Chapter 18: Birthday

Chapter 18

Eros Dylan Donovan

Birthday

It has been a week since we admitted to ourselves that we like each other. It took us guts. But we didn't care. All we knew is to kiss and kiss until we were out of breath, until we were panting, until we were begging to each other to stop but were not able to because we needed the contact.

It's Mike's birthday today, and I want to cook some for him. For the whole week, we just did the 'I want to know you more' thing. And it went good. I have learned a lot of about Mike, and he mentioned that he was writing letters for his special someone. I asked him if I was the special one, but he said nothing. I admit, I was kind of hurt that today. I hoped that maybe, those letters he had written would be passed on to me. I know we're dealing unknown things on our own, but still, I can't push the thought out of my mind. Ever time I would think of it, I would feel hurt because there's the feeling that I'm not special. That I'll never be special. For him.

We keep sneaking kisses here and there, whenever Brad is not looking. Because he would ask a lot of questions, and I don't want him to get curious. He'd bug me for eternal.

I know pasta with meatballs is overrated in occasions such as birthdays, but I don't know any other recipes for me to cook. Mike is a great cook. A chef at heart. He knows all the kitchen things and I'm amazed by his knowledge. For someone like a guy, he sure knows a lot about cooking. Then I remember, his Dad is a freaking chef and owner of the best restaurants in town. I feel ashamed suddenly, thinking that I am not right for him. I try to push it at the back of my mind. No luck. But even the negative thought is running in my head, I still want to cook some simple yet very delicious foods. I may not be as great as his father when it comes to cooking, but I promise that these foods that I'm going to cook will be made with passion and love.

Turning on the stove, I place the big casserole on top with 3/4 water. Hotdogs. I turn on another stove and put it on light, placing a pan on it and pouring a little bit of oil. I cut the hotdogs in tidbits and throw them at the slightly heated pan. The oil makes a popping sound as the hotdogs make contact with oil. The water is now boiling and I grab two pasta in the cabinet, tear the cover, cut the noodles in half, and put them in the boiling water. I pour a little oil in it so it would not be sticky. Grabbing a spatula, I toss the hotdogs and take a plate in the drawer. I put some tissues on the plate so when I place the hotdogs on it, the tissues will absorb the oiliness of the hotdogs. I put another casserole on another stove and get three tomato sauce and tomate paste from the cabinet again. There are so many drawers and cabinets here! I get the ground beef from the fridge and place them on the table, deciding that I should get this done so I can start to bake.

Preheating the oven, I start to mold the chocolate into a round and sprinkle some mini chocolate kisses. Smiling triumphantly, I put it in a large baking tray and place it inside the oven.

I woke up early so I could prepare the foods for Mike. I want to surprise him. These past few days, I've been sneaking and buying groceries and putting them in my room so he wouldn't see it. I succeeded in my litte mission though. It's now 8 in the morning and I'm glad that Mike has no classes today. I'm pretty sure his friends will be here. I so want to meet them. I have cooked all his favorites and I'm sure he will like it.

A phone rings. I look at the phone on the wall beside the door that leads to the dining area. I head over there and pick up the call, wanting to know who it is.

"Happy Birthday, Mike!" A man says happily and excitedly.

"Um... Sorry, sir. I'm not Mike." I say, rubbing the back of my neck. He has the same accent as Mike and they both sound alike. I hear a brief 'oh' and then silence falls upon us. I just want to drop the call and head on but it would be rude. I don't even know this man.

"You must be Eros," the man says. I nod. Then smack myself internally because he can't see me. "Hi, I'm Mikel. Mike's father." Oh. Mikel. Mickey. I internally laugh. He pronounces it as 'Mee-Chael'.

"Yes, sir." I say politely. I don't know why I have to sound tough and convincing.

Maybe it's just because it's Mike's father, and somehow I need to respect it. On the other part, I want to know, even if he can't see me, what would be his reaction like to me?

"No need to be polite, Eros." Mikel states, clearing his voice and says sorry. I tell him it's okay. "Could you do me a favour? Tell Mike that I'll treat him as I get home. He's already 18 and he is now free. He can move in with the house right now. Unless he has changed his decision. Anyways, just tell Mike that his father called. Thanks, Eros." He hangs up before I even say good-bye. Rude. But he doesn't sound like it. It seems like he's in a rush or something because I could hear a lot of murmur in a background and someone was calling him.

