THIRTY-SEVEN : TREAT & ALMOST KISSES

AURELIA RAYMOND'S POV

I COULD HAVE NEVER known that Theodore would remember my birthday because honestly, I didn't. Yesterday, he took me for a long drive and I remember being in the car till almost two in the morning. If you are wondering what happened during that, I'd say nothing. We didn't exchange a single verse, just from a few eye contacts and tender smiles which didn't bloom to the most beautiful flowers yet but retained their own delicacy with a touch of happiness and a promise to bloom. 

Since it was my birthday yesterday, I decided to treat Theodore as compensation for his revolutionary self and being my support during my raw, unsettling days. Actually, this was Rohanna's idea to learn something new to get my mind off Aria's death and move on with life. She informed me about what was Theodore's favorite dish - buttery white wine sauce pasta. It wasn't hard to sum one and one together.

 We went to Walmart to get some ingredients and on the way back, a red silk dress caught my attention. It was a very ordinary bodycon, knee-length dress but it had my heart at first sight.

 Later, Rohanna gifted me that exact same dress to wear tonight. She said that 'that smile made your eyes shine'. It was spaghetti strapped and I kind of felt exposed so I shrugged over a long brown overcoat of my own. 

Rohanna and I made the dish, though I just cut the vegetables and mixed the sauces while she added the ingredients in definite proportions. She and Christian had to go for movies with other friends so she left as soon as the dish was prepared. I cleaned the kitchen after that and set the dinner table with cutlery and napkins. 

Now, I was just waiting for Theodore to come home. While waiting for him on the dinner table, I recalled how Rohanna teased me when I told her that I was up for her idea - to surprise Theodore by preparing dinner. She said 'Theo will go bald out of happiness after having the food prepared by you for the very first time'. Her exact words. Though I didn't tell her about the drive we went for last night. It was like a little secret between us, covert and soulful.

The knob twisted and Theodore entered. I took a deep breath to keep in bay the sudden excitement and rise in the drumming of my heart. 

"Hey, how was your day?"

Yes, play cool. Deep breaths. You got this. I chanted to myself.

"Hey," he looked at my direction from the bottom of the stairs as he loosened his tie with one hand. He looked good, I had to admit. "Work was less compared to other days. We signed the deal with the American clients regarding the establishment of maple syrup company."

"Oh god, that's amazing. Come let's have dinner." I proposed with a lightened up face. He seemed to be in a good mood and he was behaving friendly to my surprise. It was still hard to get this thought wrapped around my head that he had become better and this wasn't changing anytime soon or even later.

"About that, actually the guys ended up ordering pizzas to celebrate so I'm full. Since you ordered so you eat, I'll go freshen up." He smiled apologetically. It was sincere but still my heart broke.

"Hmm," I nodded, looking away.

 I prepared it myself. I inserted it in my mind.

I stood up to put away the dishes with a heavy heart. He walked upstairs to his room. My face visibly fell and I turned over the plates, not having an appetite to eat anymore. I felt horrible. The sum-up of cleaning, shopping, and making dinner ended up being zero. Wonderful.

He didn't even notice that I dressed up. 

I put the canisters filled with food in the fridge and went to his room.

Not bothering to change my clothes, I threw the overcoat on the couch and sat on my side of the bed. The sound of the shower was coming from the bathroom so I concluded that he was still showering. 

I dropped my head on the pillow and looked at the wall with an angry face. As soon as my head made contact with the pillow, I felt so tired from the entire day's preparation that I fell asleep out of hunger and exhaustion in no time.

*

I woke up at 1:01 at midnight. My stomach grumble loudly and I looked over to see if Theodore heard it. But he was fast sleeping on his side, his back facing me. Sighing, I pulled my hair into a knot over my head and went downstairs. 

My face scrunched up when I looked at the poor food I prepared. I certainly couldn't eat that because it would bring back the rejection and that wastage of my hard work. So, I opened the other door to the double door fridge. 

My eyes shined in happiness as I spotted two large cakes in the bottom booth. I sat down and pulled the chocolate cake leaving behind the butterscotch one. I mentally thanked Rohanna who always brought and stuffed our fridge with goodies because she had a sweet tooth. An extreme one. 

Don't take me wrong but I literally hate sweets. Then you must be wondering why I am seated in front of a delicious looking, most mouth-watering piece of heaven. Trust me, even I'd have been thinking about that if rats weren't having a marathon in my tummy. 

So, Lia - ready.  

Cake - ready 

Hands- ready.

Spoon- wait, no spoon?

I pouted to myself. Skidding on the floor I reached the foot of the counter which was just four inches behind me. Straining my hand, I huffed and puffed to reach the spoons and fork holder. Squinting my eyes, while I struggled more to reach the bloody spoon holder but in vain.

