×Secret Surprise×
After buying a birthday present for their father, Staylie and Lana stopped by a sushi restaurant inside the same mall.
Lana, who had been eyeing her younger sister suspiciously for quite some time, couldn’t help but notice how Staylie kept smiling to herself—sometimes even letting out small, soundless laughs while staring at her phone screen.
“Sty?”
Mouth full of sushi, Staylie raised both eyebrows in reply—an expression that clearly said, “What is it?”
“You really did get Dad a gift, right?” Lana asked, trying to confirm the truth.
Staylie nodded casually in front of her.
“Why? Don’t you trust me or something?”
“It’s not that. It’s just...” Lana paused. Something about the way Staylie talked about ordering her dad’s gift through a friend’s personal shopping service felt... off. Like she was hiding something.
And just look at her now—smirking like a devil. Lana narrowed her eyes at her sister, who was clearly up to something.
Staylie waited silently for her sister to finish her thought. They were seated across from each other at the table, just a few feet apart.
“It’s just... you’ve been looking at your phone the whole time like you’re laughing at some joke, and I honestly don’t know if you actually ordered Dad’s gift or if you’re just goofing around.”
Staylie sighed lightly and leaned back against her seat.
“Lana, I was looking at my phone because I wanted to pick the gift right away and have my friend order it through her store. She’s the one who owns the gift shop, and she’s handling it for me.”
Her explanation was brief and to the point.
Still, Lana wasn’t convinced. Something just didn’t sit right with her. What are you really planning, little sister?
“Okay, okay. I’ll believe you...” Lana finally let her suspicion slide.
After their sushi lunch—which doubled as breakfast too—the sisters went their separate ways.
They hadn’t brought the gifts home with them. Instead, they arranged for the items to be delivered straight to their father’s hotel. The gifts were too large and heavy to carry around anyway.
Later, feeling drained, Staylie flopped down on her bed like a certified rich kid with nothing to do. Scrolling through social media as usual, she came across a video of someone playing a classical violin.
That clip pulled her thoughts back to earlier—when she’d stopped dead in front of the violin display at the mall.
To this moment, she still didn’t understand why she had felt so drawn to it.
---
The 50th birthday party of Mr. Atmadja was a grand affair. A long guest list of high-profile officials from the capital attended, and several media outlets came to cover the event.
It made sense. Atmadja was a well-known and highly successful businessman with multiple ventures, including real estate and the luxury hotel chain where Staylie herself worked.
Her birthday gift for her father had already been placed in the far corner of the grand ballroom, where the celebration was being held—naturally, at one of Atmadja’s own hotels.
“Hello, Papa,” Staylie greeted him with the usual air kisses. “Happy birthday. I wish you happiness, health, and prosperity always.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Atmadja pulled her into a short hug. His youngest daughter could be inattentive sometimes, but he was pleasantly surprised to see her looking so elegant tonight—and the gift she brought? It was huge. He was curious now... could it be something truly special?
Next, Lana stepped forward, greeted her father, and gave him a warm hug.
Staylie also greeted their stepmother—Lana’s mother—who stood beside Atmadja.
“How have you been, dear? Haven’t visited us in a while, have you?” she asked while gently patting Staylie’s back, like a true mother would.
Staylie flashed her dazzling smile.
“I’ve been well, Ma. Sorry I haven’t stopped by much—I’ve been swamped with work at the hotel.”
“Oh, I see, dear,” her stepmother replied with a soft nod.
A few minutes later, the birthday celebration officially began.
“Good evening, esteemed guests and media friends. Thank you for attending my birthday celebration tonight,” Atmadja began, sounding like the host of his own party.
“I’m truly grateful to see so many familiar faces here tonight.”
He walked slowly to the center of the room, making his way closer to the crowd.
“On this very special night—my 50th birthday—I feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by the people I love.” His eyes turned toward three smiling women.
“To my left is my wife and our two daughters, who have always supported me in everything I do. They are God’s gift to remind me to take better care of myself.”
Ugh, Staylie nearly gagged at that line. Her dad pretending to be the most attentive family man? Please. The truth was, he loved work more than any of them. All his time went into business—work, work, and more work.
“Well, before I get carried away, I just want to say I hope to stay healthy and happy in the time I have left, and that my dreams may continue to come true.” He finished his speech and motioned for his wife and daughters to come forward for the cake.
