Marigold — Chapter 29

Mari’s POV

"Why are you so quiet?" I heard Z asked and I shyly smiled at him, the images of what happened earlier still lingers in my mind. We just had a dinner at some restaurant on the outskirts of town. It was cozy and the people are very accommodating, not to mention the delicious food. I wonder how Z knew about the place since it was placed too far away from the city.

He was driving and I didn't dare ask him where we would go next. To be honest, I am still afraid that he'd suddenly turn the car and head back home, thinking that this escapade of ours should never happen to begin with.

Because it doesn't make any sense.

Before I went out of my room, I was thinking so hard how the hell everything turned out like this.

Was it that simple?

I guess I'm just so confused. Everything was just so new to me and I'm not even sure if that's normal. I've never been in a relationship before so I had nothing to compare with nor I have any ways to ask someone to confide with.

A few weeks ago, never in my wildest dream nor even went across my mind that one day, I'll be on Z's car - all dolled up in a dress and a light makeup and being like this. Heck, I didn't even think about talking to him in general about these kinds of things.

When I came down the stairs, Z and Latch were talking about something but I didn’t quite understand what they were talking about. I thought Z was discussing things about Elle since the two were best of friends.

When my brother didn't say another word, it was then that I decided to make my presence known and when I did, all my worries had been washed away when Z locked eyes with mine.

His eyes were all focused on me and the glint on them made my confidence shot up to the ceiling.

After all the push and pull that I did with all of my dresses, I decided to wear a simple white sleeveless dress that hangs until just above my knees. It wasn't too long nor too short to my liking which made me more comfortable. And since just want to be comfortable, I just settled myself with a light powder, and blush and rolled my lips with some lip tint so it would look so pale.

"Perfect," I heard him whispered and my eyes saw how my brother was shaking his head at the sight of Z. That made me blush even more.

"Close your mouth, Z. Ugh! Go away you two. I'm gagging with all the heart eyes I'm seeing," he stated, cringing his body as if he's seeing something unappealing to him. Then, his eyes landed towards my direction, "Hey, call me if something's wrong," his eyes soften a little, "My big sister is off to her very first real date, I want to cry..." he whispered, his hands over his chest.

I gritted my teeth in annoyance, "Shut up!" I hissed and he just laughed before turning his back as he headed towards to the living room.

Mom and Dad was not around. I’m guessing Mom took Dad with him to distract him.

"Let's go?" I was startled when I heard Z's low voice but I am almost shaking when he went forward and reached for my hand.

"Calm down Mari, it's just me," he whispered before pulling me closer to him, my hands landing on his chest and I watch as he fixed a few locks of my hair that was covering my face. My breath hitched at the smell of his perfume.

Holy Fuck. My mind started digging into the back of my head of any memory about school teaching us how to calm down.

My ears started to get numb at the sound of my heart's loud hard beating.

It was too fast I'm not sure how I will be able to survive.

"Beautiful..." he whispered before giving me another kiss on my forehead.

I heard it. The sound of my heard exploding due to too much emotion it can't seem to handle.

Goddamn it.

Things were never like this before between me and Z.

"Let's go.," he whispered again before he gently guided me towards the door.

I was too lost in my own thoughts that I didn't realize that we were almost at his car in not for Latch’s loud voice.

"Go get it Marigold!" I started coughing at what he said and I scanned the place afraid that our neighbors actually heard him.

"I'm going to kill that jerk," I gritted my teeth in anger, totally forgetting that Z was standing beside me until I heard the sound of his sweet laughter.

"Don't mind him, Mari. Elle will probably kill him sooner or later. I heard he made another of her friend cry again," he stated and I laugh. My brother just, huh.

In no time, we were already traveling and then he told me we're going to eat first.

He was the most gentleman. He opened the car door for me, opened the door of the restaurant and pulled me a chair so I can seat properly. But these things are something he usually does even before. What change though?

My feelings?

Everything was perfect.

And that scares me.