What can I say, I was too lazy to stand up and get it for myself. I flinched loudly when the stand fell to the other side with a loud rattle. Oh shit!

Anyways, a mere spoon can't stop me from devouring this mouth-watering species. Shrugging, I plunged my fingers into the cake and began eating it. Yum. Yum. Yummy. 

Gosh, why do I even hate sweets? This is literally the best cake I have ever had. 

"What is this little kitty doing here?" A gasp escaped my lips because of the uncalled, husky voice. Theodore was standing against the pillar and his hair messed up with perfection. I could have bet his ran his fingers through them while hopping down.

He was freaking smirking with his arms folder under one another and looked devilishly handsome as ever. How can these people pull up the model act at such an hour in the night? They aren't humans, they are mechanical robots. 

"Meow-meow, " I purred, retaining my composure back. I pouted my lips and scrunching my eyes shut like an actual cat. I even brushed my fist against my cheek to prove my identity. Yes, I was a cat! The black panther one. 

This made some cream to smear around my cheekbone. I tried to wipe it away but realized that both my hands were creamy. So I ignored it and took out a cookie dough pastry to continue my delicacy testing process.

He watched with expanded eyes before throwing back his head and laughing. It echoed around the room and till the hall. A small smile played on my lips on its own accord. His laughter was contagious and so...sexy.

Once he recovered from his hysterical laughter I said innocently, "This lil' kitty came from your room when you were sleeping." I tried my best to act innocent and frail.

He came and sat beside me, still chuckling. "You're eating cake."

"Wow, Sherlock." I deadpanned.

"At midnight?" He teased, his eyes glinting with naughtiness. Where is my Theodore and who is he?

"Mind-blowing, Einstein!" I clapped in front of his face with a cheeky grin.

Accidently, I swear it was accidental, cream splashed against his cheek. Once, I realized what I did, I gathered a fistful of cream from the sides and slapped it against his right cheek. 

Sorry, but no sorry. It was no longer accidental. Remember your presence on this planet wasn't a mistake, so no accidents allowed. Gotcha?

His lips formed a big 'O' as he realized what happened. "Did you just-"

"I think yes," I stuttered causiously. "But I-I hope no," squealing, I sprinted on my legs and ran behind the counter. I shifted the spoons and forks under the counter to avoid any injury as Theodore stood up slowly and dangerously. He was still shocked.

I struggled not to break out into a fit of laughter but I failed miserably. Howling in laughter, I crouched down to hold my aching tummy. Gosh, I don't even remember when I laughed like this last.

"You are going to regret this." He confessed with a huff, making a poker face. I was enjoying this way too much. I was gonna regret it. But I was having too much fun so I wasn't going to stop either.

"Empty threats, Mr. Raymond? Tsk tsk tsk, I was expecting more, my bad." I crossed my limits by teasing him more.

"Dead. You're dead. Run." And so I did. I ran in the other direction, skipping my steps as he followed me hot on my trails. Since God decided to make him the happiest man on earth by awarding him taller legs, I thought why not use my jumping techniques then.

 So, I jumped over the counter but it looks like god loves him more. My landing wasn't good enough to carry on running without a halt and taking it as a boon, he scooped me up, crashing my body against him. 

Oh shit-

I gulped my spit when I realized that his face was too close to mine, his hand sweeping lower and further down. Breath seemed to get clogged as I sensed him spread his fingers, deliciously slow around my lower back and suddenly yanked me closer. My stuck breath and the sins of his matriculate fingers drew a strangled hitch along with a ragged sigh from my mouth, simultaneously. 

His eyes followed the movement and stopped at my lips. He blinked twice. Out of instinct, I brought out my tongue to lick my upper lip. A manly rumble reverberated from his chest and the vibration passed into my body coursing a million of goosebumps to ooze out. My legs pulled each other, rubbing them together. 

One of my hands crawled up to his chest to ensure this wasn't a dream. His heart was thundering, playing in sync with my own. His eyes didn't miss this mere action and he sucked in a breath through his nose and grinded his theeth.

His face began to lower and my eyes fluttered close like it had been doing this for decades. I strained myself up on my tiptoes and now our lips were just a hair's breadth away.

My chest ached to close the distance but I waited for him to do it, by chance if he ended up regretting it. The tiny thought was eating the moments

Theodore dipped his head making our lips brushed that moment. Millions of tingles and sparkles marched through my veins and exploded like fireworks in my gut making me clench my stomach. We were breathing the same air and for some reason, this made my stomach churn. It was exhilaratingly intimate and I craned my neck up. Theodore lifted up his eyes just to seek permission...

To be continued

***

It's more than telepathy,
It's destiny.

***

*Cough cough*
You guys good?