~ Zayn's POV ~
I lifted my head, still shaken, my heart beating unevenly. "What surprise?" I asked, my voice barely steady.
Nuala leaned close, her breath brushing my ear as she whispered, "Just wait for it."
Then she straightened, her smile wide as she turned to face everyone at the table. "Hi, everyone! My name is Nuala, and I'm here to surprise this handsome birthday man sitting right here."
A ripple of murmurs swept across the table. I could hear people whispering… "Who is she?" "Is that Zayn's girlfriend?" The gossip spread quickly, but Nuala carried on confidently.
"Surprise number one," she announced, "is twenty-six boxes filled with gifts."