“Are you crazy?” Florentine asked in anger. “Coming into my room and doing what you did!”
“What the fuck did you think you just did? Laying your hands on me?” He said moving close to her. She looked to her right thinking of moving away from the door and grabbing her flower vase in case he tried something stupid.
“Don’t even think it….” He said realizing her plans, she looked again shaking from fear as well. “I said don’t!” He yelled and moved to her enclosing her within his space. She shrunk in fear, shaking the emotion out. Carl placed both hands on either side of the door then he looked at her with an intense gaze.
“Guards!” She yelled again but Carl didn’t bother closing her mouth. He just gave her a serious stare that scared her to her bones. The last time she was put in such situation was with her husband, deep down she didn’t feel Carl would harm her but she was scared of him regardless.
“I told you I wasn’t going to hurt you. What the fuck are you so scared of?”
“Talking to me in that tone and holding me captive like this, how I’m I supposed to trust you?” She said and Carl studied her for a moment then a tear dropped down her eyes and he lost it. His guilt took over him, he went too far with the woman.
She was too innocent for this, he found himself staring longer than he had wanted, even though she looked nothing like her she reminded him of Louisa, Thea’s mum. Louisa was 45 but Florentine looked a bit younger.
Why the fuck was he guessing her age right now? She looked pretty with her head down and a little serious on a pony.
What the fuck Carl? Just ask for the condoms and fuck off! He yelled at himself within.
He withdrew his hands from the door and Florentine gasped for air as she moved away from it. She moved to her drawer and got some pills from it. He tilted to see her, he probably triggered her anxiety and guilt washed over him afresh.
She was really innocent for all this.
“I’m sorry.” He said and turned to know if she heard what he said. She had paused, holding her pills in her hand and looking at him surprised. “I’m sorry I caused you distress, I didn’t mean to. I thought you were going to make up something to the guards about me.”
Florentine dropped back the pills deciding against taking them. She wasn’t feeling all good but his apology took her by surprise.
Carl noticed the bottle of water by her table and moved towards it, he handed it over to her and signalled her to take her pills which she hesitated before doing.
“I’ll be leaving now, I hope you feel better. I only came for condoms, didn’t expect things to take such turns.” He said and moved towards the door to leave when her voice stopped him from doing so
“You have sex almost everyday.” Florentine said taking a step towards him. Carl paused and turned around to see her.
“I mean I see bitches everywhere.” He said nonchalantly.
“Even so, as a visitor that’s ….”
“I got you but I can’t help it. I love sex. I don’t have patience when there are beautiful ladies all around me.” He said with a shrug while moving closer to her.
Irritated Florentine said, “Do you even hear yourself?”
“Of course. This is just me. You can ask Thea about it.” He said and realized immediately what he had insinuated but it was too late as Florentine looked at him suspiciously and an awkward silence filled the place.
“I mean, it’s not what you….”
“Never mind. I don’t want to hear it. If you you’ve had something to do with Thea in the past zip it up. Don’t ever give a hint about it in front of Angel.” She warned knowing what that man was capable of especially when it came to Thea. “He lacks patience and understanding when it comes to her.” She added but Carl scoffed seeming pissed.
“So what’s he going to do, shoot me again?”
“Be careful.”
“Fuck him! He almost got me killed. Think I care about his hurting heart?” Carl said angrily. Florentine startled as he yelled and he warned himself not to get her scared again. He reduced his voice and spoke almost in a whisper as he leaned in to her.
“You should give me a condom before I get one of your maids pregnant. I’m fucking bored in this mansion and they keep throwing themselves at me which I’m happy to help of course.” He said the last part with a shrug and smirk on his face. Florentine looked at him in disbelieve wondering how Thea could even care about someone like him. He was a total jerk.
“You’re insane.” She said hoping it would piss him off but his lips curled into a smile as he caught her gaze. There was something about his stare that made her uncomfortable and difficult to keep up with.
“Don’t worry I won’t do that, I have to fall in love with one of them to actually want a child with them. I don’t care to have kids anyway besides I like older women.” He said smirking at her. She gasped getting really uncomfortable.
Carl had not thought of the effect of his words on her but her discomfort made him realize it. He narrowed a regretful gaze at her.
“Oh shit!” He muttered. “I meant… Uh not you though….” He cut himself off realizing how bad that sounded too. ” Y-you’re obviously beautiful, I totally wasn’t saying otherwise.” He tried to make up for his damages. Even though Florentine knew she was good looking for her age
her over motherly attitude made her act older, she felt bad with the way Carl had voiced his words and she didn’t know why she cared about his opinion about her. Not like she was looking for anyone to find her attractive.
“You should go.” She spoke in a low voice showing him the door. Carl bit his lips in regret and nodded.
“I know I’ve been an asshole tonight but trust I’m not so terrible. I should make up for this sometime.” He said meaning his words but Florentine wouldn’t look at him though for a different reason, she couldn’t stare at his eyes for long. “Goodnight Florentine.” At least he got her name this time. Carl opened the door and stepped out of her room while she locked it.
She breathed slowly through her mouth placing her back on the door for a moment of reflection.
“I’m just 42 I’m not that old.” She said touching her face.
She had no wrinkles at that age. She was often body shamed for looking younger than her age while growing up but it payed off later in life. She was slim, well curved and had a fresh looking skin. Her diet, skin care products and general lifestyle being her secret.
She wasn’t feeling her self esteem on the high today and it was all because of Carl. She disliked him for it as well.
Carl went back to his room dismissing the maid he had left there, he wasn’t in the mood anymore as what happened between him and Florentine occupied his mind.
The image of her scared self kept playing in his mind and he wondered how she was feeling now. Thea would be so mad at him when she found out what happened and now his night was about to be as bad as Florentine’s.