Chapter 44: Red Tulips
BenChua’s POV
It was seven in the evening when I decided to meet her. I brought a bouquet of red tulips that I asked for my staff here since I have a garden.
I just texted her a while ago that I will wait for her in my office. She will not be lost since my office is on the 2nd floor on the left side where the door has a big sign of Big Boss. I have a black and white curtain with a big chandelier in the center of the living room, everything is prepared and I am hoping for good news.
I looked at the mirror preparing myself. I adjusted my collar carefully because it was tilted and I had sprayed my Dior perfume.
I walk around like I have worms in my stomach because I’m restless. Until someone is knocking. I think it’s him.
I immediately opened it and I saw her. Her eyes are serious but I can sense something is wrong. “Are you okay?” I asked. He didn’t answer, he took a small step towards me and kissed me quickly. I felt the nervousness and it seemed like some horses wanted to break free because of the pounding of my chest.
“I-I am so sorry sir, I’m just shocked. I can’t understand what I’m feeling anymore, I think I’m going to explode.” I seem to want him to continue with what he has to say because my mind has a strange response that It is about us. Will you admit it to me?
She just gave me a deep sigh and smiled slightly.
“I hate this sir, I hate the feeling that I need to be careful and pretend for everything. I really can’t…” She suddenly stopped when she saw the bouquet of red tulips on my table. I stepped back and he went straight inside.
“R-Really, this is yours sir? Can I have a piece of a red tulip?” His eyes twinkled as he folded his hand as if asking for chocolate.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
“Y-yeah, that’s mine. Why? Do you like it?” I asked while looking at her precious eyes and pinkish face.
“Yes sir, these red tulips are my favorite flowers before until now. It’s beautiful to look at, very simple but when you touch and see it, its elegance is extreme. Why do you have that?
“I see. I didn’t make a mistake in what I wanted to get. I understand now why most of the time I see you in our office scrolling about on Pinterest.
She looked away from me as if he paid more attention to the flower, even smelled it as if it were a perfume he loved.
“I think I need to go out sir, it looks like you have a date then I’ll just bother you.” She dropped the flower and seemed disappointed.
“What are you saying? I don’t have a date with anyone. I bought that just for you.” I get on the table and give it to her.
Cinyla almost didn’t answer because he thought the flower wasn’t for her. She just doesn’t know that she is the only one I want, the one I love.
There was a few minutes of silence between us. Almost no one wanted to talk so I chose to spoil it.
“Cinyla, if you don’t mind I know what you want to say?”
I saw her looking into my eyes and her tomato-like cheeks. He also couldn’t stop biting his lip before speaking. “Ahm, regarding that sir actually it is a serious matter.” He sat on the sofa next to him and the bouquet of tulips was at the bottom. I secretly smiled because of what he did.
I also sided with him because I want to know about what happened to him last time.
“Honestly, everything is still a puzzle to me, sir. I mean, the letter and the way he came into my room this morning are very weird. Because if he has bad intentions towards me or you, why does he always do things like this? he, just covertly,” he began while recounting the incident earlier. Who doesn’t think about the fancy resort that can be entered by which person?
I held my chin and tried to understand every detail but I couldn’t understand, or maybe I was distracted by her gorgeous face.
Her nose is small and slightly crooked and her face is beautiful to look at especially when she smiles, her right dimple appears.
“Sir, are you listening?” I was waking up in my beautiful fantasy when he tapped me on the shoulder.
“Y-Yeah,” I apologized even though I didn’t follow what else he was saying.
“Anyway sir, I know you are tired and thinking too much. Please, rest too, are we going home tomorrow?” He changed the conversation while staring at the tulips I gave him.
“No worries about me, sorry if you think I am not listening. Yeah, I am still thinking that insane man even in the CCTV footage I don’t see anything. I think everything was planned. Yet, I will know it. I will hire a great detective. Regarding tomorrow, I will extend your vacation here. Just you, they will go home.”
“W-what?” It was almost deaf to the last thing I said.
“I mean sir, I don’t understand. I can just go with them.”
I held her hand, “I am serious Cinyla, I am doing this for your sake and to protect you. I don’t know who did it. Please, trust me.”
I felt his resignation but she also nodded.
“Thank you, sir, I know that you are taking care of me. But it’s up to you to explain to your staff and employees, I’m not ready for a big issue,” he said which almost made me sad because right now apart from the fact that they don’t even know what’s needed first hide it not because we are not sure, I know many will feel and be affected. Especially him who I know doesn’t totally know what he feels for me.
“I’m different, sir, wha -” I immediately interrupted what he was going to say. She always repeated calling me sir, I don’t like it.
“W-why sir?”
“Stop calling me sir, just say BenChua, or Ben nor Chua. Just don’t call me sir, I don’t like it.” It made me laugh.
“You know, I thought you wouldn’t notice that. I know you don’t want to be called sir, but that’s you and you have to get used to it or we.”
My shoulders almost dropped because of what he said, how difficult this is. Why can’t I yell at you?
“It’s okay Ben, it’s okay now? But it’s as unprofessional as your name alone. Anyway, sir, I mean Ben, why do you need to hire a detective? For what? What case do you want to be case closed?” He asked one question after another.
“I received a paper last time, there was a code that I couldn’t crack. I need to understand that, I have a strong hunch that he is connected to what happened earlier.”
“Really? Can I see that? I have a close friend who is a detective.” Her request makes me feel bad.
“Close friend? A guy?” I asked.
“Y-Yeah, why Ben?”
“Nothing.”
“Okay, Ben. So, what’s your plan?” she asked while her two eyes were focusing on the tulips.
I am glad that she really likes it. Her eyes tell me something sparks and she really wishes to have it. Before he could think that I was watching him, I looked for the paper with the code written on it.
“Stay here, I’ll just look for the paper with the code. If you want to look here, don’t go away.”
“No Ben, I will wait.” She smiled and I decided to go to my room.
It is in the left corner with a black background and has an aesthetic design in the center of my bed. While in the middle, there is a table with my laptop and my bag.
I took it and looked for the paper. Where is it? I almost took everything out of it; because all I had in my bag is a receipt. Yes, I saved all the important receipts because I want to make sure that I am doing a balance expense.
Until I see a black envelope, it is small that I think I put it there. I open it and I see again the code
! 4#{3{5*\
I hurried out to show it to Cinyla. “Cinylla… I see it.”
When I go back to my living room, I see her reading a book. I think she has it from the mini library that I put here in my office. Yes, the book is my therapy every time I feel alone or stressed.
“You’re here sir, I am so sorry. You have so many books over there. I’m sorry, I couldn’t say goodbye but I only took one.” he happily explained and showed me one of my mystery book collections which I was very happy about. I think she loves reading books, too.
I approached him and handed him the paper with the code written on it.
“No worries, it’s a good thing you got. The murder book. If you want it, it’s yours first.” I offered.
Cinyla smiled, “Really? Alright, let me check this paper with the code written on it. I will call him later maybe he is available.”
“Who?” I asked.
“My close friend, Joshua is the detective I’m telling you about.”
“I see, I hope I can meet him soon.” Even though I feel differently, I want to know who he is and who he is in Cinyla’s life.
Then I see her looking at the paper seriously.
Does he know what that means?