RED

11. Tulips

Love is like war - easy to begin, but very hard to stop.

by H.L. Mencken

Enrico walked into his closet right after switching on the light in order to illuminate the room-like closet. Everything was all sorted out; starting from his shirts, and down to the last thing, his shoes. Even his accessories had their own positions. He went straight for the wardrobe his home clothes were folded and laid into. He searched quite quickly for something simple and a bit fitting for the young woman downstairs to wear, but apparently, nothing of her size was there. She would have to make do with anything handed over to her. Finally, he took hold of a grey sweatshirt. It might not fit perfectly on her, but at least, it would cover her up. Without wasting a second more, he rushed out of the closet, out of his room and down the staircase.

On getting off the last stair case, his eyes caught her standing by the kitchen counter; the bed sheet all wrapped around her body. Just the upper part of her neck and up to her face could be seen. She stared at nowhere in particular. The lights had finally been switched back on. He could recall what happened a few minutes ago. He had felt a bit surprised, as well as amused by her situation before finally throwing the bedsheet to her. Thereafter, he switched the lights on and made her explain exactly what was going on. She wouldn't look him in the eyes and he knew it was due to her embarrassed state. He had noticed just how heated up her cheeks had become and although she tried so hard to hide that fact and remain strong, it gave her away each second.

Staring at her at the moment, a sly smile showed up by the side of his lips. He understood that was crazy, but a part of him couldn't help loving it.

"Kiana." He called, just as he walked towards her and stopped a few steps away from her. She slightly turned her head to him, careful enough to make sure their eyes did not meet. Kiana was very embarrassed by what had happened. She blamed herself for this outcome, for every second that Enrico was away to get her something to put on. When the lights came on and she was faced with Enrico, she wished more than anything for the ground to open up and swallow her. Unfortunately, her wish couldn't be fulfilled.

"I couldn't find something of your size since you're the first woman to spend the night here, so you'll have to make do with this." He told her as he stretched out his hand with the sweatshirt to her. She took a slight look at his face. His words echoing once more in her head for better understanding.

First woman.

These two words restated itself in her mind and she lightly furrowed her brows in confusion. Wasn't he a womanizer? He should have had thousands of women walk into his home. His statement wasn't making any sense to her.

"Kiana, my arm is hanging. It won't for much longer." He told her and she quickly brought herself back to reality. She took in a silent deep breath, realising he was right. Carefully, she took a few steps towards him before collecting the sweatshirt from him. She made sure this time to hold on tighter to the sheet wrapped around her body, as she raised up the shirt to get a good look at it. One look at it, she shifted her eyes to Enrico, who stared back at her. He pushes his glasses back to rest properly on the bridge of his nose.

"What? I told you, I don't have ladies' clothes." He stated, referring to the look in her eyes. She replied nothing, as she looked away from him and brought down the shirt.

"Thank you." She murmured.

"What? Did you say something?" He asked, on purpose. The look of amusement entwined within his eyes.

She raised her eyes to him.

"I said...thank you." She repeated once more, quite feeling the need to. After all, he did bring her to his home, gave her a room to sleep in and he was, then, giving her something to put on. A thank you wasn't something heavy for her to say. A simple smile showcased on his face as he stared down at her.