IRIS
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Inside the car, my eyes kept returning solely to the rearview mirror, just to look at the corner where she sat, speaking calmly to her mother and flashing a soft smile every now and then. She has become so much more beautiful! Could this be lethal?
I am captivated by her wide honey eyes, her slightly elongated nose, her thick eyebrows, her long eyelashes, her brown hair, her radiant tan skin, her lips..
Her thick, filler-free lips, she is magnificent!
+ Iris?!
All I know is that I heard my name.
I swallowed hard.
Wait a minute! Is my mouth watering from analyzing her face?
- Yes, auntie?
My voice came out steady.
Good.
+ Where are you going? Turn around at the U-turn ahead.
I realized I had missed the first one near the house; fortunately, there is another one ahead.
- Alright.
I cleared my throat and composed myself.
I need to focus on my driving; I must not look at Alma! Well, just this one time..
I raised my eyes to the mirror, but this time, two honey eyes were staring back at me. I swiftly returned my gaze to the street ahead.
She must not realize!
She must not know I still have feelings for her!
I just need to act normally, as if nothing happened!
I do not want to hurt her because she is surely into boys, not girls!
I pulled the car into the mansion's garage. I saw Ander coming down the stairs. Ander works at my aunt's house; his job is gardening, but he is a great help around the house. So, this is perfect; I can leave immediately. I turned off the car, tossed the keys back to my aunt just like before, and took quick steps out of the mansion.
- I am leaving, I have things to do.
I said loudly as I left them behind me.
Alma called my name a few times, but I simply walked away and ignored it; I am forced to ignore her anyway..
I am lying on my bed in my room..
The sharp scent of vodka hits my senses.
What now?
What has fate set out for me?
Annoyed, I pulled a cigarette from my pocket, lit it, and placed it between my lips.
It rang.
Who is calling?
With an effort, I pulled it out of my pocket, looked at the screen, and it was none other than damn Cara...
I answered, put it on speaker, and rested the phone on my stomach.
+ Hello? Iris?
From the other end of the line.
I just don't answer. I only picked up so she wouldn't call again or show up at my house.
I'm just not in the mood...!
+ Hello? Is anyone there?
That cow spoke again.
+ Look, Iris, these tricks are getting old!
Listen, there is a party at our club tonight. It's the birthday of the daughter of one of the country's capitalists. We are short-staffed again, so you have to come and help me. You need to be here at seven because the party starts at nine.. And I will give you free drinks and girls if you come.. So, bye.
She hung up the phone.
Damn her! She knows how to persuade me.
She targets my weak spot.
My closest friend owns an LGBTQ club.. This is both a weakness and a strength.
My damn phone rang again. I swear, if it is that damn Cara...
I snatched up my phone aggressively.
My aunt, this time it is my aunt.
I swiped the accept icon and brought the phone close to my ear.
- Yes?
+ Iris, my dear, you are having dinner at our house this evening. We are throwing a small party because Alma has returned, and any kind of excuse for your absence is forbidden. You must come, alright?
- Alright, I will come.
+ Excellent, be here around 6 o'clock.
- I will.
+ See you.
She hung up the phone.
I know I cannot avoid Mrs. Camelia this time. Should I change my clothes?
Iris, stop talking nonsense. Please, just stop your thoughts about Alma..
I took a deep breath.
'I will stop them, I will.'
I said under my breath.
I placed my hand over my heart, which was eagerly pounding against my chest at the prospect of seeing her again.
There is still plenty of time until evening. Good, I have time to get ready for the club!
..
I stand on the first stair that leads to the upper floor of my aunt's house. My aunt asked me to wake Alma up. I do not know why I agreed?
Evidently, I had no other choice. I gathered my strength and stepped upwards.
I knocked on the door a few times, but there was no sound, so I decided to go in. As I opened the door, Alma's sweet scent welcomed me—the scent that drives me crazy, the scent that belongs solely to her!
It carries the scent of floral essence mixed with the sweetness of pomegranate, absolutely delightful..!
Her room was very dark; she was still asleep. I approached the bed and noticed she was curled up. I chuckled under my breath. It was a childhood habit of hers to always curl up or hug her knees when she slept. A few strands of her short hair had fallen across her face. I reached out for her incomparably soft hair so I could see her face more clearly, but suddenly she opened her eyes. I quickly pulled my hand away.
- Uh.. I came to call you for dinner.
I don't even know how I managed to speak in that second.
She stared at me for a moment, her eyes widening, then quickly sat up.
+ You are here?
Her astonishment was clearly visible.
- Yes.
+ Why did you just leave earlier? Why didn't you answer when I called you?
- Please, wash your face and come downstairs.
+ Iris, why are you acting this way?
- Alma, please, for once, just do what I tell you.
I gave her a serious look.
+ Alright.
Her voice was faint.
- Then, I will go downstairs, and you come down after.
I walked out of that damn scent-filled room!
My heart was beating so hard, I don't even know how I reached the kitchen. I hurriedly pulled some water from the fridge and drank it.
+ Iris?
A voice said from behind me. I spun around toward it;
it nearly scared me!
- Hello Mrs. Colin, how is your health?
Mrs. Colin is the cook at Alma's house. She is around fifty years old, a very understanding, respectful, and kind woman.
+ I am well, thank God.
How are you? It's been a long time since I've seen you.
- Yes indeed, it has been a while.
+ Why don't you visit us? Are you tired of us?
She asked with feigned anger.
- No, of course not. I just haven't had the time.
This part was true.
+ If you have time, come see us.
- I will.
Mrs. Colin was moving the glasses to the table. I started to help her, but she quickly grabbed my hand.
+ My daughter, that is my job. If I don't do it myself, then the money I earn will not be justified for me. God Almighty will not forgive me for it. You just go and sit down.
- You never change.
I shook my head in dismay; she smiled at me in response.
I let go of what I was holding. She has always been a deeply faithful person; she has the entire Bible memorized. She always amazes me.
I went and sat on one of the chairs.
- How is Edna?
Edna is her daughter, who lives here with her.
+ Very well. She missed you and wanted to come to you, but she was shy.
- What are you talking about, Mrs. Colin? What is there to be shy about? Let her come whenever she wants.
She has a very sweet and smart girl.
+ Thank you so much.
- I haven't done anything.
Mr. Logan entered the kitchen with a slight smile on his thin lips, which made the wrinkles near his eyes more prominent. His physique is sturdy and strong, and he has a tan complexion, which Alma inherited from her father, along with his nose.
This is contrary to my aunt, who is exceptionally pale. She has dark hair, brown eyes, a slender figure, and average height. But Mr. Logan is tall, and his eyes are a pale blue.
He sat in his chair, fixing his eyes on me.
+ Hello Iris, welcome, how are you?
He said it all together with a smile.
I composed myself.
- I am fine, thank you very much. How are you?
+ I am fine, as you know, stuck in the world of work.
His smile vanished; exhaustion was completely apparent on him. Mr. Logan is the CEO of a global application company, which undoubtedly drains him.
- Then why don't you take a break?
Take a trip, for example?
I said with a smile.
He furrowed his brows.
+ You are right, why didn't I think of that?
He looked surprised.
I shrugged my shoulders, lifting my hands in a gesture of ignorance along with it.
+ See, I always say you are a genius.
He pointed a finger at me.
- Well, I mean.
I laughed.
Despite managing a company, Mr. Logan often forgets the details, especially things that relate to himself. I only tell him what to do using a few simple words, but he always calls me a genius over those details.
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