Entangled Feelings

Six Roses and Cologne: Carene Samahaulder

No thoughts, brain empty.

Rose sat next to me while I was laid on the bed, staring at my ceiling. Today I found out it was painted white and not cream and that I had LED lights in my room, not just random bulbs. Rose looked at me with a grin waiting for me to start speaking while sipping on her hot chocolate that she had begged me to make a while ago.

"I signed the contract." I blurted out after a while. 

"Okay." She nodded before choking on the drink a second later and looking at me wide eyed. "YOU WHAT?"

"Yeah..." I don't know if it was tiredness or just the man that ripped me off my sanity. Oh I can so perfectly picture him in my mind. Alex Warren was built like a Greek God... But his mannerisms and behavior... I don't know... The things I'd heard about him, he was feared, he held the aura of respect but perhaps... maybe, just maybe there was something that had gone unnoticed by me. I can be wrong, I can be right, but Alex Warren was more than just a businessman. He was feared for a reason.

"Carene?" Rose' voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah?" I looked at her. She seemed concerned. 

"I've called your name five times..." She gulped staring at me. 

"And... What did I do?" I asked mindlessly. I have lost my mind.

"You were almost... having a staring contest with the ceiling? You basically looked like there was something over there." She pointed on top. I rolled over while she talked and laid on my stomach, supporting my upper body on my elbows.

"Oh..." I was so lost. "You were saying something?" I ruffled my hair and looked at her.

"Yes, I asked. How did you sign the contract on the first meet? What did the contract have? Like how?" Right. I understand she would find it absolutely stupid without knowing the reason. But it was stupid of me too... But then... It won't be as bad as what he could do...  Right? 

My life was an entangled mess, Rose was very well aware about my past. Whatever I told Alex was just a small part, same with Rose. I refused to reveal everything, it's not like I didn't trust her, it was just... I couldn't. 

I pressed my lips together before starting to think for an answer. "He wasn't bad." I raised my eyebrows staring at my thumb while my index picked on it. "He... Um... He- I mean he has a big security agency, I'll be safe and... You know, no loneliness? Yeah..." I nodded knowing absolutely well that whatever I said was completely bullshit.

"Uh huh..." Rose' expression was difficult to read. She definitely didn't believe me. "Okay see..." She smacked her lips and continued, "Whatever decision you take, I hope you know I'll support you no matter what and... Just be careful, you're great and you know what you're doing Carene. I hope you have made the right choice..." Her expression softened and she held my hand. Rose was always like that. Through my thick and thin. Even as a junior back then she was always there for me, cheerful and optimistic, caring and worrying. 

"Thank you, Rosie." I smiled at her while she returned it.

"Okay so, enough of this emotional talk. You tell me, WAS HE HOT?" She sat up straight and grew excited over it. I burst out laughing seeing her behavior.

"Uh, kinda?" I replied as a joke. I didn't really think about how he looked, yes he was handsome, like I said, built like a Greek God with that frame and face economy. But to be very honest, I didn't even look at him much during our meet, I was way too nervous. However, since that day, I had been getting regular texts and calls everyday from him. He wasn't that good with words but at least he tried. Efforts are to be appreciated. Even if it was a small conversation, maybe this wasn't an all bad decision. 

"Man... I wanna hear more but there is nothing to hear." Rose pouted and emptied her cup before darting her eyes on my buzzing phone. "Someone's calling!" She picked it up from the side table and looked at the caller ID, smirking instantly. "Mr. Warren." She handed me the phone. I immediately sat up straight like as if he was there in the room and picked up the call.

"Hello Mr. Warren." I breathed out. Even after many conversations with him, I was still so nervous.

"Carene, it's Alex." His voice melted away.

"Right." I face palmed myself lightly. I always did this. "Alex." An anxious chuckle left my lips.

"Work's done?" 

Huh? "Y-yes. I'm at home." I replied. Rose was staring at me rocking back and forth in her place.

"Did you have your dinner already?" I heard him clear his throat.

"Not yet, will do in sometime." I looked at the clock. 8:30 pm on a Thursday night.

"Don't. Change and be ready, I'll pick you up in sometime." My eyes widened and I looked at Rose. She looked back at me with the same expression. No, the phone wasn't on speaker. She was just curious to my reaction.

"Right now?" I asked biting my thumb's nail.

"Might take ten minutes. I can surely wait for you if it takes longer than that. Take your time." I could have swore to god I felt something weird in my stomach when he said that. I gulped slightly and pushed my hair behind my ear.

"Yeah sure. I'll be ready." I mumbled and received a hum from his end before he hung up. I sighed and fell on my back.

"What happened?" Rose lunged at me.

"He's... taking me out..." I spoke breathlessly.

"What did he... say?" She let go and smiled a little.

"He said to get ready and that he can wait if it takes time..." I mumbled again and curled up on my side. 

"Aww, very sweet of him." She sprung up and ran to my closet. "Wake up woman, let's dress you up!" She yelled and pulled out a few dresses, earning a chuckle from me. I stared at her while she motioned me to get up and come closer. I did as told and was put behind a few selections from her. Being a fashion designer, Rose knew way more about proper dressing styles that can suit me more than I did myself. After Rose was satisfied with my look she finally nodded. It was just a simple a line skirt and turtle neck sweater but it seemed perfect. 

"Looking okay?" I gave a thumbs up.

"Mhmm... okay for a ten minute suit up." she nodded and returned the thumbs up when my phone rung. 

"He's here." I picked the call and answered, "Coming, Mr. War- I mean, Alex." I quickly slipped on my boots and tossed the spare keys to Rose. "Close and lock the door before you leave, or if you're staying!" I whispered to Rose who threw her "All the bests" at me before I ran out of my apartment. I heard a hum from Alex' end before I hung up myself.

Walking out of the building, I looked around to spot a familiar black Mercedes parked on the opposite side, and a tall frame leaning against it. His eyes were on his phone before he looked up and motioned me to wait up. He crossed the street and reached to me.

"Carene." He spoke smoothly with a neutral expression.

"Alex." I smiled. He nodded and looked to the side before his hand gently held my back and guided me while crossing back the street. He opened the car door for me and waited for me to settle in then pulled onto the seat belt to secure it. "I-I can do that, it's fine..." my words trailed off with his actions as he buckled it up for me. I observed his side profile, it was so elegant yet so sharp. And when he was done, he closed the door without a word and walked over to the driver's side and got in.

He turned back and leaned to get something from the backseat and held out a bouquet of six roses to me. "I don't really know if you like red roses, but I thought they'd suit you." He spoke in his usual monotone. A small smile broke on my face.

"Thank you... I like roses." My first time... Never thought I'd ever receive flowers. Roses on top of that. "I appreciate it." I nodded tracing the petals of the flowers. He hummed and started the car. 

Six roses... Does it carry significance? I shrugged off the thought and leaned on the window, looking outside as the city lights flew behind. His car was filled with the scent of his cologne, which felt like a new type of addiction.