Is this destiny?

Chapter 1120 - Happy Birthday, Jeff (4)

It was close to 3 PM when most of the people dispersed from the event hall, leaving only about ten people there to chat leisurely while resort staff made sure that snacks and beverages don't run out.

Most of the Jeff's business partners went out of the event hall, splitting gender-based to the men who headed to the golf course and women whose goal was to use the full spa services which are offered.

Sarah's and Aiden's 'security personnel' was interested in riding horses and a shooting range, few of them went to the spa, curious what the deep tissue massage, and body exfoliation is.

Ade, Jamari, Imani and Masika were in a predicament. The four of them still didn't complete their missions and their targets went to different destinations! They decided to linger at the resort and to try their luck at dinner time if a better opportunity does not present itself sooner. At this time, all four of them remembered Nala's warning that the newcomers will overtake them in terms of skills and responsibilities.

People closest to Jeff and JoAnna joined them on the superyacht.

JoAnna panicked when at the last moment Elanor said that she and Oscar will stay in the event hall and socialize.

"Mom…", JoAnna pleaded. "You need to join us at the yacht. Jeff will open his presents!"

Elanor was confused by JoAnna's request. Why is her daughter-in-law so clingy suddenly? "Those are his presents. Why do I need to be there? If he gets anything worth mentioning, we will find out when you kids get back."

JoAnna sighed dejectedly. How can she persuade Elanor to come without telling her that she will miss the grand reveal of the thing she is talking about the most: becoming a grandparent?

Richard (Elanor's father) observed this from the side, and even though he didn't know what JoAnna's motive is, he saw that JoAnna wants Elanor on that boat. He decided to help out.

"It seems that the yacht Jeff has is interesting. I would like to see it.", Richard interjected, earning a grateful smile from JoAnna.

Elanor eyed her father suspiciously. "Since when are you interested in boats?"

"I am interested in my grandson. It is his birthday celebration and I want to be near him.", Richard explained.

Elanor rolled her eyes and gave in. "Fine. We are going on a boat…"

JoAnna almost squealed from excitement.

Jesse and Haru were in charge of transporting guests from the resort to the superyacht with super-silent custom helicopters that Sarah and Aiden provided for this occasion (they double checked that nothing related to the army of Chaos is left behind).

Sarah, JoAnna and Sophia exchanged excited glances when they saw Stella and Edward arrive at the last minute to board the helicopter.

Three sisters sighed in relief to see Stella. It seems that King didn't harm her, at least not now.

Each of the two helicopters can carry 15 people and all relevant people were on the superyacht in no time. Haru stayed behind with Nala, Ron and Zula were curious about the yacht, and Jesse returned to the resort.

Everyone praised the vessel which is more than 300' (91m) long, equipped with helipads and decks on four levels. Each deck has a hub with seating areas, and different other options such as wet bars, jacuzzi, infinity pool and areas for relaxing and sunbathing.

DJ that JoAnna hired was blasting music and the party was on, centered around the bars and sitting areas on the second deck.

Out of people present, Jeff and JoAnna were joined by their siblings, parents and grandparents, Jarred included. Charlie, Emma, Jasper, Ellie, Steve, Bridgette, Christopher, Russel, Bradley and Paige were also there and Vincent brought Ashley (or course he did).

Christopher and Russel sulked that out of the younger generation, they are the only single ones on the boat.

The mood was good, people were dancing, chatter and laughter was mixing up with the music from the DJ station.

It was late in the afternoon when JoAnna asked DJ to lower the volume because it's time for Jeff to open presents!

Jeff was not comfortable about this. He does not know what others got him, and he does not care. Can they give him something he does not have already? Opening presents in front of guests is the part he does NOT like because he needs to be polite and say 'thank you' to people and force a smile when he does not care much.

The only present he cares about is the one from his wife and… is that something that should be revealed (or consumed) in front of guests? Jeff frowned while wondering, what is JoAnna thinking? He told her that he does NOT want to open presents in front of guests. But everyone was looking at him and his expression didn't hide that he was uncomfortable.

He wanted to protest, but he saw how excited JoAnna is and he sighed in resignation. She did so much to organize all this, at least he can do a small thing like opening presents…

The cart with envelopes and boxes was pushed next to Jeff and JoAnna was handing him one by one thing while reading from whom it is.

"This is from Sarah and Aiden…", JoAnna gave one cube-shaped box to Jeff which was heavy for its size.

He removed layers of padding and his eyebrows shoot up at the sight of Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande.

People who know what that is and that it goes for about 2 million dollars a bottle let out gasps. Ladies admired the shine of diamonds which are embedded in the bottle.

"This is from Sophia and Felix…", JoAnna gave him a flat box.

Jeff looked at the stylish set of cufflinks with a matching tie clip and nodded in satisfaction while reading features on the slip which was included. He appreciates accessories which are transformed into high-tech spy-like gadgets by Felix, especially if they are linked to Eve.

Just based on these two, Jeff thought that the gift opening is fun, and he does not need to pretend that he is happy about them.

Oscar and Elanor gave him stocks. Oscar nodded confidently. You can't go wrong with stocks.

Edward and Stella gifted him the keys and a title certificate of the latest model of Bentley Mulsane which is fully-loaded with all luxurious options available and few custom touches. Edward knows that he and this son-in-law share the appreciation toward good cars. 

"It's on the parking lot of the resort, waiting for you.", Edward told Jeff.

His buddies chipped in and Vincent, Bradley, Christopher and Russel gifted him an island, close to the shore of Alaska. "Great for whale watching!", the note which came with the property deed said.

Aiden noticed that Sarah perked up at the mentioning of the location. He sighed, knowing that she will want to build a base there.

Charlie and Emma gifted him two of the latest long range riffles which are developed by Smithsonite corp.'s arms division. One for Jeff and one for JoAnna. Jeff liked that, especially when he saw JoAnna's eyes sparkling. Someone gets couple's bracelets, and someone gets... riffles.

Jasper and Ellie gave him a deed for a mansion in Chicago. "You can stay there when you come and visit us.", Jasper and Ellie said in unison to Jeff and JoAnna.

Jeff went through gifts one by one, and as he saw that the things on the card are reducing and his wife still didn't give him her gift, his confidence increased: she will give him her gift later, in privacy… and it will be something sexy.

To his disappointment, there was one last box, and JoAnna placed it in front of Jeff. "This is from me."

Jeff saw that JoAnna is looking at him expectantly and then he looked at the silver box which glittered in the sun… He leaned closer to his wife: "Are you sure I should open it in front of everyone?"

"Mhm…", JoAnna confirmed with a vigorous head nod.

Jeff sighed and opened the box a bit. He put his hand inside and felt under the pink and blue tissue gift paper. His fingers brushed against something soft. Part of him still hoped that it's something naughty, did she buy him some sexy underwear? He was happy that it's not leather. He does not like leather on his skin.

JoAnna's lips were twitching. Why is it taking so long? She was controlling herself not to lunge and grab the box from him and pour the contents in his lap.

Finally, Jeff pulled out something small. He was confused that it looks like a shirt with buttons at the crotch area. And there were two, one pink and one blue.

Jeff placed both shirts on his broad chest, they were so small that the shirts were not touching.

He glanced at JoAnna, and even if he ignores the fact that it's totally not his style, he was not sure how to respond. "I think you got the size wrong. I won't fit."

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