When the Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7) - COMPLETED

06: Are You Sure?

I WOKE UP EARLY AS TODAY was the day Elimae would take me for a ride on her motorcycle. We'd been planning it for days.

Elimae:
Good morning, Ren.
Are we really going
through with it today?
You don't have work
anymore, right?

Me:
Good morning, my Eli.
Yes, I'm free today. What
time are we leaving?

Elimae:
This afternoon. I'll pick you up.

Me:
Okay. Anyway,
what are you doing?

Elimae:
Eating breakfast. I
just finished taking
a bath. After this, I'll
visit my sister at her
apartment. I'll go home
tomorrow. Mom misses
me. You?

Me:
Just finished eating and
showering too. After our
motorcycle date, let's have
another one, this time with
my airplane. Are you
okay with that?

Elimae:
You have your own airplane?!

Me:
I thought you
already knew?

Elimae:
I didn't. I didn't want
to search your info in
the internet, you know?
I want to get to know
you in our own ways.

Me:
Same here. So?
Do you agree?

Elimae:
Yes! I would love that!

Me:
Where do you want to
go? We'll go there.

Elimae:
Iceland. Is that okay?

Me:
Yes. As long as it
makes you happy,
I'll support it.

Elimae:
How about you? Do
you want to go somewhere?

Me:
I just want to go home.
I miss my home.
I miss my Eli.

I smiled as we kept texting each other. I placed my phone on the table and lay down on the sofa. My whole body felt light, overflowing with joy. I couldn't get her out of my head. Thinking about her made me feel warm and calm inside.

I JOLTED AWAKE WHEN I FELT someone caressing my face. My hand almost reached for the gun hidden under the sofa, but I stopped myself just in time. Reflexes. My work trained me to stay alert even in sleep.

"E-Eli?" I rubbed my eyes, squinting at her—and then at Marcus, grinning like an idiot beside her. I sat up immediately.

"You didn't reply after making me blush!" Elimae pouted. "If you're going to make me fall for you, you should stand by it!" She crossed her arms, leaned forward, and kissed my forehead. "But don't worry. I missed you more, that's why I came. Good thing Kuya Marcus was outside. He's the one who let me in."

I couldn't help but smile widely. I lay back down, opening my arms. "Come here, my Eli," I said softly. "Later, I'll register your fingerprint so you can come in anytime."

Marcus was still sitting there, clearly entertained. The shameless guy wouldn't even leave. Elimae was about to come closer when another voice broke through.

"Ren? Are you awake?"

It was Joy, wearing an apron. My chest tightened as I looked at her. Then I turned to Elimae, whose brows furrowed. Damn. I hadn't told her that Joy lived here too.

"Are you cooking lunch?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even. It was already ten-fifteen.

She smiled warmly. "Yes. I was about to ask what you want to eat today."