Thorns, Fire, and Petals

Chapter 7: Little Bud Springing

"Have you ever seen the heaven light, glistening at the crack of dawn?

That same beaming lights as it passes the horizon

The touch of the sweet breeze with a moist of the early morning dew

As the rain came rushing showering the view

The little bud spring forth from its slumber, unwanting yet yielding to its surrender

It will blossom in fitful splendour waiting for the 'one' who will love him forever"

***

Carlo watches the angry rain as pours down outside of the window; he is sipping his morning coffee waiting for it to die down. Today is the day he will meet with Pierre and help him work on his portfolio, it's better to meet him early and if they cannot finish it then they will still have Wednesday before meeting with Andy. The girls appear to be okay with the idea of meeting Pierre tomorrow so that one is settled. They are now starting to tease him after he told them about their Sunday temples tour. It's still early, so he decides to go to the gym.

The gym was a little bit packed since it's still early. Most of the gym members come here for a workout and then go directly to their work. Carlo was on the treadmill starting to cool down when he receives a call from Jane.

"Cuz, have you finished your proposal for the foundation day?" she asked

"Yup, I worked on it yesterday. Why did you ask?" I inquired

"I'm running out of an idea, maybe you can help me"

"ok I'll try, What are you in charge of?"

"Entertainment, we will be combining all K1 & K2 students"

"Easy, why don't you do a sing and dance performance or speech choir. Your good at speech choir before"

"Help me on choreography, please," Jane with her pleading tone

"Why don't you watch videos from 'youtube', I'm sure there's a lot from kids bop kids with easy steps for age 7-8 years old. try watching and let's see how we can teach it with your students" I said while drying my hair from sweat.

"What about you, what are you going to do?" she asked

"Me, I'll run a drawing and poster making competition from different year level based on the theme and I'll use it for the exhibition, along with photos of the previous year to display for the exhibition" I explained

"What if nobody joins?" she asked

"Don't worry, I would require each class to make an entry, I will also run a short drawing exercise with my classes to prepare them. That would be part of my proposal," spelling out my plan to her

"I'll see you later Jane, I need to shower I still have another appointment," as I said goodbye to her

"Alright, see you later," Jane said

I went to the male locker and shower, I'll just drop off my gym clothes and get my backpack. I have my stuff ready before I went to the gym.

Carlo looks on his phone as he walks down the stairs from the BTS station, Anais place is not far from the station so he followed the map. He also sends a message to Pierre telling him that he is near his place. Pierre waved from afar making sure Carlo sees him. He smiled as he nods in response to him. Pierre glides smoothly pointing the direction to his apartment while Carlo followed.

"Carlo, thank you for coming I appreciate it. Just for your information I already sorted some of the photos which I feel would make that connection to potential customers. I am just not sure how to compile them and upload them online." he said

"No, worries that's why I am here. I will help you" I told him

We are now working in front of our computer, sitting next to each other. While I look into the different online platforms which would suit his needs, he works on enhancing some of the photos he recently took during our tour of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.

"I think having your website would be more suitable," I said, "Can you complete this profile?"I asked

"Sure send it to me, here's my email"

"Okay, we need to categorize your work and you also need to create watermarks on those photos and save them on a low-resolution fit for the website. Here's the file specification"

"Do you have any specific colour you want as a theme?"I added

"Nah, I leave that up to you, I trust your taste when it comes to styling," he said

"I suggest that you purchase the domain for at least a year, that way you can also sell stock images in the future"I advise him

It took us an hour and a half to complete the website, we used ready-made web templates and uploaded some of the remaining photos. While we wait, Pierre started working in the kitchen, he said he will cook me lunch so I am now glancing at his every move while he cooks. I see him dicing and cutting some veggies, he also started putting the pasta on the boiling water. He is good with his hands.

"Do you need any help?"I asked

"Nah, just seat down and relax. I'll make us some salad and chicken in sweet basil pasta" he explains swiftly

"Which part of the chicken do you prefer?" he asked

"I like the thigh part most of the time but I'm okay with any part of the chicken" answered him

"What's your favourite dish?" he asked while he tossed some basil in his pasta sauce

"Me, I love my grandma's Caldereta, it's a goat stew cooked in creamy tomato sauce it has potatoes, carrots, olives and hot peppers. I love my grandma's version she cooks in a clay pot using real live fire, she simmers them for hours along with organic tomatoes." sharing it as I remember it in my mind, "I can imagine the aromas coming out as you open the lid of the pot" and I smiled looking at him when his eyes meet mine. He has been watching me as I passionately tell my grandma's cooking.

