It's been two weeks since I last saw Arturo. I did really wish to hire him, but every time I would call him I would chicken out and drop the call. I sighed as I hold the phone in my hand. I look over to my backyard and it managed to be in worse condition than it did last time. The plant he repotted was thriving among the almost dead plants around it.
If my mother was still alive, I would be buried six feet underground with how I've managed to not take care of her garden. I sighed and decided to just go for it before my mother calls back out from her grave. I dialed his number and put the phone up to my ear. I waited on the phone, anxiously tapping my foot on the floor until Arturo answered.
"Hello, this is Arturo. May I ask who's calling?" Arturo finally answers.
I paused for a moment, unsure of what to say. "Hello?" Arturo says through the phone.
"Oh, sorry. This is Avery." I replied.
"Oh, hey. You're the one with the bike right?" He asked.
"Yes. That was me. I, uhm. How much would it cost for you to do my whole backyard? I need some plants replaced as well." I said.
"Well, if it's just tidying up and landscaping, I usually charge one hundred fifty dollars per hour and if you want to replace some plants, that would be an extra charge." He replied.
"Oh. That's a lot." I said with an awkward chuckle.
It was a lot more expensive than I thought. I only earn eighteen dollars per hour in the bakery I currently work at. On top of that, I have to pay the house mortgage alone as well as the bills.
"I can give you a fifty percent discount, and you can pay me any time you can." He said.
"Thanks, that's generous, but it doesn't feel right to not pay you your regular price," I said.
"Honestly, this is more about the plants. They've been calling for my help ever since I stepped on your yard and I couldn't get them off my mind since." He said, making me chuckle.
"Oh, wow. I'm not offended at all. I guess I have no choice but to accept your offer then." I said.
"Okay then. When do you want me to start?" He asked.
"Tomorrow would be good," I replied.
"Okay. I'll be there at around nine in the morning. Is that okay?" He asked.
"Yes. That would be fine. I'll be at work the whole morning so I'll just leave the backyard open. If you're fine with that." I said.
"Sure, that's fine. See you tomorrow then." He said.
"See you," I said before ending the call.
I let out a sigh of relief as soon as the conversation was over. At least I'll get to see him again.
...
It's finally the next day and I'm about to go to work. I've already left the gate to the backyard unlocked. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Arturo that he can come into the backyard anytime and I'll be at the bakery.
I put my phone back in my pocket before getting on my bike. The bakery wasn't far from here. About five miles away. I got on my bike and rode my way to the bakery. As soon as I reached the bakery, I chained my bike to the racks before entering the backdoor.
"Hi, Elisse. Hi, Andrew." I greeted the bakery owner and another worker.
It's only the three of us working in the small bakery. "Hey, Avery. I've already made the dough for the loaves. You just need to put them in the oven. The muffins as well." Elisse told me.
"You came in here early?" I asked as I place the bread and muffin tins in the oven.
"Yes. I'm leaving around lunchtime so it's just you and Andrew around." She said as she whips up another batch of dough.
"Okay, Andrew and I can handle the rest of the day. Right, Andrew?" I asked, pointing my head towards Andrew.
"Yeah, sure." He said as he takes the tray of already baked goods to the front display.
The rest of the work day went by easily. There weren't a lot of customers that came in so we didn't really need to bake as much bread and pastries as we usually do. It was already afternoon and we were closing for the day.
"There's a bunch of danish pastries and croissants that are left over in the front. You want to take them home?" Andrew asked me as I clean up in the kitchen.
"Sure," I replied and Andrew went back to the front.
As I put back the last of the pans away, Andrew handed me the box of pastries. "Thanks. I'll get going now. You can close the bakery." I said to him as I walk to the back door.
Andrew just gave me a mock salute as I exit the bakery. I carefully placed the box of pastries in the front basket before taking off the chains and getting on the bike. The ride home seemed faster than usual. It's probably the excitement of seeing Arturo again.
I got off the bike quickly and chained it to my porch fence as soon as I got home. I took the box of pastries and went straight to the backyard. I stop in my tracks as soon as I saw the backyard. It was already ten times better than its previous state. All the weeds and dead plants are gone, and the backyard was almost bare, but it looked better already.
"Wow, I didn't expect you to finish this much in one day," I said, making Arturo snap his head towards me.
