318 Midnight Chats (2/2)

”You even came to my house with Darren but chose to leave without saying hi,” grumbled Dylan, not even realizing that he was sounding like a kid who was complaining. ”It's like you came to the doorstep and without knocking chose to leave.”

After a brief moment of silence, he heard her reply, ”If I really decide to knock, are you willing to open the door?” 'Would you really be willing to open your heart if I really decide to give my best?' She chose not to say those words out.

”Why wouldn't I open the door?” said Dylan with a frown completely not getting the hidden context behind her words. ”In fact, today was such a good day. Everyone was here, you should have really come inside with Darren.”

Cali shook her head at him as her lips lifted up in a smile. ”I can't believe it...” 'That I really like a dense person like you.'

”What?”

”Nothing.” She wasn't gonna explain her words. Suddenly she recalled something. ”Vier sent a painting for you,” she stated as she was reminded of the painting that sat in her bedroom. She didn't know why a person like Dylan was suddenly interested in paintings. After all, Dylan was really clueless about art. So, it was really surprising for her to know when her friend Xavier told her that Dylan had asked him to get this painting.

”Oh, he found it?” Dylan was suddenly excited to hear that.

”If he sent it with me, obviously, he found it,” retorted Cali matter-of-factly.

Dylan chose to ignore her way of speaking as he said, ”Everything is good as long as he found it.”

”So... I'll bring it to your office?” Cali questioned a bit doubtfully.

”No!” came Dylan's abrupt reply and her face fell. He sounded really against that idea. ”You can't come to my office.” After all, Xiu was at the office and if Cali appeared there to meet him, Dylan knew she was gonna tease him for the next decade or so. He was not willing to go through that.

”Oh, okay. Then I'll give it to Regi. He'll send it to you,” said Cali as she thought of the only alternative that she found suitable. Because it seemed like the painting was quite important to Dylan otherwise, he wouldn't be so against the idea of having it mailed to him.

”Why would you give it to Dazi?” Dylan scowled at her words. ”Is it that important for you to avoid me?”

”I didn't say that...”

Dylan didn't let her finish as he went on, ”Yes, you meant that. Otherwise, why didn't you just come to my house? You're clearly at the door, does it look good to leave just like that from the door?” He really wasn't over that. ”And even now, you want to use Dazi. If Vier asked you to send the painting personally, you should be doing it personally!”

Cali sighed out heavily, ”Okay. Then we'll have to meet somewhere.”

Dylan smiled to himself, ”Where are you staying? I'll come over right now.”

”Are you that eager to get your painting?”

”No, I'm eager to see y...” he bit his tongue before he could complete his sentence. ”I mean, you just give me the address.”

”Dylan, it's midnight,” reminded Cali.

”So? You're not Cinderella and I'm no Prince Charming who can't meet after midnight,” replied Dylan stubbornly making Cali laugh out. He really was THAT idiot who used a fairytale reference. Damn! It was really a wonder that she liked him so much.

”I meant, I'm trying to sleep right now,” answered Cali. It wasn't that she didn't want to see him but she really didn't want him to drive over at this time.

Dylan's face fell slightly as he muttered, ”You don't wanna see me?”

”What? No! That's not what I said,” Cali was really having a difficult time adjusting to his mood swings as always. She tried to calm herself as she added, ”How about we meet in the morning? I'll text you the place.”

Dylan thought about it for a while and nodded, ”Okay. But you have to text right now.”

”Fine...” grumbled Cali.

”Goodnight then!” said Dylan after getting the confirmation and hung up the call.

Cali stared at the screen of her phone and smiled, ”Goodnight to you too...”