Florentine joined even though she was scared of handling a gun. She was eager but the moment Carl walked into the field, her entire being became weak. All sense of excitement died and she was enveloped with a great feeling of shyness. She was stiff trying not to look in his direction but somehow they both caught each others gaze and her heart pounded so loud.
Everything was set and Angel was the first to teach Thea before Knight and cassandra joined.
Before the practice started, the others had started checking out the guns and fake bullets to be used. Florentine could see the men teaching the ladies how to hold the gun. From time to time she and Carl looked in each other’s direction, it got so obvious that they knew they were both checking each other out and the tension grew between them.
Florentine was the most tensed. She had been avoiding him ever since that night she brough cookies to him. They did bump into each other several times or caught their gaze but Florentine would hurry off so he didn’t start a conversation.
This time, carl was invited to join the shooting session and she couldn’t avoid him. On the other hand, even though carl wanted to walk up to her, he was conflicted, wondering if she went back to hating him or feeling disgusted by him after that night but somewhere deep in his mind he knew that her keeping a distance was something that had to do with her heart. He was sure and at the same time not sure because he didn’t want to project what he was feeling on her.
After much contemplation, he decided to walk up to her. When he saw her holding up a gun and pointing it wrongly he thought to himself that it was a
perfect opportunity to get close to her.
The moment he came beside her, she startled and he grew suspicious about how nervous she got around him.
“Carl….” She called avoiding his gaze.
“I saw you holding the gun wrongly. So I thought I might teach you how to hold it properly.” He said but heavens helped her that he did such a thing. She’d be gasping for air if he got any closer than he already did
“I can handle it properly. I was just playing around.” She lied and he knew. He remained silent and just watched her make another attempt but this time because he was close to her, Florentine became conscious and found her hands shaking visibly due to her nervousness. She tried to correct the error by holding the gun up again but her hands became more shaky.
How could Carl just standing next to her make her react this way? Her heart was beating so loud that she could barely hear anything around. She felt a figure hovering around her but before she could get a grasp of what was happening, Carl was already behind her, leaning into her and grabbing her hands gently from behind.
Everything stopped in that moment as her body, heart and soul reacted to him immediately. She was overcome by explosive feelings. Her hands became weaker and her head felt light, like she was going to fall but she held herself strong not wanting to embarrass herself.
“Carl, what are you doing? She said desperately to get him away from her. “I told you I can handle….”
“Shhh….” He hushed her and she remained silent. “You were clearly struggling and I really did want to help.” He said and her heart blushed at his words. “Trust me.” He spoke gently. His breath warmed her cheek. Feeling his body against hers was just too exciting, her entire being felt it.
At this point she was struggling for air.
“Hold still….” He said helping her out with positioning her hand rightly. Her breathing became clearly louder and she was worried that he had noticed it. Well, seems he did.
At the same time, they both tilted to look at each other. Their lips were a breath apart. She heard Carl gulp as if he was thirsty of the thing his gaze had settled on.
Her lips.
She hadn’t breathed in those fleeting seconds and in the climaxing moment of tension, she pulled away from him dropping the gun.
“I’m sorry I’m not used to guns. I’m too startled to learn anything now.” She said moving away from him.
“Florentine….” Carl called stretching his hand to hold her but she avoided it and walked past him.
Thea seeing that she was leaving hurried up to her, calling her name.
“Florentine!” She called again hastening up to her. Florentine stopped and turned towards her.
“What’s wrong? Where are you going?” She asked seeming worried.
“Thea, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it Florentine?” Thea asked looking serious. Florentine looked like she was desperate to share her secret. The burden was etched all over her face.
“I don’t know how you might see this but you’re the only one I feel comfortable telling. Since you are close with him.” She said and Thea muttered an ‘oh’
“Is it about Carl?” She asked.
“Yes.”
Thea smiles and holds her hand.
“You can tell me about it Flor.” She assured her. Florentine took a deep breath before speaking.
“I might be reaching too far but I think I’m having feelings for Carl.” She said in one breath and squeezed Thea’s hands. She was nervous.
“Oh flor….” Thea called sweetly.
“I don’t think he likes me though, at least not in that way.” Florentine expressed her fear.
“Did you speak with him?” Thea asked.
“What! No, no, no… I’m not crazy.”
“Then you can’t tell if he doesn’t like you.”
“I’m way older.”
“Hey flor listen, it doesn’t matter, besides Carl isn’t like that. I mean you’re not too old for his liking.” Thea said. She wasn’t just trying to encourage Florentine but she knew Carl liked older women and she observed the way he also looked at Florentine.
“I’m not even sure what I want with him. He is only here because of you. Once you return home to your mother he’ll be leaving too. So having feelings for him is stupid.” Thea laughs and Florentine looks at her curiously. “What?”
“It’s not stupid. You’ve met several men here in the mansion and yet none of them caught your attention but somehow Carl did. What if it’s meant to be?”
“Then fate should have brought an older person or someone in my age bracket.”
“Maybe you needed someone younger to make you feel so. You’ve been lonely for long Florentine. Only cowards run away from love.”
Florentine shakes her head while Thea raises her brow.
“I guess I’ll be a coward then.” Thea huffs in disbelieve at how easy it was for her to give up. She notices Carl approaching and a smile tugs her lips.
“If you say so but for now you should learn how to breath when he’s standing next to you.” She said. She was going to enjoy watching Florentine act nervous before Carl.
“What?” Florentine’s face filled with horror but Thea points with her eyes indicating that Carl was behind her.
“No, no. He’s not walking towards us.” Her words seemed more like a question.
“I wish I could say no.”
“Wait, hold on Thea. Don’t leave me here.” She begs seeing Thea was determined to leave. “Please…” Her pleas fell on deaf ears as Thea walks away.