A rose should be red: Part 1 - Secrets

by Akaku Red

  Tyler grabbed me and pulled me away from Dean.

  “Well, I am sure he knows me too. Or should I introduce myself again?”

  He still had this smirk on his lips.

  “I don’t care, who you are.”

  Tyler’s voice sounded really deep, as if he was growling.

  A warning!

  “Well, I am sure you will know about me soon, because we will encounter each other more often.”

  Suddenly, Dean got closer to me and kissed my cheek.

  “It was nice meeting you here, but I guess I am no longer welcome. See you on Monday!”

  I was surprised by his sly moves; he was so fast, that I couldn't even react.

  He vanished among the people, while Tyler looked like he would kill somebody any second.

  “I am sorry.” I apologised, but he didn’t seem to hear me.

  I tried it again, yet he was in deep thoughts.

  Tyler tensed as I touched his face, to make him aware of me.

  “I said, I am sorry.”

  “You don’t need to apologise… he was the one that touched you.”

  The last bit was muttered, so I couldn’t understand everything.

  “He helped me out, I stumbled over my feet and he saved me from falling down. Nothing more…”

  I tried to explain myself, even though I didn’t need to.

  “It’s not your fault. And you still don’t understand what that little jerk really wanted to say.”

  He sighed.

  “But I saw everything… So I do know that he helped you out.”

  He took my hand which was on his cheek and tightened his grip.

  “Just what were you afraid of?”

  I was silent for a moment, not sure if I should tell him, since it was a special event today and didn’t want to be the mood wrecker.

  Yet in the end, I told him about it; and even Tyler got mad.

  No, he looked angry, as if he knew those people personally.

  “Let’s go home! I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

  “But, it’s a special day for your boss and for you. I don’t want to spoil it.”

  Tyler smiled, not a breathtaking smile but a more sincere smile, that made my heart skip a beat.

  “Since we arrived, serval hours have passed. The main event is over, now all of them will get drunk; and I am sure that we don’t need to see that.”

  He stopped for a moment, just to pull me even closer.

  “And you already endured this much for my sake. I know that you dislike gatherings, yet you accompanied me.”

  Brushing over my cheek with his lips; he gently sighed.

  “We can go now, really.”

  A word and a blow!

  We bid our goodbyes to Peter and left the celebration.

  But Tyler didn’t drive me straight home, first, he made a little stop on a bridge.

  It was already late and dark outside, but some streetlights illuminated our way.

  The cold breeze made my body shiver, yet I was happy to be outside.

  It was my first time being out at night and I enjoyed it, with him by my side.

  Tyler pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders.

  “Thank you.” I muttered.

  His scent was all over me, and I felt hugged.

  We leaned on the parapet.

  “Don’t you feel cold?”

  “You could warm me up, if you are feeling guilty.”

  “Guilty?” I asked, confused.

  “Yeah, for making me jealous and mad!”

  I sighed.

  “But … I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I know that too! And that is what makes me so mad at myself.”

  His words were confusing me.

  But eventually, it was his expression which made me somehow feel guilty.

  Without thinking much, I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled up against his chest.

  It took him a moment to react, then he did the same as me, and hugged me tight.

  We were silent for a while and enjoyed each other’s warmth.

  After a long moment passed; he whispered his next words and they sounded like a magic spell to me.

  “Thank you, for being with me.”

  He kissed the back of my head, the tingling sensation was spreading like fireworks.

  “Elise told me you are going to stay with me, while she is on a business trip.”

  I nodded slightly, not really in the mood to talk.

  His scent, his touch, his whole being made me calm down.

  I was tired of the day, but right now I felt safe and relaxed.

  The atmosphere was beautiful, even though it was dark.

  I could just doze off like this, but I forced myself to stay awake.

  “You are coming over to my house.”

  Again, I nodded - not really listening to him. I was more focused on his calming heartbeat and his raising and lowering chest.

  “It will be nice to spend some time together.”

  He stopped talking, as he noticed me closing my eyes.

  His beautiful laugh made me tighten my grip around him.

  “Okay, I think someone needs a bed right now.”

  Without a warning he lifted me up and carried me back to the car.

  “I can go by myself.“ I said, moving sluggishly.

  He couldn’t stop laughing and helped me sit properly on my seat.

  Even putting on my seatbelt.

  And while he did that, he brushed over my chest, which made me shiver.

  He loved my reaction to his touch and made it clear with a satisfied smile.

  Then he whispered something I couldn’t understand; before he closed the car door and took a seat beside me.

  As he started driving, I dozed off, not a deep sleep – more like a daydream, still sensing the things around me.

  I thought about everything that had happened today and tried to put my thoughts in the right order, even in my dream.

  My mind was overflowing with thoughts and undefined feelings.

  It was not helpful at all.

  And as Tyler came into my mind, my heart skipped a beat.

  He looked at me with longing eyes and pressed his lips on mine.

