It was 7:00 a.m. when I opened my eyes, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through me like an electric current. Today was the big day: Olivia Hart's epic birthday. We had worked for weeks to bring every detail to life, and now everything was in motion. The Hart Estate would transform into a stage worthy of an extravagant queen, just as she deserved.
I got out of bed carefully so as not to wake Sack, who was sleeping deeply after a long night reviewing the final details of the event. I put on some comfortable jeans and a simple T-shirt before heading to the dining room, where a small team was already organizing the first decorations.
As I sipped a hot cup of coffee, I remembered my conversation with Emma, Sarah, and Matthew the night before. I had asked them to take Olivia on a walk around the city while we finished preparing everything. I knew Olivia would be impossible to distract if she saw us working, so this strategy was crucial.
At 8:30 a.m., I received a message from Emma:
—Message from Emma: We're ready. We left five minutes ago. Olivia suspects something, but she's too excited thinking we're going to buy her more gifts. I think it'll work.
I smiled as I read it. Olivia always fell into her own traps by being so enthusiastic. I quickly replied:
—Reply to Emma: Thank you, guys. I don't know what we'd do without you. Have fun and keep her busy until 6 p.m.! Everything depends on you!
With that settled, I focused on supervising the decorations that were still in progress. We had divided the estate into different themed areas so that each space had its own charm:
Dining Area : Inspired by an elegant garden, with tables covered in white tablecloths and centerpieces made of fresh flowers and candles. The gourmet dishes would be arranged at buffet stations designed to look like small European market stalls.
Gift Area : A cozy corner decorated with warm lights and red velvet curtains. Ellie had meticulously organized the main gifts on a central table, wrapped in golden paper and adorned with shiny bows.
Outdoor Dance Floor : A circular platform surrounded by string lights and columns covered in artificial ivy. Lights hung from above, creating a celestial effect under the night sky.
Each area had its unique touch, but they all shared a common denominator: they reflected Olivia's vibrant and eccentric personality.
At 9:00 a.m., the orchestra arrived right on time. They were professional musicians dressed in impeccable black suits, and they began tuning their instruments near the dance floor. Their presence added an air of sophistication that perfectly complemented the festive atmosphere.
Minutes later, a black car pulled up to the main entrance. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Chris Martin step out, accompanied by his band. He looked relaxed and smiling, carrying a guitar in his right hand.
"Welcome!" I said, quickly approaching. "Thank you for coming. This means so much to us… and especially to Olivia."
Chris greeted me with a wide smile.
"It's a pleasure to be here, Lindsay. When your father told me about the event, I couldn't resist. Besides, Coldplay always supports special causes. And if this is for someone as special as Olivia, then we're ready to give it our all. I must confess, I'm also very grateful for the care my daughter Apple received at your parents' hospital. It was an unforgettable gesture."
I nodded, feeling my cheeks blush slightly.
"I assure you, you won't regret it. Olivia loves your music. It's going to be unforgettable."
After briefly discussing the setlist and schedule, Chris and his band retreated to prepare. Meanwhile, I continued supervising the preparations.
At 10:00 a.m., the 10-tier cake finally arrived. It was an impressive masterpiece, designed to resemble Olivia's cat, Lord Whiskers. The white and black frosting formed the feline's fur, while golden details simulated a royal collar around its neck. On top, a small crown completed the design.
"This is incredible," I murmured, admiring every detail. "Olivia is going to lose her mind when she sees it."
The chefs were also in full swing, cooking the exclusive dishes Olivia had imagined weeks ago: lobster with edible gold, imported black truffles, and handmade chocolate crafted by Swiss monks. Everything smelled delicious, and I knew the guests would be amazed.
Ellie appeared shortly after, checking a list in her notebook as she walked toward me.
"How's everything going?" she asked, visibly tired but excited.
"Everything is going better than expected," I replied, smiling. "The fireworks and drones are ready, the orchestra and Chris Martin have arrived, and the cake is simply spectacular. What about you? How are the gifts?"
Ellie nodded, showing me her list.
"All the main gifts are organized. Sack's, yours, mine, James', Sophia's, Olivia's sisters', and her brother's are in place. I also confirmed that the guests' gifts will arrive on time."
I paused, looking at her with gratitude.
"I don't know what we'd do without you, Ellie. You've been amazing with all of this."
She blushed slightly.
"I just want it to be perfect for Olivia. She deserves it."
We both fell silent for a moment, watching as the estate slowly came to life. Every detail told a story, and I knew Olivia would feel loved and valued by all of us.
As the day progressed, I sat on the dance floor for a few minutes, enjoying the calm before the storm. Sack appeared beside me, bringing two bottles of water.
"How are you holding up?" he asked, handing me one.
"Tired, but happy," I replied, taking a sip. "Everything is going well. Now we just need Olivia to arrive and see it all."
Sack smiled, stroking my hand.
"It's going to be epic. Olivia won't have words to describe how impressed she'll be."
We stayed silent for a few moments, simply enjoying the scenery and the anticipation of the event. I knew that, despite any stressful moments, seeing Olivia's reaction when she entered the decorated space would make it all worth it.
At 5:00 p.m., I received another message from Emma:
—Message from Emma: We're on our way back. Olivia is suspecting too much. She says she smells a "surprise party." We'll be there in an hour.
I took a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline rise. It was time to finish the last details and prepare to welcome Olivia. I knew that, no matter what happened, this day would be unforgettable for all of us.
I looked at Sack and smiled.
"Here we go. It's time to make history."