While cleaning my husband’s old coat, I found a crumpled paper in the pocket with a mysterious phrase that stopped me. At While cleaning my husband’s old coat, I found a crumpled paper in the pocket with a mysterious phrase that stopped me. At first, I ignored it. It created additional questions as I read it. One slip of paper deconstructed all I knew, leading me to skepticism, hidden truths, and a life-changing epiphany.
All the peaceful corners of the home were filled with laughing. My kid Leo was kneeling on the rug, creating a great traffic jam with his toy cars. He drove a crimson convertible with his tongue out, brows knotted in concentration.
He watched his sister Ivy dance in her favorite fairy garb, whirling so quickly her wings flew behind her like a dragonfly.
“Careful, Leo!” she sang. “I’m fairy hurricane!”
He rolled his eyes. “Hurricanes don’t sparkle.”
I smiled as I poured myself coffee from the kitchen. My mug’s steam warmed the counters in the early sun. The crazy, joyous times were everything.
Jasper entered from the hallway, buttoning his shirt cuffs with ease. His leather bag hung from one hand, and his fragrance followed. He seemed freshly ironed and ready to conquer the world.
He kissed Ivy’s cheek. «Try not to blow the ceiling off, precious pea?»
She curtsied, laughing. “No promises!”
Ruffled Leo’s hair. “Keep everyone in check for me, buddy.”
Leo puffed. “I will. When you’re gone, I’m boss.”
Jasper looked at me as he put on his coat. I donated one of my old ones yesterday night. Try checking the pockets before it goes.”
“Got it,” I said. He smiled—the one that originally attracted me years ago—and left.
He yelled back, “I love you!”
“Love you too,” I said, drinking coffee.
The house resumed its chatter and toy-clinking. Later, I worked on the donation pile while the kids created a sofa fort in the living room. An old belt, Jasper’s clothes, and a thick wool coat piled on top.
I grabbed for the coat and habitually checked the pockets. My fingertips touched thin, crinkled paper.
I grabbed it, curious. Small folded note.
The corners were yellowed, like it had been there a while. I opened gently.
“This is private. No one else knows.”
A icy shiver ran down my spine.
A handwritten letter and unfamiliar phone number were on the back.
Call—” followed by ten digits for service.
Churned stomach. Kind of service? What had no one known?
I attempted to dismiss it. Jasper was never secretive. Not really. However, “no one else can know” splintered my head.
I hid the message in my robe pocket and prepared supper as usual that night. Jasper arrived home, kissed my cheek, praised the dinner, and took his normal place at the table.
He chuckled at Ivy’s twirls and questioned Leo about his fantasy racing car championship.
The note burning a hole in my pocket was all I could think about.
He kissed my forehead in bed. “Goodnight, love.”
Long after his breathing settled, I gazed at the ceiling.
After Jasper departed for work and the kids were drawing in the sunroom, I gazed at the number at the kitchen table the following morning.
Before I could reconsider, I phoned.
It rang once.
Twice.
A soft voice replied. “Hello?”
I said, “Hi,” too timidly. “I… I want your services.”
A pause.
The lady said, “If you have my number, you know what to do. Come at 2 p.m. tomorrow.” She rattled out an address and hung up.
No name. No explanation. Location and time only.
I was speechless.
The following day, I exited a taxi into a quiet beach road. I found a huge cream-colored home facing the sea at the location. Tall bushes guarded the road as waves softly crashed beyond the cliffs.
Heart racing, I clung to my handbag as I climbed the slope.
The door opened before I knocked.
The tall lady stood there in a beautiful black outfit with perfectly twisted hair. She was calm, polished, and unreadable—like a perfume ad.
“You’re here for the appointment,” she smiled assuredly.
“Yes…” I answered hesitantly.
Come in.”
The place was gorgeous inside. Sunlight illuminated marble floors and tall glass vases held fresh white flowers. Classical music seems to come from nowhere. Everything was exquisite and terrifying.
She pointed to a velvet chair. “Please wait. Someone will arrive soon.”
Sitting stiffly. Dry throat.
She returned minutes later, heels clicking delicately.
“What is this place?” With a calm voice, I said.
You should know if you’re here.
I frowned. I don’t. Which is why I phoned. I’m here because.”
She cocked her head. Are you sure you’re not faking?
Frustrated, I snapped. I showed her a Jasper picture on my phone.
“Do you recognize him? Was he here?
She glanced at the picture. She dropped her mask briefly. She grinned again, lips tense.
“You’ll know soon enough.”
“What does that mean?” I pushed.
However, she was approaching the door. “Wait.”
Again, the room was silent. Too quiet. I thought fast. Did Jasper cheat? Did he live two lives? Was this lady a secret he kept from me?
Suddenly, the door swung open—
Room erupted with cheers.
Confetti fell from above. Music grew. A familiar voice flooded the room.
Shocked, I gazed.
Leo and Ivy hurried eagerly inside the room. They were followed by my sister, Jasper’s parents, our closest friends, and my employer.
Jasper stood in the center. Wearing a dark blue tuxedo and clutching red and white flowers.
“Happy anniversary, Viv,” he replied, beaming.
A sign read “10 Years, One Beautiful Life” on the wall behind him.
Standing still, I opened my mouth.
He approached, grabbing my hand and pulled me up. “I bet you thought I was up to something, huh?”
“I—yes—I mean.” Looking around, I saw cheerful people, champagne glasses, and candles. What’s this?
“A surprise,” he whispered. “For our 10-year anniversary.”
I blinked, striving to keep up.
“The note,” I muttered. Telephone call. The eerie mansion vibe…”
“All part of the game,” he grinned sheepishly. “You always surprise. I wanted to make something memorable.”
I laughed at him as I gazed. “I thought you cheated!”
“I knew you’d go there,” he laughed. “So I wrote something mysterious. I couldn’t simply say, “Come to a party.” Where’s the fun?
I saw the lovely lady at the entrance smiling and talking to my sister. Let me guess. You hired actors.”
“Rebecca runs an event agency,” he boasted. “She does themed surprises and experiences.”
Leo pulled my dress. “Mom! We kept it a secret all week! I almost told you five times!”
With confidence, Ivy swirled next to me. “Daddy said this was fairy tale!”
Jasper kissed my head. Remember the summer we met on the coast?
“Of course,” I murmured, recalling the aroma, birds, and sun on my skin.
As a reminder of that summer, I leased this home. Beginning of everything.”
Seeing him brought tears to my eyes.
“I can’t believe I doubted you,” I murmured, wiping away tears. “I thought… Not sure what I thought.”
He embraced me. Wanted to surprise you. Maybe I made it too mysterious.”
“Just a little,” I chuckled.
The night was filled with dancing, laughing, storytelling, and love. Jasper’s touching toast brought tears. Curled up on a velvet sofa, the youngsters fell asleep in their party outfits.
Jasper hugged me on the terrace facing the sea.
“Here’s to the next ten,” he remarked.
Full with emotion, I leaned against him. Make them even more memorable. Perhaps next time, less strange notes.”
He chuckled. “Deal.”
My 24-hour mystery became one of my life’s most amazing surprises.
