Il mio fiore

Chapter 7

𝑅𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑡ℎ

I stare at the little artificial glowing stars on my bedroom ceiling as I laid lifelessly, reminiscing I and Eli's encounter with the hulk of a man earlier at the hospital.

Maybe I'm mistaken but It seemed his anger was triggered by Eli, maybe they might know each other or maybe have related once in the past and did not go off on good terms but why would Eli know someone like him? He practically has danger written on his forehead, he looked scary as s**t.

But I have to admit, there was something with the way he held me, I felt comfort and I'm purely disgusted by it, by him. I also have to admit, he was devilishly handsome, so handsome I'm starting to believe I had daydreamed the entire encounter.

My strings of thoughts are cut short by the ringing of my phone. I pick up my phone, squinting at the brightness of the screen and wondering who'd be calling at this hour or rather, who'd be calling at all. My sisters won't be home till 10 and mom wouldn't be home till 12 and other than them, no one else calls me, except Eli though but he'd probably be asleep so I figured it might be either my sisters or mom.

I read the caller ID,

Private number

It read and I c**k my head to the side, it wasn't any of them. I swiped to answer and placed my phone against my ear.

"hello?"

I say as though a question.

Seconds passed by and no reply, only calculated breathing.

"hello"

I repeat much louder, scrunching my brows in annoyance.

"look if this is a prank call then I'd like to greatly inform you that I don't respect this type of bullshit and highly suggest you don't call this number again cuz I'll make sure to track you down and shove your phone up your ass"

And with that I ended the call.

I sighed, attempting to drop my phone but then it rang again. The same caller ID flashed on the screen and I glared at it, swiping to answer and ready to spit fire at the asshole when-

"salve 𝑓𝑖𝑜𝑟𝑒"

A soothing, deep voice eased from the other end.

I felt shivers run down my spine as my mouth sealed instantly./hello flower/

"I apologize for not replying a minute ago, during the first call, I was a bit dazed by your voice"

The thick Italian accent, the deep baritone, I recognized it and suddenly, fear creeped up my spine. The hulk from the hospital.

My heart yelled for me to end the call, block the number, call the cops as it threatened to fly out of my chest by beating furiously against my rib cage but something in my head wanted to hear what he had to say, know how he got my number.

I listened to that thing and listened silently.

"I do have to commend, you're fiesty. Your remark almost had me toppling over in laughter"

I could hear the smirk in his voice.

Almost.

I absentmindedly repeated.

Before I could stop myself, it slipped out.

"you're the hulk from the hospital"

I immediately regretted it as dead silence came from the other end.

Fear slowly wrapped itself around my bones and I'm seconds away from blabbering any apology my head could cook up when a hearty laugh rang across the line. It didn't sound evil, nor sarcastic, it was just melodic and contagious but I held back my laughter.

"hulk"

He repeated then bursts into fits of laughter once more. I couldn't hold back the giggle that escaped my lips but then he went silent again and once again, dread filled me slowly.

"do that again"

He said and my eyebrows creased in confusion.

"do what?"

I ask.

"laugh"

I felt a little creeped out and questioned why, suddenly remembering who I was on the phone with. A danger-oozing, unknown hulk of a man.

I got my guard up again and changed the topic by asking a pending question.

"how'd you get my number? Are you some kinda creepy, dangerous stalker?"

I questioned, the second question slipping out.

And once again, I regretted my words.

He went silent again.

"I'm no stalker Rose"

He says in a dangerously low tone.

How does he know my name?

Dread filled my insides at his tone but I swallowed it and continued to question.

"who are you?.... What do you want from me? Is it my sister's phone number? "

I ask, my voice a bit shaky.

"oh my dear flower.... I want nothing from you.... I want you"

He says straightforwardly.

I didn't know whether to be flattered by his open admission or the fact that he sounds like a creepy, horny, disgusting stranger.

I couldn't help but notice he had only been answering one of each two questions I had asked.

I was lost of words, of reactions, causing me to freeze. The situation I was in was quite a sticky one.

"okay flower?"

I remained silent, letting the nickname float up to my ears.

"look I don't know who you are but I'm just gonna assume this call is a prank and act like it never happened. Don't call this number again"

I say, finally finding my voice.

He's about to say something but I immediately ended the call and threw my phone to the side.

What the f**k is happening? And why to me?