Thorns, Fire, and Petals

Chapter 8: Kindling Passion

(Kung itong gabi ay maisusulat sa mga tala, iyon ay dahil Mahal na kita

Kung itong gabi ay magiging alaala, iyon ay dahil Minahal kita!)

If tonight will be written in the stars, It is because I fell in love with you

If tonight will just be a memory, It is because I have loved you...

-- Carlo--

The morning has showered its light and all its greatness yet I'm still in my bed trying to make sense of what happened last night. I'm holding my lips, recalling the desire I had, and my body shivers as the memory runs. 

What just happened? 

How did it happen? 

Did I miss any sign, It was only five days when we met. Can it be that quick?

"Arg!" I let out a frustrated sound, "He must be drunk or something" I told myself

I started preparing for my usual morning routine, bread, coffee, gym, then my appointment with Don. I need to be presentable today and I need my right mind, Pierre will just be a distraction. I needed an additional income or better yet a stable income so I would be able to go back to my life. I need to call Nana to check how is she, I haven't been in touch with her for a while. I dialled her number and she picked up after a few ring.

"Hello," she said on the other line

"Hello, Nana! Musta na po? (How are you?)"

"Carlo, mabuti naman at napatawag ka. Kumusta ka naman dyan? (I'm glad you called. How are you there?)

"I'm okay Nana, I am visiting a new firm today. Pray that I will get the job" I said

"Huwag kang mag-alala, iyan ang laging dalangin ko. (Don't worry, that's what I always pray for)" she replied

I told her how my work was and she also asked about Jane and Dads' family. I shared about the offer from the girls about joining their group and she seems happy about it. I reminded her of her doctor's check-up and medicine. I also spoke to Uncle Uloy, making sure they are both fine. It was already 30 minutes pass after the call, I am now changing my clothes and preparing for my meeting with Don and his Creative Director.

I was on the metro train when my phone vibrated. 

"Hello" I picked it up without checking who it was

"Hey! It's me" Pierre on the other line

"Oh, Hi!"I said

"How are you?" he asked

"I'm good, I'm at the metro train you remember I have a meeting with Don?" I said casually

"Oh, yeah! Good luck!" he said with an excited voice

"Thanks! So why did you call?" I inquire

"Nothing, I just wanted to hear your voice and say hi," he said bluntly

"Hi!" I replied candidly, I cannot stop that little shiver in my back while talking to him

"Do you want to go out tonight? I mean if you're available," he asked straight

"It's Thursday today, I normally go out with the teachers, how about tomorrow?" I suggested

"Well, tomorrow is also good. But If it's okay with you and you're open with the idea of me hanging out with you and your co-teachers that would also be good. I wanted to see you" he openly said

"I think it's fine, I'll just inform them in advance," I said "I need to go now, my stop is here. I'll chat with you later."I continued

"Ok! Good luck Carlo. bye!" he said on the other line

"bye!" I said and turn the phone off. I'm so anxious by the thought of meeting him again after what happened last night.

I was heading towards the stairs, checking for the next direction. I need to walk a little bit more and cross the overpass, Don's office is still a walk away. Good thing that I have enough time and it's not so hot to walk. I send Don a message before I went inside their building just to inform him that I'm near. I met with Don and his Creative Director, he's Russian and he seems to be strict, quite straight forward. He went through my portfolio and asked me a few questions about my background and the works I have done in the past as well as the software I used. I informed them of my current work in the school and my available hours. He looks satisfied and left me with Don.

"What do you think?" I asked Don

"I think he likes you and your work" Don replied, "Right now we needed extra help in terms of designs" he continued

The Creative Director, Andrej and his Managing Director came back to the meeting room. And Don went out to go back to his station.

