Marriage?

24:Playing with fire.

Ch 24: Playing with Fire

Calvin Richards
I stared at the white tulips that an old lady was selling beside the hotel, as I waited for her to grab her stuff. My lips formed a confused pout as I hadn't yet decided if I must buy her a flower or not, as if I don't it'd be weird that I didn't buy my women flowers, and if I did, it would cross our rules and I would be giving her fucking clues. Oh my god, this is eating my brain up.

"Skat, hvad har du tænkt på så længe? Der er gået 10 hele minutter, hvor du har stået her med en rynke i panden!" I heard the lady say. I blushed a little, understanding her words. She asked me why I had been standing there for literally so long with a frown on my face. Yes, I've had language lessons, and Danish was one of them.

"Åh godt...." I sigh with a blush. (Ah, well...)

"If it's for a girl, buy some white tulips if it's new, and red if it has been long enough." The lady said in Danish, and I blushed. I didn't know if it was a good decision to buy her flowers.

"De hvide, tak." I said, taking out my purse to pay the lady. (The white ones, please)

The lady smiled and with a gesture born of habit, wrapped the crinkly old newspaper around the white delicates, and neatly tied the ends with a small white ribbon. "Tak, hav en god dag." she said as she handed me the bouquet. I nodded with a gentle gesture as I handed her the money and told her to keep the change to which she smiled in gratefulness. It makes me happy seeing old people happy. (thank you, have a good day.)

"Matthew!" I called my boy as he stepped out of the hotel.

"Oh hey darling. Sup" He smirked and I rolled my eyes at his playful attitude.

"Buy some flowers." I said as I fixed the edges of the flower petals to make sure it was perfect.

"For whom? And why?" he said, scanning the flower buckets and bundles kept on the wooden crates.

"Well..." I cleared my throat as I felt the blood rush up to my cheeks, "It would seem weird if I gave her, as in, my wife flowers without much reason, considering we're not in a....romantic relationship. So, just buy one and— I don't know— give it to a little child or a sad person to make their day. You do it mostly, so" I shrugged and he did as well.

"Pink and white lilies please." he said with his charming smile to which the lady smiled back. After buying the flowers, we both proceeded to roam about the entrance of the hotel. Different sounds ringed around in my ears as the people around us laughed and talked as they walked, while I waited for her. Matthew was looking around the place, seemingly excited to explore the city while occasionally eyeing the gate.

The familiar lilt of her voice drew me outside. I forced my lips into a neutral line, just as she appeared, a vision in that dress. Her hair, unbound, cascaded over her shoulders, and a small white purse swung from her hand as she laughed with her friend. My feet moved before I could think, carrying me towards her. A faint flush crept up her neck as she noticed me. I extended the bouquet of white tulips which carried 6-7 of them.

An amused, confused smile played on her lips as she accepted them, a delicate blush deepening.

"White tulips," I managed, my voice rough. "I....I liked them and thought they were beautiful...so uhm—" I cleared my voice. Why did I say that?

I cleared my throat, avoiding her eyes. "Matthew... he was buying some. So, I..." My gaze fell to the ground, a wave of heat rising in my cheeks.

"I'll leave you two alone" I heard Christiana murmur as she made her way towards the streets of the city. I rubbed my nape, expecting her to say something at least.