CHAPTER 21
Dylan chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. “I missed you too babe. How are you?”
“I’kom okay. How was work? Very stressful I know which is why I cooked something nice for you so go freshen up and come down to eat.”
“Ah! Wonderful. Let me go so I can go and freshen up then,” he said, smiling at her.
With a sheepish smile, Blair released Dylan and he gave her an equal smile before walking away.
Minutes later, Dylan was out of the bathroom. He did not even change to proper clothes when he went to sit on the dining table.
“Gosh, Dylan!” Blair exclaimed when she saw that Dylan was still in his bathrobe. “At least put on trousers. Are you that eager to eat?”
“Literally and figuratively, yes.” He gave her a wide grin and a wink, then started to dig into the food.
It took Blair some seconds to understand the meaning of his words, and when she did, she gasped and threw the plastic spoon in her hand at him.
Dylan dodged it with a chuckle. “Why do you want to abuse me?” He said dramatically, placing a hand on his chest.
Blair shook her head and took the seat opposite him.
“Damn, this food is mad! Jeez, Bella! Why did you never show this talent cause I’m wowed.”
“Oh well…” Blair blushed. “I just know the basics. But I can cook a lot more.”
“Look at her tooting her own horn.”
They both laughed to that statement and continued their food.
The night had been well spent, and Blair was wrapped in Dylan’s arms after another intense session together. She laid her head on his chest, drawing lazy circles with her fingers as they stayed in the not so complete silence. The window blinds were drawn open, and Dylan watched as the rain drizzled with a racing heart. He hoped Blair could not hear how fast his heart was pounding, and this was as a result of lack of confidence.
Somehow, Dylan had doubts about asking he to be his forever. It seemed like a wonderful idea that he could not wait to carry out at first, but when the time came for him to ask her, questions upon questions filled his head: what if she wanted to end the contract when they both agreed? What if her feelings were not as deep and intense as his? What if she rejected him?
A deep sigh pushed past Dylan’s lips, and it took a while for him to realize that he sighed out loud.
Blair looked up at Dylan’s face when she heard him sigh. His brows were knotted and his forehead was wrinkled. His gaze was steady at the window, and Blair could not help but wonder what he was thinking about so deeply.
Dylan glanced at Blair, wondering if she heard him sigh. Her curious gaze was the answer he needed.
“Dylan, what is bothering you? You seem so lost in your thoughts,” Blair said.
“It-uh- it’s nothing. You don’t have to worry about me. Just some random thoughts,” he replied, giving her a small smile.
“Oh come on, Dylan. It’s not nothing. I know something is wrong. Don’t I deserve to know?” Playing the guilt trip card was worth it, as a horrified look had crossed his face.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
“No, no, Bella. I don’t mean it that way, I swear.”
“Then what is it? Why are you sighing like a tired old woman?”
“It’s just- I was just…” he wondered if he should tell her and free himself of the burden. After all, she was the one he was thinking about. He would just tell her.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to-”
“No. I’ll tell you. I was thinking about how to ask you to…” he trailed off. His heart was pounding the more now.
“To…?” Blair had sat up against the headboard, holding the blanket to her chest.
Deciding to get it over and done with, Dylan spilled it. “To go on a date with me tomorrow evening. Would that be fine by you?”
Blair scoffed and went back to the former position that she lay. “So that was all you wanted to ask? And you were looking like you wanted to announce a terminal illness.” Dylan chuckled at that. She could be so dramatic. “It’s just a date duh. I would go even if you said we should go right now. This is not the first time so why were you so deeply in thought about something as simple? Or is there still something you’re not telling me?”
Dylan shook his head. “No, really. That’s what was bothering me.” Lying through his teeth was not something he wanted to do, but he just had to do it. It would ruin the whole thing if he told her at this time, and it would also create a bad picture.
Blair was still giving him a suspicious gaze.
“I swear, Bella. There’s nothing.” Dylan rose both hands to nail the point.
“Alright… if you say so. Tell me about this date, what should I wear? Where are we going?”
“Hmm…” Dylan grazed his stubble. “What to wear… maybe we should go for shopping tomorrow-”
“N-O, no! No more shopping this week, Dylan. Gosh, do you have any idea on how much we spent on clothes a few days ago? And you wouldn’t even let me pay with my own money.” The last time Dylan had dragged her for shopping, they had bought a whole new wardrobe of clothes, all paid for by him. The usual thing that happened was that women liked shopping, but Blair could clearly see that most women were learners when it came to shopping compared to Dylan.
“Okay, I’ve heard. Don’t crucify me. I was just saying that if in case you didn’t find what to wear… you know… anyway, just wear whatever you deem fit. I’ll probably match whatever colour you decide. As for where we’re going, have you ever heard me say where we are going before? You should know better, Bella.”
Blair rolled her eyes and pulled the blanket up her chin.
“You’re beginning to shiver, Bella. Go put on your nightie. You don’t plan to sleep naked, do you?”
Blair shook her head. “But I don’t want to get up…” she yawned and snuggled closer.
“Nope, Bella. Or should I get your clothes myself? If I do that, I’ll help you put it on. And if that happens you know I might take it too far…” Dylan winked at her and bit the corner of his lips.
“Okay, okay, I’ll go. Come to think of it, the punishment is way better than getting up. Why not just punish me?” Blair gave him a sly smile and he laughed.
She finally got out of bed and dressed up, then went back to snuggling with Dylan.
Dylan felt uneasy. He didn’t understand what it was and why, but he just had this strange feeling. His stomach was fluttering, not the good kind, and his heart felt like it was being struck with something. He had tried to push that feeling to the back of his mind but it still managed to come back again and again.
It was hard for him to concentrate on his work because of that, and while he was seated in a meeting, he was so lost in thoughts that he had no idea when the presentation started or ended. He looked like a fool when he was asked what he thought about it, and the Dylan who always had something to say could not form a proper statement this time.
Dylan heard a vibration which pulled him out of his train of thoughts. He checked and saw that he had received a message from Alexa about the restaurant reservation. Dylan clicked the pictures open and began to go scroll through. There was one that caught his attention. The interior was kind of glamorous, but very breathtakingly beautiful. The chair were curved in, and it had no colour, instead it had mirror-like stuff for the back cover, then cream coloured insides.
He looked closer at the top right corner of the picture and squinted to read out the name written there, then when he was able to read it, he went online to search for it. Luckily for Dylan, it was the name of the hotel, and he was also able to find the ratings.
Their food had high ratings, the staff, the interior decorations and the service provided was also rated highly, then there were also nice comments.