Chapter 27

Winter took Miranda’s hand, saying, “Come on, let’s go! I planned everything before we came. You’re going to have the time of your life!”

An endless volley of screams followed, lasting nearly five minutes. "Save me!"

Miranda rubbed her ringing ears. She looked at Winter, who had just vomited and looked as pale as a sheet. Feeling amused and sorry, Miranda patted her back gently.

“Do you feel better?”

“I—” Winter gagged.

Seeing Winter about to vomit again, Miranda quickly produced tissues and opened a bottle of water.

When Winter finished, Miranda offered her the water. Once Winter rinsed her mouth and stopped vomiting, Miranda felt relieved.

“They call those roller coasters ‘Hell’s Ride.’ Now I know why. It scared me half to death.”

Winter had thrown up everything. Wiping her mouth, she patted her chest.

Miranda retorted, “Who wanted to challenge themselves? You did this to yourself.”

Winter had a mild fear of heights, but she’d insisted on the ride. She couldn’t handle it, but enjoyed the thrill. She’d truly brought it on herself.

Winter sobbed. “I regret it, okay?” Leaning on Miranda’s shoulder, she gasped for breath.

After resting, she regained her energy. It was nearly lunchtime, so Miranda suggested they get something to eat.

As they walked, others seemed to have witnessed something. They stopped and excitedly pointed their cameras skyward.

“Look at all the balloons! Is this a surprise for the theme park’s grand opening?”

“That’s a lot of work. How long would it take to inflate that many?”

Miranda looked up. A cloud of blue balloons rose into the cloudless sky, colorful ribbons trailing behind. They fluttered in the wind like butterflies.

Someone found a social media post. Enviously, they said, “This is what happened! It’s a birthday surprise a rich guy planned for his girlfriend at Central Court!”

“I missed such a romantic event! How unfortunate!”

Miranda was uninterested in such displays. She nudged Winter’s arm. “Let’s go. I’m hungry.”

Winter hummed in agreement.

The theme park was crowded; it was the weekend. There was a long line for the pirate ship ride near Central Court.

Hansel waited in line while Ingrid bought an iced blended drink. She glanced at the line. “Ten more until it’s our turn. Let’s wait a bit longer!”

It was nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Hansel removed his coat and draped it over his arm. While waiting, he scrolled through his phone, bored.

Murmurs arose. Ingrid followed the gazes of the crowd to see numerous balloons slowly ascending from the merry-go-round.

A man approached a woman, holding a bouquet of red roses. They hugged. It was like a scene from a fairytale.

“Is that a birthday surprise? How romantic.”

It was Ingrid’s birthday. She wondered if Hansel had planned any surprises beyond her present.

Hansel glanced nonchalantly at the commotion and coldly returned to his phone. What seemed romantic to others bored him.

He knew Ingrid’s expectations. However, he’d never planned such elaborate events, even when dating Miranda, let alone now.