It was Chelsy's twenty-fifth birthday, and Hank had invited her out on a date.
Chelsy had taken a helicopter ride to the famous Ringland Hotels and Suites, located in East London.
When Chelsy got there, there was a lady waiting to accompany her to where Hank was. ''Greetings Miss Powers. This way please.''
Chelsy followed the lady into a beautifully decorated and well-lit room. It had a candle-lit dinner setup for two. There was light music playing in the background, and the room was adorned with luxuriously designed furniture, with beautiful fresh tulips and rose flowers of different colors. This set up showed the grandeur and wealth of the place.
Sitting on one of the chairs, was Hank, in his well-tailored gray suit. He sat down, elegantly looking like Adonis, the Greek god of beauty and desire.
He was truly breathtaking. When Chelsy saw him, just like the first time they met, she was stunned and speechless.
Seeing Hank in this outfit, and his full face without a hoody on, Chelsy had a million thoughts going through her mind. Oh my God. This guy should definitely be a descendant of the Greek god Zeus.
Chelsy had never been one to swoon over anyone, based on their looks. But when it came to Hank, it seemed as if there was something way stronger than his physical looks that drew them closer.
It seemed as if he was the missing piece of the puzzle she had been searching for.
Hank stood from his seat, and walked up majestically towards Chelsy. Even his steps exuded elegance, poise and class. It seemed as if time stood still as he walked towards her. All Chelsy could see was the elegant man standing before her. Everything in the room seemed to have disappeared.
Hank took Chelsy's hand and gave a gentle peg on the back of her hand. ''Welcome Chelsy, and happy birthday. You look so beautiful.''
As he spoke, his lips curled upward, turning into a warm and genuine smile that reached his eyes. His bright smile brought out his beautiful dimples, which could enchant anyone present in the room.
Chelsy felt a gush of hot flashes running through her whole body, from the crown of her head, to the soles of her feet. She felt as though she was being tasered.
With a trembling and low voice, Chelsy said, ''Hello gancarnagh.'' Her voice sounded like a whisper. She could feel her throat becoming dry as if her mouth was void of saliva.
''Come sit down.'' Hank directed her to the other chair opposite his, by pulling it for her and asking her to sit down.
''Thank you.'' She spoke with her face depicting a little nervousness.
''Hope your journey here tonight wasn't so stressful.'' Hank asked while staring deep into Chelsy's eyes.
''Yes it was great. But you went too far with the helicopter ride and all. You didn't have to go through all that pain, you know?''
Hank gave a little chuckle and replied, ''My dear Chelsy, it is your silver birthday, and that was the least I could do to make it special. So don't thank me, okay? By the way, you only turn twenty-five once in your life. So it ought to be special.''
Chelsy felt quite intimidated sitting with him one on one. When they spoke over the phone, she felt very comfortable and could say whatever she needed to say. But right now, in front of him, it seemed as though her words had flown away and left her stranded in a desert.
Hank had said something, but Chelsy didn't pay attention to what he said. Hank cleared his throat and asked, ''Chelsy, did you hear what I just said?''
Chelsy had been lost in thought, and didn't hear what Hank had said. She jolted from her thoughts and stuttered, ''Ehm. I am sorry. But what did you say?''
Hank looked at her and asked, ''Is everything okay? You seem a little distant.''
Chelsy felt a little embarrassed, and gave an awkward smile. ''No, I am okay. I guess it is the adrenaline from the helicopter ride and all that.''
She took a deep breath and acted like her normal self, ''So tell me. When did you get back? And how did you know today is my birthday? In fact, when did you set all of this up?'' She pointed at the room set up and flowers.
Hank, who was relaxed in his seat and looking at Chelsy deep into her eyes, replied without taking his eyes off her. ''My little fairy, I came back this morning. I wanted to celebrate your birthday with you. And as for me knowing your birthday, I knew it the same day I found out who you were.''
Chelsy's eyes widened as if she had remembered something. ''Okay, I guess this is the point where you told me about yourself, and who you are. And lest I forget, you do have very loyal employees. They wouldn't budge whenever I asked them about you.'' When Hank heard this, he just smiled and said nothing.
The atmosphere had a comfortable feeling at that point. The nervousness on Chelsy's face had disappeared. Hank didn't answer Chelsy, but picked up a knife and gently tapped the corner of his wine glass.
In a few seconds, a waiter entered the room and bowed, ''Sir.''
Hank indicated with his hand for him to open the wine that was placed before them. The waiter opened, and poured into Chelsy's glass first, and then into Hank's glass.
It was a nineteen ninety-one domaine de la romanee, Conti grand cru. A very classy and expensive French wine.
Hank raised his glass, and said, ''Happy birthday little fairy.'' Chelsy raised her glass, and clinked his. She sipped the fine wine and nodded.
As much as Chelsy was not good when it came to alcohol, she could tell good wine when she tasted one.
The wine felt silky and smooth in her mouth. ''Hmmmmm, this is good.'' Chelsy spoke, as she gulped the wine down in one go.
''Slow down, okay? Unless you want to get drunk.'' When Chelsy heard this, she just smiled and said, ''You still haven't answered my questions.''
Hank twirled the wine glass in his hand, then took a sip and replied, ''My name is Henry but people call me Hank for short, and I work in the business world. I am not a drug lord nor a cartel leader as you thought.'' He winked and gave a little smile as he said that.