"You're here. I hope you're satisfied with the work I've done so far. I just need to clean up a few more spots and then we can start with replanting." He said as he wipes the sweat off of his forehead.
"I honestly thought it would take a few days to even reach this state. Anyway, I brought you some pastries from the bakery. They were leftovers and will be thrown anyway so, here you go." I said as I hand him the box of pastries, making our hands touch a little.
I couldn't help but stare at his muscles as his shirt cling to his sweaty chest. My eyes trail down to a drop of sweat as it rolls down from his neck, down to his chest. I swallowed dryly and quickly averted my gaze as soon as I realized that I was staring.
"Thanks. We can discuss the payment for all of this after I'm done." He replied.
"Y-yeah. Sure. Uhm, do you want a drink? Water or Iced tea?" I said as I rub the back of my head.
"Sure, cold water would be nice. I'm done for the day anyway so I'll just clean up." He said and I nod my head.
I entered the back door and went straight to the kitchen to grab a pitcher. I filled the pitcher with water before grabbing an ice tray from the freezer. I put the ice in the pitcher and grabbed a couple of glasses before taking them back outside. I placed the pitcher and glasses on the garden table when a shadow blocked the sun from me.
I looked over and saw Arturo standing beside me, completely shirtless. My heart almost jumped out of my chest as I stare over his body. Every inch of his skin was covered in tattoos. I could almost imagine myself wrapped in those arms-
"Like what you see?" Arturo asked, a smirk forming on his face.
I quickly averted my gaze as my face turned beet red. "Uhm, uh, here's the water," I said as I pick up the pitcher to fill the glass.
In a desperate attempt to hide my embarrassment, I spilled the water on the table. I put down the pitcher and hastily tried to wipe off the water, causing me to knock off the glass and it fall to the floor. I crouched down to pick up the pieces and cut myself on the glass, making me hiss in pain.
"Are you okay?" Arturo asked as he crouched down beside me.
"Y-yeah. It's just a small cut." I said before looking down to see the blood dripping down on my finger.
Have I told anyone I'm afraid of blood? No? Well, now you know. Was my last thought before passing out.
Arturo's POVI heard Avery hiss in pain as he bent down to pick up the glass pieces. I crouch down beside him and saw that his finger was cut."Are you okay?" I asked."Y-yeah. It's just a small cut." He said before looking down and seeing that his finger was bleeding.That is when he suddenly fainted. I quickly caught him in my arms, preventing him from falling to the floor. I'm guessing he's scared of blood. I stood up with him in my arms and went inside the house. I gently placed him on the couch, making sure that he won't fall off before going back outside to fetch my first aid kit.I went back inside with the kit and tended his wound. There was no visible glass shard on the wound so I'm guessing it won't need anything major since the cut was not that deep either. I wrapped a band-aid around his finger before placing his hand on his chest. I look up to see his face was quite pale. I sat on the edge of the couch as I observe his face. He looked so sweet and innocent. I brought my h
Avery's POVIt's the day when Arturo and I are about to go pick up some plants for the garden. He said he'll pick me up so now I'm waiting anxiously on my front porch. I took my phone out of my pocket and checked to see if Arturo sent me a message. A while later, his truck pulled up the driveway. He rolled his window down and waved for me to come over. I walk to his truck and got inside the passenger's seat."Any particular plant you want for your garden?" He asked as he drives off."Tulips. They're my favorite, and so was my mother." I replied and he gave a soft smile."We could work on that. Anything else?" He asked and I just shrug.In all honesty, I didn't know much about plants. All I know was that I wanted tulips. They're the only flowers I can take care of. We soon reached the plat nursery and flower shop and we both got off the truck. Arturo led me inside and pointed out all the different kinds of plants. I was fixated on how Arturo was knowledgeable about all the different k
Arturo's POVAs I was driving my way back to the mansion, my phone suddenly rang. I pulled it out from my pocket and saw Avery's name in the caller I.D. I immediately answered the call and brought my phone up to my ear."Hello, missed me already?" I teased through the phone."Arturo, the guy from earlier is in front of my house." He whispered. "I'm coming back," I replied, immediately taking a U-turn. "Don't drop the call.""Okay." He replied.I pushed down on the gas pedal, speeding over the limit, but I didn't care. It didn't take long before I reached Avery's house and saw Christopher standing in front of Avery. I got out of the truck and walked over to Christopher. He turned around and his face quickly fell upon seeing me."Hey, Arturo. I was just checking on your boy." He greeted.I dropped my hand on his shoulder, giving it a hard squeeze. His face grimaced in pain, but he quickly tried to hide it."Why are you really here?" I asked."I was just wondering what got your attentio
