Chapter 75: Undeserving Love

< Shirley >
"I am dying," I said, panting harder.
"No, continue," said Dylan, without showing pity on the innocent me.
"I can't. I am dead." My arms gave up and I fell flat on my face.
Ouch!
"Be grateful that they postponed the tournament by ten days, otherwise I wasn't even going to let you participate," Dylan rebuked.
"What? Really?" I gaped at him, still breathing hard.
"Yes, your health comes first. And there is always a next time for that." He lent me a hand and I grabbed onto it to stand up. "Okay now, let's go on a test drive."
It has been ten days since my kidnapping and all that drama. My wounds had almost healed up, except for some scars. Dylan's wound had closed up as well, yet he was forbidden to attend the office or any mafia work until he recovered completely; it was an exclusive order given by Sienna Lewiston.
Sienna was really mad at Dylan for sneaking out of the hospital that night to save me. I heard she also shouted at Dylan, which was very rare since she adored him more than anything.
Miraculously, the racing tournament was postponed by ten days which was supposed to be held today. Although I had my doubts about a certain someone doing some tricks behind the scene. I was grateful for that, nevertheless.
However, starting today, I had to train really hard to make up for skipping ten days of training.
I sat on the driver's seat and Dylan took the seat next to me. I started the Lykan HyperSport at maximum pressure, succeeding to pull out its best in the first six seconds.
"Wow, nice," Dylan complimented me. "You are getting better and better at it. I am proud of you."
I smiled and started driving on the racing track. It was the first time he wasn't being a pessimist about my skills and wasn't beating around the bush to compliment me.
We were at the northern racing arena, which we were supposed to visit that fateful day.
After three hours of test driving, we were on our way back to my apartment. Most of the time Dylan stayed at my apartment, giving the excuse that he needed to take care of me. To be honest, I knew he was scared—he was scared to lose me, I could see it in his eyes that only I could decipher.
Yet, the stuff he did for me was utterly adorable. He would bring me takeout or cook for me; I really love watching him cook. Sometimes, we would watch a movie while cuddling, read storybooks in each other's arms, watch a whole season of a series together, cook together, play board games and video games, or just talk to each other to our hearts content.
But the thing was, I didn't deserve all of this. Dylan was too good for me. Somewhere in his heart, he knew how I was feeling, that's why he refused to leave me alone.
"Uh, Shirley, I have been thinking for a while now. Um, will you, uh... you know... um, go out with me tomorrow?" He was clearly nervous as he kept glancing at his watch.
"As in, a date?" I asked to be sure.
"Yeah, a date. Will you go on a date with me tomorrow?" He was more confident this time.
Don't be that good to me. I don't deserve you, Dylan.
"I would love to," I replied with a big smile. I didn't want to make him sad with my insecurities.
"Great then. Drop me off at my home. I will come to pick you up tomorrow," he chirped in excitement.
"Are you sure?" I asked in an unsure voice. I had grown so habituated with him being around. It would feel empty now as it was only five in the evening.
"Yep. But don't miss me too much." He grinned.
I licked my lips, knowing I was already missing him.
"Where are you going to take me for our date?" I inquired.
"I don't know yet. I need to research. Obviously, I can't do that with your presence. You are too distracting," he mumbled the last part.
We made small talks until we reached his mansion. He got out in a hurry without giving me a goodbye kiss. As soon as he got out of the car, I started missing him.
I was about to drive away with a heavy heart when Dylan knocked on my windshield. I slid it down, letting him steal a kiss from me.
"Take care," Dylan mumbled before rushing inside.
Shaking my head, I grinned like a love-struck teenager. I was indeed love-struck, but definitely not a teenager.
———
"Your closet sucks!" Violet threw another pair of clothes at me.
"Closet doesn't suck, it's you who sucks, Violet." Savannah shot her a glare.
"Shut up, and let me choose a fine outfit for my bestie's first date," Violet retorted, rummaging through my clothes. She made it sound like I never went on a date before.
In the end, I would be the one choosing my outfit because I was a fashion designer for a reason.
"Shirl! Shirl! Look, this is totally adorable," Grace said, jumping up and down with excitement. She flashed me a light pink off-shoulder frock.
It was a big mistake when I told them I needed their help.
"No, I already wore that," I deadpanned.
"Man, I am so jealous!" Daniel cried out from the living room.
"Can you stop repeating that, dude?" Eric glared at him.
I went to the boys and said, "Who invited you guys? You all have zero knowledge about girl's outfits."
