My Mr. Perfect, Imperfect

Chapter 48: His Birthday Night

"I'm sorry, it's not a billion dollar car or a 100 million dollar watch."

Jade hovered at her surprisingly, wondering why she ever want to get him stuff like that.

"But in exchange, you don't have to buy me such things, either." She ended the sentence with a sigh.

"I already have trending cars and watches." He muttered, frankly.

"Why? Did someone tell you that I'll need something like that?"

"Yes... Zoey did. Rom..." She stopped between her words, knowing that Jade won't like it when she call Rome's name. "My... my bestie's brother, apparently fancy those things." She rephrased.

Jade blushed at the way she stammered.

"I love it when you say bestie. I know it's a girlie thing but can't you call me bestie too?" He cast an eager look at the beauty in front of him.

Sapphire wore a puzzled gaze at him. She couldn't understand why he gets jealous anytime she calls someone else a different name.

"Call me bestie from now on, uh? Imagine, you haven't even given me a nickname..." He whined.

"Hurry up and open your gift." She instructed like she would to her pupil.

"This is something that you'll definitely need. It'll help you get along better with others."

"Pencil colours for 8 years olds and above?" He read from the package. "I thought you said that I was an old man, though."

"And you got a year older today! You'll definitely need it someday, just keep it, okay? That's why I also prepared an adult-friendly gift for you. She opened her bag and brought out a tiny, small box.

Palm sized.

It was a little bit bigger than a ring box.

"Should I open it?" He asked but Sapphire replied his question with a smile. It's clear that he loves her surprises.

Jade opened the box and he saw a black, shiny bow tie.

A surprising look flashed through Jade's face almost immediately.

"I wanted to get you a tie with that but I didn't want you to say I had lascivious thoughts."

"Huh? Luscious thoughts?" He questioned.

"Y...you don't know what I'm talking about?" She stammered, nervously.

"No... What are you talking about?" Jade asked interestedly pulling closer to her. Dramatically studying her eyes.

"Well, I'm... Never mind, if you don't know it, forget about it." Sapphire shyly looked away.

"Hey! You should explain things to me if I don't know. Now, tell me. What is it?"

"Ummm..." Sapphire peeled off her finger nails, awkwardly. She looked timid trying to explain to him what gifting a tie to a man, means.

And for a second, she thought of how to do it but start stared at him intensely. Jade stared back, still confused at her glittering blue eyes.

Then she grabbed his black tie and pulled him towards herself. Still, they were just an inch close. Still staring into his eyes. She looked down, unable to look any deeper, else.... She might just do something else. Sapphire, then closed her eyes and placed her forehead on his. Literally close enough to inhale his earthy, autumnal scent of his white suit as she breath in. Sapphire felt his hot breath on her face while she tried not to give in, the thought of sharing a passionate kiss with Jade Alejandro.

Hot.

Jade's dark eyes lightened up when they make another eye contact. Sapphire on the other hand, couldn't figure out what was happening but for some reasons, she just wanted to be like that with him.

"You're mine." Sapphire paused in her words as she watch Jade's lips curve into a smile.

"That's what gifting a tie means." She told him.

Just that moment. Fire knew he was going to kiss her right way as he slowly clutched the nape of her neck, lifting her jaw up with his thumb. It felt as if Jade too had the same feelings and thoughts, but he didn't want to rush her. Or get another stamping on his feet. He closed his eyes too and carefully leaned forward when she gently pulled away.

Sapphire was petrified.

"That's what Zoey told me." She swallowed softly and sit properly.

Jade's hands crawled to hers, capturing it in a soft touch. Just then, he noticed the softness of her hands. It felt moist, like that of a baby.

"I love the gift. Why don't you get me a tie, Fire?" Jade begged.

"You get what you get, you shouldn't get upset. I bought you a bow tie, shouldn't you be more appreciative?" She rolled her eyes at him.

"You're supposed to buy what the celebrant wants, if it's a great gift. Next time, get me a real tie, okay?" He rolled his eyes at Sapphire while she gave him an awkward look from the corner of her eyes.

"Perhaps, this is the first birthday present I've gotten in twenty-three years." He whined.

"Complaining about a gift is not polite, you know." Sapphire scorned.

"There's one present that I really want, though."

Sapphire looked at him, interestedly. She wanted to know what he wants. Jade pouted his lips as her as he studied her nervous reaction.

"Are you going to be okay?" He whispered.

"Yeah. Let's just get it over with." Sapphire replied with a little courage.

"Okay." He breathed.

Then, she wrapped her arms around his neck and teased him with her big blue eyes.

"Okay," Jade repeated.

He awkwardly put his arms around her waist while they intensely stared into each other's eyes for an awkward second.

Jade leaned down, and Sapphire brought her head up. Their lips connected in an instant.

Jade deepened the kiss with his larger hands taking a good hold on the nape of her neck. Then his right hand moved to her shoulder while the other grabbed her waist, closer.

