Chapter 152 CHAPTER 152
Michael’s POV
“Happy birthday,” I said.
She blinked. Her eyes travelled from the bouquet of flowers in my hand to the parcel strapped underneath my arm. She shifted her weight to one foot and leaned against the door.
“I was having a party,” she said.
She was slightly drunk.
I nodded. “I just wanted to deliver these in person,” I said, feeling stupid and hating the fact that I had not listened to my voice of reason.
I stretched the flower towards her and she collected it. “Thanks,” she said and hiccupped. Her eyes were a bit cloudy.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She smiled. “Sure.”
She stepped aside and pushed the door wide enough for me to walk in. “You can drop the parcel in.”
I stepped in expecting to see a group of friends. Or perhaps a single companion. The room was dark and the only source of light was from the TV screen from which a movie was playing. On the floor was a half eaten box of pizza and a bottle of wine.
“I thought you were having a party,” I said, placing the parcel on the sofa and swinging around to face her.
She shrugged. “Ever heard of the word solo party?”
“Sounds sad,” I said.
I wondered if she was having this solo party because she had no one to invite or she just wanted to be alone. Whichever it was, it was a sad reason.
“You don’t mind company, do you?” I asked, rolling my sleeves up.
She crossed her hand over her chest. Her eyes locked mine. “If you don’t mind watching a sad movie with me,” she said. Then she rolled out some paper napkins and stretched them towards me. “In case you cry.”
I smiled and accepted it.
We sat on the floor and watched the movie together. I hadn’t watched any movies in years, and the simple act of this shared moment felt very precious.
Her eyes were red and she had used a couple of rolls of the paper napkins by the time the movie was over. I still had mine tucked in my pocket.
“That was so heart wrenching,” she said, noticing my dry eyes. “You didn't shed a tear? You must be heartless.”
She reached for the bottle and poured the last serving of wine into her cup. “Love is made to hurt,” she said before she gulped the entire cup down her throat.
Her words were like daggers to my chest. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I went to the florist to get flowers, or when I had driven all the way here, or parked outside her house for minutes wondering if it was best to go in or not. But it was definitely not this.
She smiled at me as she dropped the cup. “You weren’t entertained?”
I moved closer. Her smile faltered as I did. Her eyes searched mine and I wished she would not be able to see how much I wanted her.
“You shouldn’t get drunk alone. Ever, Evelyn,” I said, squeezing her hand.
Her brows twitched.
I wipe the smear of fluid on the corner of her mouth. “Any day you want to get drunk or watch a sad movie, call me. Don't do this alone.”
She scoffed lightly. “How do you expect me to call the person responsible for my pain when I'm sulking, Michael?"
My fingers dropped below her jaw and my thumb caressed her lips. She didn’t flinch. She looked at me and i saw warmth in her eyes.
“Let me take it away in any way that I can,” I said.
She leaned forward before I did, and her lips parted. Something in my head screamed that she would hate me for doing this when she was drunk. I tried to listen, but my lips brushed hers and I tasted the remnant of the wine on her lips.
Just briefly, I thought and closed my eyes.
We started slow and hesitant. Then she moved closer and I did too, guiding her into my arms. One hand rested behind her head and the other caressed her face, neck and body. My wolf growled, wanting her more and more. I knew we had to stop but the force between us was too strong for me to resist.
Then a sharp cry tore the air between us and we pulled apart.
“The baby,” she said, rising to her feet and dashing out of the room.
I let out a deep sigh and leaned against the sofa. It was then I noticed the buttons of my shirt were almost all undone.
“Fuck,” I cursed.
I shoudn’t have gotten carried away.
I flung my head backwards and buttoned up my shirt. I was on my feet when she returned, swaying the baby in her arms. I moved closer and kissed him gently. Her eyes remained fixed on him. I guess she was sober enough to know that if Michael had not cried, we might have gone far.
“Thank you for the pizza and the movie,” I said, watching her. She was still avoiding my eyes. “I..” I wanted to apologise for the kiss but I changed my mind. “I had a wonderful time.”
She nodded. “Thanks for coming.”
“I’ll be on my way,” I said.
She said nothing.
I walked to the door while she remained fixed where she was. I opened it and stepped out towards the car. Once inside, I leaned against the steering wheel and sighed.
“What is wrong with you?”
I wouldn’t blame her if she hated me for what I had done. I raised my head up and tried to start the car. The key was missing. After searching for minutes and refusing to believe that I had left it in Evelyn's house, I finally got down from the car and rang the doorbell again.
She answered after a few minutes. When she opened the door, she stood in the door way, her clothes gone and in place, a lingerie.