The next morning, Chen Mu prepared a healthy and nutritional meal for Susu. They smiled and greeted each other normally without feeling awkward about the kiss from last night. Chen Mu didn't question their relationship after the kiss because he already decided to take full responsibility for that kiss and officially pursue her. All he needs now is a plan.
After eating breakfast, Susu checked her cell phone and saw a missed call, one new text message and voicemail from her father. Hearing the voicemail about dinner next Friday for Karen and her birthday, Susu could not help but frown slightly.
"What's wrong?" He placed the cup of Passionfruit tea in front of her.
"Nothing. Just a family dinner." She took the cup in her hands and felt the steam warm up the tip of her nose.
"If you don't want to go, then don't go. No need to force yourself to have dinner with people you don't want to see." These words were straight to Karen and the stepmother who always mistreated Susu. He's heard many stories and knew about every little thing that Karen did behind Susu's back since childhood. Of course, only Tian Yuo would listen and believe in the blank lies that Karen had told.
"It's an annual birthday celebration for me and Karen..." she told him dispiritedly as she sipped the tea in silence.
"Your birthday is not for another month. Whose birthday is this dinner even for?" He mocked as the idea of having a dinner celebration for two daughters sounded unfair. Karen's birthday was earlier thab Susu's by a month, yet they couldn't have made separate dinner arrangements.
"It's alright. I've long acknowledged that she was the more outgoing and doted one. It's only a dinner. I can deal with it." Though she forced a smile on her face, he could see the sorrow in her eyes.
'Seriously, which parent would forget their own child's birthday? So one is a precious gem and the other he treats unfairly. No wonder she never talked much about her family.' He thought to himself. Still, seeing her upset in front of her was something unbearable to him.
He stood up and walked over to hug her, "It's okay. You have Lily and me to make your birthday extra special. Even if nobody remembers your birthday, we will always have that in mind. It's even better, since you will be spending your birthday with those who really cares about you and matter to you."
Once again, the comfort and warmth of having him around her brightened up her mood greatly. She put down the cup of tea and leaned onto him with her hands touching his. He smiled when he saw that his ultimate hug trick worked on her. Every time she felt lost, confused, upset, stressed, happy, and many other emotions, his arms always welcomed her.
She didn't know when, but she also noticed it herself. The pain that she felt from all the distrust, betrayal, and heartbreaks began to subside because he was there for her. His arms and the little things that he had done for her slowly numbed the pain and made her forget about others who made her sad. She started to not care about Tian Yuo and Karen.
'Since when have I last thought of Tian Yuo that way? Meh, better to not remember so I won't feel disgusted by his actions.' For now, she just wanted to have a moment of peace and relax in Chen Mu's hug.
In a blink of an eye, five days passed and Friday came. Chen Mu had something to do that day, so he had to leave after eating breakfast with her. Before he left, he had handed her a large, light pink box with floral designs on it. She looked at him confusedly, "What's this?"
"You didn't go shopping for tonight's dinner, so I prepared an outfit for you. Since this is supposedly for your birthday, you should look the prettiest on the table. The accessories, shoes, dress, and sweater should be to your liking." He said as he retrieved his blazer and smiled at her with a wink.
"Oh? Am I not the prettiest when I'm in plain clothes?" She smirked and put the box onto the table.
"Of course not! You're always beautiful even when you have a messy bun and nerdy reading glasses." As his body turned around to face her, he felt her soft body holding him close as her hands interlocked at the back of his waist. She looked up while giggling, "I know I'm pretty in your eyes. Pfft. Thanks for the gift."
"As long as you know what I meant." he relaxed the tensed muscles in his body and pinched the tip of her nose between his index and middle finger. She smiled in response and said, "If Mr. Chen Mu has a few minutes to spare, would he like to see me in the new dress before he heads out?"
His fingers brushed a few loosen strands of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. Feeling his finger traced her ear, she shivered while her eyes locked onto his eyes. Moving from her earlobe, he traced down her jaw line and stopped when he reached her chin. Her eyes widened as he lifted her chin up and watched him bend down inches from her ear, "My pleasure."
He could feel her cheeks rising in temperature from his temptation, so he released her and let her escape to change in her room. A tiny chuckle left his mouth as he whispered, "Too adorable."
Susu opened the box and felt the soft fabric of her new white off shoulder dress. Quickly, she slipped into the dress and combed her slightly waved hair. The white dress hugged her body and brought out her beautiful curves while illuminating her skin. Her glossy, moisturized, rose colored lips looked alluringly kissable and her big round eyes looked seducing.
The door creaked open as she walked towards him in the living room. As she did, he saw the smile on her face as she grew closer to her. The dress fit her perfectly with simple flower embroidery on the layered ends of it. As she walked, she looked like an angel bringing him all the happiness that he could ever ask her. At the moment, she looked radiant and entrancing.
"Well? How is it?" She blinked nervously as she looked at him, waiting for an answer. This girl has hypnotized him and yet she didn't even know how powerful she really was with her looks. His lips quirked upwards into a joyous smile, "As I thought, this dress was made just for you. You look absolutely stunning."
"Really?" her smile grew wider, and the nervousness she felt had disappeared.
"But you're missing one thing." His voice was extra doting to her ears.
"Hmm?"
"You put on the earrings, but forgot about the necklace. It's a set, so wearing it together would look much better."
"Oh! Hehe, here, you put it on for me." She took his hand, opened it, and placed the necklace in the center.
"Uh huh, turned around." She obediently turned around and lifted up her hair for him to put the necklace on. Susu had a petite body size. Therefore, small, delicate designed accessories would heighten her elegance.
"Done." He said as he fixed her hair and nodded at how perfect she looked in the outfit. Surely, before a war breaks out during dinner, she had already won the spotlight from Karen. 'It's alright even if others don't know how to treasure you and bitches want to climb on top of your head to step you down, I'll always lift you back up and make those bitches learn their place.'