"I can imagine how delicious it is," he said, he is now draining the pasta and started plating.

I watched him as he sets the food on two separate plates. I helped him prepare the table taking the utensils, bread and drinks from his fridge. We enjoyed his home-cooked meal, together. I am fascinated by his cooking skills. I wished I had those skills, it would be good to learn them and make use of them in the future.

After eating we went to check the files, I teach him how to continue uploading new photos in case he needed to add more. I also showed him how to add text and categorise in case he would need to in the future. He was pretty much able to do it on his own. So I took my leave since I need to be at school in the next hour. I do not need to come by again tomorrow morning since we managed to finish it today.

I was already in my class when I receive his message, thanking me for helping him with his portfolio. It ends him with a smiley face and typed 'welcome'.

The afternoon went by so fast. And as usual, the teachers and I went to our regular hang out place in Talad Neon to unwind. I can now clearly see the affection between Nattapong and Phan and I cannot stop thinking about whether I would experience the same romance. I am happy for them, that's all I can say as we teased both of them. Phan now blushing and Nat asking everybody to stop while he holds her hands.

I was home on my bed when I received messages from Pierre.

"Hi! are you sleeping? How was your day?" reading his message, I typed in and answer, "I'm on my bed preparing to sleep, how about you?" then I continued "I just came from Talad Neon with my colleagues, it was fun spending time with them loosening up."

"That's great, you have an outlet to relax. Me, I've started sharing my portfolio with friends. I spend my afternoon checking for secondhand photography equipment. One of Anais friends accompanies me to this place" he shared with me a photo of a sort of warehouse where there are different types of cameras and equipment.

"That's terrific, you can complete your gear and be ready anytime. Are you ready to meet with Andy and the girls tomorrow?" I typed placing a 'question' meme.

"Yeah, I'm excited to meet them" he replied with a wide smiley

"I'll see you tomorrow then," I wrote and send a sleeping smiley the I typed "Goodnight!"

He sends me a hug and a goodnight sticker, I look at it for a while and I felt something flutter inside me. He somehow gives me that excitement and elation. I cannot stop smiling as I close my eyes waiting for sleep to carry me.

The next day feels brighter and lighter, I woke up with a morning sticker on my phone from Pierre. I retorted with the same approach using a friendly morning sticker and typed 'see you later.

The day went by so quickly, I was busy with the preparation for the foundation day. I briefed the teachers on the competition and gave them a deadline for their entry. I also checked on Jane's sing and dance options and talked to her partners planning the timeline for teaching their students giving them ideas on the costumes and dance steps and theme. They were excited about the ideas we gathered so they started working on them with their class.

I looked at my watch and see that it's almost 5 pm, I felt that excitement running in my veins like electricity flowing, just the thought of meeting with Pierre. I messaged Andy and the girls in our WhatApp group reminding the meeting with Pierre. Although it's not Friday, we decided to meet at the bar where Louise band play. I send the address to Pierre so he can just go directly there.

After 30 minutes, I arrived at the Red Piano Bar, where Louise's band plays, I sat at the same table where we normally seat and ordered passion fruit juice. I brought out my laptop while I wait for them. After a few minutes, I felt someone looking at me so I peeked checking if anyone's there. To my surprise, Pierre has been looking at me from the other table. So I called him out.

"Hey, what are doing there? Come here" I tapped the chair next to me

"I was just looking at you, you have that serious look in you but cutely," he smiled while talking to me and moving next to me.

"Why didn't you call me? how long have been staring at me?" I gave that question a look furrowing my brow

He laughed at my gesture, "Not long but enough to be able to see you close" he said

"You're amusing, do you want to drink anything?" I asked showing him the menu

After 5 minutes the girls came they looked like they came from the same direction. I stand up and greet them kissing them from chicks to chicks and tapped Pierre acknowledging his presence. They've introduced some of their friends to us. We have now occupied 3 big tables.

