Floriography: Red Roses

Episode 22

 “How many more boxes Trace?” Steve groaned, while putting the fourth box he transported from the car to Naka's office.

It was Thursday, but the office was closed for a week because of Violetta's departure and was due to open

back next Monday. But being closed does not mean the place is empty. Naka's office is in the shape of a three-story shophouse, where the first floor is filled with mannequins wearing Violetta-made dresses, and two tables with computers where clients sit and staff work. While the second floor is a photo studio and warehouse of all Naka clothing collections, which are published and which is “experimental”.

Just how many days left, Tracy felt the presence of many plastic flowers that became office decorations that made the air covered with a lot of dust. That's why Tracy ran up and down the stairs from the second floor, wearing cloth gloves that she could find, and also a mask. He brought another pair of gloves and a mask that he gave to Steve. The man wiped his sweat before taking Tracy's offer and chuckled.

“Slightly dirty is not a problem, Trace. Just relax.” Steve said he returned the gloves and took the mask.

“No, let you be comfortable. Wear it, please.” Tracy was feeling uncomfortable. He knew what dust would be Steve's hand, but he could imagine the taste.

Steve looked small and put it on, then repeated his question.

“How many boxes again?” He walked back out to the car.

“Three, I guess. Do I need to help?” Tracy tries to catch up with Steve but he feels like he's just blocking his way.

“No—perlu—“ Whisper Steve while hauling another heavy box down to Naka's office. He put it carefully near the other boxes and regulated his breathing.

“You just start cleaning one by one. There are still some big items such as lights, microwave and other kitchen utensils that I need to lower.” Steve pointed at the box furthest away, and Tracy could only recede.

The girl knelt down in front of her box, and began to open it. Worth the weight, the first three boxes seemed to be filled with Tracy's books and her collection of books. Tracy is grateful on the third floor there is a bookcase that is still quite empty that he can use. Tracy took a breath.

“Steve... I forgot, my room is on the third floor so we need to bring this all up now.” Tracy screamed so that Steve outside could hear it then sobbed—without actually crying of course. “I'm sorry.”

“You need help?”

Tracy frowned, that voice was not Steve's. He lifted his head from the books he was carrying nostalgia, and found a familiar tall figure that surprised him.

“Louis? What are you doing here?” Tracy stood up. Louis was wearing a stelan similar to the one he was wearing

put it on at the airport yesterday. Plain t-shirt, and jeans. But Tracy is convinced that the ash-grey baseball jacket and hat she is wearing now is the same jacket and hat she wore yesterday. Tracy begins to suspect that the reason behind Louis' reluctance in modeling is his fashion sense. Which by the way is not very ugly, but it is not good either.

“I'm looking for Jasper. He said he'd come at six to Naka's office, and I'd like a meeting with him.” Louis raised his hand to glance at his watch, which showed at half-six a few minutes.

Tracy raised her eyebrows. “Yang is right? Jasper's coming here? In this kind of situation? Where do you want to meet?”

“Oh, wow, relax Miss Manson, let me tell Jasper we're meeting next door. Kelly’s is still open right?” Louis began to peek around, especially into the boxes that Tracy was opening.

“Kelly’s?” Hearing the name of the cafe next to Naka's office called, the shadow of his grilled sausage and special mashed potatoes made Tracy swallow. “Yes, I think open. If you're kind, can you buy something from there? If you're done quickly.”

“Of course.”

Then at that moment, Steve came slightly staggered, taking the remaining two boxes by force. Louis quickly snatched one and took it out of Steve's hands.

“Already Trace, not per—“ View of Steve who was previously closed box it can now see the figure of Louis clearly.

“Oh... hi?” Sapa Steve hesitated. He glanced at Tracy.

“Hm? Oh. yes, Steve, this is Louis, photographer Naka, Louis, this is Steve, my friend since Junior High School.” Tracy felt awkward. But Louis paid little heed to Steve's presence and Tracy's awkwardness.

“Hai, I thought you were Tracy's girlfriend.” Louis said as he put the box in an empty place near his feet while still staring at Steve. Her tone was outrageously relaxed until Tracy felt a little annoyed. “Sorry, I mean I.. I heard you call yesterday at the airport, instead of me and Tracy often confide or what.

“Yes, yes, just relax, Tracy—“ Steve took the box down, then glanced at Tracy awkwardly as he was about to answer that question. “We're friends. We... near.so...” Steve again stammered, still glancing at Tracy, making sure his answer did not offend Tracy.

“Ya, yes! We are close, so we are...” Tracy added, but he himself does not know what to add.

“Ok, Steve, Tracy, relax.” Louis cleared his throat. “I'll wait for Jasper next door.” He pointed to the left

with his two thumbs and smiled awkwardly. “You continue. If I'm done meeting later I'll come back to help you—“ Now Louis pointed at Tracy. “Move. Ok?”

