'Glowing Trees'
I SNUCK INTO Tamara's room as quietly as I could and picked her alarm clock from her bedside table. After setting the timer for thirty seconds, I took my seat on a sofa positioned close to her closet and waited.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
I laughed my head off when Tamara sat upright with her eyes wide open. Her hair had formed a bird nest due to her reckless sleeping position. She narrowed her eyes into slits when she took notice of me.
She turned off the alarm clock and set it back to where it belonged. "You're so evil."
"I agree." I accepted, sinking back into the sofa with wicked satisfaction filling me up.
"Don't make me kick you out of my room." She walked up to her dresser and stared into the mirror, examining her face for the things she hated most, pimples.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of her bed." I teased and watched the way she frowned when she discovered a bump on her skin.
"Is that a pimple I see?"
She huffed and trudged to her bathroom.
Smiling, I stepped out of her room and went downstairs still bearing the pleasant memories from last night.
Yesterday, I had so much fun at the Gaming Centre with Philip that for the few hours we were there, I forgot I was an adult and inserted myself in the world of the teenagers. We played so many games and although Philip won almost all of them, I was happy that I got to do something he loved doing when he was a teenager.
"Why are you smiling like an idiot?"
I didn't realize my sister had entered the kitchen.
When my head jolted up in shock, she smirked and opened the refrigerator. After scanning the contents of the metal box, she brought out a jar of jam and placed it on the marble counter.
"Are you really going to start your day with junk?" I demanded as she slipped some slices of bread into the toaster.
"What's it to you?"
I ignored her snarky comment and jumped onto the counter.
"With the wedding fast approaching, I have to make sure certain things are in order like the food and chairs, will you help me there?" She placed her palm on her forehead and rubbed it with gentle strokes of her fingers.
I jumped down the counter. "Of course I will."
Tamara sobs and rubs her nose. "This is too good to be true, I'm getting married in less than a week."
"Oh please, save me the emotional drama." I embraced her in my arms and patted her back to soothe her.
She continued sobbing. I sighed, tolerating her breakdown. Even though I wasn't really showing it, I'd miss my sister, I'd miss our numerous fights, arguments, our late night discussions and the other things we did as sisters.
"Come on, stop crying." I groan as a tear drop hit my bare shoulder. "I'm gonna be drenched in your tears, stop it...ow!" I yelped as she kicked my shin.
"Now, who's a cow?" I teased my sister and shoved her away.
Before she could retaliate, her phone started ringing and she hurried to pick it from beside the toaster.
"Hello." She spoke into the phone.
Her countenance changed from bright to dull. "What happened to her?"
Tamara gasped and covered her mouth with her empty palm. I rushed to her when tears trickled down her cheek.
"What happened?" I demanded when she dropped the call.
"Beatrice said mom started coughing up blood and passed out in her office."
My head spun in two revolutions. I thought all this ended a long time ago. Why are bad things resurfacing? Why?
I sped up to my room and fished random clothes to wear.
💭💭💭
At Livingstone Hospital, the doctor, Dr Michelle welcomed us into her office and spoke to us about mom's state.
According to her, mom suffered from an internal bleeding and due to the excessive external loss of blood, she suffered from an hypovolemic shock.
Tamara wrapped her hand around me as we sat on the same chair we were on the last time we came here when mom got attacked by an unknown person.
"She'll be fine, don't worry too much." Tamara consoled.
I nodded. I hate seeing any of my loved ones suffer, anything that affects them has a way of getting to me too.
I sneezed and wiped mouth with my handkerchief. "I wonder what triggered the internal bleeding."
We remained silent as we watched every activity taking place in the hospital. Some patients were walking with the aid of crutches under the supervision of the nurses, others were limping around, rejecting the help offered to them. A man was being rushed to the operating theatre on a hospital trolley and as I saw the oxygen mask over his nose, I felt faint.
"You've gotten pale, what's wrong?"
I stood. "The air here is too depressing, I'm gonna step out for a few minutes."
My sister nodded and I felt her eyes on me as I made my way to the exit.
Outside, the air which was relatively calm tickled my nose and the aroma of hospital food crept in.
From what I heard from the patients who whispered carelessly, the food was terrible. I wasn't sure about the credibility of their story because I never got to know what hospital food tastes like.
After visiting hours were over, Tamara and I went back home in silence and retired to our bedrooms.
When I had stumbled into my bed, a call from Philip came in.
"Hello best friend." His mesmerizing voice sounded into my ear.
I brushed my hair back with my fingers. "Hello to you too, how are you doing this evening?"
"I had a long day at work but I'm okay now, hearing your voice is sufficient."
"O...okay." I stuttered.
"Are you busy? " He asked.
"No, why? "
"I want to take you somewhere, are you coming?"
"Now?" I asked, staring out my window, the sky was almost dark and I didn't want to leave my sister home alone.
"Yes, hold on a sec..." He paused making me wonder what he was doing. "I just arrived at your house, come outside please."
I chuckled.
"You know you don't have to beg me for anything."
I slipped my arms into a jacket and advanced to the main door.
"I know."
I opened the door and met Philip's handsome figure standing before me. A grin found its way to his face.
"Hello Jewel." He disconnected the call and came closer to me.
