3. Room Full of Hyacinths

“Hya,” He lowered his head at me. I don’t want to say a single thing. I realized that the way he lowered himself for me made me still feel small. He was bulky. Darcy said that he’s eighteen but from his height. He could be mistaken as twenty-five. “Hey, why are you quiet?” 

I stared at those eyes… from the post light, I could tell that they must be blue or green. I looked down at the dessert plate in my hand as he pulled out something from his pocket. He lifted a flipped keypad phone. 

“Here,” 

I held out my hand as he placed it there. 

“Call me if you are in trouble.” 

“What will I do with this? This is outdated.” 

“It is.” He grinned. I opened it and it had a hyacinth flower as wallpaper. 

“See? Hyacinth is my favorite flower. You’ll be my favorite girl now.” 

I frowned at him. Favorite girl? What am I? A toy?

“You are weird.” I checked it and it has contact numbers. 

“My mom’s number is there. Also, my new number on my new phone is there as well.” 

“But why are you keeping this?” I couldn’t help but ask. “This is old.” It isn’t just old. It is ancient. 

“It’s an old and original brand of Nokia. You can take photos. Also, the phone mostly can’t be detected.” 

“I have my own phone.” 

“What if your phone got stolen?”

I thought about it for a while. I can hide it in the pocket of my skirt or under the shorts of my skirt.

“And the charger?” 

“In my room.” He winked. Then, he went to the bench signed me, and patted the spot next to him. I casually sat down with a big gap from him. 

I turned to him and placed the sauce plate on the bench between us. 

“Why do you have an ear stud?” I asked out of nowhere as he grinned. Somehow, that handsomeness with perfect white teeth… made my heart just beat louder.

“I look handsome in it.” He answered casually. I couldn’t help but smile… This person will be my favorite one. He’s the first one to approach me. My step-brother. 

*********

Reminiscing about our first meeting. I couldn’t help but smile at it bitterly. I was escorted to the room with a double door as Raven opened it. 

“Tada!” He said upon opening the bedroom full of hyacinth flowers everywhere. How did he pull this off at the last minute? Rosie loves Roses. But who cares? Hyacinth has been his favorite flower until now. I never thought of it as my favorite… because it’s my name. But then, Raven seemed to be serious about the flower until now. 

“Let’s eat by the balcony.” He pulled my hand and even lit up the candles. Shortly, two maids came with our dinner. “I know you don’t drink wine, but at least try this. We don’t even have a memory of cutting our cake. It was expensive and big. They already distributed it before we could cut it.” 

I was starving. I started eating without waiting for him and I don’t care about the wine. He was busy cutting his steak andmy dizziness from a while ago just faded. To my surprise, he placed a few more slices on my plate as I stared at him. He smiled at me charmingly.

I ignored him and continued eating. 

“Do you want more?” He asked. 

“No.” I finished off what was on my plate as I stood and left him. 

“Babe, wait for me.” He stood and finished off his steak as he followed me. I opened three doors and there to find the bathroom with a jacuzzi and a big shower room. I entered and slammed the door in front of his face. 

I removed the shoes and threw them somewhere. The fact that this wasn’t supposed to be for me made me infuriated. Rosie was supposed to be his bride but she ran off. 

“Hyacinth, open the door. Come one.” 

“Fuck off, Raven!” She shouted. “I don’t want to sleep with you.” I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I undressed the mini cocktail dress that fit me perfectly. I hung it just above the laundry basket and admired how adorable it was. The gown from a while ago was more stunning. Rosie will surely have tantrums after missing all of these. 

I froze momentarily as I saw myself in the mirror full of light marks and imperfections. This is my own insecurity. I bet Raven and Rosie made fun of it while they were fucking behind my back. I went to the shower room ignoring that the jacuzzi was set up for this honeymoon. 

After a long bath, I went out to find the room empty. I was half relieved. I went to the closet which was full of my clothes and my luggage was empty since I mostly have worn-out clothes. I noticed the sleepwear. I don’t like the negligees as they were from the latest Victoria's Secret. I searched for my old clothes as there was nothing for me to wear but that negligee. 

I sighed and put it on and put the robe on securely. 

I dried my hair after and finally had my phone with me. I noticed a message from Rosie and I know that I wouldn’t like it. 

Rosie: How’s your honeymoon with an old man? 

I scoffed and shook my head. If Rosie knew that the old man she mentioned was Raven, she would surely won’t let me marry Raven. I blew each candle and closed the curtains. I put away the flowers from the bed. I sneezed from the pollen and I removed the first cover in front of the bed to brush off the petals. I am tired for the whole day. 

As soon as I hit the bed, I dozed off. I was in a deep sleep when I felt a hand on my breasts. He looked down to find my robe open and whoever touching me had a golden band on the ring finger. I turned to him and pushed him. It woke him as our eyes met. 

“What?” He mumbled. 

“Don’t you fucking touch me!” I shouted at him as I moved away quickly. I froze when I saw those eyes. Does he look hurt? I suddenly felt guilty as I~~I shouldn't have shouted at him. 

“I’m sorry.” I pressed my lips as it all came back to me. 

Raven and I were supposed to be together. He was supposed to only love me… but remembering him on top of Rosie made me sick. 

“Hya, did you really think that I harassed your sister back then?” He scoffed. “You didn’t believe me?” 

“No.” I shook my head. “Let’s not talk about it.” I reached my head as I quickly turned away. A drop of water fell on my hand and I realized that I was tearing. He lay back down and moved away from me. His back on me. 

“Don’t ever say sorry. It’s not your fault, anyway.” He mumbled. I stared at his back as tears streamed down my cheeks. I slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I close the door and face the mirror. My eyes are red. I sniffled as I looked ugly when I cried. Why am I crying again? I know that I was tired from crying eight years ago. 

I exhaled softly and washed my face. I shouldn’t be crying now. But I remembered it well. 

Rosie was under him while he was on top of her. Rosie was laughing while his hand was on her neck. He was half naked and her clothes were a mess. From the look of it, they seemed to just come from making out. 

Sure he didn’t harass Rosie. They had an affair behind my back. I headed out and was surprised that Raven was there. He reached my face as he lowered his head. 

“Hyacinth, you know me.” He hugged me, and my eyes widened. “Your scent just makes me hard right now, wife.” He lowered more and kissed my shoulders. I turned my face away. This is our honeymoon, but I don’t feel like doing it. However, he was insisting, opening my robe. I closed my eyes hard. 

“I want you to want it.” 

“Just do as you wish. I don’t own my body anyway. I was sold to you.” I felt so guilty that I sounded harsh. But the way he kissed my earlobe and my cheeks was the same. He was gentle and his scent… was relaxing. I shouldn’t feel comfortable with it. 

“Darling, I saved you from your asshole family.” He reached my face so we could look at each other face to face. He kissed my face just under my eyes. I didn’t realize that he used it to wipe off my tears. I was taken aback. I shouldn’t fall again. 

“I promise a billion kisses every day…” He whispered and continued kissing me. Every inch of my face and my neck. I exhaled softly and held onto his arm as I was being carried to bed. I don’t want to fall for him. “Hyacinth…” He mumbled.