  It was a strong, yet gentle peck on my lips; way to real for it to just be a dream, because I felt the pressure on my lips, but I couldn’t differentiate reality from my dream.

  “Jenny, you need to wake up.”

  I was pulled from my sleep, my face flushed seeing Tyler so close.

  Well, it was a dream…

  My dream made me ashamed of myself, I couldn’t look him in the eyes.

  “We’re here.”

  He said quietly.

  I opened up my seatbelt and wanted to take off the jacket, but he stopped me.

  “No, it is cold outside! You need to stay warm.”

  Still not looking at him, I pulled the jacket back.

  “And before you go.”

  He reached for something which was placed on the back seat.

  A bouquet of red roses!

  “Thank you, for accompany me.”

  He said, giving them to me.

  “Wow.”

  I whispered.

  “Thank you!”

  “It’s nothing.”

  I finally looked up at him and smiled.

  “I had a great evening.”

  He touched my hand just to kiss its back.

  “Of all your beautiful curves, your smile is my favourite.”

  There he goes again. But this cheesy line, made me smile even more.

  “You should stop it.”

  “Nope, I won’t.”

  I sighed and opened the door.

  “Well, good night Tyler! Please, drive safely.”

  “Yeah… Sweet dreams my beautiful rose.”

  I looked back at him; this time I noticed something, which made me blush.

  Before I closed the door, I bid my goodbye.

>   He watched me go inside my house, then I heard him drive away.

  As he did that, I tossed off my heels and ran upstairs into my room.

  I placed the bouquet on my desk.

  Without changing my clothes, I jumped on my bed and hugged my pillow.

  “Oh my god!”

  I muttered in disbelieve.

  Did I see it clearly?

  Oh god!

  My dream— wasn’t just a dream.

  He … had some of my red lipstick … on his lips.

  Chapter 8

  I woke up late in the morning, my first day back in London.

  It was 10 am.

  With heavy steps, I made it into the bathroom, without checking myself in the mirror.

  I didn’t need to, I always hated to way I looked.

  Yeah, I felt it. My lashes were stone hard, I barely managed to open my eyes— let alone look at my face.

  I felt dirty as hell.

  I took a long shower before going back to my room.

  I changed my bed sheets since my makeup was all over them.

  While I did that, my mind was only on Tyler.

  Just the thought of him made my heart beat like crazy and I felt …

  A feeling I never had before …

  I wished he was here…

  I threw the dirty sheets into the basket in the corner of my room and jumped back on my bed.

  Tossing and turning around, I couldn’t think about anything else.

  Tyler… What are you doing with my feelings?

  My head was a mess, I decided that it couldn’t keep going on like this.

  I got up, moved to my desk, and taking out a new paper and pencil, I started writing a letter.

  Dear Alice,

  How are you? I wish, I could know how you are doing and what you up to now…

  I miss you.

  I am trying my best to find you…

  I spoke about my visit to the orphanage in my last letter; and I am sorry because since that sad day, my quest hasn’t really developed.

  The address written on your picture is the only clue I have.

  Please be there …

  Yesterday, I was invited to a celebration by Tyler.

  And it was really good, even though I don’t like gatherings at all.

  It was Tyler who made me enjoy it.

  Dean was there too.

  I don’t know why he seems so familiar, I can’t remember seeing him before.

  Yet, he’s nice…

  But his father is the Judge from my old case …

  It was frightening to see him again.

  Tyler also wasn’t pleased, as if he knew him too.

  Maybe he faced him in court and they didn’t like each other?

  Anyway … I think Tyler stole a kiss-

  I stopped writing and blushed hard, I couldn’t write this sentence.

  It was too embarrassing.

  I crossed out the last part and wrote the final sentences down before I stowed away with the other letters in my secret drawer.

  I hope we can see each other soon.

  I love you.

  Jenny

  Suddenly I remembered the little note from Linette, with her number on it.

  I searched for the pants, where the note was.

  As I found them, I took my phone out to message her.

  It was my first time messaging a friend, so I wrote it as a formal letter.

  ‘Good morning! Linette I am sorry, I didn’t have much time yesterday. How are you? Yours sincerely Jenny Brown.’

  After I send the text, I wanted to put the phone away, but I couldn’t because Linette answered within a second.

  ‘Goooooood morning! Glad you didn’t forget me! I am fine, how are you? How was the celebration with Tyler? Ah~ and you can just write normally with me.’

  I smiled at the end of the message, but I was also a bit confused, because I couldn’t remember telling her about the celebration.

  Or maybe I did? … I mean yesterday was a confusing and crazy day; it could have slipped my mind.

  ‘I am fine, thank you. And it was great, Dean was also there!’

  I had just pressed send, but she already called.

  “Hey! Sorry, you didn’t answer— so I thought you had a lot to tell.”

  Well, it seemed like I was too slow with typing …

  Anyway, she was right, it was better if we talked.

