If, Buts and Maybes

C H A P T E R - 1 7

For the first time in a long time, it's not my alarm that wakes me up from my sleep. It's the sound of my phone ringing. I lift my head up from under my pillow and look at the caller ID. It's my mum. She's face timing me. I answer the call and I am greeted with shouting from the other end of the phone. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

I smile at my camera and take in the emotional sight of my mother and father wearing party hats and kazoo's in their mouths, while still in their pajamas in bed. 26 years old. Wow, I'm growing up. I'm also starting to feel really old.

"Isn't it like 6 am over there?" I question while smiling at my parent's efforts.

"Yes it is, but we wanted to be the first to say Happy Birthday to you. I wish you were here Mickey," she says while her voice begins to crack. I know what you're thinking. Mickey? As in 'Mickey Mouse"? Yes, exactly like Mickey Mouse. I used to be obsessed with the show when I was younger because I loved the fact we had similar names. My parents created the nickname and I guess it stuck.

"Get a grip woman!" My dad says to mum who wipes her eyes. I laugh at my dad's remark to my mum as she swats his arm. "I hope you have an amazing day, princess," he says while placing a puckered kiss on the screen. "Thank you, Dad," I reply. We make small conversation and they finally let me go, to sleep. It's around 1 am here and I am extremely tired. I double-check my phone before I drift off back to sleep and see that I received a text from Hunter at midnight. I must have not seen it when I answered my parent's call.

Hunter: Happy Birthday Mackenzie ♡. Mine at 2pm sharp. You belong to me today. X

I smile at the message and take note of the address at the bottom of the message. Turns out he was the first to wish me. I place my phone back on charge and drift off waiting for the morning ahead of me.

♡♡♡♡

After having the most relaxing shower, I change into my outfit for the day. It's wintertime and it is way too cold for heels and dresses. I scope through the hangers until I can find an outfit that keeps me warm but still looks cute. It is my birthday though so I need to look a little sexy.

I settle with khaki green cigarette trousers and a tan turtleneck crop jumper. I accessories with a tan trench coat to keep me warm and small heeled boots. I straighten my hair and apply light makeup, to accentuate my features.

I double-check my messages and reply to all the birthday messages. I check my socials and like all the posts and stories I have been tagged in and swear at Sapphire for posting our ugliest but funniest moments in our lives. There's a video of me and her in the homemade dance studio back in England and I can't help but watch it several times. Life was so simple back then.

It's around 9:30 so I text Rashid to pick me up from the front and message him the address of Hunter. After about 15 minutes or so we finally arrive and I walk through the revolving door. This place is huge.

I look back at the message of his address and see he's on Floor 12, Apartment B. I make my way to the lift and look for the 'number 12' button. It's the highest number there. I click the button and the lift doors begin to close. I take a quick outfit picture in the mirror and then walk out and look for his door.

I find and see it's slightly wedged open. Has he left the door open for me? I walk in and call out his name but I don't hear anything. I take in the sight of his apartment. WOW! For someone who did not have style back in the days, he definitely knows how to make a place look gorgeous. I walk over to the window and take in the view of the city skyline from above. It's like I'm standing on a cloud and looking down.

My heels click against his floor while I walk to the next side of the window to admire the view from a different angle. My trance is interrupted by an individual clearing their throat. I turn around and see Hunter stood in front, topless with only a towel covering the lower half of his body.

I don't ever remember his body looking like that. His muscles on his arm have gone to the size of my head I think. His abdomen is engraved with what looks like a six-pack, but I have a feeling might be an eight-pack. The V line on his torso is so defined that I think could cut myself touching it. It is only now I realize his whole chest and shoulders are covered with tattoos. Why haven't I realized that before?  I practically eye fuck him all the way down to his length. His wet hair slicked back by his hand and the water droplet remains kissing softly on his beard.

My mouth goes dry and gulps to help bring my saliva back into my mouth and prevent any drooling. I then realize I haven't said a word. "The door was open slightly, I thought you might have left it open for me. Sorry."

He smiles at me and looks me up and down. "It's fine. My assistant was here earlier dropping something off, he must have forgotten to close the door. I'll have to have a word about that with him."

Oh god. I've gotten his assistant fired. "You don't have to do that." I plead.

"I'm just gonna get changed, make yourself at home. I won't be long," he states and begins walking back his way. I look around and take a seat on the large sofa, that could practically be a bed. I see some books on the coffee table and pick one up to read for the time being. It's about cars.

After about 10 minutes, I hear his footsteps. He's dressed in a black turtleneck and black dress pants. A grey coat to accent the lack of colors in his outfit. His hair is cut short and his beard is trimmed but still incredibly sexy. I need to stop eye-fucking this man. I try to make conversation but I have no idea what to say. I remember him saying something about his assistant. "What did your assistant drop off?" I ask

He looks at me with a smirk and goes behind the bar in the living room. He comes out with a large hamper filled with little goodies inside of it. I skim through the objects. Perfume, jewelry, makeup, clothes and so much more. All of it for a female. "Are you trying to 'woo' a client?" I ask, curious to see whether there is a special woman in his life

"No." he chuckles "It's for you. Happy Birthday."

I look up at him with shock practically painted all over my face. This is way too much. "Hunter, I can't accept this." I plead. He walks over to me with the hamper and places it in front of me. "It's for you, if you do not accept it, I will be offended," he states. I give him a small smile and place the hamper down on the coffee table. I wrap my arms around him and hug him softly. "Thank you," I say into his neck.

I let go of my hold and he replies "You're welcome."

We look at each other in silence for a couple more seconds, before he claps his hands together. "Right, the busy day planned for the birthday girl." He grabs the hamper and walks out of the apartment. I laugh and follow him. We make our way out of the lobby and he presses a button on his keys. I see the white Audi TT in front of me wake up. My eyes widen and I look at him with my mouth open.

"Time for the best birthday you've ever had."