Sapphire rolled with him as her tiny fingers brushed through his dark hair. Just a minute ago, she was nervous about kissing him but just now. She realized that she wants more and more of him.

She ran her hands through his silky hair and grabbed it full fist in her hands.

After a while, Jade shifted so that Sapphire would sit on his lap. He tugged at the bottom of her shirt. His hand slid up her spine and Sapphire felt a tremor go through her body.

Jade's soft hands slid back down around her, resting at her hip. He unconsciously tilted his head to deepen the kiss. They kissed more and more passionately by the second.

After a moment, Jade unintentionally slid his hand down and lightly touched Sapphire on the back of her thigh.

She stopped moving.

"Stop."

"What?" He pulled away. "What's wrong?"

"Just stop." She pulled away and got up. Without looking back, she ran away.

Jade stared after her in disbelief. It took a moment for it to click.

"Oh, no. I'm a terrible person... what have I done?" He put he head in my hands and ran after her, downstairs.

"I'm so sorry, Fire. I thought you gave me a go ahead. I mean.. what did I do wrong?"

"What did you do?" Sapphire's expression hardened.

Jade beckoned to her as he moved closer. "I thought you loved it. I mean..." he nibbled on the lower part of his full lip, confusedly while Sapphire stared at him, horrified.

"You are a terrible person, Jade! Just take me home!"

Jade opened the door as she threw herself in, feeling so guilty. Jade wanted to say something but for some reasons, he felt so speechless.

Getting to her neighborhood, Jade packed his car how he normally do.

He opened the door as she walked outside and followed suit as he dropped her off.

Sapphire went to her room without saying goodbye. She closed the door feeling so disappointed at herself. I just wanted to make his birthday a memorable one. Why did I kiss him back?" She asked herself and took off her clothes. It felt a little hot inside so she turned on her standing fan and went to take a cold shower.

Sapphire couldn't help but to think about everything that had happened. 'So he's an adopted child.' she pondered over the thought as water lingered down her perfect body.

Jade on the other hand swerved into his compound. Already tired, he went into his room and took off his white jacket. Pissed off and taking off his tie, he couldn't help but to remember when he told her, "There's one present that I really want, though."

"How annoying. I should have just given her a simple kiss." He nagged at himself. Almost strangling himself with the tie that refuse to come off.

Just then, he got a message. It was from Sapphire. He quickly opened it to read as a smile appeared on his lips.

"Thanks a lot for the ride. And about the kiss, let's forget about it for now even though you're a good kisser. Umm... Let's meet up near my school next time, okay?" She texted.

"B..but I'm busy." He messaged her back.

"I thought you said that the issue at the hotel got resolved already. And I'm also busy." Sapphire replied him.

"You have more free time than I do, though."

"Being a teacher isn't easy as well. Becoming a CEO is your choice, not mine. Let's do this fair and square, okay?"

"Fair and square?"

"Yes, fair and square. You have to see me once if I come to see you once and, I get to solve one of my issues once you've solved one of yours. We have to do things equally like this for everything to be fair." Her fingers typed on the screen of her phone.

"There's nothing like this in the contract."

"Of course, there is!"

"We'll respect each others' opinion. That was in there as the third clause." She explained.

"But today is my birthday."

"That's why I'm saying we'll do this after today." She pointed out.

"Happy birthday." She sent a cartoon sticker to him. "Even though its the last hour of your birthday."

"Thank you. He sent a sticker in reply."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Then she sent him a kiss sticker before turning off her phone.

Jade smiled at it.

"She can send me a kiss sticker but she's always nervous to give me one." He blushed over his phone and scrolled through the contacts.

Remembering how his day went, he decided to dial Sandra's number.

"Yes, mother. Today's my birthday, apparently." He reminded her.

"Jadee. My son..." Tears gathered Sandra's eyes as she remembered that she'd never for once remembered his birthday despite the fact that she treats him like her own son.

It's always been a sad day for both of them so, what they normally do is cry.

"I'm sorry, my son. I never wished you happy birthday." Tears lingered down her eyes as she voice shivered over the phone.

"I'm sorry. I'm terribly sorry." She wept softly.

"Thank you for taking care of me well, mother. I don't think I've ever thanked you for that, either."

"You've been the best son I could ever wish for. Thanks for being my son, Jade. Thanks, really." She sniffed, quietly.

Jade tried hard not to cry. Although, hearing her trembling voice made him sad but he was grateful.

Sandra held the phone to her ears with more tears in her eyes. "Thank you for being my son. Here, thank you."

"Goodnight, Mother. I'll be hanging up now." He muttered before clicking on the end call button.

Jade took out an heavy sigh as he gently place his phone on the table. Thinking about how the day went. It seemed today was the best.

He checked on the black bow tie Sapphire presented to him, as he watched it with so much admiration.

"Thank you Sapphire, for coming to my life." He muttered to himself.