"Carlo, this is my Managing Director Margaret," Andrej said

"Hi! Carlo, nice meeting you. So I would go directly to the point since you have spoken to Andrej here. We got a new project which requires us to get a new designer. We understand that you are working part-time now and we needed someone hands-on on the job. Do you think you can work with us on a project-based rather than on an hourly rate?" she said without reserve

"I think I can," I said "But of course that would depend on the requirement and the deadline" I added

"Do you need me to report in the office or I can work remotely?"I asked

"As the offer is project-based, you can work anywhere but having you in the office would also allow us to discuss the projects face to face and provide feedback faster," she said

"If you're okay with this we can send you the contract and discuss the project ASAP!" she continued

"Send me the contract, I just need to quickly discuss it with my Father. I will get back to you by tomorrow," I said just for them to give me some time to think. I understand that with a project-based job, there are no other benefits. At least somehow my working permit was processed by the school. Hopefully, they would get more project and would hire me as a full-time employee before this school term-end. That way, I can quickly shift.

I was already out of Don's office building, the meeting was a success since I got an extra job. It wasn't bad since I'm starting to go to the right career path. At this rate, if everything went well I would be able to settle in a year. Then once I have a stable job I would be able to live independently, I know Dad is not obliging me to move but it would just be right. Aunt Lucy and the kids need their privacy and so am I.

***

I was looking at my watch and felt antsy, I did inform the teachers that a friend would join us tonight but my anxiousness is just making me crazy. It's just one hour more and I will be meeting Pierre again. What if he asked about last night? What will I say, should I told him it was nothing. Or should I ask him what was that kiss about? I felt like a teenager, well after all this is my first time to be in this situation. I needed help, I dialled Ria's number.

"Hello?" Ria said on the other line

"Girl, it's me are you busy?"I asked 

"Hi Carlo, of course not as long as it's you I'm always free!" she chuckled, I can see her giggling in my mind

"Let me just go to my office, so we can have privacy," she said, I can hear her walking

"What up girl? I know this is important otherwise, you won't be calling out of the blue" she asked 

"Ria, I have a slight situation and needed your advice," I said, this would take a bit longer since I haven't talked to her about Pierre yet.

"Alright, go on," she said on the other line

"I met this guy, and it was a casual meeting with other friends. Then he asked me to tour the Grand palace since we are both new in Bangkok so I agreed, no malice just a friendly walk in the park kind of thing. And then we meet again, this time I helped him with something since he needed my help. And yesterday, we went to see some friends, drank and hang-out with them. On our way home, he pulled and kissed me. I didn't say anything, because I don't know what to say. And today, he wanted us to meet again, and in an hour we will meet again." I narrated, I can sense her excitement on the other line so I asked, "what do you think I should do?"

"Wee, Carlo I can touch your long hair here. My God you're having love problem, finally!" she said teasing me

"Should I pretend nothing happen? or should I asked him what is it about?" Me asking Ria

"I believe he is quite aware of what happened last night if he is the one who insists on meeting you today. So pretending that it didn't happen may lead to not knowing what he feels, but is this what you want? Don't you want to know his intentions? Well knowing you Carlo, you're not into mystery type of thing. But of course, you are still the one to decide on it," Ria explains on the other line

"Well your correct, that's the reason why I'm so anxious right now. I guess I just wanted to know."I said confirming her thought

"There you go Girl, I'm happy for you I hope this is the right guy for you!" she said 

So mind was set after calling her. It's always nice to have friends like her who would remind you of things. I finished my class and now clearing up things on my desk before joining the teachers. I message Pierre on the location of our meeting place. 

Jane was holding my arms as we walk towards our usual hang-out. She can feel my tension and she was teasing me. I smiled at her and told her that she will meet him soon. She can fry him all she wants. Tonight, I'm not going to drink any alcohol just to make sure I have the right composure. 

We arrive at our usual place but tonight was packed so we moved and look for another stall with a similar offer, it wasn't so difficult to find considering all sellers in Talad Neon are doing the same thing. I message Pierre for the stall number and send a screenshot, for him not to get lost. After 5 minutes he arrived, I introduced him to everyone. and asked him what he wanted to order. Phan and Patiya entertained him in terms of food which makes him at ease. The teachers don't normally stay long since we still have classes the next day. So they left one by one, Jane asked if I'm going with him and I said yes. I told her will roam a bit then go home. So we parted ways with the teachers.

