Thorns of Roses

Beautiful

Song for this Chapter:

18-One Direction

CHAPTER 29

CORINNE

After I showered and changed into casual clothes, I immediately went straight to the hospital to see Mom. I still don't know where Blaze and I are going, but knowing him, maybe he’ll take me to one of his parties. So, I chose a high waisted baggy pants and I matched it with a black turtle neck and a white sneaker. Whereas I just let my hair down. I am sure I am not going to grab some attentions tonight.

I don’t want that asshole checking me out the whole time I am with him, I swear he’s a pervert, not that I am complaining. Actually, I do love his hands all over me, when he’s making me feel like he couldn’t get enough off of me. he’s making me feel that I am wanted. He’s making me feel sexy and beautiful.

Perks of dating the well-known most handsome man in New York, right?

After Mom and I eat and walks around the hospital garden, she’s already settled in her bed at exactly eight o’ clock in the evening. Blaze texted me saying that he will be here at nine.

I don't even know if I'll be happy, but after saying that Blaze and I were dating, it's as if my father loosens up the rules and let me go home late or even not go home as long as Blaze is with me. But I'm sure that he just can't stand it and won't be able to say No to the next Mafia King in reign.

Mom and I, were already lying down on her bed and continue with our talk about life lately, until now she didn’t know about the accident last winter. That is why every time I am going here to her, I am trying my best to hide the scar that’s been on my left arm. The scar that I think, Blaze did. How will she feel when she found out that the boy, she raised grew up to be just like that? I am sure it will break her heart.

For so many years that we didn’t stay beside Blaze, he’s a different person now. he’s not the boy we used to know.

“Mom—”

“Yeah?”

“What if I told you that Blaze and I were dating?”

She sat down straight with a huge grin on her beautiful yet old face. A face of the struggle and yet remained so calm and gorgeous. “Are you?”

That’s what I thought, she will be so ecstatic hearing about this since she knew the boy.

I nod “Yeah.”

She hugs me “That’s your dream. Finally, you’re with the boy you ever loved, my darling.”

No, Mom. He wasn’t the one I love. But off course, I wouldn’t tell her that.

I smile “Am I?”

There’s a curious look on her face, did I make that obvious “What do you mean?”

“I mean—” I clear my throat. “—You think that I love him?”

“Off course you do. You’ve been crying yourself to sleep since we left that boy so many years ago.”

I nod “Yeah?” I smiled at the memory. I can’t help but think that what if we didn’t leave him? Maybe he wouldn’t grow up like that. “Many years ago.” I sigh.

“And I see the way Axel’s looking at you right now.” She smiled and fix my hair “He’s looking at you like you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. Like you’re the only thing that matter in this world.”

I smile. “Father sets me up to marry him five weeks from now.”

I don’t know why I am telling to this to Mom, maybe I am confiding in her. Maybe I wanted to talk to someone I need right now.

“Am I invited for the wedding of the century?” Her eyes were teary “I have been waiting for this. For you to grow up so beautiful and marry someone you love.” She’s right that I grew up as a beautiful woman insert eye roll, but maybe she’s wrong that I am marrying the one I love.

“Off course, you’re going to be there.” I hug her and took a deep breath "--you will beat Martha Lewis in beauty and I am sure you're as beautiful as me on my wedding day." I tried to smile as wide as possible.

She chuckles “We’ll do that. I will make your father regret every goddamn decision of his life.”

I know it’s a joke, Mom’s sarcasm. She would never do that, and she respects Martha so much even the woman doesn’t even recognize her apology for so many years.

After Mom and I finished talking, she and her body showed signs of exhaustion. She immediately fell asleep and that's my cue to go home. It's 9:45 in the evening, I'm already 45 minutes late. I don't know if Blaze is still waiting outside because I don't want to call him while Mom is awake and have her think I'm in a hurry. This is my only free time to have a quality time with Mom.

When I left the hospital, I immediately saw Blaze's Harley parked right in front of the hospital entrance, and he's there leaning on the hood of his car while taking another stick of cigarette. This is how I caught him in the school parking lot earlier, and I feel like I'm getting used to it and he's always waiting for me at the other end. It was supposed to make me feel safe, right?

“hey, sorry, I am late.” I start.

He smirks with the cigarette on his lips “It’s okay, I know how talkative Anne is.”

I chuckle, I appreciate that he still remembers my Mom, at least there is two of us who valued Mom just like a human being, not just the Senator’s mistress.

And I am proud that even for once in a while, Mom touched his life when he needed someone, I smiled when I looked at his Roses with thorn on his arms. It’s captivating especially when I already know the meaning behind it.

“Why are you so formal? Where are we going?” I looked at him up and down and he’s wearing a fine black tuxedo.

He chuckles “I forgot to mention where are we going, am i?”

My face held curiosity “Yeah, I thought we’re just going onto some random party that’s why I dress like this.” I gestured to my outfit.

“Either way, you will still be the most beautiful there from where we going even if you’re dress like a hobo.” He chuckles.

“Where are we going Blaze?” I snap.

“It’s the annual political gala tonight, don’t you remember?” He smirks.

“Oh, fuck.” I mutter. “How can I ever forget about that, I didn’t even shop for a dress.”

Blaze walks behind his car and open the trunk “I got you, baby.”

I stride towards him and look at what he’s looking at the trunk.

It’s a very fancy black dress, it’s a heart shaped that I am sure will enhanced my breast, it has a high slit just above the navel, I think. And it has a lot of tiny bits of diamonds in it making it look likes it shining and shimmering, it was paired with a black pointed stiletto.

Now, this outfit, I am sure I am gaining some attention tonight. “There’s no way I am wearing that.”

"Your call, I'm fine with you wearing that. I will proudly hold your hand there." But his smile is telling me differently. He is sure that I am the only one who will be different from what I am wearing when I choose to wear this. And the last thing I want is for my Father and Martha to scold me because I didn't even prepare for this event.

“f**k. Where’s you even get that? From your last booty call?” I insult him.

He chuckles “Nope, I f*****g bought that.”

“What? And you didn’t even bother to buy me a decent looking one.” I snap.

He took a drag on his cigarette “Oh, baby. I am not even preparing for this evening, I bought that dress because I imagined f*****g you after the event wearing those.”

My mouth gaped and I swallowed hard “Pervert.”

“Imagine your thighs wrapped around me while that dress is so high on your waist and you f*****g begging me for more.” There’s no smile or smirk this time, telling me that he did telling the truth that he even dares to imagined that.

“Just give me that.” I took the dress out of the hood of his car and head my way throughout the hospital comfort room, I hope they won’t mind.