Chapter 60: Apology

< Shirley >
Even though Dylan was yelling at me, I still tried to speak, "Dyla—"
"Do you have a problem with hearing, woman? I said leave, goddammit! Just get out of my face!" Dylan yelled angrily, louder this time, which made my heart break. "If you don't know the exit, then the door is just behind you."
Dylan didn't have to repeat himself Because I had already walked out, closing the door with a bang which made echoes throughout the empty corridor. I put my palm over my mouth to stop myself sobbing.
Though the door was closed, I could still hear his frustrated voice over another call.
"Do whatever you want. You don't need to take my goddamn permission—Ah!" My heart clenched at his wince, and I was about to go back to him but stopped after hearing his next sarcastic words. "You don't have to concern yourself with my health. I'm doing great. No, it doesn't hurt. My left arm is also doing great, better than yours. Therefore, just get my job done."
I didn't wait anymore and ran out of his house with tears running down my face.
Love was crappy. Everything was crappy. I was delusional, and I just had to fall in love with the worst person possible. Dylan had no right to take his frustration out on me. I didn't do anything wrong. On top of that, what in the world would make him think I might be a spy?
I was so mad at him right now. I wouldn't ever forgive him.
Dylan was such a jerk. Tomorrow was my birthday and that was how he behaved with me today.
I would never talk to him again.
———
Everything sucked, I thought angrily.
I placed my hands over my ears to block the ringtone of my cell phone. It had been annoying the crap out of me for the last twenty minutes. I pulled the blanket over my face, trying to find some peace.
Adrian has been trying to pacify me, but I didn't want to listen to him right now. I was really pissed off at him and Dylan. It sure was a crappy day.
The last string of my patience got torn when I wanted to yell at someone so badly to let out poison brewing inside me. I sat up, throwing away the blanket, and picked up the call.
"What the hell is your damn problem? Stop annoying me, you liar. I hate you. I hate you. Just die in a ditch. I don't want to talk to you. Don't attend my birthday party. Don't call me again, you damn traitor. I will block you on my phone and social media," I yelled at the top of my voice.
It was silent for a few seconds until Adrian spoke up calmly, "Are you done?"
"Adrian, I swear—"
"Did you just call me Adrian? I'm hurt, sis," he said in a dramatic tone.
"I want you to be hurt. Just die already," I snapped.
"But—"
"Oh, wait, you are already dead to me. Ady is dead. The Ady I knew wouldn't ever hide something like that from me. I knew you were hiding something big, something as big as being in the mafia. It's unbelievable; not to mention ridiculous. Therefore, you are dead to me."
"Shirley, hear me out, please. Give me a chance to explain. Trust me, I never wanted to hide all of this from you. But I had to. I—"
"No—"
"Shut up and listen. Give me one hour to explain. I swear I will make you understand my situation." I didn't know if I should let him explain something like this.
Could there be really any explanation to justify murders?
"Okay. Just one hour." Adrian let out a huge sigh of relief at my response.
"Thank Goodness. I promise not to disappoint you. Just try to have faith in me. How about the day after tomorrow at our favorite spot with our favorite pizza and game?"
"Doesn't sound bad." I wondered if he remembered my birthday or was reminded by my friends.
"If you're wondering, I do have your birthday presents prepared. So, don't worry." I smiled at his words. Adrian sometimes understood me better than anyone else. Yet, it didn't cover for hiding such a huge secret.
"Whatever."
"I know you are smiling." I frowned. "Anyways, adieu, sis."
"Die in a hell hole." With that, I hung up and I laid back on the bed.
Even though Adrian would explain everything to me, I couldn't help but think of the reasons. I glanced at the clock. It was a quarter past ten in the night.
My stomach grumbled all of a sudden. I growled before getting up from the bed. I forgot to eat while sulking over something I didn't even remember.
I walked up to the kitchen and started looking for the ingredients to cook. Maybe I should just order something. Did I mention I learned a little bit of cooking recently?
Well, I did. Trisha and online cooking classes taught me.
Ting! Ting! Ting!
Sighing, I dragged myself up to the main door, knowing who it was by the consecutive ringing. Opening the door only slightly, I was welcomed with Dylan. Like usual, a smile didn't take over my lips; rather a frown emerged on my face.
Dylan looked kind of pale and sick which made me concerned about him, yet my pride wouldn't let me ask him about that.
"What do you want?" I asked, peeking through the door.
"Um, I—uh, I'm sorry?" Dylan said, but it came out like a question. I narrowed my eyes, and he scratched the back of his neck, shifting his weights subconsciously.
"Are you sorry for coming here?" I questioned. He shook his head vigorously. "I'm closing the door then."
