GARDENING & ROSES-E

`Take care, dear, and have fun', Matilda air-kissed her left and right cheeks before waving her off.

Astrid told the cab driver of her drop off address and the cab driver nodded.

`I may not be able to drive you all the way in because it is guarded. You might have to ask them to pick you up from the guard post, girl'.

It dawned to her that some people guard their house with the best security they can get, but here she stays in the middle of a jungle without care for security nor safety; with the same end result of feeling secured and protected. As soon as she neared Stargaze lane, there were more trees, rose flowers, and jasmine flowers planted along the road with bright LED lights hanging from metals curved in the shapes of vines.

She was staring out the window looking at the majestic looking houses when the taxi stopped at the guard post. She paid the fare and checked herself at the guard post.

`I have dinner with Mr and Mrs Wagner of Riverdale Mansion'

`Name?'

`Astrid Kaija'

The guard spoke something on a walkie talkie and after 10 minutes of waiting, she saw a figure walking towards her. She could not see his face as it was getting dark. She looked up at the sky and saw streaks of orange with blue lacing the clouds. The sun was sinking in the horizon and the entire scene looked like a painting. The air smelled fresh of roses and jasmine.

Her lips turned upwards and she closed her eyes, mesmerized by the smell and view.

Ace Wagner realized that Astrid needed to check herself at the guard post before entry and rushed out of his mansion. His butler put his coat on him, and he speed-walked. Shit, I should have taken a Segway, Ace thought when he was halfway towards the post.

He saw a faint figure in blue and he ran the last few meters. He was astounded to see Astrid. She looked ravishing in his eyes. Her eyes were closed, and he motioned the guard to keep quiet, not to greet him. The guard was baffled but he bowed his head in respect. He waited to stand in front of her and put his hands inside his pocket.

His heart skipped a beat looking at her pink lips and slender neck. I wonder how she will look like if I kiss those lips and devour her. What the fuck was I thinking? his thoughts getting wicked by the seconds.

Astrid sensed someone in front of her and her eyes flew open. She saw Ace Wagner smirking at her with his devilish grin and she quickly straighten herself. Gosh, his dimple on his left cheek was prominently on display. 

`G..good evening Mr Wagner', she stammered, his good looks definitely got into her.

`It's Ace Wagner', he beckoned her to follow him and she did.

`You look gorgeous Astrid', he looked into her eyes and noticed she was wearing a sleeveless dress. The wind was picking up and she might feel cold. He could see she was afraid of him, as she kept a good distance between them.

`I don't bite you know', he said softly. Astrid whipped her head at him, embarrassed that her actions spoke louder than words.

Ace stopped walking and took out his coat before slipping it into her. It covered her completely almost reaching her calves. Those legs, the things he could do to it, his thoughts wandered again.

Astrid thanked him and she noticed he was a good-looking vampire. He wore a white Ralph Lauren polo shirt, which hugged his body tightly amplifying his chest muscles. He left the buttons opened and she peeked outlines of tattoos underneath the shirt. Hell, she could see faint images of his tattoos. She blushed and wondered what was inked on beneath the shirt.

Soon, they reached his mansion and the sheer size of it blew Astrid's mind away. It was huge. The mansion had bright chandeliers shaped like fat cupid with each arrow holding a bulb. The simply designed mahogany door alone could fit a car! The pathway to the mansion was spread with small colourful daisies.

Astrid could not help but squat down towards the Purple Coneflower and gently touched it. She saw Moon daisies, Transvaal daisies (orange), Delightful African Daisy, and English Daisy. She was engrossed into counting the types of daisies she forgot Ace beside him. He looked at her and the corner of his lips turned upwards. She likes flowers and she knows the names as well, Ace thought.

`May I ask?

`Yes', his deep voice sounded music to her ears.

`Who planted these daisies?'

`If I told you I did would you believe me?'

`Wow,' Astrid gave him an alluring smile and he could not help but squat beside her and ask,

`Would you like to see the garden?'

`You mean you have more flowers? Can we?', she bit her lips and his breath skipped. Damn, she is tempting me without knowing it. Don't tell me I like her already?

Astrid's impression on him changed considerably when he spoke about flowers and his hobby for gardening. Who would have thought, a rich man like him enjoys simple things in life? I guess not every millionaire out there is pompous and prude.

Ace helped her to stand and held his arm out for her to hold. She held his arm eagerly and he brought her towards the right side of his house. He signalled one of the maids of his intentions to join dinner a little later and he duly bowed before going inside the house.

Astrid saw a beautiful scene in front of her and let go of his arms. He frowned. She calculated 6 arches, each the height of 3 feet surrounding a gazebo. The roses were in hues of dark crimson, apricot pink, yellow, orange to pink colour and the sight made her speechless. She walked towards the arches and circled it, inhaling its scent as well.

Astrid did not realize she was thinking out loud by mentioning the types of roses; Falstaff rose, Tahitian rose, Julia Child, Mardi Gras Rose, Easy Does It, and lastly Teasing Georgia. She circled the arches twice and stopped at the Rosa Falstaff arch and leaned down to pick the flower. Ace who was staring at her turned to a toolbox placed beside the gazebo and took scissors out.

`Astrid you can use this', he passed the scissors to her and at that moment Astrid's ring finger brushed against thorn and she yelped. A thick droplet of blood fell before Ace grabbed her hands and put the finger in his mouth without thinking twice.

Astrid was astonished. She could feel his warm tongue circling and caressing her ring finger. She felt a tingling sensation. She could see his long lashes and strands of his fair fall near his eyes. She unconsciously tucked his hair behind his ear, and his violet eyes shot up to her.

At that moment, something clicked, and both stared into each other's eyes. She could see her reflection in his eyes. It's like looking into a dark abyss surrounded with mysteries of emotions and yarns of desolations. Did she wonder why the despair in his eyes?

Ace could not help his tongue from sucking her finger and stopped when he felt his hair tucked by her. He froze and saw her pale brown eyes with faint streaks of amber. He slowly released her finger but not her hand. He could see her looking into her eyes, and reading his emotions and fear, something he kept locked and hidden in his heart. He leaned closer and she craned her neck further. He knew if he stayed any longer he may end up missing the dinner altogether.

`Like what you see, Astrid?', he whispered hoarsely in his thick accent near her lips.

Astrid felt his hot breath on her lips and she parted them, still in a daze to reply `Very much, Ace'. Fuck, she like this guy. He looks so comfortable.

Ace could feel his heart racing at the sight of her lips parting. He calmed himself and pressed her hand tighter. That did the trick, for she came back to her senses and looked at her hand. Ace took a kerchief from his pocket and wiped her fingers off.

`I...I am sorry... I was clumsy and….'

`It's ok.' He put his fingers into his lips and made a zip-close gesture. `I will cut some roses for you after dinner'. He put his arm out again, and she held his arm with her right hand and both started walking back to the mansion.

`Your gardening skills are commendable', she gave him a dazzling smile. `The roses are lovely. So many colours and smells, it's like having an apothecary of flowers here. How did you manage it? Did your helpers help you? What type of fertilizers do you use?'

Ace smiled at her and one of his cheeks flashed a dimple. `It distresses me. I read botanical books and most of them are from trial and error. And yes, my helpers do help me to trim them from time to time. As for fertilizers I use cow dung. They work best'.

`Sir, Mr and Mrs Wagner are waiting for your presence at the dinner table'. Butler Lionel spoke.