I showed Pierre's portfolio to them and Pierre explains when and where the photos were, he also tells some of the stories about his subject and why he has taken them. My photos of our tour at the Palace didn't slip my eyes, and I've seen the sparkle on Junel and Jessica's faces. It made me blush, I grabbed my drink and look at the stage. I felt Andy's hand squishing my thigh when he saw another photo of me.

"That's a familiar subject" Andy blurted

Pierre smiles and spoke "Carlo has that unique expression in his eyes which I like to capture, you can see his amazement as he gazed on the intricate designs but at the same time there's also sadness and mystery"

Now everybody's looking at me and I was like giving the expression of 'I don't know what he is talking about' creasing my forehead giving an odd smile. Pierre shrieked everyone's expression.

Good thing that the waiter came with their order and everybody became busy sipping their drinks and munching with the chips and salsa that we ordered.

"You got a good portfolio, you seem to know your craft," Don said, "I can share this with my clients in case they need some photography for their products or services," he added

"We can package you for our concierge service at the hotel, or offer travel photography service for our guest," Jay said while tapping at Andy's hand getting his acknowledgement

"Wow, that's amazing," I said as I close my laptop and hide it inside my bag

"It's now time to eat and unwind" I suggested

I ordered a club sandwich which is easy to eat since I'm starving, I glanced at Pierre to see if he wanted anything. The rest of the people at the table ordered their food and we all eat together while we share the happenings in our day. Louise's band are now on the stage playing, it's nice to listen to them singing. The rest of the girls are now talking with their friends which they came with.

Don who was sitting next to Pierre spoke, "Are you the one who made your portfolio?" he asked

"The page was created by Carlo here, I just uploaded my photos. But the wordings and the styles are all done by him" he said

"Oh really, I didn't know you're also good in design," Don said looking at me

"Not really," I humbly said, "It's just something that I know"

"What else do you do?"Don asked me

"Well, I'm a visual artist I can make designs be it digitally, or traditionally," I said

"Do you have your portfolio? I might have a job for you if you are interested," Don said

"Interesting, here is my portfolio" I once again took my laptop and showed my portfolio

"Wow, I didn't know you can design," Don said "We should have had this talk the first time we met," he said while browsing at my designs

"I need a graphic artist, I can see that you can work both on graphic design and 3D design" he added

"Do you have time tomorrow morning? I would like you to meet my creative director, he is looking for a graphic artist and an art director" he shoots back at me

"Sure, that would be great! What time?"I answered with a big smile on my face

"10 am would be great, I'll send you the address" he giggles, "I hoped he likes your work" pinching me on my shoulder while grinning

The band started to play upbeat music and everyone is now on the dance floor. I asked Pierre if he wanted to dance. So we did, I was dancing with him when Jay's friends joined us, Lina and Prachanda. I was swaying, moving my hips and the sound of the music and Prachanda copying my moves we are now dancing while Pierre dances with Lina. We are enjoying music and the rapport of the people we are having.

I went back to my seat and order a beer just not to be out of place since everyone is drinking. It will remove the little anxiety I'm having but won't get me drunk. I would only have 2 bottles just enough to enjoy the groove the girls are having. After 2 hours of dancing and talking, I glanced at Pierre and whispered to him that I won't stay long since I still have classes the next day. He agreed with me, so I went to look for Andy and the girls and said my goodbye, Pierre also expressed his gratitude and waved goodbye.

Pierre insists on sharing the taxi ride with me to make sure I got home safe, which I did not argue with since it's not so far. We were at the taxi talking about the things that happened on the dance floor with the other dancers and we were laughing, his hands were on my thigh pressing it whenever he laughs. I am tipsy and his touch gives me shiver. I told him where my house is and pointed out the direction since we are almost near. He was again thanking me for my help, and I smiled telling him that's it nothing. I was about to step out of the taxi when he pulled me and kissed me. I was taken aback a little as it hit me by surprise and I wasn't able to move for a while, the kiss has now slowly deepened moving his tongue inside, I felt the sudden urge to kiss him back but I stopped myself, so I pressed his hands. He stopped and looked and gave me a big smile and he said goodbye. I moved out of the taxi and waved goodbye. I didn't look back as I am not sure what just happened, but the tingling feeling in my bones is slowly consuming me, I wanted to shout and rejoice but I remained calm and walk casually. I cannot remove the smile on my face as I walked inside the house. After closing the door, I cannot contain the romantic excitement I am feeling, so I was jumping and punched the wall. I hope nobody sees me.