Lavender raised an eyebrow when she saw the one sitting in the waiting area of the flower shop, it was Alexa. The woman noticed her entering the shop so it immediately approached her. She already knew that the woman was looking for her. Maybe she went to the shop again to criticize her.
“It's good that you're here.”
She just ignored the woman and went in to change. Lavender thought Alexa had left but she found it standing in front of the cashier’s area, when she saw her she immediately arched an eyebrow.
“What can I do for you, Ma'am?" Even though Lavender already knew what the woman was going to say next, she still insisted on being formal.
"I didn't come here to smell the flowers. I’m here to tell you how desperate you are. How did you manage to attract Mars!?”
“Ma’am, we don’t have time for personal matters. If you don’t have any order, I’ll leave you alone.”
“So this is how useless the service at Mars' flower shop is. Why are Aunt Cynthia and Mars letting someone a flirt like you work here?! Yes, everyone, you heard it right, this woman is a flirt. Imagine, swallowing another's boyfriend.”
Lavender sighed and without hesitation, she slapped the woman on both cheeks.
“How dare you.” It fit her tightly and was about to pull her hair.
“All right, try it to let us know, Alexa. Try to slap me and I’m going to slap your face with this thorny rose that I’m holding so we can find out what will happen next.”
They both glared at each other. Alexa's nose smoked as she withdrew her hands hanging in the air.
"Tell me, Alexa. What do you need from me? What have I done wrong and you hate me?”
“You're still asking what?! You really don’t know? You’re the reason Mars and I broke up. You ruined our relationship!”
“I didn’t break your relationship. I’m not doing anything wrong, Alexa. Mars came to me voluntarily.” Lavender felt a little pain. She knew it wasn't true, she seduced the man to claim it.
“You liar! As soon as I find out what you did to Mars, I swear that he will stay away and hate you forever. Remember that, Lavender. Remember that!” The woman first let out a fierce look and rushed out of the flower shop. Tears welled up in her eyes. The friend approached her and suddenly kicked her.
“O-Ouch.” she weakly groaned.
“You’re too kind, Lavender. Why didn't you hit that woman to make her face learn a lesson?” Her friend's sarcastic remark to her. It wasn’t the first time she had cried in her whole life, but it was the first time she had cried out of self-pity. She was ashamed to admit to herself that she was desperate for Mars, she was fooling around for the man.
“Don't be affected, Lavender. Remember you entered this situation so you need to be resilient.” she continued to whisper to herself.
“Lav, you're my friend so I know how you feel. And from what I see of you right now, you're hurting. So please, stop this while it’s still early.” Gertrude's touching expression.
“I don't want to, Gertrude. I'm afraid that Mars will be gone from me. I'm afraid that once he finds out everything he’ll walk away and repulse me. I'm afraid, Gertrude.” Tears welled up in her eyes again.
"Lav." her friend hugged her and patted her back.
Lavender knew that the time would come when Mars would leave her, but she wanted to be happy even just for a short time. Lavender's two knees trembled as she waited for what Mars would say next. He didn’t know why he called her. Only one thing running in her mind, it’s her fight with Alexa earlier. Maybe the information has reached here about what she did to his ex-girlfriend.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt? I mean, did Alexa hurt you?” The question struck Lavender's heart for a moment. He’s worried of her.
“No, she didn't hurt me.” she answered mischievously.
“Good, because I don't want you to be hurt." Lavender's eyes twinkled when she heard that from Mars. She's happy.
"I've called you because I have something to tell you.” Lavender adjusted her seat and waited for what the young man would say next. “I want you to come with me in Baguio.”
"Baguio?" she unbelievably asked.
“Yes, I'll earn a supplier there for new flower deliveries and I want you to come with me to help me decide whether I will launch a flower plantation in that area.” Lavender felt so impressed by the idea. Then she will be alone with the man.
“S-Sure, Mars I will be more willing to be your company.” she said with a smile.
“We will leave tomorrow. I will just settle down my schedules for two days and I’ll let Gertrude run the shop first.” the young man also replied with a smile.
Two days? Is she hearing it correctly? She will be alone for two days with the young man in Baguio, her lucky day.
