Fatal Attraction | WLW

10

I've been studying for several hours now. My eyes hurt from the unstoppable closure. I can barely feel my body since it has tensed from sitting in the chair all afternoon. My history exam is tomorrow, and I have been preparing for it. Even if Ember is my professor and may let me pass if I mess up, I don't want to pass in such an unfair way. I want to make myself proud, not my parents.

I never liked history, but the prospect of making myself and Ember proud changed my perspective on the subject. There were numerous interesting pieces of information that piqued my curiosity after several hours of reading. Or was it because Ember taught me about it? In any case, I don't want to screw this up.

It was early afternoon, and a knock on my bedroom door startled me.

"Come in!" I yelled and closed my laptop.

Livia, our housekeeper, opened the door, holding a bucket of white roses. I immediately got off the bed to take a closer look at them.

"These are for you, Dove. However, there was no note left. You must have a secret admirer." She giggled and handed me the roses.

I brought them closer to my face to smell them. They looked so beautiful and smelled like heaven. I didn't need a note to know who sent them.

"Thank you, Livia," I said to her.

She smiled and asked, "Should I bring a vase for them?"

"Oh yes! What would I do without you? If you hadn't mentioned the vase, they'd probably have died the next day." I slapped my forehead, and Livia merely laughed.

"It's okay, my dear. That's why I'm here." Livia then left downstairs to fetch the vase. Meanwhile, I couldn't stop staring at the roses. They were snow-white.

I know the reason behind the roses. She only sent them because I didn't say the word 'forgive' to her. Because I want her to fight for me. To earn me.

I know better than to settle for anyone unworthy. I'm not like my mother, who married someone she had no feelings for just because he had money.

I want to be wanted and desired.

Roses are a very nice gesture, but I need more from her than just that. I don't want to be merely a fling to her.

Suddenly, the heavy drops of rain that splashed against the window tore my whole attention toward it. I walked to the open window to close it, and once I did, I noticed someone standing in the middle of the road without an umbrella.

They stared at my window with their arms folded, wearing a black hoodie and dark jeans. It took me a while to recognize who the crazy person was. It was right when she lifted her head, and I noticed the white-blond hair.

My buzzing phone chimed in, and I quickly picked it up as I saw Ember's name on the display.

"How did you like the roses?" She asked, and rain was heard in the background.

I stared at her without blinking.

"You prefer them in a different color?" She asked again but with a hesitant voice.

I swallowed hard and gripped the phone tighter in my hand. "They are—perfect," I answered softly.

She chuckled, and it tickled my ear. "I'm so happy to hear that. See you then tomorrow—"

"Ember!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, darling?"

"See you soon," I murmured.

A smile formed on her face, and then she hung up. We stared at each other like crazy people for a couple of minutes. Ember then tucked her hands in her pockets and slowly walked away. I stopped watching her after she was no longer in my sight.