My Valentine

Sixteen

Nightengale Phillips

This was most definitely the largest greenhouse I'd ever seen. On the outside, it was obvious that the triangular shaped building was made completely of glass as I could see the different assortments of trees inside.

Without even entering, I could make out coconut trees, banana trees, hell, I was sure I even saw a mango tree peeking out to the side.

"It's locked," I said to him in dismay, the glass door's handle wouldn't budge. It was only then that I noticed the place was completely deserted. The only vehicle I could see was Marshall's Range Rover that was parked to the left of the greenhouse.

It was where the tiny man at the entrance of the gate had directed us to park.

He smirked and pulled a key from his pocket, "The owner is a good friend of mine."

Well we'd certainly get the privacy we needed!
"Mmm, you've thought everything down to the 'T', I see."

He didn't reply, he just unlocked the door.
"Ladies first," I gestured for him to enter and he snorted, grabbing my shoulders and forcing me to go in first.

When we were finally enveloped in the warmth of the greenhouse,the first thing I noticed was how the ground was covered in grass and the little droppings we were bound to step in. I heard little chirps of hidden creatures and felt the silent peace of golden butterflies that were almost everywhere. The varieties of trees were all separated so that there was a walkway.

Damn, this place really had many assortments of trees. I could literally feel the oxygen radiating off them.

"There's a room in the back." I don't think he even realized that he was reaching for my hand, but I happily took it anyway.
As he led me to the room, I couldn't help but think how normal all of this felt.

By 'room', he meant another section of the greenhouse that consisted of only orange trees.

"They're experimenting with a new breed of oranges," His low voice rumbled, perhaps hearing my thoughts.

Come to think of it, the oranges looked larger, healthier even.
Not knowing where to sit, I awkwardly stood as he studied the oranges.

"So...are we gonna talk? Or..." Stare at oranges for the rest of the evening...

"How are we going to do this?" He abruptly dropped an orange into a large, wooden container which was already filled to the brim.

I already knew what he was talking about,"The only alternative is to keep this a secret, otherwise, we'll be screwed."
"Trust me, I'm aware of that. It's just that..."
What?"
He ran his hand through his hair. He didn't know what to say.

"Today I saw you talking to that boy who couldn't keep his hands off you. All I could think about was how I wanted to come over there and show him who has the only right to touch you like that, but I couldn't and at that moment, I felt..."

I shook my head in wonder and surprise.

"Marshall, I've seen the way women have looked at you and trust me, I know how you feel, but we just have to...trust each other."

Would I be able to trust him?

No, stop it Gayle.

"What about Brooklyn? What should we tell him?" I asked.

"He's a little kid. He really won't care."

"But what if he catches us being... intimate?"

He studied me for a split second then rested both his hands on my hips, I almost jumped in surprise.
He pulled me closer until I could feel the heat of his strong stature. It blended pleasantly along with the warmth of the greenhouse.