  “A lot had happened yesterday, but it was great!”

  I heard her laughing.

  “I am glad. You want to tell me about it?”

  Without thinking much I told her about the celebration, but I didn’t tell her about Tyler and me, even though she asked about him a lot.

  “So… Dean was there and he helped you out?”

  “Well, it was just a little encounter.”

  “And his father was the judge, from your old case?”

  I sighed.

  “Yeah … He brought back bad memories. You know … It was creepy seeing him.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “On 11th August 2003, nine years ago… The man who did bad things to me, got his sentence. He didn’t get a strong punishment, that’s why … this day, every year … I don’t feel so good; and seeing him again— those men who helped him to get such a lenient sentence…”

  Linette moved, she stumped over something, I heard that on the line.

  “I am sorry, Jenny. I didn’t know about that. I can’t imagine how you must feel about it.”

  She sighed loudly.

  “If you want to talk it out, then you can always rely on me. I can’t help you otherwise.”

  I nodded, even though I knew she couldn’t see it.

  “Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind! So how was your day?”

  “Good, I laid in bed the whole day, yesterday too haha. Yeah, nothing special!”

  I smiled.

  “That’s also good! I mean sometimes doing only this, is tiring enough.”

  We both started laughing.

  In the mean-time, my mother had also come into my room.

  She was curious with whom I was talking on the phone.

  That’s when I first introduced her to Linette.

  Both were similar in character and they talked smoothly, as if they knew each other for a long time.

  They got along really quickly.

  And she even invited her to come over.

  Since Linette didn’t really have any plans, she agreed to come by.

  This was also my first time having a friend over to my house.

  I was really excited and happy about that.

  As she arrived my mother was with us.

  And it wasn’t uncomfortable at all.

  We had a good time together and we talked a lot.

  After a while, Linette asked if we could go out together tomorrow.

  Just to go shopping or to do some sightseeing tours.

  This wasn’t her true intention though.

  She wanted to use this as an excuse, so we could go to Cambridge. She made it clear as she winked at me, while asking my mum.

  And my mother … she agreed.

  She gave me permission to go out with Linette.

  I wouldn’t have thought, that she would agree to this.

  It was surprising and I suddenly felt guilty for … doing something behind her back.

  But I needed to do it anyway!

  The whole day was filled with joy and as Linette went home, I stayed with my mum in the living room.

  “She is a good girl. I like her!”

  I nodded.

  “Yeah, she is! I’m glad she talked to me.”

  She lifted her arms to put them around me.

  “Who wouldn’t want to talk to you?”

  “Well, there are a lot of people. But the ones who talk to me are the important ones.”

  I patted her arm and took a deep breath to inhale her vanilla scent.

  “You didn’t tell me about yesterday’s event
. How was it?”

  Elise looked at me with sparkling eyes.

  “It was good. Tyler was honoured for his work too.”

  She smiled happily.

  “That’s good for him! He really needed some recognition. You know … He is very passionate about his work, even as a student he only wanted to help people and to make things better.”

  I looked at her confused.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean … there are corrupt people in this world, bad people. And he wants to be a good lawyer, who helps people to get their deserved sentence.”

  Corrupt? Can there be corruption in Law?

  Even though I didn’t understand the situation she was talking about, I nodded slightly and leaned back on the couch.

  “He is a hard-working man and a handsome one too!” She listed.

  “Haha, I think the whole world knows that he is handsome.”

  I muttered.

  “Yeah … he is. And he really cares about you— so … did he do something yesterday?”

  She made her eyebrows move with a creepy smile on her face.

  “No? I mean after the party he took a little walk with me, but I was too tired and we didn’t stay long.”

  Her expression changed, she looked disappointed.

  “Oh dear and I thought something had happened between you two.”

  I blushed.

  “Mum, what are you talking about?”

  “Nothing, nothing! So, tomorrow when you go out with Linette, you need to be careful and don’t go too far away.”

  “Yeah, but what do you mean with Tyler?”

  “Well, I won’t tell you anything.”

  She mimed zipping up her mouth and acted as if she couldn’t talk anymore.

  This made me a little mad, but yeah … she is my mum.

  If she didn’t want to tell me, then she wouldn’t tell me.

  “We should watch a movie!”

  “Ha! Now you can talk again!”

  She laughed out loud and got herself up from the couch, moving to the TV.

  “How about a movie with Dracula?”

  “Mum! Please, can you just tell me?”

  Elise ignored me and started to get some DVD’s from a drawer placed under the TV.

  “Or with a detective?”

  I gave up.

  “With a detective!”

  “Good choice!”

  She put the DVD in the Player and rushed back to me.

  I laid down with my head on her lap and she started stroking my hair. Before the movie started, Elise hummed something and then it was quiet, till she broke the silence again.

  “You don’t need to cut you hair. It’s yours and it beautiful as it is.” Her voice was low, but I heard her clearly.