The Hibiscus

"Ms. Stawarski?" Narcester said in the background. Sweat dripped down his face after a long rush.

He approached them slowly, Avyanna blinked twice and looked at his face drenched with sweat. "Are you alright, Narcy? Why are you sweating?" the old woman asked.

"I'm doing alright, thanks, Ms. Stawarski." he politely spoke in reply.

Ms. Stawarski was the person who worked the longest in their household. Even before Dana's parents died, back when Narcester Thaddeus was a no-named baby left on the sidewalk.

"I hope you're doing alright. Mind if I leave now, Narcy? My grandkids must be waiting for me."

"Sure, you can go now, thank you for your effort today, Keeria Stawarski," he said.

The old woman went away, leaving the garden area as she headed home. Narcester looked at her, her eyes marbled with happiness as she met the old woman.

"Are you liking Mrs. Stawarski? She could accompany you here if you're alone," he said, looking at the old woman.

"How long has she been working here?" she asked.

"The longest of time," he replied with a smile that he wore. Avyanna looked up at him, that kind smile was very attractive if she would say.

It was like the dark, distant moon came closest to her and gave her a brilliant shine. The sun reflected on his fair skin, the bright Ray from the last minute of the golden hour made his features more visible than ever.

Narcester felt the eyes that stared at him, he glanced at her, seeing the esthetic smile she wore. He glanced and smiled back in response to that beautiful eyes glimmer that looked at him favorably.

She flustered and turned around, he chuckled, being Avyanna a protest to noises, his giggle was not even annoying. His voice that rang to her ears was absolutely beautiful, he wore that warm smile as he chuckled, Avyanna was seeing the best front view of something so beautiful.

"Let's go, little Avie," he said, his hands reaching out to her.

"To where?" she wondered.

"To freedom," he replied shortly after.

She reached her hands as he held on to it. He walked her to his car and assisted her in getting inside. He got himself inside, he spoke in a cheerful, deep voice. "Buckle up!"

He inserted the key but he soon heard a few grunting over to his side, he noticed Avyanna struggling to get her seatbelt fastened. He paused from doing whatever and leaned toward her. He reached the seatbelt for her, he looked her in the eyes for some quiet while as time froze the moment. Hopefully, time could capture the moment instead.

Avyanna's heart skipped a beat as she felt, that was the closest she had seen his face, why was her day filled with her heart rampaging aflutter?

He averted his gaze away as if nothing happened and casually fastened her seatbelt. He took off his tuxedo, his white long sleeves underneath remained as he took off his necktie. He secured himself in the seat and checked up on her.

"You alright?" he asked in concern, she was unspoken, more so, she wasn't moving.

It's as if Narcester Thaddeus is tormenting his wife into a heart attack, very much for a good purpose.

He tilted his head waiting for her response, the frozen Avyanna noticed how she was and shook her head. "What were you saying?"

He scowled, "Fasten your attention to me, Avie." he spoke with a cold tone.

"S-Sorry..." she stammered.

"I was asking if you're alright," he said, laying his head on the car's steering wheel.

"I'm doing fine." she nodded with an embarrassed smile.

"Then very well." he raised his head up and fixed his posture. He breathed out and drove off.

The silent car ride had been familiar to her now, the gloom inside had been stuck in her sense after a couple of experiences. She noted how Narcester Thaddeus is a silent guy, moreso, the atmosphere around him would always be unfamiliar to her senses.

Narcester looked at her tensed face, he pressed a button and it automatically opened the window on her side. She looked at him and smiled. The breeze from outside was quite cold but it was a bit warmer than the temperature that came from the air conditioner.

She inhaled the air and exhaled it out. Avyanna would always love it when she is relaxed though wonders of thoughts run in the back of her mind, where would Narcester take her?

The sun had already set and they were still in the car as he drove, she reckoned that the place would've been far. Time passed by, and she stared out of the view when the car stopped in front of a hotel building.

Narcester walked out of the car and opened the door for her. As she looked to her surprise, it was a famous hotel in Greece. She felt shivers, what would she be doing in a hotel? with Narcester even.

He looked at her and reached his hand, "Let's go." he smiled.

"Where are we going exactly?"

He looked up to the top of the hotel and averted his eyes back on her. "Up top." he pointed up.

She hesitated to grab his hand, she hid it behind her as she shook her head. Narcester respected her decision, she let her walk before him as he followed closely.

In the reception, everyone looked at Avyanna and Narcester. He is pretty famous in Greece, more so, he's an owner of a well-known company.

Narcester went to a staff member and spoke, "The rooftop reservation please for Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus." he politely said to the woman.

"Yes, sir." She looked up to the computer and looked back at him. "It's a special reservation for accommodating the rooftop restaurant area, right, sir?"

"Yes." he nodded. Avyanna was silent, observing the extravagant place.

"Please make your way up, sir," she said. She looked at Avyanna and beamed. "You're very pretty." she commended her.

The beautiful sound rang in her ears as it sent her aflutter and embarrassed. Narcester smiled at the woman, he patted Avyanna's head and reached out to his pocket. He took a check out of it, signed it, and gave it to the receptionist. "Have a great day, miss. Thank you for appreciating my wife." he beamed.

He held onto Avyanna's back and escorted her to their accommodation. The receptionist looked at the cheque she was given, her heart fluttered remembering how he flashed her a smile but the cheque made her even more excited.

As she looked at it, she couldn't believe her eyes. Signed by Narcester Thaddeus, a $500,000 cheque was given to her just for commending his wife.

Narcester knew that whoever made his wife smile is worth the spending of his money.

Upon the rooftop, the shimmer of light was mild on the eyes that Avyanna came to like. It was a rooftop restaurant, portraying the view of Athens, Greece. There's no one there but them, Narcester must've made sure that this date is for them only.

Without any feelings attached, Narcester even tried to make his way through, no, he was interested and might've been investing his time to gain access to her heart. But either way, Narcester would always be a gentleman.

They sat at the table in the middle, various delicacies were served and everything tasted so delicious. Avyanna's appetite is a monster, it would always be roaring every time food is around.

Narcester chuckled at the sight of how aesthetic his wife could be. In the middle of eating their meal, Narcester waved to a waitress. Avyanna wondered what that meant but Narcester only placed his hands down as the waitress left.

She looked at him with a confused look in her eyes.

The waitress went back, holding a beautiful yellow flower. He hands it to Narcester as she leaves.

Avyanna was awed by how beautiful the flower was, it was such a fine sight to see some. Narcester softly smiled and spoke softly, "This is a yellow hibiscus, Avie. Do you know what it means?"

She nodded, she didn't know what a hibiscus looked like but some of the novels she read portrayed the role of the flower. Narcester smiled and spoke, "Good job."

He then took the leaf out and faced her. He placed the flower on her ear as she flushed. She was flustered.

"The meaning of that flower describes you, my little Avie." he smiled.