It scares me that I'll suddenly wake up and realizes that I had been dreaming about this. Or maybe this is just a figment of my imagination, that this is just my mind playing with me cause I don’t know, may be because I have been mean to him the past few times?

I was startled when I felt a hand on top of my own. My eyes took a glance on my left and realized I must have zoned out as I try to remember everything that just happened.

"Something wrong?" he asked concerned.

How can I tell him that I am scared about this? About everything that's happening?

"Nothing," I tried answering and I wanted to close my eyes the moment my voice cracked. He looked at me even more concerned and I wanted to scold myself for it.

His eyes then averted my gaze as he stares in front though his hand never left mine.

And that's more than enough to make me feel at ease.

After a few minutes, the car stopped in front of a two-storey building not too far from where we had our dinner.

My brows furrowed when he went out and run towards the other side to open the door.

"Who owns this?" I asked confused when he guided me through the stairs on the side.

"I rented it. Don’t worry about it,' he mumbled and I just shrugged my shoulder.

It was when we reached the top that I realized that there was a secluded part of it my mouth went wide open when I saw a huge tent in the middle. A few lights were on and I was able to see the low tables situated inside.

But what surprises me the most is how clear the sky is as the stars twinkle underneath us.

Slowly, I made my way close to the railing and admire the beautiful scenery before me.

The stars, they were shining so bright and the glow they emit brings warmth to my heart.

It's so beautiful, so mesmerizing.

They were scattered like a moon dust in the dark sky. like diamonds, like fireflies but the mere sight of them feeds serenity to my weak soul.

Just then, I felt a presence behind me trapping my body with his strong arms as he rests his head on my shoulders.

"They're not as beautiful as you are," he then whispered in my ears and my eyes closed at how sincere his words sounded.

He was hugging me tightly and I didn't utter a word. The way his arms perfectly fits my body warmth my heart even more.

It was perfect.

A beautiful scene... a beautiful man... and all that's left is a beautiful story...

"Z..." I can't help but call his name.

He was hugging me like this. I wanted to be happy but I'm getting more and more confused.

"Hmmm?" he answered and I can't find myself to continue. My eyes landed on my hands as I play with them.

He must have felt my hesitation because he suddenly spun my body so I'm now facing him, his hands gently cupping my cheeks.

"Hey, what's wrong? You didn't like it?" he asked worriedly and my eyes met his.

I want to say I like it because I do but words seemed to get stuck in my throat and I'm finding it harder to express what I want to say.

A sigh escaped his lips and I felt his other hand caressing my right cheek.

"Do you want to know something?" he whispered and I just stared at his beautiful eyes. He was smiling, but I was sure there was reassurance in them.

"I love looking at the stars. They give me peace, they help me calm myself down whenever I feel like tons of shit is happening in my life," he mumbled and I was lost for a moment. Z had always been the quiet type. I never really saw him struggling over something. SO hearing him say these words startled me a bit.

I realized that even though we are childhood friends, there are still things I didn’t know about him.

"And you know what? You give me peace too. You're like my star. You give serenity on my wavering heart," he whispered and my mouth formed an o-shape, confused about what' he's trying to say.

He smiled at my reaction and my cheeks blushed when he squeezed my cheeks in an adorable way.

"What I want to say is," he stopped midway, and I was so sure my heart stopped beating too.

He looked at me straight in the eyes before whispering the words I wasn't sure I was ready to hear.

"I really like you, Marigold," he whispered and my eyes closed when I felt his warm lips meeting mine.

It felt like the world stopped moving and my mind blackout.

By this time, nothing matters. Not my worries about everything nor the fact that I am still confused with my feelings.

All I know is how his soft lips perfectly move over mine, the sweet taste of his lips overpowering mine. This isn’t the first time we kiss but every time we do, it’s like it’s the first. The feeling is still surreal.

Before I even knew it, I was already copying the movement of his lips as he continuously devours mine.

His lips, they were soft. They were addicting. And here I thought the quick peck that he did is enough to make me lose my sanity.

But no, I'm losing all of me.

And I'm okay with it.

If it's him.

If it's my Z.

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