A velvet box

As the day wore on, the sugar rush reached a crescendo. The children, hyped on cake and laughter, staged an impromptu talent show. Irie belted out a rendition of “Happy Birthday” that was more enthusiastic than tuneful.

With a piñata shaped like a giant teddy bear. The children, armed with sticks, took turns whacking it with gleeful abandon. Candy rained down like confetti, and the little ones scrambled to fill their pockets with sugary loot. Exhausted but happy, they collapsed onto a pile of cushions, their faces smeared with frosting and their laughter echoing through the Jones manor.

Scovia, found herself drawn to the tranquility of the moonlit balcony, a familiar warmth enveloping her as Aiden’s arms snaked around her waist.

“Scovia, you light up my world more than any star,” he murmured.

Scovia turned, her heart skipping a beat. Playfully swatting his arm, she countered, “Always the charmer, Mr. McCoy. But seriously, what’s with the box?”