Avery's POVArturo agreed to stay the night. He offered to sleep on the couch but it was honestly too small for him. I insisted that I would sleep on the couch instead and he could take the bedroom, but he refused. There was only one bedroom available since I've used the other room for storing my mother's things that I haven't organized until now. We decided to just sleep on the living room floor together so I laid down a thick comforter on the floor along with some pillows.Both Arturo and I laid down on the floor after I turned off the lights. There was a good amount of space between us, but part of me wants to move closer to him. "Goodnight." He said."Goodnight," I replied, before closing my eyes....The next day came and I woke up alone in the living room. I stood up from the floor and tried looking for Arturo in the house and even in the backyard, but didn't find him there. I stopped in my tracks when I saw the garden. It looked absolutely beautiful with a variety of flowers a
I sped through the streets as quickly as I can, I needed to get out of there. I'm hoping no one saw me or recognized my face. Fear cropped throughout my body at the image of Arturo killing a man. Maybe that's why he left so suddenly. It scared me how much I don't know about him.I finally reached home and I dragged my bike to the backyard. I went inside and locked all the doors and windows in paranoia. I checked my phone to see if anyone contacted me and sighed in relief when I saw no notifications. I don't know how to cope with what I've seen today, I could only wish to forget it. That memory is something I do not wish to be stuck in my head....It has been a few weeks since I last saw Arturo and the incident. I've woken up a few times in the middle of the night because of the nightmares. Even at work, I would flinch at sudden sounds. Elisse noticed this, but I had to keep to myself what was bothering me. The garden was even back to square one. I was too scared to be out and alone i
The rest of the car ride was way too silent. It was mostly because I didn't want to talk to anyone. "Do you want to take a nap? We might take a while." Arturo asked but I shook my head."I'm fine," I replied.Arturo seemed hesitant to accept that answer but nodded anyway. The window tint suddenly turned dark and we could barely see the outside."What happened to the windows?" I asked."We just blocked it out," Arturo replied."Why?" I asked, but Arturo just shrugged. I sighed and decided to just let it go. Suddenly, a yawn escaped my lips. Arturo chuckled as my face turned a light shade of pink. He didn't say anything as he tapped his shoulder, offering it for me lay down on. I didn't fuss as I lay my head against his shoulder. Arturo put his arm across my torso, resting his hand on my thigh so I used his arm as a pillow as I close my eyes. I could hear some of the men faintly coo, but I tried my best to ignore it. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep. The next thing I know, I
"Arturo," I called out to him as we walk to his office."What is it?" He asked."How long do I have to stay here?" I asked."I don't think I can give you a definite answer," he said as he opened the door to his office.I was surprised by the sheer size of it. It was almost as big as my home. The walls were covered with shelves filled with hundreds of books. There was a large desk in the middle and a leather chair. There were two leather seats in front of it and there were two leather couches on either side of the entrance.Arturo closed the door behind me as I got inside. He took a seat on one of the leather chairs and asked me to sit in front of him. I did as I was asked and sat in front of him. "What you saw last night and that day, I need you to tell no one," He said in a low tone.My eyes snapped to him in shock."I knew you saw that, but no one can know that you did or else you'll be in even more danger than you already are," He said, but there was no threat in his voice. He sai
I ended up spending the rest of the day putting away all the things that Arturo bought in the closet and the bathroom. I had to force him to give the other ones away to his staff or anyone but me. Nobody needs this copious amount of clothes, shoes, and perfumes. Although I was glad that I did not have to pay for all of it, I still feel guilty being spent so much money on, for no reason. I lay on my bed, tired from all the packing up then Arturo laid down beside me and slipped his arm under my neck."Why did you buy me all of this stuff?" I asked as I turned my head to face him."I don't know," he mumbled."Will you tell me what your job is?" I asked."I can't tell you that. I'm sorry," he replied."Is it illegal?" I asked.Arturo paused for a moment, not sure whether to answer me or not. I turned my head to face the ceiling, taking his silence as a yes. We lay there for a moment, not talking, just enjoying being beside each other. Arturo sat up and looked at his phone before turning t