Aster

The young waiter places our menus on the table and smiles. His eyes trail over my figure, but his attention flickers to Marcus. He grabs a notebook from his pocket and points to the wine list.

"Can I bring you any refreshments?"

"Your most expensive bottle of wine, thank you. I only want the best for my lady." Marcus chuckles.

"Yes, Mr. Sherman." He nods.

He scribbles on the page and dashes to the bar. Marcus wrinkles his nose as he picks up the menu.

"Is everything okay?"

"Mr. Sherman has always been my father, so it's weird to hear."

"You can dress like your father, have his last name, but you are nothing like him."

"Thank you, Tikera." He tugs on a smile.

"This place is stunning! I can't believe we're eating here, and the pink flowers are beautiful."

"Since you were taken by the tulips, I requested asters for the table."

"Thank you."

"What other flowers do you like?"

"I'm reading about flowers and their meanings, and it's opened me up to so many flowers I've never heard of. I don't know how someone could pick a favourite when there's so many to choose from."

"Do you know what these mean?"

"Yes, a mix of love and elegance."

"I picked well for tonight."

"Yes, you did." I nod.

His eyes sparkle and my heart races, probably from nerves. Marcus points to the menus and smirks.

"Don't hold back ordering because the company card can take the hit."

"Okay! You're making me feel like a kid in a candy store."

"Please enjoy it, adulthood rarely allows us a moment to feel young."

I open the menu and bite my lip because everything might as well be written in another language.

"Do you know what you want?"

"I um, I have no idea. I've never heard of these dishes."

"Do you want me to order for you?"

"That would be great, thank you!"

"Is there anything you won't eat, like seafood?"

"Nope, I'll eat it all." I laugh.

"Thank goodness! I once went on a date and the girl only wanted spinach and mushrooms."

"Wow, that's insane!"

I close the menu and rest against the chair. Marcus slides his fingers through his brown hair and looks at me. He squirms in his chair and raises an eyebrow.

"What are you looking at?"

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you look good tonight." I smile.

Marcus relaxes and grins.

"Thank you."

Perhaps if we'd just met, I'd be swept away with his charming personality and his sharp jawline, but we've been subjected to growing up together, which includes playing with bugs and harassment. There's also no way I'd marry into a family with Mr. Sherman as the father-in-law.

The waiter returns with two glasses of wine, which are carefully placed on the table. He takes his notebook out and looks at Marcus.

"Can I take your order?"

"Yes, thank you."

Marcus lists ten dishes which makes the man's eyes almost pop out of his head.

"Is that everything?" The waiter glances at me.

"Yes." Marcus nods.

"All right."

Once he's gone, Marcus sips on the wine and frowns.

"Is that a good or bad frown?"

"It's an all right frown because I expected better."

I take a sip and smile. "It's delicious."

"Just as long as you like it."

"Our parents might not want us to be together after tonight. Your father won't be expecting the bill we're racking up."

"I bet he won't notice." Marcus shrugs.

"Are you sure?"

Marcus nods and takes another sip.

Four entrees arrive, which are tiny, thus making it the perfect amount. Three are seafood options that have my stomach rumbling. He pushes the oysters forward and grins.

"These are amazing!"

I take an oyster and moan as the flavour explodes in my mouth. I try the scallop and prawns before returning to the oysters.

"So Marcus, what do you really want to do with your life?"

"I had plans to move to Italy and study architecture, but my father wouldn't allow it. He forced me into accounting because no son of his is running away to draw pictures." He sighs. "It was accounting and living a comfortable lifestyle or being exiled."

"What did your mother say?"

"I love her, but she follows everything my father says. I understand because she'd be treated the same."

"Once you've finished accounting, you could create your own architecture business. And you'll have a contact book full of wealthy business owners looking to invest."

Marcus sips on the wine and nods. "I've never thought about that."

"Sometimes we're actually thrown in the right direction, even if it feels wrong at the moment."

"What are you doing with your life? Weren't you pushed into accounting as well?"

"Yes, and I hung in for about a year and a half. Once the exams were done, I told my father I needed a break but I have no intention of going back and it's going to crush him."

"Our parents can't control our lives forever, I'm sure he'll understand."

"I hope." I sigh.

"What are you doing now?"

"Working so I can travel. I was hired to landscape a garden, now I'm house-sitting for the same person. He's been great to work for."

"Can you do anything with plants, as a career?"

"Working in a plant nursery, landscaping, floral arrangement and community projects about conserving nature are some examples, but I haven't completely looked into it."

"Working with plants sounds nice."

"It's a 'whatever floats your boat' kind of thing." I chuckle.

"True." He nods.

* * * * *

Marcus places his cutlery on the plate and slides down the chair. I inhale a deep breath and sigh.

"I can't eat another thing!" He groans.

"Me neither, but dinner was delicious, thank you."

"Do you want to relax in the bar lounge?"

"I don't know, it's getting late."

"Please stay, I enjoy your company and it's nice to have someone I can relate to."

My stomach twists and I nod.

"Just a few drinks."

"Thank you, Tikera!"

Marcus jumps up and walks around the table. I stagger to my feet and he wraps his arm around my waist. He guides me to the lounge which has swing jazz pumping through the speakers.

We enter the lounge which is bustling with couples. The leather interior and gold finishing are stunning, and the mood lighting is romantic. I shouldn't be here with him.

Marcus leads me to the bar and someone's loud, over-the-top giggling captures my attention. The woman places her hand on a man's chest and slides her fingers under his shirt.

I catch his piercing blue eyes and freeze. His shoulders tense as the woman whispers into his ear.

Marcus squeezes my side, his warm breath tickling my neck.

"Do you know him?"

"No." I shake my head.

He pulls me along, but it's hard to stop looking. I want to tell him it's not a date, but it doesn't matter because he's here with someone else, probably buying her expensive wine too.

We take a seat near the bar and someone collects our order. Marcus tries to engage me in a conversation, but he stares at me from the bar and it's all I can focus on.

* * * * *

The world spins as Marcus and I stumble down the sidewalk. He holds his phone up as he searches for our driver. He yanks on my hand and I collide against the car. The window slides down and Marcus pokes his head inside.

"This is our car." He grins.

Marcus grabs my waist and smiles.

"Thank you for tonight."

"You've been amazing company, and it's me who should be thanking you."

His warm breath tickles my lips as he leans closer. A shiver ripples down my spine as I place my hands on his chest.

"You should do something to get your parents' attention, like move to Italy in the middle of the night, create your own business here, or something."

One hand slides onto my back and tugs my body to his chest.

"You're so beautiful." His blue eyes shimmer.

"Thanks, Marcus."

His head drops and he chuckles.

A woman's giggles send a cold chill coursing through me. I peer over Marcus's shoulder and nibble on my lower lip.

Pebbles has one hand tucked into his pocket, and the other wrapped around her waist. His eyes bore into Marcus's back as I shoot daggers at the woman.

"We should go home," I comment.

Marcus steps back and I yank the door open and escape into the car. He sits beside me and smiles.

"Thank you for tonight, but it can't go anywhere. You're a good guy and you're going to make someone happy, but it's not me. I think you should chase your dreams."

"Thank you, Tikera."

I slouch against the leather chair and stare out the window and sigh. He might have moved from the street, but he still lingers in my mind.  

* * * * *