His Little Flower (Felix and Flora)

He turned to look at his friends. “Thanks, guys.” He said gruffly. “I’m sure Flora forced you.”

“I might have bribed them with cake.”

And it was true. Cheesy, surprise parties were not really the style of these huge men who were being trained to continue their fathers’ mafia legacies. But it was my style. And I knew Felix secretly loved this.

His friend Nick was the first to speak. “It’s not like we can ignore the wishes of the future Boss lady.”

I blushed deeply. Everyone thought we would get married and then I would be the ‘boss lady,’ and Felix the leader. He was going to be that, but not me.

“Damn right.” Felix said, but I knew he was only joking. I rolled my eyes. “Should we cut the cake now?” I asked, and everyone agreed, so I went inside and brought out the cake. It looked pretty but also messy enough that you could tell it was homemade.

Placing it on a table in the garden, I lit the candles, and everyone gathered around. Felix cut the cake and we cheered. A sadness was washing over me.

His friends sat down with drinks and music and ate the food had made. I didn’t drink, so I got a soda and cut myself a piece of cake and sat down beside Felix. He had a beer in his hand. Still drinking, he put his other arm around me. I snuggled into him. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I fed him the first bite. “Did you make that?”

I nodded, looking up at him hopefully. “Is it okay?”

“Its amazing, baby. Its my favorite.”

“I know.”

Felix smiled, and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m gonna miss you, flower.”

I’ll miss you so much. So, so much. But I couldn’t say it. If I said it, I knew I would cry.

“Max is a cunt, bro.” Vincent, one of Felix’s friends spoke very loudly. I had zoned out from whatever conversation they were having, but this yelled sentence got my attention.

Brittany, who was Nick’s twin and also part of their gang, rolled her eyes. “He’s not a cunt for not sucking your dick, Vinnie.”

“Hey!” Felix admonished. “Don’t swear in front of Flora.”

I glared at him. “I’m not a kid.”

He shrugged, and Brittany agreed with me, but it didn’t matter cause Felix’s word was final.

I stood up, out of Felix’s embrace, and started walking to the other side of the garden. I hated when he did this. Treated me like a child. Always overprotective. Never letting me do anything.

“Flora!” Felix called from behind me, and I knew he was getting up to come after me.

I walked all the way to the porch so everyone was out of sight. I felt Felix’s hand grab my arm and pull me to him. “Come on, flower. Don’t be like this.”

I looked at him with the sourest expression I could manage. “Why don’t you go back to your grownup friends to do grownup things?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m just trying to protect you.”

“From people swearing?”

“It starts with swearing,” He agreed.

“You swear.” I pointed out.

“That’s different.”

I stayed silent. “Flora,” he said softly, “I’m leaving tomorrow. Don’t fight with me.” He pulled me to him, enveloping me in a hug. I felt like I could merge into him. If I could, I

would.

“You won’t be here to protect me, anymore.” I mumbled. I realized my voice was breaking.

“Hey,” he grabbed my chin and made me look up at him. “I’ll visit a lot. And I’ve told Nick to look after you.”

I took a few steps back and sat on the porch steps. Felix sat down beside me. He grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers.

“I’m afraid.” I whispered.

“Of what, baby?”

“That you’ll meet other girls and forget about me.”

He laughed at that. Full blown laughter, throwing his head back. I frowned at him. Why was this so funny?

“Flora,” he said finally. “No other girl compares to you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Two years is a long time. And Princeton will have so many smart and pretty girls.”

I looked away from him, my eyes beginning to water. I could see it. He’d bring a girl home. She’d be tall and blonde and have long hair and a fancy degree. His parents would love her. They’d get married. And I’d be watching from the sidelines.

Felix reached out and stroked my hair. “Look at me.” He demanded. I turned my head to look at him. The unshed tears in my eyes made him look blurry. I blinked, and one tear slipped out. Felix held my face with one hand, wiping the tear with his thumb.

“Come here.” He whispered, and lowered his head, brushing his lips against mine. My breath caught in my throat. Finally, it was finally happening. I closed my eyes, and Felix’s lips closed over my bottom lip. He grabbed the back of my neck, deepening the kiss. It was soft and slow, like he was savoring it. And I was too. Imprinting it in my mind. I would remember this forever. My first kiss. With Felix. As I had always imagined. As I had always known.

He pulled back a little, but our faces were still close together. “I don’t want to go away, Flora.” He said earnestly. “But I have to. And I’m gonna need you to wait for me, alright?

Can you do that?”

I nodded. Anything. I would do anything you say.

“Two years. Finish school, then we’ll be together. Always.” He said, “You’re mine, Flora.”

I gulped. “Will you wait for me, too?”

“I would wait for you forever.”