My Secret Santa [✔️]

/ S I X T H / / C H A P T E R /

"You haven't mentioned yourself."

"True. I am someone who's fine with anything gift," I cut it short. I don't see a point in trying. If I already struggle to express my likes and dislikes towards my own friend group of three years, there's a low chance that I confess to him. It's not even that I don't want to. I'm just so used to being disappointed with gifts when asked exactly what I want so to avoid that sentiment, I allow to get me what they think I want. For the most part they've always done a great job.

"Really?" He doesn't believe me. I wouldn't believe me either. I suck at lying.

"Yep," my voice fades away as I divulge into my drink. I can feel the alcohol lurking behind my thoughts, begging me to tell the truth. Maybe it's just me but I feel better blaming the alcohol.

"So if I got you a water bottle, you'd be happy?" His smirk covers his lower part of his face. He smiles a lot. Is it the gin? He is on his fifth glass.

"I would because looking at that budget you offered, I'm sure I'd be able to sell that expensive bottle on EBay," I laugh to myself.

"Then I guess I'd have to get you a gift you couldn't possibly sell."

"Sure but good luck, I'm really good at marketing," I brag as I tuck my small strand of hair behind my ear.

"I've already got an idea in mind," he stands up and dusts himself off.

"Care to share?" I get up as well.

"Didn't you say we couldn't share who we got?"

"I don't recall," I bit my lip, hiding my grin. Now I'm definitely tipsy.

"I'll tell you who I got and the gift I'm planning on getting them if you give me a kiss on the lips," he offers as he steps closer to me.

"Oh someone's definitely had one too many drink," I tease as I walk back to pack away our food.

"So is that a yes I'm hearing?" He goes on to help me out all the take out into the rubbish bin.

"No, not interested." I shake my head with a smile. I won't lie and say that it wasn't flattering when it was. In another world, I would've fallen for him. "Wait, was that the reason you agreed to spend the night?" I turn my head back from the kitchen to glare at him.

"I'm not going to pretend like I'm not attracted to when I am. My intentions were never meant to lead to this but it somehow did and I'm not one to complain," he confesses while following me to the kitchen.

"You must clearly be drunk because this is an insane thing to admit," I try to reason as I have a hard time believing his words. It's not to say that I don't find myself attractive. I know I am but I've rarely heard it from men.

"Since the day I was born, I've been an open book. I don't see a point in hiding my interest. Unless of course, it is not reciprocal. Is it not?" After throwing the last bit of plastic boxes and placing the his soup inside the fridge, he leaned onto the counter and watched me grab another bottle of red wine.

"So your confession relies on the chances that the recipient likes you back? Is that it?" I walk past him to go fill my drink once again.

"I fail to see the issue. Why express your interest in someone when you the chance of the liking you back is slim? Seems redundant." He follows my lead, back onto the couch.

"I won't argue against that." I sip into my drink and realise how far I am from soberness. I'm not thinking straight. I should stop drinking. "I think I've reached limit for tonight." I laid my head back and closed my eyes.

"It's only one in the morning. Can't stay any longer?" He picks up his cup and takes another sip while waiting for my answer.

"I work tomorrow afternoon. I need my eight hours."

"Alright."

I tuck my legs into a ball, trying to put myself in a comfortable position.

"You're gonna be okay there?"

"Bedroom...is too far," I groan, keeping my eyes closed.

"Your rooms on left or right?"

"Don't you dare carry me to my bed," I warn as I can already feel his presence roaming.

"Isn't that rather chivalrous of me?" He chuckles while placing his hands under my knee joint and my underarms.

"No. It's you disobeying my orders. Why do men think this is what women want?" As he lifts me up, I naturally tilt my head towards his chest.

"You're right. I didn't do it chivalry but because you would be hogging my bed for the night."

"Oh."

"Exactly. So left or right?" He halts just before reaching the doors to Karina and I's bedroom.

"Right."

He continued to carry me into my room. He pulls downs the duvet before placing me inside the bedsheets. "You get cold at night?"

"Sometimes." I readjust my position to find those most comfortable placement. He drags the blacker that was on the bed and plants it on top of me. "Thank you." A small smile cracks my mouth.

"You're welcome and good night," Satoru greets me before existing the room.

"Wait," I reach out as I squint my eyes open.

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to sleep on the other side?" I offer on a limb.

"So putting you into bed grants me the opportunity to sleep in the same bed as you?"

I can see the traces of his smile on his face. "Yes. I figured sleeping in a bed would be more comfortable. Especially someone of your size."

"Thanks but I don't sleep with friends."