For Better For Worst

Chapter 13

Brandon's car pulled to a stop at the driveway of what looks like a ranch house. I mentally sighed in relief, at a moment I thought he was going to take me to a slaughter house or some creepy warehouse.

I pushed the car door open, my eyes glued to the building in awe. It's a single story California ranch house. It was built commonly like most ranch house I know, an open-concept floorplan, devoted patio space. The shape in rectangle and low-pitch roofline with wide eaves. A large window along the front of the house, sliding glass doors and of course an attached garage by the side. The building painted in dark-coloured shutters, graphite-gray bricks and off-white trim. And also, planted around it was a lot of different flowers and plants.

"Wow" I breathed, shutting the car door.

He walked around, grinning at the house before he turned to me. "You like?"

Before I could respond, the front door cracked open and an middle aged lady ambled out, with a beaming smile on her face and when I turned to Brandon for some kind of explain, he too had a wide smile on his face.

"Nana!" He called, his arms opened wide as they both move closer to each other.

"Miguel!" She said, wrapping her arms around him. Miguel?!

"Quid agis nana?" He spoke, after breaking the hug. My eyebrows rose in surprise. He speaks Latin?!

She squeezed his cheeks gently. "Bene! Ecce puer meus es tu! Crevit nunc es"

I awkwardly stood there , my hands in front and clasped together. They were busy in their own world, it's was so cute to watch. Her bright eyes drifted behind him and met with mine. I was alerted at this point, she finally noticed me.

What am I gonna say? I don't speak Latin. Would she like me after knowing I'm not a Latino? Does she even like me?

"And who is this beautiful flower?" Oh! She's speaks English. I smiled. Brandon turned.

"Oh! Nana" He moved beside me. "This is Bethany. Betty, meet my nana." He introduced.

I stretched out a hand. "It's nice to meet you ma'am." I said. I gasped slightly when she smacked my hand down and then spread her arms wide and took me in. She smelt like peaches.

"It's nice to meet you Beth." She smiled as we pulled away.

"Come on." She offered. She turned, walking to the patio. I smiled at Brandon, showing him how sweet she was.

_____

"What are you her for my boy?" She questioned, as she sauntered back into the living holding a tray with two cups. I quickly took the tray from her and placed it on the table.

"Quod valde nice puella. melius fac illam tuam amicam" She winked at him and his cheeks turned red at that. I smiled causally, like I understood the message that she conveyed to me.

Yeah! Just keep smiling.

"Nana I wanted to show her the garden." He said and I watched as her smile faded. I felt sad for her. It's hard for a person to bury a child, instead of the other way around. The child got to see death before his parents.

Her smile appeared again but not as radiating as before. "Of-course. I'll make something for you while you're at it."

He smiled and then turned to me. "Come on." He urged.

He started walking and I followed behind. He entered the kitchen and made his way towards the back door, he stopped a few inches to the door and opens it, with him stepping aside. I took a step outside and my eyes widened and my mouth was left agape. The whole backyard was filled with lots of flowers of different kind. A plot filled with ornamental plants. I could see roses, lilies, sunflowers, dandelions and lotus, the others I have no idea what they're names were. There was also a shed by the corner.

"Wow. Is this the garden you were talking about?" I questioned, still in awe of the sight.

"No, It's in our home town. This is part of what I inherited from my dad." He smiled at the garden. He inherited such a beautiful garden.

"It's beautiful." I said. He gestured towards the garden with his head. "Come on"

I stepped down into the yard. "I'm sure you know few of the flowers here, but few, you don't. Can I have the honor of enlightening you about them." He offered, his hands behind his back like butler.

I laughed. "Of course."

Hours felt like minutes with Brandon showing me around the garden. He enlightened me about many unknown plants, calling them by the scientific names and identifying their uses and also their harmful effects. While we was at it, we helped his nana fertilize the soil for the flowers, planted seeds and pre-planted nursery plants. It was messy and dirty, but overall it was fun, because Brandon did spare a chance to crack jokes that made me laugh all the way.

"I guess now I'm a florist." I said, standing up with Brandon still crouched down besides the planters. He patted soil around the last flowers were pre-planted.

"I basically did everything."

I crossed my arms. "I helped you mister, no taking credits."

He darkly chuckled as he stood up, taking off his gloves. "I did all the hard work. All you did was just water the flowers."

"And you think that isn't work"

"Nope"

"Heyy" I scowled, playfully smacking his chest. He staggered backward, laughing.

"Okay, okay, You did... You worked the hardest." He smiled and we both started laughing.

"Miguel" A voice followed the opening of the back door. Our heads snapped to the direction of the voice and we both turned to face her.

"The food is ready." She smiled.

"Okay nana" My phone buzzed inside my pockets and I dug it out, bringing it to my face and turning it on.

Kim: Ordering Take outs. Pizza or Chinese food?

I unlocked my phone and tapped into her Inbox. I replied.

Me: Pizza

"You coming?" Brandon asked.

"Yeah...but, I... can't stay for the food." I spoke and his eyebrows frowned.

"Why?"

"Kim's waiting for me back at the dorm and I promised her I'll be there this evening."

He scowled. "I'm so sorry, really. But I made plans with her and... I'm really sorry. I feel bad for-

"It's okay. I'll drop you off back at college."

"Oh no, there's no need. You can't leave your nana now that she made food for you. We both can't leave."

With his eyebrows pulled to a crease, he glared at me with a calculative stare.

"Maybe another time" I don't want him to think that I'm leaving because I'm bored or don't want to stay for dinner, but I made a commitment to Kim.

"Fine. It's okay. You go and I'll tell nana you had to leave cause of something urgent." Another buzz from my phone pulls me out of the stare and I dart my eyes to my phone.

Kim: Toppings

Me: Pepperoni.

Me: Thanks.

I directed my gaze back to Brandon, shoving my phone back into my pocket. I let out a breath.

"Come on, I'll see you out."

I took one last look at the garden before trailing behind him. I wish I could stay for another hour but Kim's waiting and It's movie and gossip Friday. I can't cancel my plans now.

Brandon's nana wasn't happy that I was leaving, she made a feast for the both of us and I feel really bad for backing out after all the work she put in, in making the food at her age. I had promised her another time, just like I did with Brandon. I wasn't lying, I really enjoyed the time I spent with Brandon in his garden. It was fun and I'd love to have the experience again.

Brandon saw me out and we waved goodbye. I didn't know my way back, so I decided to call an Uber while I took a walk.

Scrolling through my phone and choosing an Uber closer my current location. I took my gaze away from my phone for a minute and was surprised at what I saw. Running my fingers through my hair, my movements became slow and my gaze fixated on the familiar figure.

When his eyes finally met mine, his shoulders tensed.

"Bee"

A/N: Do you think I should make Brandon and Bethany a thing.....

Braethany...

What do you think?

I hope you're liking the story....

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