Philip embraced me like he wouldn't survive if he doesn't do that. And my heart warmed at the fact that he missed me, even though he did not admit to it verbally.
He kissed the top of my head. "I missed you, Florence."
"I missed you too." I responded, breathing against his hard chest.
It was totally impossible to deny the sparks flying between the two of us, even I could not deny it anymore. The connection was just too strong. The longer I am away from him, my heart feels like a part of it isn't complete.
Us being best friends was just my pathetic idea to avoid the sparks igniting around us. I don't think I can endure that. I want something more.
Something more.
"Where do you intend taking me to?" I asked as we started moving towards his car.
"I'm not telling."
I groaned. "Why?"
"Because."
I nudged him with my elbow and he moved away from me.
"What did you do that for?" Philip demanded.
"That's to remind you never to answer my questions with 'because'."
I turned to him when he stopped walking. He had a look of amusement on his face.
"Why is that stupid look on your face?" I demanded, my nostrils flaring out in annoyance.
"You never fail to amuse me."
I glared at him. Why was he teasing tonight? It was unlike his usual self.
Philip pinched the tip of my nose. "Is that a glare I see? How adorable." He cooed.
"Don't make me rethink my coming with you." I threatened. My threat, although playful was enough to make him sober.
He opened the car door for me to climb in. When I did, the unmistakable smell of new car seat hit my nostrils.
"You bought a new car?" I asked when he started the engine.
"Yes, you like?"
I nodded and stared back at the black back seat in admiration.
I love the car but it's just that Philip had so many of them that he once told me he wouldn't realize if someone stole five or even ten of them as he had so many of them.
Even though it befitted him as the owner of Nicholas Corporation world wide, I couldn't help but feel a little repulsed by the extravagance.
Hey, I'm not an enemy of progress or good things but I hate things going overboard, I love simplicity, I like moderation.
"What are you thinking about?" Philip asked, startling me.
"It's just the fact that you told me once that you have a lot of cars that you don't even drive, what's the need?" I asked.
I saw a look of hurt flash on Philip's face. Although I didn't feel any remorse for saying how I felt, it didn't seem right condemning him like that.
"I'm sorry..." I apologized.
Philip's eyes left the road for a few seconds and stayed on me.
"No, don't apologize..."
"...but it's none of my business." I cut him off.
"Florence..." He drew out my name slowly.
"I don't want you to apologize for anything, you're absolutely right."
"But..."
"...my business will always be your business Florence, I want you to know that." Philip gazed into my eyes and I smiled at the warmth I found there.
His words extinguished every atom of guilt within my body. I felt relaxed again.
Taking a deep breath, I sank back into the chair and closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, I took a quick glance at Philip. His face was completely devoid of any emotion as he watched the road in front of us. He swerved and avoided a dog which was crossing the road.
"Isn't that illegal?" I demanded, referring to the dog.
"What? The dog?"
"Yeah."
"It is, but obviously the owners don't care." He concluded.
"I just wish people could be more careful with their animals." I grumbled.
Philip gave me a strange look. "Apparently, that isn't our business."
"What if the animal got hit? That would be awful." I continued, burying my face in my palms.
Philip made a throaty sound. "Don't tell me you're one of those people who's obsessed with animals."
"Hey!" I slapped his arm. "It's more than an obsession, it's pure love."
He grinned. "Uh huh."
"Why are you so annoying today?" I didn't smile because he teased me again about my concern for the dog.
"I can't help it."
I noticed he started driving up a large road covered with trees at both sides. The area looked entirely familiar.
"Why are we driving to your parents' house?"
Philip looked at me and raised his brows. "We? I'm totally sure I'm the only one driving this car."
I snorted. "Oh come on."
"There's somewhere I want to take you."
"In your parents house?" I asked with fear. The last time I came here, I was with Peter. Going there now would definitely raise some questions.
"We aren't actually going inside." Philip parked the car close to a tree and we got out of the car.
Some lights I didn't know were in the trees, flickered on, giving the place a romantic feel. The entire trees I could set my eyes on had those lights in them, making it seem like some fireflies were there.
I turned to Philip who had been watching me admire the beautiful trees.
"Why are we here?"
"Well, there's something I've wanted to do for awhile."
My breath picked up speed as Philip walked towards me with his hands in his pocket.
"W...what?"
He smiled. "I want you to close your eyes." He stood right in front of me and held my left hand. Before I could ask why, he spoke again.
"Trust me."
I trusted him and closed my eyes. Philip led me a little distance away from where we were stood before and halted.
"Open your eyes."
I did and saw nothing. For a moment, I was confused until he said "Look up."
I glanced upwards at the darkened sky and saw the words: Will you be my girlfriend?
Ha! The big question you've all waited for.
Will Florence say yes?
I know a lot of you might have concluded Philip and Florence to be dating after that kidnap incidence. Well, they weren't dating, they were just friends who were more than friends. You grab?
So depending on Florence's answer, they'll officially be dating.
I haven't forgotten my promise to heat things up, the intense moments are coming so hold on tight.
If you noticed, I broke a record! I wrote over 2000 words! I'm so happy!
Thanks for reading.
Your Crazy Writer😋