Putting on some lip balm, I smiled at myself in the mirror. I had just finished dressing up for the day; wearing a casual blue t-shirt an jean shorts.

This is the third house that I've moved into for the last few months. First Dante's home, then the warehouse and now this place.

It was very thoughtful of Dante to bring the things from my apartment to this house.

Although I am a little annoyed that he quite literally broke into the apartment, without my permission but, I'm not mad at him.

Today, I had woken up an hour earlier than usual because I wanted to surprise Dante.

Today is his birthday but the dimwit didn't tell me. I found out in the morning when Noah and Dom came by. Since he was sleeping they said that they would come by later.

Ever since we've met each other, he has been nothing but nice to me so I wanted to thank him by making chocolate chip cookies for him; because I didn't know how to make cake.

I know it isn't comparable to the help and safety he has given me, but it's the thought that counts, right ?

Playing my favorite music, I rummaged through the cupboards and fridge. This was an actual house, so there was an actual kitchen including all the ingredients needed.

Perfecto !

I started by making the cookie dough. It was a recipe that my Dad, my Mom and I made every Christmas. Thinking of them made me sad.

Are they even my real parents, at his point ? Maybe Nikolai was adopted, or was I ?

All I know is that I will love them forever, even if they might not be my parents because they're the ones that took care of me and were always by my side when I needed them.

After I finished making the dough, I took large spoonfuls of it and placed them on a tray. Preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, I had to wait for a while.

So in the time being, I cleaned the counter and took a large plate that I found here, to keep the cookies on.

Ten minutes later, I put the tray in and now had to find something to do for the next fifteen minutes.

I started working. After doing finishing touches to the codes of the algorithm that Dylan sent me, I sent them to the company we created it for. Yes, by 'Dylan' I mean the guy who took me out on a date.

I think he probably realized that I wasn't interested and gave up. We're still friends though.

Speaking of work; lately I haven't seen nor spoken to Liam much. When I try to call or hang out with him, he always says that he is either busy or tired.

Initially, I didn't find it weird but now I do. Maybe he's really busy and I'm overthinking.

After the cookies finished baking, I waited for them to cool and then placed them on a plate.

Pouring milk into a glass, I kept the plate and the glass on the kitchen island. I walked towards Dante's room to wake him up.

Before entering, I knocked on the door. Maybe he's awake. I thought.

He didn't answer. Well, he's still sleeping....

I opened the door and peeked in. Seeing that Dante was on the bed, I walked into his room. It was a plain room, to be honest.

The room gave off modern vibes with the amount of black and white colors in here.

I looked at Dante. He was on the edge of the bed, very close to falling off the bed. The blankets were wound around his shirtless body.

His hair was messy and I think he had drool on the side of his lips.

Going closer to him, I gently shook his shoulder, saying "Dante ? Wake up..." Seeing that he didn't even move, I repeated myself but shook him a vigorously now.

"Wake up, you doofus !" I shouted. Aaand...he finally woke up....

"Azalea..." said Dante, annoyed at me for waking him up. "Happy Birthday !" I said, messing his hair. He looked at me, confused at how I knew. "What ? I have my sources."

"That's not how you're supposed to wake me up ! That too, on my birthday !" He whined.

"You didn't get up when I was being gentle. It ain't my fault." I defended myself.

"Mmmm...." He said, going back to sleep. "Get uuupppp !" I whined, shaking his shoulder. When he didn't, I thought of an idea.

Smiling devilishly, I said, "Guess I'll just have to get a glass of water then."

"I'm awake." Dante said, sitting up on the bed.

Ha ! That's what I thought...

Walking out of his room, I went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee.

When I finished doing so, I picked up a cookie. And as if on cue, Dante entered the kitchen.

"Ohhh...did you make cookies ?" He asked, rubbing his hands together. Now, he was dressed in a t-shirt and sweatpants.

"Yeah, for your birthday. Try one." I said, smiling at him, warmly.

"Oh..wow...these are goood..." He commented, in between bites.

"Thanks." I smiled, content that he liked them.

After both of us finished eating, we drank our beverages. His being milk and mine being coffee.

Gulping the last sip, I stood up and put all the dishes in the sink.

Before I could start washing them, Dante spoke up. "Azalea." He paused. "I need to tell you something."

I turned around only to see him look a little worried.

"Ookaayy..." I dragged the word, wanting him to continue.

"Um...." He said, lost for words. I've never seen Dante this worried. What if something bad has happened ?

"Dante ? You're kinda scaring me. What's wrong ? Did something happen ?" I asked, question after question.

In a swift motion, Dante was in front of me. We were only inches away from each other now.

"Please, don't be mad at me for this." He mumbled. As soon as he said those words, my brain went haywire for two reasons.

One, his lips were so close to mine that I could his warm breath on my lips that made me feel a tingle down my spine . Two, what the hell does he mean by that ?

"Huh ? Don't be mad at you for wh-" I was stopped mid-sentence by Dante's lips that came crashing down on mine.

By his actions, my eyes closed voluntarily. His lips pressed against mine delicately; it felt like time stopped. When I kissed him back, I felt Dante smirk against my lips.

He pulled me in closer, my body pressed flush against his hard chest; claiming my mouth, hungry and intense, until my heart pounded in my chest and my knees gave in as they got weaker by the second.

Heat rose from my stomach to my chest. The softness of his lips and the feeling of his tongue pressing against mine made my insides tighten.

All I could only focus on was how his lips felt against my mouth and how addictively he invaded all my senses.

If I'm being honest, I am sure I would've turned into a pile of mush if it wasn't for Dante's arms gently wrapped around my unsteady waist.

Now, wasn't just my spine that felt electricity; my whole body tingled.

The feel of his frame leaning on mine as his arms wrapped around my waist felt ineffable.

My mind went blank with Dante's touch, I slowly wrap my arms around the back of his neck, pulling him a little closer to me.

Although, I don't think we could get any closer than we are right now.

Dante gently bit my bottom lip, wanting to deepen the kiss but I didn't let him.

He is going to have to work for it.

Slowly, his hands traveled down to the hem of my shirt and almost immediately I could feel his fingers on my bare waist.

This made me slightly gasp in surprise. Dante took this opportunity to deepen the kiss.

My giddy mind forced my lips to pull away from his, in desperate need for air. I feel a mixture of affection towards him when his gaze focuses on me.

Too distracted by the heat of his hands on my waist and the redness of his lips, I don't move my arms that are wrapped around his neck.

"That was the best birthday gift ever..." He breathed, resting his forehead on mine. "Now, I can say that I kissed the most perfect girl in the world."

I smiled at what he just said to me; I was lost for words.

"Happy Birthday, Dante." I murmured, giving him a hug.

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