Tender Loving Care on Valentine´s Day

Dear Readers,

Hope you´re all doing well.

The creative challenge for February in the Sylvanian Forum is all about Valentine's Day, so today's story is centered around it.

Hope you enjoy it!"

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Stella spent the night tossing and turning unable to get any sleep. Her throat felt scratchy and her body ached all over.When the alarm went off she was tempted to stay in bed but she had work to do. With a sigh, she forced herself out of bed and got ready to face the day.

She sat down at her working table determined to finish one of her last designs. She glanced at the calendar and noticed that the 14th of February was marked in red. It was a special day.She was going on a date with William Cinnamon!.Someone she never thought she could have more than a friendship with.

William, the son of the Grand Department Store´s owner, fell in love with Stella the moment she walked into the store to work as a fashion designer.

He was captivated not just by her looks, but also by her creativity and talent. Her unique creations quickly became the highlight of the clothing section.

However, Stella saw William as a spoiled millionaire´s son who didn´t have to struggle for anything. 

As time went by, Stella´s perception of William changed and she began to see someone who was genuine, kind and hardworking. She observed how he treated every one with respect and humility. He never boasted about his wealth and was always willing to lend a hand to any members of the store´s staff.

He was also a very good student. He was pursuing a degree in Business and Economics and helped his father manage the business accounts of the department store.

Over the years, William and Stella became good friends, but their relationship never turned romantic. This year, he decided to take a chance.

One chilly February evening, as Stella stepped out of the department store, she heard William calling her name. He had finally mustered the courage to ask her out for Valentine's Day.

He had rehearsed his words a hundred times, but when he stood in front of her, his heart felt like it was about to burst and he started to stammer.

"Well, we’ve... we’ve known each other for a while, and, I, uh, I was wondering if... if you’d like to go out with me on Valentine's Day." He finally blurted out the last sentence quickly.

He feared the worst, but Stella smiled at him. She seemed taken aback but pleasantly surprised.

"You mean, like a date?"

William nodded shyly. "Yeah, like a date. I know it’s kind of  sudden, but I’ve been wanting to ask you out for a while now."

Stella smiled again and, holding his hand. said, "I’d love to go out with you on Valentine's Day!."

William felt so relieved!. He was over the moon!

Over the following weeks, Stella dedicated much of her free time to make a beautiful dress for their date. When she finally finished and hung it in her wardrobe, she smiled with pride. She couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach as she imagined the look on William's face when he saw her.

On Valentine's Day morning, Stella couldn't focus on her work. She was not only excited about her date but also started to feel dizzy and shivery."

She didn´t feel well so she put on her silky night gown and a wooly vest to keep warm. Dissapointed, she returned to bed knowing this wasn´t the Valentine´s Day she had hoped for.

After finishing his lessons at university, William headed to Stella’s place. However, things didn’t go as planned. When Stella opened the door,she appeared pale and shivering. Concerned, he noticed she had a high tempetature.Willian´s heart sank but he quickly got into action.

"Stella!,you look really unwell.Let me call my family doctor.We need to know what´s wrong with you".

Stella, feeling weak, could only nod.

He gently helped her back to bed and made a phone call.

 

The doctor didn´t take long to arrive.

After examining Stella , he diagnosed her with the flu.

"These pills will help relieve her symptoms and reduce the fever. She needs to drink plenty of water, get lots of rest, and some TLC will also help her to recover". He added with a smile and a knowing wink to William.

Stella thanked William for the flowers and apologized, feeling guilty for ruining their special day.

"I'm so sorry, William. I know you had everything planned."

William smiled gently. "Don't worry about it. Your health is the most important thing right now. There will be more occasions to go out when you feel better." 

Originally, he had planned to take Stella to a fancy restaurant for dinner and then to a candlelight concert. Instead, he prepared a simple, comforting meal for her and stayed by her side to make sure she was comfortable.

As the evening went on and Stella´s fever started to go down, she began to feel a lot better and got out of bed.

They went to the living room and exchanged gifts.

 William was thrilled with the suit Stella made for him. "Stella,You made it yourself! This is amazing! You're so talented. Thank you so much."

"I'm glad you like it! I think blue suits you. Will you wear it on our next date?" She asked.

William couldn't be happier. "Of course, I will! I can't wait!"

In addition to the lovely flowers, William gave Stella another gift.

A customized sketchbook with a lilac cover, her favourite color.

He even wrote a dedication on the first page: "To Stella, whose creativity knows no bounds. May these pages be filled with your designs and dreams. Always believe in your extraordinary talent. With all my support and admiration."

"Oh, William, this is the most thoughtful gift I've ever received!" She exclaimed.

"I put a lot of thought into it. I wanted to give you something meaningful that reflects your interests."

She then expressed her gratitude by giving him a heartfelt hug.

After exchanging gifts, William made some tea while Stella opened a heart-shaped box of chocolates, made by her father, of course. 

They settled comfortably on the sofa and watched a romantic comedy.

Though their Valentine’s Day didn’t go as planned, William and Stella found something more important that quiet evening: they realized that caring for someone ,when they need it most, is what love is really about.

Stella’s earlier doubts about William’s character totally vanished. His dedication in looking after her showed his love and how much he cared about her.

That first date became a memorable moment in their lives. From that day on, their bond grew stronger, turning their friendship into a love story. 

          💗Happy Valentine’s Day,Stella and William!💗