In Your Clutches

Part 34: The Gifts

AMELIA

"Mr. Salvatore, have you ever even been to a birthday party before?" I placed my hands on my hips.

He cleared his throat, as he cut me a sharp stare. "Clearly, you think too low of me. I was a child once too, you know."

"That's hard to digest."

He rolled his eyes. "And as difficult it is to believe that I had friends, it's true. I had people, I wouldn't necessarily call them friends as of now, 'cause you know..." He said, trailing off.

I stared at him, and he took that as a hint to continue speaking. I was liking it.

"I was invited to lots of parties. Not trying to brag or anything, but I was quite popular, you see. Still am, always will be. It's one of my charms."

I tried holding in my laughter, my face twitching terribly.

"What's up with that face? Are you laughing, Amelia?" Now it was him with the hands on the hips.

Oops.

"Clearly, you've never been to a kid's birthday party before." I managed to say between fits of laughter.

He opened his mouth to protest, but stopped. He thought for a while, counted something on his fingers, and looked at me.

"I'm right, aren't I?" I said, playing with my hair.

He sighed. "Fine, okay. I haven't been to any kid's birthday party-"

"Mhm..."

"-In ages!" He added.

"Right." I smirked.

"I don't think its any different, though. We get ready and show up. Phoebe will like that. " He smiled, showing his dimple.

He began buttoning his cuffs. He then put on his blazer for the day. Yes, you guessed it. It was black.

"No." I blurted.

He gave me a questioning look as I explained, "It's a birthday party, not some highly professional meeting with your Mafia Buddies, Asher. You need to wear something more laid-back, and colourful, something that a kid would like."

"Since when do you think I listen to you?" He raised a brow.

I ignored him. "I checked your closet─"

"How dare you?─" He interrupted me.

"─all you have are greys, blacks, and whites." I continued nevertheless.

"They make everything classy."

"They're boring."

"Shut up." He snapped.

I pulled out a bag from the closet and handed it to him.

"What's... this...?" He waved the bag at me.

"Something, for you." I embarrassingly tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

He threw me a skeptical look, wanting me to explain further, but when I didn't, he looked inside the bag. He pulled out a garment bag from inside it.

He slowly unzipped the bag, his eyes never leaving mine. My heart thumped loudly, wondering if he'd accept what the bag held.

"Oh. A blazer? Pastel blue?" He held up the suit his hand.

I hid my face in my hands, "Aunt Rufina made me buy it-said it might come handy someday..."

Now, that was a lie. But there was absolutely no way I was going to admit to him that I'd gotten it for him, myself, only because I wanted to do something for him.