Putting the phone back, I get a paper and a pen from the drawer that is beside the window. Taking a seat, I think of the words that I'd like to say to him. I smile as the words come into my mind without any delays. From the paper, I write:

'Dear Mickey 'Mike' Hollister, it's your birthday today and I have cooked most of your favorites. I'm not good when it comes to cooking, but I did it for you. I tried my best. Even the foods are the ones you eat almost every day, I made it with love. It is something that I'm proud of. Sorry if I don't have any presents for me to give you. It's out of my budget, but I'll buy you something soon. It wouldn't be expensive, because you know my job, and I don't earn a lot from it, but I'll surprise you. I admit, I haven't thought of it yet. Of what I'll give to you. So it will be a surprise for me, too.

One of the things I like about you is your eyes. They are so beautiful and dark. And when you look at me, I feel like I would melt. And your tattoos. I had thought that boys that have tattoos are troubles. And you are. But different. You gave it a whole different meaning. You're so cute when you smile. I love making you smile.

I know that we're not used to this yet. I can't say these words to you face to face. Because we're still adjusting. But I really do like you like I said last week. Someday, I'll tell you the words I've been wanting to say to you. But let's give it a time.

I hope you enjoy your birthday, Mike. XX💘, Eros.'

Reading it, I blush at my own words and scowl because it's so cheesy and it's not so me. It's like a different Eros wrote this down and wanted to torture me. But I place it on the table anyway. Sniffing myself, I smell like smoke so I decide that I'll take a shower first before I wake Mike up. So I head inside my room and take a shower.

After 15 minutes of showering, I get out of the bathroom and pick the clothes that I would wear. I decide that I'll just wear a grey sweatpants and a white tank top. Heading downstairs, I hear Mike's voice and he's in the living room and I immediately smile as soon as I hear his Angelic voice.

"Sure, I'll spend the day with you guys. You guys are my brothers!" Mike says excitedly and my smile turns into a frown.

Of course, Mike would spend the rest of his birthday with his friends. They're like brothers. And not to mention, richer than me. Bitterly, I roll my eyes and decide I should go back upstairs and lock myself in the room. I don't want to deal with him right now. Unt I hear a squeak. I quickly run to the dining area and find Mike reading the letter that I have written. His eyes are darting to the letter then to the table that has lots of foods on top on it. I immediately get nervous and my fingers toy with the hem of my top. Mike turns around and sees me. All the bitterness I have thought earlier is gone when his eyes connect with mine. He looks at me with teary eyes and runs to me and gives me a hug that nearly crushes me. I make an oomf sound and he buries his face in my chest as he hugs me tightly. I put my arms around him and kiss him on his forehead.

"Thank you," he whispers, nuzzling his nose against my chest, sniffling.

I put my index finger om his chin and raise it and I lean down to give him a birthday kiss, which is slow at the first seconds then gets intense as he runs his hands up and down my back, which electrifies my whole body as he does it. I bite his lower lip and he moans and parts his lips, then I slip my tongue inside. He tastes so damn good and perfect. My tongue roams inside his mouth, touching every corner of it. I pull away and put trail of kisses down his neck and suck his Adam's apple as he puts his hands on my hair, gripping it, making me suck harder. His skin tastes salty, but sweet at the same time. I swear I tasted Coconut when I first sucked his collarbone. I pull away again and peck his lips.

"I have a changed of plans, though." Mike says, pecking my lips. Then he pecks it again. Then he kisses me for five seconds. I laugh. Then he pecks my lips again. "I'll spend the rest of the day with you." He says then blushes.

In 15 minutes, Brad gets down and sees the foods on the table and runs, taking a seat on the stool but unable to since he can't reach it. Mike laughs and scopes Brad and places him on the stool. Mike then gives Brad a plate of pasta with lots of sauce and cheese on top and I shoot a smile at Mike's direction. I'm glad I met this guy.

My phone rings and I head to the living room to answer it. When I take a look at the Caller ID, none. Unknown number. So I answer it and my whole body tenses as the very familiar voice speaks.

"Hi, Erdy. How are you doing?"