Late-night Snack

After Mr. Liu introduced me I took a few steps backward but I could still see the realization dawning on Ms. Chen's face when she heard my name. She seems happy and looks beautiful, almost as beautiful as Jack's mother which is already a feat in itself. And she seems equally beautiful when smiling. Even I can see that.

As their parents were talking, she squatted down, took out the black cat, and turned back to give it to Jack. Just as I imagined, it was a shocking surprise for almost everyone. I saw the moment Jack recognized the cat and I swear his eyes even lit up for a second but didn't say anything, while his father forced a smile on his face. But Mr. Liu was clearly not delighted with the little animal which now even has a little ribbon around its neck that matches the girl's dress. But at least he tried not to ruin the mood. A present is a present, he cannot do a damn thing about that.

I expected as much, so his expression didn't really surprise me. What surprised me was Jack suddenly giving a hug to Ms. Chen after seeing the cat. As it seems, neither did the girl, since she was quite stunned upon being hugged but in a good way. Then Jack picked up the cat from Ms. Chen's arms and started stroking its fur gently. I have to admit I didn't expect that such a small thing would mean so much to him.

"How about we go have dinner now?" asked Mr. Liu which was my signal to take the cat away put it back in its carrier and bring it upstairs. But before going up, I looked back one last time to see how they sit down at the dining room table and wait until their food is served. If I didn't know better I would think this is a happy family gathering. Maybe in a way, it is. Only...

                                                                          ******

I put the cat in Jack's room, poured him some water, and fed him some food and then I stroked its back... as an imitation of you.

As I went to have dinner myself, I heard them chatting and laughing from a distance. I thought to myself how I would give anything to get to spend your birthday with you. But that's just wishful thinking.

I stayed in the kitchen long after the plates were all gone and the dishes were cleaned and thought about your face when you first looked at your cake. I wasn't there to see the expression you made but you must have been smiling happily, I'm sure of it.

No, I have to stop. I can't keep thinking like this. What use is there, really? I'm gonna go back to my own life while he'll probably marry that woman he is now chatting with. He can say he only likes her as his sister as much as he wants, but eventually, he'll probably choose her and not me.

I really need to stop. I loosened my tie to feel less uncomfortable and uneasy. Mrs. Nichols and the other employees have all gone now, probably gone to bed already. But of course, only after making sure that every guest has left and their service is not needed anymore. I should probably go to sleep too.

"What is keeping you awake still?" I heard a low, gentle voice eerily close from behind me. As I turned my head, I saw Jack who was bending over toward me. If his intention was to surprise me, he succeeded. He really is like a cat walking without a sound.

"How long have you been here?" I asked curiously.

"No idea. But you were so deep in thought that you didn't even hear me opening the door and coming in. And why are you sitting in the dark?" He asked referring to the fact that the only source of light is provided by the flashlight of my phone on the table.

"Its light disturbs my eyes less than the lamps," I told him.

"Do you mind if I join you?" He asked pointing at the bottle before me.

"It's just a beer. But you are free to do whatever you want since it's your home," I told him matter-of-factly.

He didn't say a word just went to the fridge, took out a beer, and opened it.

"I see you cannot sleep as well," I said just to say something and nodded at him since he was still wearing his waistcoat above his shirt.

"No wonder, I had quite an overwhelming day, don't you think?" he grinned at me while drinking.

I decided not to respond to his comment and drank another mouthful of beer instead. He looked at me for a few minutes without saying a word, then put his bottle down on the table. I saw him getting a plate and a fork out of the cupboard, and then going directly to the fridge. At first, I was stunned at how he could eat again not so long after having dinner but when he turned around I saw that he put a slice of his birthday cake on the plate.

"It's only leftover but it's delicious, you should try it," he said as he put the dessert before me. I looked up at him but as I didn't say a word that mischievous smile from before appeared on his face again. "What, do you want me to feed you?"

"Why not?" I said in the spur of the moment. I was only joking but to my surprise, he took it seriously and really did offer me a forkful of it. I looked at him for a second before eating the small bit of cake from the fork in his hand.

"It's really delicious," I told him to make it feel less awkward. I reached out my arm in a way to ask him to give the fork to me. He hesitated for a moment but at last, gave the fork to me and sat down beside me.

"Mrs. Nichols told me you made the frosting and the decorations on it," he said after a while.

"I was just helping out, not a big deal. Besides, my mother is a confectioner, she taught me how to make a lot of things. It's not that impressive."

I'm not sure whether he didn't know how to respond to this or just didn't want to say anything but he just sat there watching me eating in silence. I was just thinking of what to say to make it less awkward when he smiled at me.

"You know, that was one hell of a birthday present," he didn't say it but I was almost sure what he meant.

"That was an accident. I wasn't intending to kiss you as a present," I said seriously and put the fork down.

"What a pity," he pouted sadly. "So, I take it your surprise was the cat which you meant as a present for me," he said and I nodded in reply. "However it may be, I'm still grateful for it. I'm really happy to get it back."

"Yeah, I saw," I said in a flat tone which made him lean embarrassingly closer to me.

"I wish I could have hugged you instead of her to show you how overjoyed I was upon seeing it again," he said in a low voice which sounded especially alluring now but it was probably due to the semidarkness enveloping us.

I slowly turned my head to look at him only to realize how dangerously close he was. I should have known better not to do it again but I still leaned closer to kiss him. And it didn't take long for me to realize that he was already waiting for it. Perhaps, he knows me better, or he is just confident that I won't be able to resist him. Be it either way, he was right. And I cannot say I regret it.

I have absolutely no idea how much time has passed. I was only aware of the clock ticking faintly on the wall and the sound of our breathing. We only paused for a brief moment but even then, he had the cheek to tease me.

"Wow, is this also a part of your surprise?" He asked grinning.

"No, it's an upgrade," I replied which made him giggle.

"Then how about an upgrade of the upgrade?" He whispered into my ear. His breath tickled my ear and almost made me shiver. I thought to myself that now I'm really gonna go to hell for this but at least I will enjoy the way there.