"So, where do you want to go?"I asked him

"Where do you normally go?" he asked, brushing his hair with his hand

"It's a school night, so after unwinding I usually go home afterwards," I explain

"Do you want to walk around or grab some drinks maybe?" he said 

"Okay, we can go around and window, shop," I said 

We walked, shop by shop checking some stuff when we saw the cheese and hotdog stand, selling a p***s-shaped waffle. He is so excited to get one asking if I wanted one and I said no, giving him a big glare. He was laughing taking a photo of his newfound subject. I took his phone and took his photo for him. He was posing having his tongue out when two girls (sellers) joined him on his photo. They were having fun posing while I laugh taking their pictures. He was now playing and munching his hotdog p***s waffle, I cannot stop thinking of that sight in mind. I suddenly feel hot so I went to buy some bottled ice tea, placing it on my neck to cool off and drinking it afterwards. I gave him another bottle now that he finished his waffle.

I bought some skewers just to get rid of the waffle in my mind, so we nibble while walking. I told him that we need to go home by 10 pm and he agreed. After munching we throw our trash, he took my backpack from me and put it in his shoulder and hold my hand and headed towards the main road. I took my hand and asked him

"What are you doing?"I stopped and asked looking in his eyes

"Walking," he said

"No, not that," I said, "This, taking my bag, holding my hands" I continued. He has now started to sway

"Because I like to?" he said in a questioning tone, he has now put his hands inside his pocket, looked down, biting both of his lips and looked back at me

"Carlo, I think you know that I like you," he said, he is now staring at me watching my reaction

"I just like to be with you" he continued, "Can you please say something?"

"Thank you," I said, I don't know what to say, I am out of words. I didn't think that he will bluntly say it like this. He laughs after hearing what I said

"What do you mean by thank you?" he asked, "Don't you like my company?"

"I do like your company," I said. And with that, he took my hands once again, intertwining our fingers and started walking again

"Then let's enjoy each other's company," he said smiling at me and bringing my hands to his lips then to his chest or would I say to his heart. I liked the gesture, it makes my heart flutter.

We are now silently walking hand in hand until we reach the end of the road. We went to call for a taxi and went in. He is now resting his head in my shoulder and still holding my hands.

"Pierre, I am new to this," I confess

"We both are" he retorted

"Are you not afraid, that it may not last?" I asked

"Why do you need to be afraid of something so beautiful?" he looked at me asking

"Nothing in life is permanent, it is better to enjoy things while they are there rather than regret it when it's gone," he said

"I would like us to try enjoying this moment, do you think you're ready to take the leap with me?" he asked, he is now facing me holding both my shoulders to see my gaze

"What if it's not meant to be? And we both end up hurting," I am now staring back at him

"We wouldn't know unless we try. But if ever it happens are you not glad that you tried?" he smiles 

"Please try it with me, promise I would always make you interested, excited. I would make you feel me" he is now whispering, holding my hands and placing it in his lips. I can feel his sincerity and the electricity running in my hands from his kiss.

I closed my eyes for a moment to feel him, clenching my teeth trying to measure things and finally, I gave him my answer "okay, let's try this"

"yes! I know it" he said happily and hugged me he the whispered, "Can I kiss you?" 

I blushed by his question but I also like to so I nod and moved my face close to him and close my eyes. We kissed, it was slow at first tasting each other's lips. He's nipping my lower lips and I bit his in return, his tongue now enters and wanting more. The kiss is now deeper, more passionate, we are now holding each other intensely. I stopped and parted from him as I breathe, I am running out of breath and so was he. We looked at each other and laugh, and he kissed me again softly just a gentle peck and run his lips to my nose until my forehead and back to my lips again.

I heard the driver cleared his throat, I looked around and realized we're near my house. I whispered to him that we're here. I asked the driver to stop. Before I went down I gave him a quick peck and said good night. I wave back at him as the car drive away.