For Months, I Kept Receiving Gifts From a Secret Admirer, but the Truth I Discovered on Valentine’s Day Shocked Me — Story of the Day

I never cared for romance. It always seemed like a fantasy, something that belonged in movies, not real life. But then the gifts started arriving—flowers, chocolates, even books I had wanted. No name, no clues. Just a secret admirer who knew too much. Someone was watching. But who? And why?

To be honest, I was never the romantic type. It had always been that way. Ever since my teenage years, I never understood why everyone was so obsessed with romantic comedies.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The grand gestures, the dramatic confessions, the over-the-top happy endings—it all felt staged, unrealistic.

Love didn’t work like that in real life. At least, that’s what I believed. Yet, someone decided to prove me wrong.

One day, I arrived at work, juggling my coffee and bag, only to freeze at my desk.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

A massive bouquet of flowers sat there, bright and overwhelming. A note was attached.

My heart pounded as I unfolded it, hoping for a name. But all it said was, “Your smile brightens my days.”

“Did anyone see who brought this bouquet?” I asked, holding up the note.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Robert looked up from his computer. “No. I was the first one here. It was already on your desk when I arrived.” His usual warm smile made me trust him.

Robert was my favorite coworker. He was kind, thoughtful, and always had my back.

“Wow,” Brian said from across the room. “Someone actually noticed you exist.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I rolled my eyes. Brian was my least favorite coworker. Brian never missed a chance to annoy me.

Since my first day at the office, he had made it his mission to get on my nerves.

“Do you have to be like that?” Robert asked, shaking his head. “Jealous the bouquet isn’t for you?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Brian smirked. “Oh, look at our knight in shining armor.” He walked off before I could reply.

“Thanks,” I said to Robert.

“Always happy to help,” he said, winking.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I smiled, pushed the flowers aside, and turned on my computer. Work had to come first.

The thing was, Robert, Brian, and I were each working on a project for the company, but only one of us would receive funding.

Winning meant recognition, respect, and career growth. Losing meant months of effort wasted. I figured that was why Brian had been even more unbearable lately.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He thrived on competition and loved getting under my skin. This was a battle, and in battles, anything was fair game.

I couldn’t let him—or even Robert—win. I was one of the only women in the company, and I had worked hard to get here.

If my project got funded, it would prove I belonged, that I was just as good—no, better—than the men.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

But then, there were the gifts. The gifts from my secret admirer didn’t stop—they kept arriving almost daily.

At first, I didn’t mind. A bouquet one day, chocolates the next. Then, candy and books—ones I had wanted but never mentioned aloud, at least not that I remembered.

That’s when it stopped feeling sweet and started feeling… unsettling. I wasn’t the kind of person to daydream about romance.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I didn’t swoon over mystery admirers. I analyzed, questioned, doubted. How did this person know so much about me?

Someone was watching. Someone knew my habits, my preferences. I wasn’t flattered. I was scared.

“You must be happy to have a secret admirer,” Robert said one day, leaning back in his chair.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Honestly, it freaks me out,” I admitted.

Robert raised an eyebrow. “Oh, come on. It’s sweet.”

I shook my head. “Not so sure about that.”

Brian, who had been eavesdropping, smirked. “Right. It’s probably some psycho who’s going to be waiting outside the office one day to get rid of you.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I grabbed a pencil and threw it at him. “Only a sick idiot like you would do that.”

Brian dodged it easily. “Touched a nerve?”

I turned back to my work, pushing away the anxious thoughts. My head was already spinning from this project.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I just wanted to get it over with. The presentation wasn’t until February 14th. Ironic, wasn’t it?

Brian wasn’t done. He strolled over and glanced at my computer screen. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

I turned the monitor away from him. “Stop snooping. You probably just want to steal my idea.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“My idea is way better,” Brian said, crossing his arms.

“Sure,” I said, dripping with sarcasm.

Brian rolled his eyes and walked away.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I sighed and reached for my paper cup, but it was empty. “I really need to buy a water bottle. I’m tired of constantly running to the cooler,” I muttered to myself.

The next morning, when I arrived at work, a sleek new water bottle sat on my desk.

A note was attached. “So you don’t have to keep running to the cooler.” I froze.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

What the…?

Someone had overheard me. Someone from this office.

“Want to grab lunch together?” Robert asked, appearing beside me.

“Yeah, sure,” I said, distracted.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Nice bottle,” he said, pointing at it.

