You Should Have Chosen me

Chapter 33

I managed to get out of bed when he rolled over. Quickly but yet without making any noise, I went into the toilet and washed my face and cleaned up. I rang for the guards to come pick me up also. I stood at the entrance of his room and looked at him sleeping. I knew I had feelings for him. I was nervous to believe that he did have feelings for me too. I could feel it between us. 

Turning away, I went downstairs and grabbed my shoes and thankfully, the guards rang in time telling me they were at the front already. I prayed there were no paparazzi because I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. Or do I... 

Snapping out of it, I got into the car with ease. My phone rang again and it was Anthony.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU BIIITTCCHHH." he screamed.

"Birthday? Oh fuck. It is my birthday. I completely forgot." 

"Are you kidding me Tati. I'm on my way to your place now with some Thai food." he hung up.

I sat quietly. I forgot my own birthday. That's how depressed and lost I was. 

"Happy Birthday Miss Fiori." one of the guards said.

"Thanks boys." I smiled weakly.

We pulled up to the loft and sadly there were papps there. The guys shielded me from them but it was tough not to hear the questions they were yelling at me.

"Tati, not planning on getting kidnapped again?"

"Tati spending your birthday with another psycho boyfriend?"

 I got in quick enough to not hear the other stream of accusations and questions. Apparently, the rumor mill had said that I planned the kidnapping because I was seeking attention from my parents. There were other cruel things also but I have chosen to completely ignore it. 

NYC traffic was at a standstill and they were trailing me on their bikes and scooters. What a nightmare.

When I opened my door at the back of the apartment, there stood Anthony with a chocolate cake in his hand, Tristan was there smiling at me, the girls were there also. They screamed "Happy Birthday" and I couldn't help but burst into tears.

I myself couldn't tell if I was happy, shocked or sad. Between my sobs, I said "Thanks so much, you guys. I can't believe I forgot my own birthday." I hiccuped.

"Oh, honey come here." Kia said and hugged me after I blew out the candles. I hugged everyone, but I left Tristan last.

When I finally hugged him, he said softly "You left this morning. Everyone was supposed to come there. You had me worried." he stroked my hair.

"I was just lost in m own world. How did you know about my birthday anyway?"

"How can I not remember anything about someone who's important to me?" that shut me up instantly.

True to my nature, all I did was shake my head. He was by my side throughout the mini party we were having. The girls had brought take away Italian food from the deli nearby. Tristan sat next to me. He would do subtle yet simple touches on my thigh or on my back. Sometimes he'd brush back a stray piece of hair behind my ear.

Stacey and Kia were wiggling their eyebrows at me whenever I looked at them and it made me want to smack them on the head. Yes, they eventually dragged me into the kitchen to give them some scoop. 

"Spill the beans you dog." Kia smirked at me.

"There are no beans to be spilled, you guys." I sighed.

"Don't give us that crap. You think we haven't noticed that he's been staring at you a lot and not to mention you were over at his place?!" Stacey said.

"Ok fine, yes I was at his place. But the reason I went there in the first place was to see his mother and he made me stay the night when I fell asleep in the afternoon. We watched a movie and hung out." 

"And...."

"Ok, and I may have come onto him but he turned me down." I pouted ad they laughed.

"OH burn!! Can't believe that he did that though. He looked like he was about to eat you u earlier." Kia said.

"Ugh, you guys, please. Not going to happen." I whined.

"It will. Don't worry about it." Stacey reassured me.

"Girls, I'm leaving now. Want me to give you guys a ride back to your places?" Anthony popped in.

"Yea sure Tony." they grabbed their purses and gave me hugs and went off.

Left just Tristan, me and.. Athena. But she was somewhere in the loft.

"So, I didn't get the chance to give you your present." he said when I walked into the lounge room where he was sitting and watching the tv.

"Oh, you didn't have to Tristan." I was pretty sure I was blushing.

He took out an envelope from his inner seam of the jacket he was wearing and held it out to me. I sat next to him and opened the envelope and I pulled out two sheets of paper. I just had to read the header and I started squealing.

"YOU GOT ME TICKETS FOR TOMORROWLAND?!" I hugged him and kept saying thank you.

"I'm happy you love it so much." he said.

That's when I realize I was probably choking him from my hug.

"I've been dying to go. I just never had the time to. Or anyone to go with."

"Well now you can make time and take anyone to go with you." he smiled.

"Are you kidding me. Why would I go with anyone else? I only want to go with you." I said. Then realized that I probably came off too desperate.

"I mean if you're not busy or anything." I tried to cover up.

"I'll go anywhere with you, anytime. Don't worry about it." he kissed my forehead.

I was still on his lap and after that, we watched some tv. Cuddled up with Athena finally joining us.

"I better be going. I've got to head to the office tomorrow." I got off his lap and walked him to the door.

"Thank you very much for the day. I'm happy." I hugged him.

He said thank you and we stood there hugging each other for quite a while. I loved hugs like this. The ones where you just don't want to let go. Heck, I didn't want to let go. I didn't know about him. We pulled back at the same time and I kissed his cheek.

"Good night Tatiana." he went off.

I closed the door and leaned against it. I couldn't help but feel happy and sad at the same time. Happy for such a nice day but sad that he left.

I switched off the tv and cleaned up a little. Then I heard a knock on the door. I opened it and found Tristan.

"Trista--"

"Just wait. Don't say anything. Let me speak. I've known you for a really long time even though you can't remember. I understand if you don't feel the same way, but I just need to try. I can't keep putting it off any longer. So Tatiana. Will you go out on a date with me." 

"Yes."