When Chelsy heard what Hank had said, she extended her hand across the table for a handshake. ''It is nice meeting you Henry or should I say Hank. Finally, I know your real name. No more gancarnagh and all that.''
They both gave a little chuckle.
Chelsy leaned forward, placed her elbows on the table, and interlaced her fingers. She placed her chin on her laced fingers and asked. ''So tell me Hank. How do you know my boss, Mister Daniel Rivers?'' Are you guys friends?''
Hank leaned back in his seat, and responded. ''Well, it is a yes and a no.''
Chelsy had a befuddled look on her face. ''What does that mean?'' She asked.
Hank went ahead to explain what he meant. ''Chelsy, he is my cousin, and at the same time my best friend.''
When Chelsy heard this, she was flabbergasted. Her eyes were wide, as her jaws hung open. She stuttered on her words. ''Ar… are you by any chance Hank Fitzwilliam?'' Chelsy could not help her twitching fingers, as she placed them beneath the table in order to hide them, while waiting for Hank's response.
Hank just nodded and said, ''Henry Delmonte Fitzwilliam. That is my complete name.''
The room felt hot, and the air became so heavy for Chelsy to breathe properly. She felt her throat dry as if she was in a desert with no water. She picked up the glass of water in front of her and began drinking it slowly.
Hank looked at Chelsy and raised his eyebrows, ''Chelsy. Are you okay?'' Chelsy nodded and said, ''I am fine. I just can't fathom the fact that I have been talking with Hank Fitzwilliam all this time. It now makes perfect sense to me. Were you responsible for Kyle Hastings' name being banned from London?''
Hank raised the corner of his mouth and asked, ''What do you think?'' Chelsy didn't need a soothsayer to tell her otherwise. ''How did you even know that he had harassed me? I never told anyone.''
Hank chuckled and said, ''Let's just say that I was at the right place at the right time. Chelsy, look at me. Listen, I don't want my identity or personality to change how we treat each other, okay? I don't want you becoming reserved and walking on eggshells whenever you are around me. Please, I truly value your friendship. Is that a deal?'' Hank extended his hand to Chelsy.
Chelsy felt the tension that had started building up, starting to fade. She gave a big sigh and replied, ''Okay then Hank. It is a deal.'' She shook his hand and gave a little smile.
They both sat down and had dinner. It was one of the best dinners Chelsy had ever had. It seemed as if he had ordered all the meals Chelsy loved. Chelsy was a lover of Seafoods, and there was a variety of Seafoods on the table.
''Hank, how did you know tulips are my favorite flowers? Not to talk of my favorite colors.'' Chelsy asked.
Hank cleaned his mouth with a napkin and responded. ''Let's just say that when you are drunk, you get to tell your deepest and most hidden secrets.''
Back at mount Halo, the day Chelsy had spent the night with Hank, she had made mention of her favorite things and places in the world. She had even mentioned that her dream country to visit when she had money, would be the Maldives.
Chelsy and Hank spent the evening chatting, laughing and sipping good wine. ''Hank, thank you for making my silver birthday one to remember.''
Hank had a warm smile on his face. ''Come. There is something I want to show you.''
He took Chelsy's hand into his, and took her to the rooftop. As they stood there looking at the city beneath them, fireworks started flying over them.
Chelsy was overwhelmed, as tears started rolling down her cheeks. ''This is truly beautiful. No one has ever done something like this for me.'' She spoke in a whisper.
But Hank had heard everything she said. She turned and gave Hank a hug. Hank was a little startled, as he hadn't expected that. ''I am so sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I guess I was carried away. I get to act silly when I get tipsy.'' Chelsy spoke as she stepped back from Hank.
It was a little chilly outside, and Hank took off his suit jacket and placed it on Chelsy. ''Your cheeks are flushed. Put this on, so as not to catch a cold.'' Chelsy felt even more embarrassed when Hank said this. She placed both hands on her flushed cheeks and just smiled awkwardly.
''It is almost midnight. Let me take you home.'' Hank said.
Chelsy just nodded as they took the elevator to the ground floor.
As they stepped out of the hotel, Asher, who was standing at the door of Hank's Luxury Rolls-Royce, and already waiting for them at the entrance, greeted them both.
Hank opened the back door and Chelsy got into the car. He went to the other side and got in too. Chelsy was already tired and dizzy from the little alcohol she had consumed.
As they were driving home, Chelsy could not help yawning. Her eyes slowly drifted and she closed them. She didn't realize it, but she had placed her head on Hank's shoulder as she dozed off.
Hank just looked at her, and gave a little smile, ''I don't know when this little fairy's system will learn to tolerate a little alcohol.'' He moved closer towards Chelsy to make her more comfortable.
He gently called out to the driver. ''Asher, drive slowly.''
''Yes boss.'' Asher answered with a little grin on his face.
Chelsy was sleeping so soundly and looked like a little doll. Hank took out his phone and took a picture of The Sleeping Beauty beside him.
He just smiled and placed the phone back in his chest pocket.
Hank was a totally different person whenever he was with Chelsy. He was sweet, gentle and very considerate, as compared to his aloof, stern and authoritative personality when he was with others.
It took about an hour and thirty minutes to drive to Chelsy's apartment. Chelsy was completely knocked out.