Page 65 of Petals and Fangs

Iimmediately recognize the phone caller. The number is too familiar not to notice. It is Demetrius Daire calling me. Where did he get my number from?

When I pick up, I can't hear anything on the other end. The voice is faint, and I can only hear heavy breathing like someone is suffocating. Why is he calling me? Did Perry plot this?

“Who is this?” I say again. I wait a few seconds before repeating it, but he is nowhere to be found.

“Hello, is anyone there?” I ask again, determined it is the very last time before I hang up for good.

I can't help but get irritated. I know who is calling me, but I can't figure out why he is doing it. I need to find Nick and call Perry. More importantly, I need to leave Lily out of this.

I suppose Nick is enjoying his new office more than he should. His office has always had the right furniture and red roses make it look better.

It's almost like a portrait of a gothic room: a dimly lit office with dark wooden furniture. Nick sits across from me, his eyes sharp and attentive.

“Have you called Perry?”

“Of course, I have. He is on his way. He should be here any moment now.”

“Where did this freak get your number from?”

“That is what I am trying to figure out. My information is so very discreet to the point that I don't even have a home address in the city,” I explain, my voice gradually getting louder as I slam my fist on the window.

“You need to calm down, or else you'll blow it,” Nick says, patting me on the shoulder. I am still worried, and he can obviously sense it.

“I am calm. I just have lots on my mind,” I say. My mind slowly allows Lily in.

“You think this creature is stupid enough to not call you back if you didn't answer the first time?”

“Of course not,” I answer.

“Well then, calm the hell down,” Nick says, smiling.

I can see how Nick is trying to get the best out of me. He wants me to be confident about what is about to go down. He wants me to confront any potential enemy with all I have.

“I am not sure I can stay calm. You see, Lily and I-” I say, but quickly get cut off.

“Oh yes, the florist again,” Nick says, slightly smirking at me. I know what he is thinking of.

“I am afraid there is something going on between us.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. She is just so easy to be around. Her personality is quite the opposite of mine, yet we get along so well,” I say, and Nick's eyes start to roll.

“Cut to the chase, Ethan. That's not what's really going around.”

“Well, it turns out that she is very smart and that I am starting to fall in love with her, all over again.”

“That is a pretty bold move from you, Ethan.”

“What do you mean?”

“I never thought you were the one who would be the first to fall in love.”

“I was not ready for love when I was a child, but now I feel I am more than ready,” I explain.

“How do you think this is not going to affect your work?”

“I have no idea, but I know that it is something I am willing to sacrifice. She means so much to me,” I explain.

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