"Violet invited us," Richard replied curtly, though I already knew the answer.
"We couldn't reach Ryan though. His dad said he went somewhere. It's strange, don't you think?" Eric added.
I averted my eyes and nodded. They didn't know anything about Ryan yet. I went back to my female friends as they were messing up my bedroom.
"You guys aren't leaving without cleaning the mess." I huffed in frustration and sat down on the bed.
"Hey, Shirley, whose shirt is this?" Savannah asked and I glanced at her. She was holding a light blue shirt.
"Oh, that's Dylan's shirt. He forgot it maybe," I replied casually. As soon as realization struck me hard, immediately I put my palm over my mouth before I could blurt anything anymore.
I had not told them yet that I and Dylan were already dating. I just made up an excuse, saying that he just asked for a casual date.
"Wait a minute, did I hear that right?" Violet's head snapped towards me so fast, I swear it could have broken.
I sweat-dropped and let out a nervous chuckle. Dylan strictly forbade me not to tell anyone, and I just happened to leak that information.
"He forgot his shirt... Guys, do you understand what this means?" Grace squealed.
"You guys went that far, and you never bothered to tell us?" Violet's mouth was hanging open. They sure did love to jump to conclusions, didn't they?
"First, tell me why is there blood on it?" Savannah asked, and I snatched the shirt away from her. There were blood specks on the back of the shirt. My heart dropped at that. It was all my fault, wasn't it?
Dylan wore that shirt six days ago, but he never bothered to tell me his wound was still bleeding back then. He was going to get an earful for that.
"No, no, guys, you are misinterpreting. It's nothing like that. He got hurt, so he just changed his clothes and forgot his shirt. That's normal. There's nothing more between us." It stung to lie to them, but I could tell them afterward about the tournament.
"Yeah, we totally believe you." Three of them rolled their eyes and continued rummaging through my clothes.
I hugged his shirt, inhaling his cologne. His shirt smells like home.
While I was engrossed in my work, my phone started ringing. I looked around to find my cell phone, but it was playing hide and seek under the piles of clothes. Everyone started looking for my phone until Savannah found it.
"Your boyfriend is calling." She handed me my phone with a smug look on her face, and I blushed at the mention of Dylan.
"She didn't deny it. They are definitely dating," Violet sang, and Grace nodded.
"Shut up," I shushed them and picked up the call.
"Took you long enough," Dylan muttered from the other side.
"Hey," I greeted.
"Hey, my queen." I know I shouldn't be blushing that much, but I still needed time to get used to this lovey-dovey Dylan. To be honest, I think I loved all his sides equally.
It also made me wonder—did he deserve someone like me? Or did he deserve better? It was like I was put in a pendulum, and I kept coming back to my self-deprecating thoughts.
"Why did you call me, mister? Aren't you supposed to be planning our first date?" I teased.
"Yes, but I miss you. I can't concentrate. Can I come over for a while? Just one hour," he requested in an adorable tone.
I wanted to say 'yes' so badly, and before I could reply someone else replied for me, "No! Today is girl's night though there will be boys!"
"What the heck, Violet! You bitch," I cursed, and Dylan chuckled.
"Too bad then," Dylan replied. "But wait, did I just hear there will be boys?"
Possessive mode on.
I replied politely, "Yeah, they are my best friends."
"Oh, then it's fine, I guess. It's those clowns, right?" I held back the urge to laugh. At least, Dylan wasn't those jealous type guys who got jealous even if someone touched their girl.
"You guessed it right," I answered.
I heard him groan and shuffling something. "I miss you so much. Do you know back when we weren't dating, it was so hard for me not to hear your voice whenever I wanted? But I am glad I can do that right now." I could imagine him grinning gleefully.
"Me too."
"Dylie sweetie, it's dinner time. I have been calling you for so long." I heard Sienna's voice.
"I am coming," he grunted. "Shirley, I will talk to you later then. Did you have your dinner yet?"
"We ordered some pizza. It should be here anytime."
"Oh, okay. Goodnight then. Don't stay up late. I swear if I see eye bags or dark circles on your face tomorrow, I am not going to talk to you — Oh, my gosh! I am coming, Sienna! — You need to rest. Take care of yourself. Goodnight. Bye. Love you." He was giving instructions like a strict parent until that last line, which melted me.
I mumbled, "Love you too."
He immediately cut off the call with that, leaving me to grin like a high schooler who just talked to her crush.
"Love you too, huh?" I heard my three girl besties snicker.
"Oh, no!"