RED

21. Poinsettia

He let out a breath he had no idea he had been holding in.

"Thank you." He quickly proclaimed as he unexpectedly engulfed her in an embrace. Kiana's eyes slightly widened in surprise, her hands remained by her side. She then blinked several times, her present state too uncomfortable for her. She debated on what action to quickly take, but her mind was working quite slow in cooking up her next action. Thankfully, Nicolas drew away, the look in his eyes, the apologetic slash discomfort expression on his face telling her he understood he went a little ahead of himself.

"I'm sorry." He managed to apologise, a little embarrassed for letting his emotions run him. Kiana put up a brief smile, appreciative of the fact that he created a space once more between them.

They stood quietly for a moment, just awkward briefing smiles at each other. Neither knew what next step to really take. Kiana knew somehow, she would have to get away.

"I... I have to get going. Sorry, lunch hours are almost over." She told him whilst she attempted to turn away. Nicolas quickly took hold of her hand to stop her from walking away. As she turned her head back to him, he then took his hand away from hers.

"One last thing Kiana." He told her and she had to properly turn back to him.

She watched him stretch out a hand to her.

"Can I have your phone?" He asked, a little to her surprise.

"My phone?" She asked, her brows slightly furrowed in confusion.

"Yes, your phone. Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything bad with it. Trust me." He told her and after a moment of hesitation, Kiana handed it over to him and watched as he worked on it. He, then, reached for his phone within his pocket. As he stared at the screen, a smile surfaced on his face. He turned her phone to her, so she could see the screen.

"I just dialled my number using your phone. Now, I have your number and you have mine, so please don't be alarmed when you receive a message from me, okay?" He told her before portraying a broader smile, then handing her phone back to her. She managed to nod and portray a smile as she collected the phone from her.

She saved the number using his name before looking up to him.

"Saved." She told him and he nodded in accordance.

"Saved as well." He told her regarding her number on his phone and she gave a nod in understanding.

"Uh, I'll have to get going now."

"I'll walk you back." He quickly stated, much to her surprise.

"Oh no, you really don't have to. I'm pretty sure they need you back in the kitchen and all. Besides, the office is just a few blocks away. I can manage."

"Yeah and I'm sure the restaurant can manage without the boss for a few minutes." He told her, as he took a step or two to stand by her side. She stared at him, eyes slightly widened.

"Boss? You own the place?" She asked, a little taken aback.

"Yup. Did I forget to mention that? Perhaps, I did. Can't really recall." He told her, the look on his face was a bit modest.

Wow.

Kiana exclaimed within her mind as she stared at him. Almost everyone from her past seemed to have turned out quite successful. Enrico, Nicolas. She wouldn't deny the fact that it got her thinking about her life. She barely had her own place. Without saying a word more, she shifted her eyes away from him and began walking ahead with him tagging along by her side.

"So... the company you work at, what exactly do they do?" Nicolas asked, wanting to get their conversation going.

"Um... Wine. We deal with wine production." Kiana managed to give a reply outside of her sudden silence state. She didn't want him noticing a thing.

"Wine... that's great."

"Uh-huh." Kiana commented, without looking up to him.

* * *

There was a knock on the door and Enrico requested the person to walk right in, which eventually happened as the door knob turns and Sofia walks in, gently shutting the door behind her afterwards. Enrico raised his eyes away from the work at hand and that's when he caught sight of her approaching his desk. He let out a silent sigh. Her presence there couldn't possibly be a good one. His mum had come by his home the other day and he made her believe both he and Kiana were in a relationship. She had left without a word, but he knew his mother better than that. She always sent his aunt whenever she couldn't get through to him. Now, Sofia was there. Enrico watched as she calmly took her seat in front of his desk. A simple smile played on her lips.

"The expression on your face tells me you know my reason for being here today." She stated, eyes fixated on him. Enrico stared for a moment before he relaxed on his seat. A scoff escaped his lips.

"Mum sent you."

"Your mother is worried. I'm worried, Enrico." Sofia quickly added.

"Enrico, there's a reason the past is called the past. The past cannot clash with the present. It would mean utter destruction... I hope you do understand what I'm trying to say." She told him, her eyes fixated on him and after what seemed like moments of silence, she let out a sigh. Enrico looked away from her.

"Lunch hours are almost over. I'll take my leave." She stated whilst she got up to her feet. After one last smile at him, she turned away.

"The past." Enrico voiced out, enough for her to hold onto the thought of walking away. He shifted his eyes back to her. Now staring at her back, he had no idea where this new found audacity within him came from.