04 | playing with fire

I heard the familiar sound of the bell ringing when I entered the shop and luck was not on my side because instead of Emilia's beautiful blonde hair I only saw the devils red head and I contemplated on leaving again but I didn't even though I probably should have.

"Prince charming! I was expecting you" she shouted when she saw me coming in and I gagged because of the nickname she thought was so funny and quirky. I walked up to the register nonetheless hoping that Emilia is somewhere in the back.

"She's not here" the devil answered causing me to look at her. God damn. Why does she have to know what I wanted? It could have been way easier if it wasn't for her annoying self being so smartass about everything.

"Once again I'm not here for her. I'm a simple customer that wants to buy a nice bouquet of flowers for my mother" I said and she raised her eyebrow at that.

"As if-" she started but I interrupted her

"Look I don't know who you think you are, annoying me like that but if you continue to piss me off I'll buy the whole store so that you won't have anything you can pay your college fees with" I said and her eyes widened for second until they landed on something behind me. Or someone. Please don't let it be-

"Isaac?" Emilia. Of course out of all the people it just had to be her. I closed my eyes silently praying she didn't hear my threat towards her friend. She's probably the sweetest person I know and it's normal for me to act this way but she's not used to that because she's the complete opposite of me. I could already tell from the few minutes in which we have talked these past two days.

"Oh hey Emilia didn't see you there" I replied with a nervous chuckle as I turned around to meet her gaze. She wore this short, nude dress that fit her girly style perfectly well and she must be the only person on this planet that could wear these type of clothes and look absolutely breathtaking in it. Simply because she wasn't even trying to look good in it. She was just being herself and that alone was enough to let every other woman fall in her shadow.

"What's going on here?" she replied as she slowly walked towards us and I looked at her friend silently begging not to tell her, knowing that she probably would but it's worth a try at least. She sighed and nodded unwillingly and then spoke up much to my surprise.

"We were just messing around" she said and Emilia then smiled at both her friend and I. Why the hell was she helping me though.

"Good it first looked like you two were fighting" she said and sounded almost relieved at what she thought seemed to be the truth.

"Are you here for another bouquet of yellow tulips for your mother?" she asked me and I nodded thankful that I didn't have to make up the excuse again.

"Okay wait here I have to put on my apron and get the flowers. It will only take a few minutes" she reassured me.

"Take the time you need I have plenty" I said and she threw a genuine smile at me before she walked away to get changed.

"Thanks" I said to her friend once Emilia was out of sight.

"I didn't do it for you. I did it for her" she stated and this time it was my turn to annoy.

"What would have changed for her if you had told her about what I said to you?" I questioned

"She would be completely disappointed that you're an asshole because she thinks you're all nice and stuff. She's too good for you fucktard"

"What happened to Prince Charming?"

"You desperately want me to kick you in the balls don't you?" she asked

"Try me"

"I won't do it simply because I know Emilia would want kids in the future" she stated

"What?"

"You heard me"

"What would that have to do with me?"

"Such a big bank account but such a small brain. What a shame" she said and shook her head leaving me standing there still as confused as I was in the beginning, ignoring the fact that she basically called me stupid.

"I was just saying that if you two ever date she would want your thing to work properly because she wants kids" she cleared up and I felt quite stupid for not understanding that. But what made her think Emilia and I would ever date. Leaving the fact out that a lot of years have passed since I've been in a committed relationship, Emilia and I are two complete opposites. We wouldn't work even if we tried, not that I was interested in her of course.

"I don't date"

"You seem pretty dedicated to getting to know her"

"My mom just really likes her flowers" I reasoned much to her dismay

"This is why I'm gay. Boys are so complicated" she said and went to the back and I was actually glad the she finally left me alone.

"So how was your mother's birthday?" Emilia asked when she came back and I was honestly pretty surprised about how open and comfortable she seemed to be around me. Especially comparing to the first conversation she had where she could barely talk.

"It was great! I don't get to visit my parents that often so it was quite refreshing to see everyone" I answered and she nodded.

"It must be hard to own a multi-billion dollar company" she said as she concentrated on cutting the tulips to the right size. It would have sounded ironic or sarcastic coming from anyone else but the way she said made it sound like she actually meant it.

"It can be sometimes. I shouldn't complain though I have everything I need" I said and I could have sworn her eyes went to my right hand for a brief seconds before she quickly looked at the yellow tulips again. Checking for a ring I see.

