CHAPTER 91: CHAPTER 91: HOLLY, YOU BROKE THE AGREEMENT

The reserved private room overlooked the river, offering a delightful view.

When it was time to eat, Holly, adhering to the principle that the birthday star always comes first, volunteered to serve him half a bowl of soup as soon as the waiter brought it over, proudly saying, "The birthday star drinks first."

Blake Sinclair took the soup bowl and his fingers brushed against her soft fingertips.

He bowed his head and took a sip, "Mm, it’s very tasty."

However, the privilege of being the birthday star didn’t last long.

When the crabs were served, Holly had just picked up the crab tongs when Blake Sinclair gently stopped her hand.

"Let me do it."

He said as he picked up the crab tool, and before long, he had extracted all the crab meat and placed it on the small plate in front of her, thoughtfully adding some ginger vinegar sauce.

"You should eat too."

Holly said indistinctly with her mouth full of crab meat.

"You eat first."

Without looking up, he picked up another female crab and concentrated on removing the crab roe.

When the mantis shrimp was served, Holly had just peeled the shell off one shrimp, but Blake Sinclair had already peeled several, neatly arranging the shrimp meat on the plate.

Watching his skillful movements, she suddenly felt something amiss with this scene.

Today was ostensibly his birthday, yet why did she feel she was being completely taken care of?

She prodded the shrimp on her plate, "Blake Sinclair, it’s your birthday today, how come it looks like you’re the one taking care of me?"

He lifted his eyes to hers, a smile in his gaze, "The birthday star’s greatest wish is to see you eat happily."

As he spoke, he added a chopstick of her favorite asparagus into her bowl.

Her heart warmed to his words, and she picked up a shrimp to feed him, "Then you have to eat too."

He bit into it, his teeth lightly grazing her fingertips, sending a tingling sensation up her arm.

She quickly withdrew her hand, her face quietly flushing.

The meal was eaten leisurely, with Holly leaning against the chair back, rubbing her tummy in satisfaction.

Blake Sinclair took a napkin, looking at her like a contented cat being petted, and laughed, "Was it good?"

Holly: "Delicious."

She quietly consoled herself, convincing that, after arranging so many surprises, enjoying some service was well deserved!

After the meal, she pressed the call bell, and the waiter quickly entered, pushing a birthday cake and several gift boxes.

The lights in the room dimmed, and Holly lit the candles for him, the flickering candlelight casting warm golden hues over their faces.

Holly urged, "Make a wish quickly!"

Blake Sinclair didn’t make a wish. Instead, he moved behind her, enveloping her in his arms, guiding her hands together in prayer against their chests.

"Let’s wish together."

Holly’s heartbeat faltered for a moment.

Blake Sinclair spoke slowly, his voice tender, "My first wish is for Holly to always be safe and happy."

Holly hadn’t expected his first wish to concern her.

She gently nudged his shoulder, "That’s not how it works, a birthday wish has to be about oneself to come true! Say another one!"

Blake Sinclair: "Then my second wish is that next year, and the years after, we can celebrate this day together."

Not an earth-shattering vow, just a simple hope.

Holly pursed her lips and muttered, "How hard can that be."

Blake Sinclair lowered his head, his chin grazing the top of her head, "And my third wish..."

Holly turned to look at him, "Don’t say your third wish out loud, keep it a secret, that way it’s more likely to come true."

Blake Sinclair paused a moment, nodding, "Okay."

He tightened his grip on her hands, closing his eyes, his expression unprecedentedly earnest and focused.

To the perhaps existent deity, he solemnly repeated, "I wish for my Holly to one day fall in love with me."

Not out of habit, not out of reliance, not just being touched, but truly, to love him as he loves her.

When he finished, he opened his eyes to meet Holly’s curious gaze, he smiled, "Want to know what I wished for?"

Holly: "You can’t say it out loud, if you do, it won’t come true."

Blake Sinclair kissed her hand, "I never make wishes that can’t come true."

Holly: "So confident?"

Blake Sinclair: "Yes."

Holly wriggled out of his embrace, picking up the gift boxes beside her and thrusting them into his hands, "Then open your gifts quickly!"

Under her watchful eyes, Blake Sinclair opened them one by one, revealing a pair of exquisite enamel cufflinks, a tie clip, a luxury-brand pen, and a very expensive-looking lighter.

Holly watched him open his gifts.

For days, she couldn’t decide on the perfect surprise, so she went with the tried-and-true method of a gift assortment, ensuring that at least one would hit the mark.

