Aloof CEO's; Charming Secretary

He looked at Sky, who was bringing two plates and dessert spoons. She quietly cut the pieces, served him and she took one.

Instead of eating, he was looking at Sky. Sensing the gaze, she saw Arlo looking at her. She pulled tissue and handed him showing his nose.

He took it and wiped as he asked, "Aren't you going to wish me?"

Sky looked at him then kept the plate on the dining table. Arlo looked at her in confusion but Sky said, "Wait" and ran to her room.

She came back soon with a rectangular bright red colored box. She handed him and wished, "I hope your special day and coming days will bring you lots of happiness, love, and fun. Wish you a very happy birthday and many more to come."

Arlo's smile couldn't be more tender and his gentle gaze didn't leave her when he took the box.

Seeing him standing still, Sky spoke, "Open."

He opened it and saw a Black colored book whose cover had ARLO. It was written in admirable calligraphy. He could say it was handwritten not printed.

He froze for a second and turned to Sky, "You made it?"

Sky nodded, "I didn't know what you liked as I have never seen you get excited about anything and never seen you frown to anything either so I prepared a scrapbook. It's kind of photobook"

He always received gifts that are bought with money. This was his first time receiving a handmade gift and it was from Sky. It meant a lot to him.

He knew she personally designs or gets customized things for who she really cares but he didn't expect her to make everything from the scratch for him.

Seeing him not checking it, Sky spoke in a reserved tone, "If you didn't like it, tell me what you like, I will get it for you."

"You!" Arlo subconsciously said it before he even realized. Sky heard and repeated her sentence, "Yes! I will get it."

'Silly girl' Arlo didn't know what to do with her.

"You prepared it, so it will be better than any other things. I will see it." Arlo said and took the book.

He opened it and saw his previous birthday pictures brightly arranged with tapes, stickers and paper cut-outs. he could see his childhood to till the date pictures beautifully organized.

He turned the sheet and saw many of his pictures with Olivia at different ages. He could see how Olivia was aged and how he had grown up. It was decorated with warm colors.

Next page, there were pictures of Ryan and him, some were funny, few were in serious faces and few were formed a smile on his face wider.

Next page there were related to sports, adventures, varied type of pictures of him.

The next page had Philomath as title and pictures in which he was studying in the garden, study room, school, college. Most of them were captured secretly by Olivia or Ryan.

Another page had pictures of their outing or dinner. They were all group pictures which also indicated all the places they have gone out.

The last page had only his singles which were captured by Sky whenever she used the camera during any outings.

Sky who was excitedly speaking as she was pointing at a few pictures was still going on explaining to him about the pictures and theme. Arlo was in his memory lane didn't particularly hear her but he knew what she was saying.

"... two had no pictures together, I used the pictures which I..."

"Can I hug you?" Arlo cut in.

"Huh?" Sky couldn't process what he suddenly said.

Arlo bent a little and swept her off the floor. He wrapped his one hand around her waist and another hand to hold her back for embracing her.

He didn't leave too much pressure scaring he would squeeze her and didn't let his hand loose scaring she would slide back on the floor.

He took a deep breath of her scent and calmed down hearing her chatter and said, "Thank you."

...

When Sky was telling him about the book and theme if in case he didn't understand, she suddenly heard, 'Can I hug you?'

She was thinking whether she heard it correctly, Arlo closed near her and lifted her off the floor. As soon as her weight on the floor left, she naturally held his shoulder for not to fall.

She felt exceptionally tiny in his arms. She felt warm and secure. Her lips started to turn up and she was about to wrap her hands but she froze.

'What the hell is wrong with you?' She chided herself.

Coming back to her senses, she started speaking, "Arlo! Are you missing your grandmother and Ray? I told you to postpone our trip for this. But you insisted on saying it as my schedule. If are missing them, why did you hung up the call so soon? You should talk to them. I even asked them to come with us but both..."

She heard him say, "Thank you!"  Sky said "Oh!" as Arlo slowly left her on the floor.

She wanted to ask if he liked the scrapbook, he kissed her on the forehead and left to his room with the scrapbook.

'Why am I getting a forehead kiss? It's not my birthday.' Sky muttered to herself and took her laptop to the sofa.

After turning on the music channel on television, she went through the mails for about half an hour till Arlo came out.

"Let's go for lunch." Arlo said going towards her.

Sky was typing on her laptop as she replied looking at him, "Aren't you preparing?"

"Hey! Are you expecting me to cook on my birthday also?" Arlo spoke like a whining wife.

It was the first time Sky heard that tone from him hence she chuckled and asked. "You eat every day and you eat on your birthday too. Is there any logic behind refusing to cook today?"

Arlo froze thinking about what he just did. He looked towards the kitchen and spoke, "I will cook."

Sky stretched her hand to tug his jacket, "Sit! Give me, five minutes. We will go out."