"You got it from your father right? The company I mean" she asked and I asked myself how she knew that much about me. I mean it would only take like a few seconds to google my name and find all this information but I actually wondered if she looked up my name to get more information.

"Correct. Not too long ago actually" I replied

"In January right?" she said and I smiled. She definitely looked up my name.

"I think someone did a little research on me" I said with a smirk and her eyes widened in shock and her cheeks turned into a slight red color because of her embarrassment. She didn't expect me to catch her.

"No I didn't. My friend- Uhm yeah I did" she said sounding way too adorable. Really Isaac? Adorable? She's a woman not a little girl.

"Well anyway I'm done" she quickly added basically pushing the bouquet into my arms.

"That would be 30 Dollars" she said avoiding any eye contact. I love teasing her. Her reaction is way too fun to watch.

"Here keep the rest" I said and handed her 200 this time making her eyes widen even more than the last time.

"Isaac I honestly can't accept that again"

"It's not that much" I reasoned and it was true. For me at least.

"It's 170 Dollar tip. That's more than I get in a month" she reasoned and I saw her taking some cash out.

"Consider yourself as lucky then" I shrugged and she sighed.

"I'll only accept the money under one condition" she said and I tilted my head to the said.

"And that would be?"I asked leaning bit forward to show that she had my attention.

"You have to grab a coffee with me someday" she said and I was actually taken aback by her condition. I didn't take her for the bold type because she looks like she's the opposite of that and I know I shouldn't say yes to her but I can't bring myself not to when I look at her face.

"Uhm" I hesitated but one look into her puppy dog eyes was enough for me to agree.

"Alright if you say so" I said and left with the bouquet in my hands. I should have sounded more excited I know but I couldn't properly think in that moment because I didn't expect her to offer buying me a coffee.

I'm going to get in so much trouble because of her but in that moment I couldn't care less. All I cared about was thinking about sitting across from her in a tiny booth, talking about our lives. What the hell am I thinking and what the hell did I get myself into?

I can't believe that I just basically asked him to go on a date with me. What the hell was I thinking? He is going to kill me if he ever finds out but it's like I stopped thinking when I suggested to grab a coffee some time. I was never the bold and outgoing type so why now? What the hell has gotten into me?

"Oh my god" Myra said coming back into the store with her hand clasped in front of her mouth. Looks like she didn't believe what she just witnessed either.

"Don't mention-" I started to plead but of course she didn't listen. Why would she anyway?

"You asked a billionaire out on a date" she stated matter of factly.

"I didn't ask him o-"

"And he agreed!" she continued completely ignoring me.

"It was just a nice gesture because of the tip he gave me. Nothing less nothing more"

"I can't believe you made the first step though"

"MYRA IT'S NOT A DATE" I shouted taken both me and her by surprise because I never raise my voice at anyone not even him no matter what he did.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't realize I crossed a line" Myra said with her face full of regret making me feel bad because of my outburst.

"No I shouldn't have shouted at you but you know that I'm not allowed to date and I wouldn't dare to cross that line" I said

"Yeah I know that but don't you think you should do whatever you like to do? I mean you're an adult now he has no power over you anymore" she said and if she knew the whole truth she wouldn't say something like that. If she knew what he was capable of doing she would be afraid of him just as I was. You can't escape him. He will find you with the connections he has all across the country.

"Yeah you're right but Isaac definitely isn't in my league" I agreed in order to hide my real feelings. Even if I was being honest to her she wouldn't understand. She wasn't there when all of it happened.

"That guy is so into you. Does he look like a nice guy that would just randomly grab a coffee with a girl he's not interested in, to you?" she asked and I had to admit that she had a point.

"You see. Plus he's rude to everyone except from you" she stated and I furrowed my brows at that. Was she talking about the same Isaac that I was talking about? There's no way he was rude to anyone.

"Isaac isn't rude" I defended him and she slightly smiled at my behavior.

"Yeah to you he isn't but that guy hates my guts for some reason and trust me he makes sure that I know"

"Do you seriously think he's interested in me?"

"Honey I was 100% sure Clark had a crush on you but with Isaac I'm 101% sure that he does and you know what that means" she said leaving me alone in the store because her shift was over

Meeting up with Isaac was like playing with fire. I knew that it would hurt and would burn even after it's done but turned out I was ready to take the risk for the first time in my life.