“Yeah,” I murmured, picking it up.

“You don’t seem too happy about it. Didn’t you want one?” Robert asked, watching me closely.

I nodded, but my mind kept racing. Something didn’t feel right. Then, it clicked. It was Robert. Robert was my secret admirer.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He sat next to me every day, close enough to hear my offhand comments. He knew my favorite things.

He had always been kind, always supportive. Who else could it be? It made perfect sense.

I wanted to ask him about it, to confirm my theory. But the presentation was too important.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I couldn’t let myself get distracted now. My focus had to stay on my project.

On February 14th, we finally presented. The conference room was packed, tension filling the air.

As the discussion began, I listened carefully. Robert’s project came up first.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Then Brian’s. Executives asked questions, debated ideas. But no one mentioned mine. Not once.

“You’ve talked a lot about Robert’s and my projects, but you haven’t said anything about Leslie’s,” Brian suddenly said, his voice steady.

“You think it’s worth discussing?” our boss, Paul, asked, barely glancing at my report.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Ouch. That stung.

Brian sat up straighter. “I think it’s the most deserving of the three. It’s obvious Leslie’s project is the best.”

I had to stop my jaw from dropping. Brian, of all people, was defending me?

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I don’t think so,” Robert cut in. “I still believe mine is the best, or at the very least, Brian’s. Men are better architects than women.”

I felt like I had been slapped. Robert, who I had thought was supportive, had said that?

One of the executives finally looked at my project. He flipped through the pages, nodding slowly. “Actually, I think Brian is right. Leslie’s project is the strongest.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

A heated debate followed. People argued back and forth, numbers and strategies thrown around. I held my breath, waiting for the final decision.

Nearly an hour later, we walked out of the conference room.

I had won.

My project had been chosen. Relief and pride flooded through me. I knew I had earned it.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Thanks for speaking up for me,” I told Brian as we walked down the hallway.

He shrugged, hands in his pockets, then kept walking.

I shook my head and turned to Robert. My excitement was quickly fading. “You were acting weird during the presentation. Especially considering how you feel about me.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Robert frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I know you like me. You’re my secret admirer,” I said, crossing my arms.

Robert blinked. “What? Where did you get that idea?”

“Everything fits. Plus, you’re always nice to me,” I said.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Robert sighed. “I’m just polite. I have a girlfriend.”

“Oh…” My stomach dropped.

“Yeah. And I still think my project should have won,” he added.

I shook my head. “Learn to accept defeat,” I said and walked away.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

If it wasn’t Robert, then who was it?

Now, my secret admirer scared me even more. What if he had some kind of listening device at my desk? How else did he know everything?

That evening, as I left the office, unease settled in my stomach. Brian’s words kept replaying in my head—that one day, my admirer would be waiting outside.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

When I stepped out and saw a figure standing by the door, my heart stopped. I panicked and screamed.

“Oh my God, Brian! You scared me!” I yelled, my pulse racing.

“Sorry,” he said, shifting on his feet.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What are you doing here?” I asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Waiting outside the office to get rid of you,” he said, his tone unreadable.

“What…?” My confusion deepened.

Brian sighed. “Remember when we talked about your secret admirer, and I said that one day he’d be waiting for you outside?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I interrupted him. “Yeah, but what does that—” I froze. My mind pieced it together. “Wait… it’s you?”

Brian nodded.

Only then did I notice the large bouquet in his hands. Tulips. My favorite.

“But why all of this?” I asked, staring at the flowers.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I figured you needed to see a different side of me. Not just the Brian who teases you,” he said, shifting awkwardly.

“You could have just stopped acting like a jerk instead of scaring me half to death,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

“Yeah… it didn’t go exactly as I planned,” Brian admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“So… you like me?” I asked.

Brian covered his face with his hand. “I’m not good at talking about this,” he muttered.

“I’ve noticed,” I said, smirking.

“…Yeah. I do,” he finally said, avoiding eye contact.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I smiled.

“Well, happy Valentine’s Day,” Brian said, turning to walk away.

“Hey, that’s it?” I called after him. “No invitation to dinner?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Brian hesitated. “You’d actually want that?”