A hotel staff member wheeled out a massive six-tiered birthday cake. On top was the number 50 and a big Happy Birthday, Mr. President Director sign.
Guests and media alike joined in singing the birthday song, accompanied by a live piano performance from the corner of the ballroom.
“Blow the candles... blow the candles now, now, now!”
Huuufff.
The room erupted in cheerful applause.
Then came the gift-opening segment.
First, Mama Anindya presented her gift—a luxurious tie and an expensive branded suit. Atmadja’s eyes lit up. The suit was a brand-new release and the only one of its kind in the boutique.
“Thank you, my love,” Atmadja said warmly.
“You’re welcome,” Anindya replied with a light smile.
Next came Lana’s gift. It was medium-sized, wheeled in with a luggage trolley just like Staylie’s.
Truth be told, Staylie hadn’t paid attention to what Lana had bought earlier. She’d been too focused on shopping for her own gift online.
“Papa, go ahead, open it,” Lana said sweetly.
Her gift turned out to be a vintage record player complete with a set of classic vinyl records—all of her dad’s favorite genres.
“Wow… thank you so much, sweetheart,” Atmadja said with a wide smile.
“You’re welcome, Papa,” Lana beamed.
The gifts were stored in a private room separate from the ballroom.
Then came the final gift—Staylie’s.
Dreg... dreg... dreg...
The sound of the large trolley echoed through the ballroom. Her gift was massive, wrapped in a giant box with a beautiful ribbon on top.
Staylie approached her father, pretending to cry dramatically.
Inside, she thought: Get ready, Dad… time for your secret surprise. Heh heh!
“Everyone... I sincerely thank you all for attending my father’s birthday celebration tonight,” she began, turning to face Atmadja with a dramatic smile. “I’m so happy to see him looking so energetic—even at 50, he’s still the father and man any family would admire. He works so hard and never depends on anyone else.”
Atmadja, hearing his youngest daughter speak so fondly of him, smiled proudly. Perhaps she was finally maturing. Maybe he could even start introducing her to his business associates as a reliable heir.
“So now, allow me to present a special gift to Mr. Atmadja,” she said, taking his arm.
“Go ahead, Papa. Open it.” She smiled devilishly, eyes narrowing, eyebrows raised, signaling something’s about to go down.
From across the room, Lana watched suspiciously. She knew something was up.
“Alright, sweetheart. Let’s see what this is.” Atmadja eagerly began tearing open the box.
Staylie counted down under her breath.
“Five...”
“Four...”
“Three...”
“Two...”
He had just opened a corner of the box when...
One. Staylie smirked like a little devil.
TWAAAANG!!
“Good God!”
Atmadja stumbled backward and fell on his butt in shock.
A giant clown doll had sprung out of the box, thanks to a built-in spring mechanism. The doll shouted:
“Happy birthday, ugly Atmadja… happy birthday… enjoy getting old... HAHAHAHA!”
Staylie clamped a hand over her mouth, trying (and failing) to suppress her laughter. Seconds later, she burst out laughing, still hiding her mouth like a mischievous child.
“Staylie! You little brat!” Atmadja roared, eyes blazing like fireballs.
“Oops!” Staylie feigned innocence, still giggling behind her hand.
“You’re dead, kid!” Atmadja struggled to get up—but the creepy clown doll grabbed his arm tightly.
Was this thing possessed or what?!
“Catch me if you can, Daddy!” the clown squealed, mocking him.
“Blehhh!!” It even stuck its tongue out.
“Staylie! Don’t you run!” Atmadja shouted as Anindya and Lana rushed to help free him from the clown’s grip.
But before Staylie could make her getaway—
Whaaa—Aaaahhh—NOOO!
She crashed into a waiter carrying a tray of champagne flutes. The impact sent her tumbling to the ground—taking the entire buffet tablecloth with her.
CRASH! BAM!
Plates, glasses, and serving dishes flew everywhere.
And if that weren’t enough—
SPLASH!!
Another waiter, unable to stop in time, slipped on the spilled food and dumped an entire pitcher of red wine on Staylie—drenching her from head to toe.
Meanwhile, Atmadja finally broke free of the clown and watched the whole scene unfold.
He burst out laughing.
“Serves you right! That’s karma for messing with your father! Hahaha!”
Staylie, humiliated and soaked in wine, let out a dramatic wail.
“NOOOOOOOO!!!”
Click.
(Someone definitely snapped a photo.)