Wilde's Flower (ON HOLD)

Chapter Three

As I pull up outside my apartment after driving for about half an hour, I rest my back and raise my face to the roof of my car. I replay the little moment I had with Oliver in my mind, still slightly flustered and embarrassed. I breathe deep into my lung, trying to regain my composure. I don't understand my irrational reaction. What in heaven's name was that all about? I didn't expect the level of captivation I was subjected to today, all in one meeting.

Everything about that meeting was unanticipated. The project, the hotel, the devastatingly handsome, suited hunk of a man. A man? More like a god. He requested me by name, his touch turned me to mush, his eyes. Shaking my head, I try to block out my little moment of discernment.

Forget it, Jo, I scold myself. I decide not to mull over it, but to concentrate on the conclusion of my meeting. It was a business meeting and I should dwell on that alone.

I walk into my apartment and let the cool feel of home embrace me. I checked the clock as I flop into a chair and notice it's twenty-six minutes past four o'clock. Noting that I still have about four hours to chill before hanging out with the girls. I need to relax my head a little, winding down my exhaustion is paramount.

I grabbed and switch on my phone to check for any message notifications. I got a voice-note from Drew, I don't bother to check it. A text from Vivian, surely she has arrived from Cleveland. A text from my Mum as well. I decide to answer the latter, dialing my Mum. It rings once then she answers.

'Jo?' My Mum screeched over the phone.

'Hi, Mum.'

'We finally reach you, young lady. How are you?'

'Good. I'm good Mum, you?'

'Ooh, Everything's fine. How's it going over there?'

'Everything's great Mum.'

'Your brother has gone back to Australia.' She says, 'he was here yesterday.' I hear the dog barking in the distance. 'Oh God, not again.'

'Mum?' I chuckle, taking off my shoes and wristwatch.

'A moment dear.' She says to me. 'Benjamin, he spilled the bottle again.' She yells for my Dad and gets back to conversing. 'Oh Jo, your Dad bought a dog, I don't know whatever for. It's so jumpy, it won't sit still.' She says all worked up. I hear Dad come to the phone.

'It's a puppy Mum, it won't sit still.' I chuckle, taking off my shoes.

'Is that Jo?' I hear my Dad over the phone.

'Talk to your Dad, honey.' The barking becomes louder like the dog is closer to the phone. I hear walloping in the background and my Dad laughs.

'Hi, Dad.' I yell.

'You don't have to shout.' He laughs 'How are you?'

'I'm good, why did you have to buy a puppy Dad, are you trying to drive Mum crazy?' I ask.

'Bad dog, bad.' I hear my Mum yell and my Dad laughs again.

'That's the idea.' He confirms.

'Take it easy Dad.'

'Aah, we're fine.' He says 'Well, how are you? Have you settle into your new place?'

'Yes Dad, I'm doing great. My new apartment is very homey. It's a lovely and peaceful environment, I'm sure you'll like it.'

'Ooh, that's good. I'm so proud of you. You finally get your place.' He doesn't dive on the Drew subject and I'm so glad. My Dad is very understanding when it comes to privacy and inconvenience and he's sure I'm going to be touchy on the subject. My Mum on the other hand...