I walked up to him and took his arm. “Well, I do need to get to know this other Brian,” I said.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: I was living my ordinary life until one of my students gave me a Valentine. It looked familiar, and when I unfolded it, my heart stopped. It was the card I had written years ago for someone I once loved. I had to know how it ended up in his hands—even if it changed everything.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor passes away at 37 — Grieving mom reveals tragic details

Johnny Wactor, who was most recognized for playing General Hospital’s (GH) Brando Corbin, passed away at the age of 37.

In downtown Los Angeles, Actor was shot and murdered, according to TMZ.

The late actor’s mother, Scarlett Wactor, told the news source that her son and his colleagues saw three individuals tinkering with his car. Although Wactor did not approach the men, he was shot before they left the area.

He was taken to the hospital by paramedics who arrived just after three in the morning, when they declared him dead.

Between 2020 and 2022, Wactor made appearances in the ABC daytime soap opera. His character, Brando Corbin, debuted on the show as the presumed-dead son of Gladys (Bonnie Burroughs). After being stabbed by The Hook, Brando eventually passed away and married Sasha (Sofia Mattsson).

A video posted on YouTube on April 30, 2022, features Johnny Wactor in the role of Brando Corbin from the medical drama “General Hospital.” Source: General Hospital Official on YouTube
Wactor’s associates and acquaintances offered their condolences.Mattsson, who portrayed his on-screen spouse before becoming a widower, revealed that she was “completely heartbroken.”“There was nothing like Johnny.” So sincere. Such compassion. incredibly modest and diligent. with an enormous heart that brought so much happiness and goodwill. He always ensured that anyone in his vicinity felt valued, heard, and seen. I am a better person for having knowing him, and I much admire the man he was. We experienced a great deal of amazing moments together, both on and off screen, and I will always hold them in the highest regard. Johnny, you will be sorely missed. She said on social media, “I’m sure you’re already busy taking care of everyone up there.”
On October 29, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Johnny Wactor is spotted in Old City. | Source: Getty ImagesWhen he heard the news, co-star John Lindstrom voiced his sorrow and felt “sick to his stomach.” “Johnny was one of those exceptional young men in this industry who was kind, modest, unassuming, and always considerate of others,” he continued. A gifted young man who merely desired to spread his gift to everyone. “I know it’s not possible, but I wish I had enough love to fill the void his loved ones must be feeling right now. “On this plane, Johnny will be missed,” he continued. 

“Honestly, words can’t begin 2 express the sadness with which 2 convey my feelings towards losing another #GH Alum,” William DeVry said of his loss. This loss’s senselessness defies description. Johnny was a really kind man. Really terrible. Many love and comfort to those who loved #JohnnyWactor and RIP.

“Saddened and angered to hear that actor Johnny Wactor was shot and killed by suspects trying to steal his catalytic converter,” TV presenter Frank Buckley said in his eulogy. In 2021, he appeared in a staged reading of one of Elena’s screenplays. He was excellent in the part and incredibly kind. Our sympathies are extended to his family.

Producer and journalist Michael Fairman was one of those who shared their sorrow at Wactor’s untimely death. “This is really hitting me in the gut, as we all are. Right now, my thoughts are with Johnny’s brothers and mother.

Television programs that Wactor starred in included Army Wives (2007), Siberia (2013), Agent X (2015), Fantastic (2016), Animal Kingdom (2016), Hollywood Girl (2010), Training Day (2017), Criminal Minds (2017), Struggling Servers (2017), Age Appropriate (2017), NCIS (2019), The OA (2019), Westworld (2020), The Passenger (2020), Station 19 (2023), and Barbee Rehan (2023).

Johnny expressed gratitude to his supporters for their support and acknowledged their engagement in an Instagram video that has since been removed. Whether they were thrilled or horrified by the death of his character, he thanked them and called them the “greatest” people on the planet for their enthusiasm and support.

On March 16, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California, Johnny Wactor attends the Queen of the Universe International Beauty Pageant at the Saban Theatre. | Found via Getty Images Actor discussed his involvement in General Hospital, saying, “We get to show up and bring these stories and these characters to life.” And it only adds to the sweetness of our work. Acting is already the coolest job in the world. I feel incredibly fortunate to witness your concern and the depth of your involvement, and I will truly miss you all.
On September 12, 2013, Johnny Wactor was present at the Peterson Automotive Museum for Get Lucky For Lupus LA. | Getty Images is the source.His mother and his younger brothers, Lance and Grant, have outlived him.We are deeply sorry for the loss of this amazing man. I hope he finds peace.Please use Facebook to SHARE this post with your loved ones.

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