Switchblade

Chapter 75: Happy Birthday

It was 8:25pm and Killian sat in the car on his way to Luigi's. He'd gone home after work to get ready for it but half of the time he was thinking that it was ridiculous. Tati was gone so...was Kolson treating him to dinner? Unnecessary. But nevertheless he put on a black suit and black dress shirt. He even spritzed himself in his favorite fragrance after his usual thirty minute to an hour long shower. Because he hated thinking there was a chance he didn't smell good.
Now he smoked a cigarette on the ride and thought about how he still didn't care about attending.

He anticipated going home, changing into his pajamas and talking to Tati again like the night before. He noticed he didn't get a text from her. Even though she was the one who was excited for his birthday in the first place. But he tried to ignore it and just tolerate the gathering his employees put together for him.

He found a parallel parking spot and noticed only a few cars surrounded the area. He admitted that made him feel a little more willing.

He got out and walked to the door.

When he got inside he was bombarded by a bunch of male voices.
He walked to the dining area and saw all of them sitting around and talking.

"AAAYEEEEE!" They all shouted when they noticed him and raised their glasses.
Killian scoffed with a smile.
"Happy birthday, boss man!" Dominic exclaimed.
"Yea, happy birthday!" The rest said.
"Assholes." he chuckled.
"Sit down. Now that you here they might start bringin' out the food." Kolson stated.
Killian took a seat at the large and round dark red booth with Kolson, Niko, Dominic and Silas.
He stared around at all the guys that came to the restaurant and sat at the booths and tables. As if he was looking for someone.

"Hey! Bring a glass of whiskey, one cube, for my guy over here!" Kolson shouted at one of the waiters.
The waiter nodded and left to retrieve the drink.

"Thought you weren't gonna show." Niko spoke up.
"Almost didn't." Killian shrugged. "Then I decided not to be a dick."
"Who set this up anyway?" Silas asked.
"I called the restaurant but it was Kolson's idea."
"No, it was Tati's idea." Kolson corrected. The men all looked at him. "All I did was choose the restaurant and tell Niko to make the call."
They all nodded as they understood then looked at Killian.
"What?" he asked.
They shrugged or shook their heads.

Killian's drink was placed in front of him.
He stared down at it.
"The food will be out in just a moment." the waiter stated.
The men grunted in response and sipped their drinks.
Killian got out of his seat.
"Where you goin'?" Silas wondered.
"To piss. I gotta ask your permission first?" Killian sassed and walked towards the bathroom.

Tati was staring back and forth at the time and the road. Panicking about her tardiness after her everything shower and hair took longer than she planned.
But luckily the restaurant wasn't farther than fifteen minutes away, and her gps said she was almost there.

Killian stood in the bathroom against the wall and stared at his phone in his hand. The other hand rested in his pocket.
He went to his contacts and scrolled.

After clicking on hers, he stared at the name.
Then pressed the call button and held the phone against his ear.

He listened to it ring.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Then voicemail.

The device beeped but he didn't say anything. He just hung it up and slid it back into his pocket. He walked out with a hand rubbing his head.

Killian stared at the floor in thought.
But he heard that the room got slightly quieter.
He picked his head up.

And immediately felt a chill in his chest.

He was taking deeper breaths. She stood there smiling and talking to Silas and Kolson who still sat in their booth.

Tati noticed the sudden drop in volume too and picked her head up.

She saw Killian.
Dressed in his tie-less and unbuttoned black on black suit. Hands in his pockets. Eyes on her.
Her heart beat slower but harder.

His eyes scanned down her in the dress he bought. The soft black fabric tightly holding her body. Her leg poking out of a small split on the left side. Her feet dressed in black heels. And a small black purse in her hand. His first time seeing her done up so beautifully. It proved that his thoughts that she couldn't get more gorgeous were false and he couldn't believe it.

"Like watchin' a soap opera." Dominic muttered.

Killian finally started closing the space between them and walked closer.
Tati's heart sped up faster the closer he got.
Until he was directly in front. He looked down at her while she looked up at him.

"Talk amongst yourselves." Killian commanded with eyes in Tati's.
The men took the hint and went back to talking to one another.

The pair continued staring in each other's eyes.
"Are you gonna talk to me?" Tati asked softly.
"Could've told me you were coming."
"That's right, you hate surprises."
"Not this one." he argued.
She giggled and looked away only for a moment.
"Well happy birthday." she finally told him.
"Thank you, baby."

He looked down at her body again in its luxury dress.
"God..." he panted.
She did a slow turn. And of course he let himself take it all in as he subtly licked his lips.
"Do you like it?" she asked sweetly.
"You look beautiful." he admitted and looked back in her eyes.
"I couldn't let you outdress me. I know how much you love to wear a suit." she teased.
"You don't like when I wear a suit?"
"No, I definitely like when you wear a suit. Love when you're out of it though." she smiled.
He chuckled. "Who taught you to speak to me like I'm some kind of slut?"
She snickered. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be."

"He look awfully happy, don't he?" Dominic asked.
"Yea, he does." Kolson replied.
"Never would've expected it." said Silas. "Thought our boy would be a bachelor for forever."
"Clearly there's somethin' about this one."
"Probably that she's crazy. I mean what woman with common sense falls for a guy like that? He took her from her house didn't he?" Niko asked.
"Be better to keep that to yourself. You remind her and come between them, he might kill you." Dominic stated and sipped his drink.
"I just think they're some weird motherfuckers."
"They ruinin' your day?" Kolson asked. "Huh? How does what she do fuck up the shit in your life? They ain't you, are they?" Kolson questioned and glared at him.
Niko stared back.
"Then shut the fuck up."

He looked back up at Killian and Tati while Tati giggled and Killian smiled at her.
Kolson nodded to himself then finished his drink.

The food started to be brought out and Killian moved out of the way so Tati could take a seat. The large booth had plenty of space left so she fit in nicely. Killian sat beside her with an arm resting on the back of the seat behind her head.