Tetratheca Pilosa

🌸 Evolet 🌸

How can I be considering a relationship with somebody like him? I saw the plants in the warehouse and I know what happens to people who dabble in this industry. Except I've never met somebody like him and I don't know how to walk away from the feeling I have.

I pace the length of the bedroom and sleepily rub my eyes. I wish I could collapse from exhaustion just to have a break from all the thoughts swirling through my mind.

I can't make a decision until I speak to Caelum about it, there's too many 'what if's' lurking in the back of my mind which makes me wonder if walking away is the wrong decision.

The phone screen catches the light from my bedroom, luring me in. I swipe it off the bed and press it to my chest. What do I even write in a message?

I press the call button and bite my lip. It rings for a second and then the line crackles.

"Hi, Evolet."

His deep voice pulls me in, especially the way he says my name.

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm calling you. You were probably sleeping and I should be sleeping as well." I sigh. "I'm so sorry, I should hang up."

"No, wait, it's okay."

"Are you sure?" I frown.

"I've been waiting for you to call or message."

"I'm sorry." My stomach churns.

"Do you want to talk?"

"Yes."

"Can I come over?"

I pull the phone back and frown at the time on the screen.

"It's two in the morning."

"I can't sleep."

"Okay."

"I'm on my way."

He ends the call and I stare at the screen. I throw the phone onto the bed and wander into the bathroom. My hair is messy from spending hours rolling around on my bed, and I have dark circles under my eyes. I wrap my arms around myself and sigh.

"Oh goodness, I'm a mess."

I undo the messy bun and untangle my hair before pulling it into a high ponytail which looks better than the messy heap tangled on top of my head. I splash some cold water on my face before wandering downstairs.

There's a knock on the door which captures my breath. I creep towards the door and peek outside, Caelum's appearance almost resembles mine and he's still wearing the same clothes from our date.

I open the door and we hold our gaze for a brief moment, then he steps into the house and I close the door.

"Ask me whatever you need to know."

"How are you?"

Caelum rolls his eyes.

"We don't need to bother with pleasantries, I know exactly how you feel, I can see it."

I stifle a yawn and wrap my arms around my torso.

"Thanks for saying I look like shit." I softly chuckle.

Caelum frowns and shakes his head.

I walk past him and sit on the corner of the couch. I curl my knees to my chest and rest my chin on my knees. Caelum sits on the opposite side but slumps forward and rests his arms on his knees.

"You're torturing me with your silence, Evolet."

It's everything but silent in my mind.

"How long have you been selling and growing plants for?"

"I've been growing plants with my grandmother since I was little but when I was a teenager, we started growing a couple of pots in the back of her greenhouse. She's spent her life smoking, so she grows her own plants."

I'm hung up on the idea of young Caelum outside with a watering can watching seedlings turn into plants, not the fact he's been growing illegal plants with his grandmother for many years.

"As for selling those plants, it's something I started about a year ago, but I've had those plans in place for years. Grandma and I messed around with the genetics of the plants and created something good, something worth a bit of money."

"Oh?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Once I realised all the money I could make from them, I came up with a plan which led me to studying botany and business in University. I haven't made a decision without thinking about the repercussions, and then you walked into my life or should I say the blossom shop."

"Did I mess up your plans?"

"I hope it's a good mess."

"Why did you study business? You don't need a business degree in selling weed."

"It's so I can create viable businesses to launder the money and give myself an income without working another job to afford things like cars and property."

"You probably own more than one warehouse then if you need a fake business to clean all the money?"

"Yes." He nods.

"Aren't you afraid you'll get caught?"

"I believe in the plan I've created."

"How do I fit into this plan?"

"How do you want to fit into it?"

"I really like you, Caelum."

"Do you want to know what I do? We can pretend I work an ordinary job five days a week if that's what you're comfortable with."

"Some part of me would love to forget and the other doesn't want to. I can't spend every minute of everyday wondering if you're okay and if it'll be the last time I see you. It's the constant worry which raises some flags."

"Does the illegal plants raise flags?" He laughs.

"I'm choosing to ignore many red flags."

"We can discuss as much as you want about my job, you just have to communicate your feelings so we can be on the same page."

"You make a good point." I nod.

"How are you feeling now?"

"I don't have an answer because there's still so many 'what if's?' What happens if you get caught or killed? What happens if you make an enemy or our relationship doesn't work?"

"You're still scared about everything, and that's understandable. I don't know what the future holds but I know I want you in it."

"I'm so scared."

"You look tired."

"I'm tired."

Caelum shuffles closer while I recline back into the chair.

"Do you feel better?"

"No."

"Thank you for your honesty." Caelum chuckles. "Go to sleep and we can continue this discussion in the morning."

I run my fingers through my hair and sigh. Despite the exhaustion weighing heavy on my shoulders, I still don't know if I can sleep. I move closer to Caelum and snuggle into the couch cushion for comfort.

Caelum cups my face and strokes my cheek. His thumb is warm and soothing against my cheek. His warm breath fans across my face and I sigh. His blue eyes search mine but I doubt he'll find what he's looking for.

"I only needed a couple of dates to realise you're the person for me. You bring out a new side of me and I like the person I am when I'm with you. I also like the way you make me feel as I've never felt this way about someone before."

"I feel the same way, and it's why I'm struggling with the idea of letting you go."

"Don't let me go."

He draws me closer and I don't stop him. His lips brush against mine and I deepen the kiss with my tongue. Caelum's caresses are soft and gentle. The passion that flows between us is almost enough to convince myself to stay.

"Can we sit for a little longer?"

"We can for as long as you want."

I lean against his shoulder and sigh. My eyelids grow heavy and I finally give in to the exhaustion pulling me under.

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