Roses and Flames (ongoing)

10. Tyler

I've been busy with work these past few days, but I never once forgot to check if I got a reply from her. Maybe she doesn't know it's me who texted.

Maybe she deliberately ignored your text.

I shouldn’t be thinking about a message I sent days ago. What I should be focusing on is the painite ring. Eva's wedding ring. I still haven't traced who it is. But I'm almost there.

My phone rang, and when I glanced up at my phone setting aside my thoughts, I saw who was calling.

"Yeah Michael, any leads?" I said, without even caring for a greeting. We both knew what it was. He kept it short, "Check your mail." With that, he hung up. Typical Michael.

Ethan was our close friend too, and he knew it. But there's nothing he can do about it. But if he does something he gives his best.

I clicked on the recent mail and found what I needed.

Ivan Turner, 37 years of age, CEO of Turner & Co., brother of Ana Turner. a.k.a. My recent date's brother.

Ivan has the ring, and he is gonna show up at the Grandville Auction. The mail he has RSVPed yes proves that.

September 17th. At last, I'm close to taking it. For Eva.

I exhaled a relieved breath. I've had enough time for my work. Now it's time for the test.

I went down to Thea's floor and walked to her office. I smiled when I saw the tint was off, clearly giving a view of her. She's reading something. Her face is remarkably calm with a slight smirk. Nate stood up and greeted me when I gestured not to make any sound. I opened slowly not letting any creaks of the door be heard. I walked up to her desk. She hasn’t seen me, still so invested in her book. I took a glance at the book cover she was reading,

"Death's Obsession, great title," I said, which made her jump from her seat.

"What the!?" she swore under her breath, "It is good manners to knock and come into a room, don’t you think?" She came and stood up in front of me.

I leaned in and said, "First mistake you made, love, was to think I give a damn about manners, no matter if it's good or bad." crimson crept all over her cheeks and nose and I continued, "Second, do you think not replying to a text is the good manners you care about?" she opened her mouth and closed again, contemplating whether to answer. She inched back.

"Tell me, Thea. Why are you ignoring me? I know you were present here and yet you asked Nate to attend the meeting." I whispered, my mouth close to her ear. Inches parting us.

"I'm not," she said, her voice husky.

Before I could think of something, she turned away heading to her seat and said, "I apologize for not responding to your text. It has been a busy week, hope you'll understand."

Surprised by her sudden formal tone, I said, "Yeah, busy week. Busy reading your books I guess." I nodded at her book lying on her desk.

Suppressing a grin I said, "It's alright. The test's results are already there. You do blush when I'm near you." I continued, gesturing my hand to stop, when she opened her mouth to say something, "No. We both know that allergic response defense you say, is a lie" I smirked and went back.

 
_____________________

How's it going with Ana?" Ethan asked with his wicked smile on.

"Haven't talked to her since the date," I said, sipping the Macallan I ordered. We were at The Sleek, our usual place where we get together.

"You're gonna lose it if you keep up this, Anderson," Michael said.

"Yeah, totally." Ethan said pausing for a second "You know what? I'll make sure it doesn’t fall apart. Give me your phone."

I gave the phone suspiciously, and he soon started texting her.

Me: Hey, Ana. What's up?

She replied faster than I thought like she was waiting for my text.

Ana: Hey. Nothing much.

He shoved my phone to my face and mocked me, "You haven't replied to her text she sent days ago, Tyler? Such a gentleman!"

"Well, it’s a surprise she even texted you back," Michael said, letting out a stifled laugh.

I rolled my eyes and checked the phone again to see what Ethan was typing. If there was someone who could make a person fall for their charm and flowery words, it was Ethan.

Me: Ana. I was so caught up with my work that I didn’t have a chance to reply to your texts, I hope you understand that."

The excuse sounded like the one Thea gave me.

Ana replied in the next tick of the clock.

Ana: Oh. It's okay, I thought you didn’t want to continue this. I'm glad it's not.

Ethan smirked, glancing at the phone, "We're back in the game, buddies."

He started typing another one,

I've wanted to ask you this, will you be my date at The Horiz-

"Ethan, stop it." I warned, "I'm not going to take her with me to The Horizon. You heard me? The place would be flooded with reporters and paparazzis. Also, it'll be like giving hope for something that's not gonna happen."

"Cool down, Ty. Haven't you seen her dating records? She changes her man like she's changing her clothes. You won't have to worry about her catching feelings for you." Ethan reassured me. I may not be a good person, but I value honesty.

Me: Will you be my date at The Horizon, Ana? It would be socially enriching for us.

"I've rephrased the text, Tyler. The most I can do is that." Ethan said and I nodded.

Ana: Yeah! Glad you asked. We'll surely make a good match.

Ethan snorted, reading the message, "Yeah, yeah. A great match indeed." Michael joined the mirth.

The rest of the evening went with us talking about our new deals, Ethan's upcoming championship, the recent society gossip and Eva.

Eva was the one who took care of me when I was a child. Mila was a year old and I was 5 years old. She was my best friend someone could ask for a child. Not everyone did answer the doubts of a 5-year-old, but Eva did. When my mom and dad were busy building their lives, Eva was the one who was with us. I'm not blaming my parents, but the initial stage of my childhood was the peak point in their career. I'm not going to let Eva down. I'm going to find her ring which she loved the most in the world and give back to where it belongs.

_______

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