Chapter 61: Best Gift

< Shirley >
"This is really not right," I murmured, sounding as though I was running out of breath. After all, we were in such an intimate position with him over me.
"Then, you molesting me is right?" Dylan questioned as I was the one who started it.
"You are literally molesting me."
Suddenly I felt courageous as I brought my face closer to his and mumbled sensually, "What if I was?" I kissed the corner of his lips, making him freeze. He was caught off guard at the sudden action. I was glad I had the same effect on him as much as he did on me. Taking it as a chance, I again turned over our position, getting on top of him.
I needed to check his arm which was most probably injured somehow.
I continued unbuttoning his shirt. I looked back at his bare chest since he was staring at me intensely. I started to struggle with the last button under his gaze. He blew some air at my face, removing the strands of locks from my face.
My heart was racing like Usain Bolt due to the intimacy. At the same time, I was scared about what I was about to witness.
Dylan tried to stop me again when I was almost done, I gave him no opening. "Stay still."
"You don't have to be so forceful, we can always get a room." I rolled my eyes at his deceiving words. I slid down the shirt over his left shoulder.
"Crap," Dylan cursed as my eyes fell on the bandage draped around his biceps which was soaked in his blood.
My heart churned at the sight. I bit my lips after looking into his eyes."It must hurt," I mumbled subconsciously. Somehow I could feel how much pain he must have been in while pretending to be he wasn't hurt at all. He was even offering to take me out on dinner when he was weak like this.
"No, it doesn't," Dylan responded.
"How did it happen?" I asked, getting off him.
"Someone ambushed me. I, along with others, managed to finish them off. It was a diversion for something else. The wound isn't that deep, either. It's a minor injury." I took out the first aid box from the drawer.
"Why isn't it bandaged properly? It looks like some amateur did it. Fire those incompetent doctors," I rebuked and sat down beside him.
"I can't fire myself," he said, and I glared at him.
"You have so much money, yet you can't hire a personal caretaker for yourself," I scolded and made him take his shirt off on the left side, starting to apply antiseptic on his wound. The wound was very deep as it was a gunshot, unlike what he said. However, the bullet only seemed to have grazed him. Things like this really made me wish that Dylan would just quit the Mafia.
"They are not good enough. But hey," he said, his eyes lighting up. "Would you like to be my caretaker? I promise to pay you well," he offered and grinned playfully.
"No, thanks, mister. I'm better off as a lazy designer," I retorted and wrapped the white clothing around his biceps. Meanwhile, doing so, I got the chance to trace my fingers on his biceps.
I couldn't help but steal some glances at his abs. But my main focus was to nurse him.
What surprised me was the fact that he didn't wince a single time during the aiding. It was as if I was just wrapping clothes on his arm and it didn't hurt at all. It saddened me to think how acquainted he must be with pain to be like this.
Once I was done, Dylan put on his clothes properly, with me helping him to button his shirt. "Let's go. I'm starving," he said, forwarding his hand towards me.
I sighed and took his hand before heading out for dinner in the nearby expensive restaurant.
———
The dinner was great.
My partner and the food were fabulous, but our outfits were not. Most people there were wearing formal clothes, and we were in casuals. I enjoyed it a lot with Dylan though we received many weird looks from people.
It felt like I wasn't even mad at him anymore. We kept talking and talking till our meal got cold and dessert melted.
Just a normal dinner with a loved person could mean so much to a lovesick person like me.
I was walking in my apartment building after bidding goodbye to Dylan. I was about to press the button of the elevator when I heard someone call my name.
"Shirley, wait." I turned around to come face to face with Dylan.
"What is it?" He just smiled and embraced me in a hug. I was shocked at the sudden affection. "Dylan?"
After a few seconds, he whispered in my ears, "Happy Birthday."
My eyes widened and I forgot how to breathe. I had almost forgotten that it was my birthday while spending time with him. He had told me he couldn't care less about my birthday, yet here he was, wishing me first before anyone else.
Since I was too startled, Dylan again whispered in my ears, making a blush rise onto my face, "Happy 24th birthday to the most gorgeous and craziest person in the world."
Butterflies once again erupted in the pit of my stomach, and my heart leaped with joy. I couldn't stop smiling. A swirl of emotions was overflowing my mind to function properly.
"Thank you," I mumbled.
He kissed the top of my head and broke the hug. "Congrats on being one year older," he said, and I chuckled shyly. "I'm the first person to wish you on your birthday. Don't I get any rewards?" He had a lopsided grin on his face which was adorable.
"Yes, you do." I was feeling really courageous tonight. That's why I had kissed the corner of his lips earlier, and now I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips directly over his.
Dylan was taken aback by it. I didn't know what he expected, but even if I could just feel his lips moving in sync with mine just for a few seconds—it would be the best birthday of my life.
His hands slipped through my waist as I automatically locked my arms around his neck. My wish came true when he kissed back with full passion, just like that day in the car.
I couldn't explain the feeling when our lips touched. It felt like I was walking on air. It was magical, the way our lips were connected. His mouth was so warm, the caress of his lips was soft and soothing.
I knew it wasn't right. We weren't in a relationship, we were merely taking advantage of each other from a third person's perspective. Yet, like I said, I couldn't stop this addiction to him.
As he deepened the kiss, he pushed me against the elevator door while I ran my hand over his hair wildly, exploring each other's mouth.
When we broke apart for air, I couldn't manage to look into his eyes. We were breathing heavily. I was the human replica of a red tomato at that moment.
"We are adults. Accidents like this happen," both of us said in sync.
"I—uh, I will see you tomorrow then. Goodbye," Dylan managed to say in a timid, breathy voice.
"Goodnight," I mumbled after he left. I stood there for a few seconds while smiling ear to ear. That was the best start to a birthday.
Horror struck me when I turned around to see a gang of bandits with birthday caps on their heads.
"Ahh!" I started screaming but stopped when I heard their voice.
"O—M—G!" I almost went deaf by the loud squeal. They removed their masks, revealing their face. My best friends were standing there in front of me, wearing birthday caps, and decked up in bandit costumes.
"Happy birthday, Shirley!" all of them hollered before burying me in a hug. My life was being sucked out by their tight hug.
"Can— can—n—not brea..."
This was the proof that this birthday of mine was going to be one of the best, and I couldn't wait for it.