"Tell me again, why are we here?" Rowan asked with an amused expression. He still couldn't believe we were in the flower shop. "Brandon likes flowers, and my dad sternly told me to get him his favourite flower for dinner." He hummed while chuckling. "You look so out of place." He mumbled. Momentarily, I took my eyes off the phone screen and looked at Rowan, who was smiling eerily while watching the flowers. My eyes roamed over the shop, and I shrugged. What's the big deal about it? It's just a flower. "Which is his favourite one?" Rowan asked, and I racked my brain at that. My dad informed me of something. "Just take a mix of everything." It's for the best and to be safer. Rowan chuckled at that. "It doesn't work that way. Call or message your dad and ask him." What was the big deal about it? It's just a flower. I don't want to call or message my dad and ask him the same thing, so I racked my brain once again. "It's something that starts with T, like 'Ti' or 'Tu'; I don't know that", I informed Rowan. "It's Tulip." He stated, and I nodded at that. "I will just get two bouquets, one with only tulips and the other one mixed with other flowers." He stated excitedly, and I squinted my eyes in confusion.
He took 10 minutes to get two bouquets, and we were in the car. I was driving the car; the ride was silent. I thought Rowan would bring up what happened that morning, or at least he would behave a little bit differently around me, but once again, he surprised me. I may go unconscious any second if he keeps up with these kinds of surprises. Things are not adding up, or am I something here? I thought of taking things slow with him, but as he moved in, we were naked in the shower, and he ended up hugging me. If I let that slide, what about his antics of pushing me and getting his way today? His body language is different from his words, and I don't know how to read him anymore. I don't have any problem over here, and I love to go with the flow, but I don't want things to bite me back in the coming days. I want to be conscious around him and want to take each step in a more calculated way, but he is making sure that I discard everything and embrace things as they are hitting me.
I stop the engine in the parking lot of Brandon's apartments. We took the elevator to the fifth floor. My dad opened the door with a fake smile on his face as Brandon was beside him. "Well, Bradly, you should have poured more effort into that smile." Rowan mocked as we entered, and my dad groaned and walked toward the kitchen. We were in the hall, and Brandon suddenly hugged Rowan. He likes to express himself physically rather than verbally, and he smiled broadly at him. Rowan was a little bit startled at the sudden hug, but nevertheless, he returned the hug. We shook hands, and Rowan rolled his eyes at me.
I passed the wine and Rowan flowers to Brandon; trust me, the guy was over the moon. I wanted to cough at that but held back, as Rowan was beside me. Brandon excused himself and was back with two glasses of wine. While sipping the wine, Rowan started to explore the 3 BHK apartment, and I was behind him.
"Have they started a family or what?" There were so many pictures of Brandon with my dad. A few of mine too, along with them and also a single frame. "They are living together," I stated in a matter-of-fact way. "Yeah, don't you think this is too much? I mean, look at the atmosphere; they are not together every day, but this feels like home." I shrugged at that. "Yeah, Brandon has this habit of converting everything into a homely way. The guy is a sucker for having a family." I informed Brandon, who nodded in return. "Dinner is ready." My dad shouted, and we walked to the dining table.
Brandon, with a warm smile, made us take our seats and started filling the glasses with wine and spreading the dishes out. He made sure that on my side, only dishes that I would like to eat occupied the area. He is thoughtful, like always, one step ahead of everything. Rowan's eyes were on the food, and after scanning the items, he set his eyes on me with a glare. Common, I like what I eat, and I want to maintain my physique; there's nothing wrong with it. I am not getting why he is hell-bent on changing my eating habits.
Brandon tried to serve dinner, but my dad held him back with a glare. "They have hands, and you are running non-stop from evening. Take a break, will you?" Brandon was clearly displeased and tried to give his peace of mind when my dad continued. "You look exhausted." Wow, his concern is on another level. Rowan and I coughed at that. "We will help ourselves; don't worry, Brandon," Rowan said politely. I was one step ahead, filling my plates.