Holly leaned in, "How is it? Do you like them? Not sure what you prefer, so...picked a bit of everything. If you like them, keep them all!"

She mimicked the lines often used by domineering CEO characters online.

Blake Sinclair suppressed a smile at the corners of his mouth, "I like it."

Holly Crowe just heaved a sigh of relief when she saw Blake Sinclair pick up the lighter and play with it in his hand.

He chuckled softly, "Thank you, Holly, I really like the gift. But..."

Holly Crowe: "...What’s wrong?"

Blake Sinclair: "It seems Mrs. Sinclair still doesn’t know me well enough; your husband doesn’t smoke."

Holly Crowe: "!!!"

Oh no! She forgot about that!

She snatched the lighter back in a flurry and, thinking quickly, came up with an idea: "Then... then this doesn’t count! I’ll exchange it for another gift!"

She thought for a moment, her eyes lit up, and she leaned closer, "Blake Sinclair, can I give you a wish as a gift? You can use this wish anytime to ask me to do anything for you! As long as it doesn’t break the law or violate morals, I’ll agree to it!"

Blake Sinclair raised an eyebrow, showing immense interest in this proposal: "Oh? Anything?"

Holly Crowe nodded: "Yes!"

Blake Sinclair laughed and drew her back into his arms, "I really like this gift."

Afterward, they shared some cake, and Holly Crowe watched the time before pulling Blake Sinclair towards their next destination.

The place wasn’t far, just on the rooftop of the adjacent shopping district’s camping site.

Before going upstairs, Holly Crowe took out a prepared blindfold and covered Blake Sinclair’s eyes, then held his hand to lead him forward.

"Watch your step, take it slow, we’re almost there!"

Blake Sinclair trusted her completely and let himself be guided by her.

Once they reached their destination, Holly Crowe stood tiptoe and whispered in his ear, "Blake Sinclair, happy birthday."

As soon as she finished speaking, she removed his blindfold.

At the same time.

"Whoosh! Bang!"

The night was illuminated, and brilliant fireworks bloomed in the sky like a magnificent meteor shower.

Blake Sinclair was stunned, his heartbeat quickening uncontrollably.

All the meticulous planning, all the little thoughts, transformed into a torrent of affection that enveloped him tightly.

He turned his head to look at Holly Crowe beside him; she was gazing up, a smile on her lips, her eyes filled with sparkling light.

"Do you like it?" Holly Crowe asked him loudly over the sound of the fireworks.

The wind carried her voice over, and Blake Sinclair didn’t answer; he merely reached out and pulled her into his arms.

The sudden closeness enveloped her in his gentle breath.

Holly Crowe looked up into his eyes, "Happy birthday, Blake Sinclair! I heard from Laural that every year on your birthday you watch the fireworks, so this year, let me set them off for you!"

Blake Sinclair raised his hand to touch her face, looking at his reflection in her pupils and at the sky full of lingering fireworks, wanting to say something yet holding back.

He almost blurted everything out but eventually just lifted her chin and kissed her.

Holly Crowe was taken aback for a moment, then closed her eyes to respond.

The resolve to stick to their three rules had already exploded along with the fireworks.

Never mind, today it’s his birthday, so he gets to be the boss.

When the kiss ended, both of them were out of breath, their gazes lingering, the air thick with ambiguity and desire.

The car ride home was very quiet.

Holly Crowe stole a glance at him, and noticed he was also looking at her; she instinctively turned her gaze away, her ears quietly turning red.

As soon as they got inside, Blake Sinclair pressed her against the door and enclosed her in his embrace.

His breath was a bit heavy, but he still restrained himself enough to ask, "Holly, can I kiss you now?"

Holly Crowe was caught off guard by his question, feeling flustered.

He hadn’t asked earlier, but now he was asking?

She pretended to be composed and nodded, her face blushing.

His kiss descended, carrying long-suppressed desire, gradually becoming more fervent.

Holly Crowe felt dizzy from the kiss, and just when she thought things might spiral out of control, he suddenly pulled away.

They rested their foreheads together.

Blake Sinclair: "That’s enough."

Holly Crowe clutched the hem of his shirt, catching her breath, her heart caught in this moment of acute longing.

The bottled-up desires and stirred emotions burst forth in an instant.

Holly Crowe acted on impulse, forgetting all their pre-established rules and reservations.

She tiptoed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and deepened the kiss on her own initiative.

Blake Sinclair let her kiss him, even bending slightly.

The two briefly parted.

He laughed softly, touching the flushed tip of her ears, his words carrying a hint of triumphant danger, "Holly, you broke our agreement."