

She continued immediately after they settled inside, "For some months now, I have been getting gifts at work from a secret admirer, and every effort to know who it is has been futile. I can't even tell how the person located my house, isn't that stalking?"

"A secret admirer? Like a lover or what?" Joe asked.

"No, why would you think like that? The main reason why I couldn't bring myself to tell you is what you just assumed now," Lydia's voice trembled.

"I am sorry if I sounded bad, but it's been happening for months, and you never mentioned it," Joe replied.

"It's not what you think, I hid this just to prevent you from developing any insecurities around me."

Tears had welled up in Lydia's eyes, and Joe knew she was getting emotional, so he immediately went to join her on the couch.

"Baby, I am not accusing you of cheating. I just felt you should have told me about the gifts," Joe replied.

"I am sorry, honey. You know I won't do anything to hurt you," she replied, wiping her tears.

"It's okay, dear. Don't make me cry too," Joe replied.

He drew Lydia closer and gave her a tight hug, but she only got more emotional, and they were stuck on the couch for some minutes.

_Source

"Let's unbox the gift, or what do you think? We should at least know what's inside," Joe suggested after some time.

"Are you sure about that? We can just dispose of it," Lydia replied.

"No, that's not good. Let's check," Joe insisted, and they unwrapped the package.

Wow! Joe exclaimed upon seeing the gift.

"This must be worth a fortune," he stuttered, stretching a piece of diamond necklace to Lydia.

"I do not care what it's made of, it's nothing to me. I am content with whatever I have and what you give me," Lydia replied.

"Come on sweetheart, I don't know where this came from, but you should at least appreciate it," Joe replied.

"Honestly, I don't want that. You can trade it for cash and use it to foot your mom's hospital bill," Lydia replied.

Joe was shocked, he couldn't respond to Lydia and just kept staring at her.

_{An hour later.}

"I forgot to mention earlier that Michael, my friend, invited us to an event later tonight. We can just go there and have fun," Joe said to Lydia.

"He should have told you earlier," she replied.

"I said the same thing, but he apologized, claiming it's a surprise party and he just didn't want anyone to know about it," Joe replied, and Lydia agreed to go with him after some persuasion.

---

Around 6 pm, the lovers started preparing. It was a long process, especially for Lydia, who kept trying different dresses.

"This is perfect, dear. You look beautiful," Joe tried persuading Lydia to settle for a red gown.

"Are you sure? Doesn't the black look better?" Lydia asked.

"But you said it's not perfect for a night party," Joe replied.

"I was just saying that the black gown could be better," Lydia stuttered, and Joe burst into laughter.

"Baby, it is not about the dress. You look beautiful in any dress, so don't stress yourself too much picking one. The red gown is perfect," Joe replied, kissing Lydia on the forehead.

"I think the necklace your secret admirer sent would be perfect for the event," Joe added.

"No, don't even bring that up. I told you what to do with it already," she replied and left the bedroom with her makeup box.

"I agree to trade it for cash but use it just for today. Please baby," Joe pleaded, and he successfully convinced her to use the necklace.

_Source

After wearing her makeup, Joe gently assisted Lydia with the necklace, and she couldn't stop blushing.

"It's beautiful," she stuttered.

"I told you," Joe replied, hugging Lydia from behind. They enjoyed the moment, whispering sweet words until it was time to leave for the event.

---

Upon arriving at the venue, Lydia was speechless. The hall was filled with familiar faces, the decorations screamed luxury, and she couldn't figure out why everyone was staring at her.

"Everyone is staring at me," Lydia whispered to Joe, who was holding her hand.

"Probably the necklace, you are looking like an angel. I knew all eyes would be on you," Joe muttered.

They went around greeting their friends, and the event kicked off shortly after.

"Now we will invite Lydia and Joe to dance for a few minutes," the MC announced some minutes later and Lydia was confused.

"Did he just call us? Why? I am shy," she told Joe immediately.

"I don't know why, but let's just do it. We can't ruin the fun," Joe replied, and they took the stage.

The music was soft, and it sparked emotions in the hall. Joe held Lydia's hand, and they moved their bodies romantically around the stage.

The crowd started cheering, and Joe suddenly burst into tears, hugging Lydia passionately.

"Come on, baby, everyone is watching. Don't embarrass us," Lydia tried to comfort him.

Joe finally unwrapped his hands around her and went on his knee.

"I am sorry everything had to happen this way. Everything happening here is for you, and I hope you find a place in your heart to forgive me," Joe stuttered.

"For me? I don't understand, plus you didn't offend me," she replied.

"I did, baby. I am not the Joe you know, and this is just a character I put up to find true love." He paused as Lydia moved back a bit away from him.

Joe continued, "I was never broke, and I lied to be homeless just to see if you would still love me the same. All the secret gifts were sent by me, and I am sorry about my reaction this morning. I was tired of pretending and just wanted to spend the rest of my life with you knowing the truth about me."

"This can't be true, so everything was you? I can't believe you doubted my love," Lydia replied and broke into tears.

"No, I never doubted you. I just couldn't stop the act halfway," Joe replied, wiping his tears.

"That's fine," she replied and ran out of the hall immediately.

Joe followed her, and everyone in the hall did the same. He finally caught up with Lydia at the park and knelt before her again.

People gathered around them and started cheering Lydia to forgive Joe.

She was adamant for a while but later forgave him. Lydia said yes to his proposal, and their friends went screaming with excitement. Joe felt like the happiest man alive, and he just couldn't stop blushing with his hands wrapped around Lydia.

They returned to the hall and continued with the celebration. Lydia got to know how wealthy Joe was, and she still didn't believe for days.

Their love blossomed more, and they sealed their union months after.

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