Brandon started conversing with Rowan, not diving into the main topic but playing around with Rowan's family, friends and company stuff. My dad and I were discussing the project and other things. It seems they both hit it off, as they were laughing at something in their own world. I didn't mind a bit, but my dad did mind, though. He hates it when Brandon gives his complete attention to someone other than him. He would never admit it, but his face would reveal everything. I can pull Rowan from anywhere into my own world, and the level of confidence is making me feel nonchalant about the situation. Brandon is naive and smitten with my dad; he never even saw anyone other than my dad while they were just fucking. But my dad, when it comes to Brandon, would be too different and overprotective.
Brandon poured more wine into my glass with a smile and asked if I wanted anything else. I shook my head in return. "You know, my dad started, and Brandon glared at him. "Shut up, Brad, I swear." My dad huffed, rolling his eyes. Rowan and I laughed at that and continued eating. They both once again started to converse, and I gave my full attention to the meal, ignoring my pouting dad.
From the day I entered Brandon's hospital cabin, the guy took an instant liking to me, irrespective of my frown and cold attitude. He was always friendly, too caring and warm. Sometimes, his stern behaviour toward my dad amazes me.
We were at the door, bidding goodbye for the night. Once again, Brandon hugged Rowan. "I loved the flowers; thank you, it's so thoughtful." My dad had a hard glare on his face but nonetheless didn't act this time. "Thank you for the dinner," Rowan replied with a smile on his face. "Anytime. Please do visit us whenever it's possible." This time, my dad didn't hold back; a groan left him. Brandon was quick to give his peace of mind. "Brad, the kitchen needs attention." My dad, with a shrug, walked inside. "Goodbye, Dante, and please visit us." I nodded at him. "You know you are always welcome to the mansion, right?" It was out of the blue; I never invited him before, not that I mind his presence, but I never made myself clear about it. Brandon was taken aback at that, and his smile grew wider. "Of course, yeah, maybe sometimes. I don't know; it's too big and everything. I like cosy places." He rambled on, still in shock. "You are welcome anytime," I stated once again, and he nodded, clearly overwhelmed. We bid a final goodbye and made our way to the car.
We locked the door, and I started the engine. "He is so cool and cheerful, clearly not suitable for your dad," Rowan grunted, and I chuckled at that. "So, they are a couple in a relationship, and he is still married." Rowan became noisy; I can't blame him. "Something like that." "Why can't he just get a divorce?" "He is too soft and caring to do that?" "So, things would never move further between your dad and him?" He stated thoughtfully. "At least as long as his wife is in the picture." "He is thinking of admitting her to the mental institute," I grunted. "Oh." "Yes, still thinking; he has not finalised the decision, and trust me, he is too soft for that." Rowan nodded. "He is too good to deal with these craps." "Yes, but he will deal with it with a smile. As I said, he is too good, and that's one of the reasons why my dad is smitten and never left his side." He hummed, leaning back on the seat. "I had given him the same suggestion when I visited his wife for the second time." "You had visited her twice." His voice went loud for no reason. I nodded at him. "Yes, the lady is suffocating, and the first time, I endured her. The second time, I couldn't, and Brandon stopped pestering me to visit her. She would choke anyone with her sorrow." Rowan started laughing at that, and I sighed. "It amazes me every time I see Brandon in a sane state." Rowan couldn't stop his smile and started wiping the edge of his eyes. "Thank god, you didn't choke her in return." He laughed as he spoke. "If I had visited one more time, I would have relieved Brandon for good." I groaned when I remembered the visits.