"No, no, Shirley, please don't." He put his foot on the door gap, preventing me from closing it.
I shot him a flat look after opening the door wider.
After fiddling with the hem of his jacket, he finally breathed out, "I'm sorry." He sounded more serious than before.
"For what?"
"Um? For shouting at you?" The confusion was clear in his voice. Well, I wasn't going to take any of his half-assed apologies.
"That's the most insincere apology I have ever got."
"No, Shirley, I'm serious. I mean, I'm sincere. I'm really sorry. Okay, what shall I do to make it up to you?" he asked, looking into my blue eyes for the first time today.
"Mhmm. Let me think whether I should ever forgive you." I leaned against the door frame whereas he just stood there in front of me.
"How forgiving of you," Dylan mumbled and frowned.
"Did you say something, Mr. Lewiston?" I furrowed my eyebrows, shooting daggers at him.
"Nope, nothing. I don't have any vocal cords." He shook his head. I had the urge to laugh as he used my technique to go blind, deaf, or mute as per the situation demanded.
After a lot of thinking, I glared at him before saying, "Hold your ears and apologize sincerely."
"Seriously? Hold my ears? What am I, your younger brother?"
He should be grateful that I was still talking to him when a few hours ago I had no intention of ever seeing his face. "Don't throw tantrums. Be grateful that I didn't tell you to do sit-ups." I rolled my eyes.
"Sit-ups are fun," he commented.
"Wanna do?" I offered.
"Nope, I'm cool."
"Then hold your ears," I ordered.
"Okay, fine." He pouted before holding his one ear and mumbled in a sincere tone, "I apologize wholeheartedly for misbehaving with you. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I shouldn't have taken out my anger at you. I understand my mistake, and I do not intend to repeat it. A single sorry can't possibly take back the harsh words I said to you. However, I promise to make it up to you."
I didn't respond and just stared at his innocent face, stunned.
"So, apology?" Dylan asked cutely.
Well, I was already melted, to be honest. I never expected him to show up at my doorsteps to apologize. Heck, I didn't even expect him to understand that he upsetted me.
Yet, I didn't want him to stop. It was a one in a million chance. Who knew if I would ever get it again or not?
"Not yet." I started being haughty.
"What more?" Dylan tilted his head adorably as if his usual stoic self was on a vacation and he was now full of cuteness.
"What are you planning to do to make it up to me?" I crossed my arms against my chest and raised an eyebrow.
"Let's see..." He started to think deeply by tapping his index finger on his cheek. Why was he trying to seduce me in a cute way?
I scanned him while he was lost in his own world. He was wearing cream-colored jeans along with a navy blue shirt beneath his hoodie jacket. Casual and cool; just the way I liked.
"Uh-huh. How about I take you out for dinner tonight? If that's not enough, I will take you to my favorite spot this weekend. You are going to love it. How does that sound?" Dylan grinned.
It didn't sound that bad.
"You don't like it?"
"No, it's okay," I let out, and he let out a sigh of relief before flashing me a charming smile.
"Thank Goodness, I'm forgiven."
"No, you are not," I protested.
"Really? You aren't forgiving at all," he murmured, and I elbowed him on the stomach.
"You wait here, let me just get changed." I turned around to leave.
"Can I come in now?" he asked.
"No, stay outside!" I hollered.
"Then I'm coming in." Dylan walked inside behind me and sat on the couch while I went to my bedroom and wore a cardigan over my sky blue crop top along with jeans and sneakers.
When I walked out, I saw Dylan was biting his lips with his eyes set on the floor. He had a pained expression all over his face. My heart ached all of a sudden.
"Dylan?"
He flinched before standing up. "You are ready? Let's go." He forced a smile on his face.
"No," I responded curtly and confusion rose into him. I remembered the words I heard from outside his study room.
"Huh?" he let out when I walked closer to him. I dropped my purse on the coffee table and was about to touch his left arm, but he swatted my hand away. "Hey, hey, look where you are touching. I'm precious."
"I don't care." He took steps backward as I inched closer to him, my eyes dead staring at his left arm, eventually leading him to stumble upon the couch. "Dylan, let me see."
"W—what's there to see, Shirley?" he stuttered once he fell on the couch.
I climbed on top of him on the couch and took a hold of his right arm, caging him. One of my knees was beside his thigh and the other one was in between his legs. I put off his hoodie jacket and started unbuttoning his shirt, ignoring his protests while making sure to not touch his left arm.
But Dylan turned over our positions, rather caging me under him, making my breath hitch.
I gulped, staring into his lustful eyes, and asked, "W—what are you doing, Dylan?"