Garden Kisses

Chapter 10

I stared at the bouquet on my desk. It was delivered to my office like a regular package, with a note attached. The women at the salon all jeered and giggled when the flowers arrived, wondering who they were meant for. I was surprised to find that it was meant for me. The beautiful red roses and yellow tulips were scented with expensive perfume that smelt familiar. It was a beautiful gesture. The card attached said simply:
Dinner at Blue Diamond? – 8 PM
I smiled at the romantic gift. There was only one person in my life who was loving enough to care like this – Erin. I thought that maybe this was her way of apologizing for letting her mystery guy romance her. It was a bouquet styled similar to hers. At least, she was discreet enough to leave out her name. I guessed she did not want to cause any rumors among my staff. It was a definite ‘yes’ on my part. I looked forward to whatever fun evening Erin had planned. I had been doing all the planning since she got to LA. I guess this time was her turn.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Erin taking charge. I didn’t want her to spend any cash on me, even if I was the one giving her money. It would be rude of me to refuse though and how could I? There was nothing I wanted more than to spend yet another night being seduced by Erin. My smile widened as I thought about Erin playing footsie with me under our dinner table. This was something to look forward to.

“Addonis?!” I exclaimed in shock. He sat at the dinner table dressed in his best suit, a nervous smile on his face. I looked at the waiter who had escorted me to the table, expecting him to tell me that some mistake had been made. When I entered the high-end restaurant of the Blue Diamond hotel, I was met by the escort who assured me that my reservations were confirmed and my date was present. Now, I stood at a table watching my husband’s pathetic face, disappointed that Erin was not there.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, still looking around, not sure if Erin might arrive at any moment and find me talking to Addonis in the middle of our date.
“What are you talking about? What? You were expecting someone else?” He replied softly.
I turned to watch him and the escort walked away, realizing that he was about to find himself in the middle of a couple’s argument. Addonis’ face was sincere, sad, and concerned. It dawned on me that he was oblivious to my affair with Erin. I had ignored him since I met Erin and refused to speak to him. I never thought that he was the one to send those flowers. I was sure those flowers came from Erin. It just seemed so similar to what she had received that I assumed she…
“So you were expecting someone else…” Addonis stated plainly. He dropped his head and took a deep breath, almost sighing in sadness. I never thought that I could make Addonis sad. He always seemed so confident and dominant; unmovable. It was at that point I realized that Addonis had been trying to get my attention since I got back. I left him completely lost, disappearing for days on end and not even coming back home. I can’t imagine how I would feel if he did that to me. I would have already left him. Yet here he was, trying to organize a date, sending me flowers, actually trying to get my attention and treat me well. I did not know how to react.
“It’s fine…” he said, raising his head. “I guess I deserve that too… I’ve been blind to your feelings… I just want us to have dinner tonight, as husband and wife. Would you sit with me?” He gestured to the chair which the escort had pulled out for me but I never accepted. I looked at his eyes. They were honest. Addonis did not come to make me see things his way. This was about winning me back. I had to admit that he was trying. I also felt guilty for blatantly disregarding his feelings and ignoring him for the past three weeks. My husband wanted his wife.
“Okay…” I said softly and sat down. His face lit up. He was happy that I accepted his date. Addonis eagerly opened a bottle of merlot on the table and poured some into our glasses. I remained silent as he did this. It was going to take a lot more than a fancy dinner and my favorite wine to earn my forgiveness. After he poured the wine, Addonis signaled for the waiter to come take our orders. He immediately called for a three-course meal, ordering for both him and I. I made no objections to his choices. It seemed like he had already ordered and was simply confirming it.
Moments later our appetizer arrived and the waiter laid it out before us. Addonis gave him a nod and a wink and the waiter returned the coded signal, retreating into the kitchen.
“What was that about?” I asked, curious to know what Addonis was planning.
“You’ll see.” He smiled and continued sipping his wine.
A few minutes later I heard a familiar song begin to play. It was a song from my favorite singer, RINI called ‘Aphrodite’. My ears perked up at this and I raised my head to see where the music was coming from. Addonis wore a massive grin and observed me expectantly. I knew that look. It was the same look he had when he proposed to me. Something was up.
“Zinnia… this one’s for you.” I heard through the speakers. I was in shock. Addonis leaned back smiling, holding up his glass to me.
“You heard the man, love. This is for you…” Addonis said. As he spoke the double doors of the restaurant’s kitchen opened and RINI stepped out, dressed in a suit just like Addonis’. He sang the beautiful words which made me love his music, walking slowly over to the table where we were. The guests in the restaurant all turned to enjoy the live performance. Addonis simply smiled, and sat humbly at the table, stirring his wine and enjoying the performance. I was speechless.
This was the greatest gift Addonis had ever given me. I never knew he had observed me enough to know my new favorite artist, far less for my new favorite song. RINI stood before me, standing next to my husband, serenading me with the lovely words of his song, with Addonis nodding in agreement.
“May I have this dance? I promise that you won’t regret…” Addonis asked, slightly misquoting the lyrics of the song. It was perfect though. I loved that song because I always imagined Addonis saying such lovely words to me.
“Yes!” I squealed in excitement. This was an unforgettable moment – a dream come true.
Addonis stood up and offered me his hand. I eagerly accepted it. RINI backed off, allowing us space to dance, turning to perform for the rest of his audience. Addonis held me close. His body felt familiar and foreign at the same time. I forgot what it felt like to have him hold me, truly hold me.
“I’ve been blind to you my love. I don’t expect you to forgive me but I need you to know I care.” Addonis whispered in my ears.
“Oh no…” I thought to myself. “What should I say?”
I felt tears rise to my eyes and I buried my face in his strong shoulders. Addonis held me gently and guided our dance around the floor.
“It’s okay,” he whispered. “I know…”
“Where were you?” I finally managed to say. “What took you so long to come back to me?”
“I was lost. The fame and fortune got to my head… I am truly sorry.” He said, stopping to look me in the eyes and then kissing me. The crowd applauded our rekindled flame. I turned around to see many approving faces smiling at us, including RINI’s (who I made a mental note to get his contact info later… You never know, right?). I turned back to watch Addonis. He was happy.
“Come on… there’s more I want to show you.” Addonis grabbed my hand and rushed me to the exit, only stopping to drop a fat wad of money on the counter.
“I almost forgot to pay the bill!” he laughed as he dragged me along. I hadn’t seen this side of Addonis in years. It wasn’t the fact that he had money now which made him different. It was his entire personality that had changed. He was no longer the jovial, fun lover that I knew. Although, tonight, he wanted to reclaim his title. I blushed and followed him.