"Why did you stop the car?" "I will be back; wait here." That's all I told him as I got out of the car. Rowan didn't push and nodded at me. I was at the same flower shop, eyeing the flowers as if they were a big deal to deal with. It was actually as my eyes roamed over different types of flowers. I tried to dig into my memory of our visit a few hours back. I thought about Rowan's expression as he watched the flower and tried to crack my mind about which flower his eyes twinkled at. Finally, I settled on a lily, and I was dumbfounded as there were so many colours of lilies on display. For love of God, how am I going to tackle this? I thought to surprise him, but I never thought I would be in shock, and the element of surprise waited for me. For a second, I thought of turning back empty-handed, but I couldn't. Even the thought didn't sit well with me.
I pondered as I stood in the place, not moving an inch, and the owner's eyes were darting between customers, but I was her main focus. She was an elderly woman with a warm, practised smile that was playing on her face. "Can I help you?" She tried to avoid me for five minutes, and I think she couldn't anymore. "No." I didn't try to be polite given the circumstances I was in. She nodded at me, was making her way back, and something clicked in me. I stopped her, and she obliged. I checked the time; it was 8 pm, and it would take 30 minutes to reach the mansion. I did some math, and I hummed as I concluded things. I placed my order and informed her that someone else would collect the flowers. She nodded as she collected the payment. I walked from her shop, making a call on my way.
"I almost slept," Rowan grunted as I occupied the driver's seat. "Sorry." He didn't react, and he was scrolling on his phone. I started the car.
"Why are you taking a different route?" 15 minutes after I left the shop, the flowers were collected a few minutes ago. I can't go so soon, and I can't tell him. "The road is blocked, Rowan." I lied smoothly. "No, it wasn't evening when we left the mansion together; nothing was blocked." Well, he would never use his brain when it was necessary, but now, it was highly aware of everything. "I received a call while I was in the flower shop." So smooth. "Really." I took it as a statement rather than a question, and Rowan looked somewhat convinced.
After taking a long route, I finally parked the car in front of the mansion at 9.30 when I received a message. Rowan didn't waste time; he started walking towards the room, and I tailed him, feeling a little bit eager and giddy to witness his reaction.
Rowan opened the door and didn't move. I was beside him to check the arrangement, and yes, every colour of lilies was on display. For the first time, my room was filled with flowers – I mean, on the bed too. I had informed the caretaker to place them in the bathtub too.
My eyes fell on Rowan, whose eyes were still wide and his mouth wide open. "You should enter the room," I whispered, and he was too occupied to react to anything. So, I moved him by holding his waist, and he didn't change his reaction. I pondered his reaction, a little conflicted, not able to decide whether he was happy or not.
"Rowan." For a second, he took his eyes from the flowers and looked at me. "Did I get this right?" he knitted at that. "I mean, flower. Is this your favourite one?" I knew my memory served me correctly and would never betray me, but still, there was a what-if running through my mind. Rowan cleared his throat and, by nodding his head, averted his eyes. "Thank God," I muttered; something lifted from my chest when I heard his answer.
"Someone told me that they never woo me." He walked towards the bed and picked the pink lilies that were on the bed with a broad smile. "Your eyes were sparkling at the shop, and I couldn't just ignore that." I defended myself for no reason, and he rolled his eyes. "It's just a flower, though." It was such a small thing; why was he giving such a reaction? "Well, I like flowers, and I am a little bit moved by the gesture." He stated with a smile. "You are so plain, and you were moved just because of this." I showed my hand to the flowers that were spread in the room, and he rolled his eyes. "I don't know how you are going to react if I really think of buying something for you." That really got his attention, and he faced me. "And what would that be?" I chuckled at that. "I have not thought about it, as wooing you was not on my bucket list." I laughed as I saw his glare at me. "Yet here is my favourite flower is all over the room." "And the bathroom too." I proudly informed him. "As I said, I couldn't resist when I saw your eyes." He coughed at that. "I will take a shower." "Please don't take forever." "Shut up." After saying that, he walked to the bathroom.
I sighed and lay on the bed waiting for my turn. Thank God, he came out within 10 minutes, and I made my way to the shower.
We lay side by side, exhausted. Rowan muttered good night, keeping only a little between us. I pulled him towards me and murmured good night in his hair.