Her friend pinched his side before she got into the young man's car. She felt bored when she lost the sight of her friend. The young man didn’t even speak while driving his own Hummer. She frowned as the car stuck in the middle of the EDSA traffic. How can a young man texting someone on his cellphone while she has none? She was irritated and kicked the front of the car. The young man looked at him but didn’t move himself. It was only a moment and he turned his attention back to the phone. She became even more irritated.
Who is he texting and can't seem to wait for tomorrow?
She secretly stared at it and shook her head outside. They were in such order for a few minutes, until finally the cars started moving and they continued to drive. When they arrived in Benguet six hours later - slower than expected, they first decided to stop at one of the cafes there to eat. They still have a long way to go so they need to be satisfied because they will definitely be overtaken by darkness at night on the road. The girl also needs to urinate, because her bladder has been delirious for a long trip. After she peed, they ordered the tupperware in the stall. It was obvious that Mars had just eaten and had gone to the cafeteria when she looked at it. It grew up eating in expensive restaurants and because an only child was too spoiled. Only Lavender ordered. There was an order of squid, fried chicken, humba and two orders of rice. The girl laid it down in front of the young man who was shocked. He examined the squid and it was obvious in his eyes that he did not like what he saw.
“What is this?” his eyebrows curled.
“Squid.” The smile Lavender gave was wide.
“Why is the color like this?”
"Don't ask too many questions, just eat it. It tastes good." She took two pieces of squid and placed them on the young man's plate. He swallowed it a little but was still disgusted.
“Is it delicious?”
“Yeah. it’s delicious.” Lavender just smiled when he saw the young man rubbing the contents of the saucer.
"I thought you’re disgusted at the squid soup! But why does it seem that you just want to eat the whole plate?" Lavender laughed out loud here.
Mars released three consecutive hiccups that Lavender enjoyed even more. Maybe he’s not used to provincial life so it seems to be his first meal at a cafeteria.
“Don't even plan to ask for tissue. There is no tissue in the cafeteria.”
“O-Okay." Maybe he understood what she said so he just pulled out a handkerchief and wiped it artistically. Lavender could not avoid shaking her head because of the negligence shown by the young man.
“Lav, thank you.”
Lavender was shocked at the way he held her and shit, that same hand again. The hand and fingers that slips through Lavender's bare skin touch and kiss him.
“I-It’s okay, d-don’t mind it.” She stuttered. Yes, it's the first time she stuttered. She dreamed of being touched by a Mars Santillan.
They got back in the car and resumed the ride. The past hours have been quiet for the two of them. Rarely do vehicles, fresh air and dense trees witness Lavender's stealthy glance at the young man.
They were both tired when they arrived in Baguio. They stayed in one of the huts there. Maybe the young man didn't know that because Lavender was upset again when she stepped on the floor. They thought maybe it would be a nice hotel to meet them. Manong Ben introduced them and helped carry their luggage. Mars was already inside while Lavender was still grooming herself. When she opened the room, she found the man lying on the mat. She was followed by Manong Ben and its wife Manang Tess.
“I'm sorry, young lady, but we only have one room here."
She closed her eyes. What could she expect from this but to just sleep outside?
“It's all right, ma’am. I would be comfortable even if I only sleep on the floor outside.”
“Who's sleeping outside?” she turned around and glanced on the young man's chest. Gosh, those beats sounded like a rhythm that she wished his name was shouted.
“You're not sleeping outside.” The young man pulled her closer which surprised her even more. He then hugged her waist. “Thank you, ma’am Tess and sir Ben.” After that, he closed the door.
Lavender was stunned. This is the first time she will sleep in a room with a man. Even his Dad has not been able to sit next to her since she woke up.
“What are you doing there, Lav? Come here.”
“H-Huh? O-Okay.”
And there she stuttered again. How could she not if she was facing the topless Mars now? Oh gosh, his abs. She will probably die in no time.
She stepped aside carefully. None of her own put a pillow between the two of them but the man removed it and unconditionally bound her to lie down. She could not speak. The crib was too perfect for her. It's hot and the young man's breath blowing on his forehead is enough to cause the cold to go away.