Tracy nodded quickly. “Ok.” Reply while collecting the A-OK mark with his finger. Louis quickly exited Naka's office and disappeared outside.

“He's a photographer?” Steve said after Louis disappeared.

“Yup.”

“Very high, I thought model.”

“Yup.”

“Hm..

The third floor of Naka's office wasn't too big it turned out, Tracy was quite relieved, because with so little

the place he needs to clean. As for the showroom, studio and office there are staff who will always clean. The third floor is a studio design, with one room open, and two small rooms that are bathrooms and bedrooms. Three Tracy boxes he's taken out and tidied up. With the help of Steve Tracy's kitchen looks neat and beautiful. The man sat on the couch drinking water that Tracy had brought him.

“You want dinner at Kelly’s? Their menu is delicious.” Tracy said as she took off her gloves. He glanced towards the remaining three boxes filled with books. At least it doesn't take a lot of hard work to tidy up that one.

“I don't think I can. I was waiting for my family at home. My mom always cooks for my sister's health, so she's kind of cool if I don't eat at home.” Steve chuckled and walked up to Tracy to wash his hands.

“This will sound annoying, but how much I want to go back home to have dinner with my family.” Tracy sighed, thinking about what her mother was doing right now. They have not exchanged messages all day.

“It's nice to gather like that.” Steve laughed a little. “But for those of us who have worked sometimes quite difficult.”

Tracy nodded. “That's also the reason we got out of the house. Well, my parents still think I'm home with Gracy, but in fact Gracy would even rarely be home if she stayed with me.”

“Indeed he's that busy huh? Gracy.” Steve dried his hands with the cloth that Tracy had hung on the knob of the cupboard above the sink, then leaned against Tracy.

“Very. It's hard even for me to know how.” is Tracy whispers. He felt a touch in his fingers, and

slowly Steve's hands clutched with his fingers.

“There must be times when you are lonely. I mean I'm not a twin so I don't know if twins can feel each other's feelings or not is a myth or not, but whatever the answer is you must be lonely.” Steve rubbed Tracy's finger. Tracy's heart started beating a little harder and avoided Steve's eyes.

“Sometimes. When I saw Gracy on TV, or when our parents called and asked us both.” Tracy grunted in annoyance. “Gracy wants me to keep it a secret that he's not staying with me. So I'll always talk about representing Gracy. Making up stories, calming Mama.”

This time Steve pulled Tracy closer and wrapped his arm around Tracy's waist. Tracy rocked that hug, of course. But he pulled Steve back and wrapped his arms around Steve's neck while burying his face on the man's wide shoulders. So this is what it's like to be hugged by someone who loves you? Tracy's whispers in her heart. I don't think he wants to take off that hug forever.

“Now there is me. Whenever you feel lonely, please call me. I want you to have someone you can trust, and for now I want that person to be me.” Steve's whisper was soft. Tracy could feel a soft swipe of Steve's hand on his back. The small gesture seemed to give Tracy a sense of security and made her nod her head.

“Of course.”

Tracy then let go of the hug, and looked at Steve. Steve put both his hands on Tracy's side of the face, and then

smilingly.

“Well yeah when I'm not around. After this the photographer will be back, right? Don't let your guard down just because he's handsome.” Steve told me at length. Tracy laughs at the fact she called Louis ‘ganteng’.

“Casual, Mr. Police, me and him are kinda like cats and dogs. Don'worry. He's a big fan of Grace, not me.”

Steve immediately rolled his eyes, hearing those words.

“I've guessed. Then I go home first yes.”

Tracy touched Steve's hand that was still on his cheek.

“Yes, be careful. Chat me when you've arrived.”

Steve nodded, then hesitantly released Tracy and took her backpack. They walked down the house and when they reached the 1st floor, from the inside could be seen two tall men talking in front of the door of Naka's office made of glass. Tracy squinted her eyes. Louis and Jasper.

“Hei, you guys.” Call Tracy while you open the door. The two men turned to look at Tracy, and Steve was about to go outside.

“Hai, man, already want to go home?” Call Louis to Steve. Steve smiled broadly while nodding.

“I go home first, see you again.” He answered and walked out of the office, and boarded the taxi he had called.

“Jas, I'm sorry, really. The office is still a mess so you guys have to meet next to.” Tracy put her palms together and looked at Jasper in a clear light. Jasper chuckled and pinched Tracy's cheek.

“Good with this place yes. Many things I did for the first time with Letta here.” Jasper said, still pinching Tracy's cheek. Tracy groaned in pain and also blushed hearing those words.

“Oh, so? What is it?” Tracy's whisper approached Jasper who had pulled back his hand. Jasper growled and pushed Tracy's forehead with his index finger until the girl took two small steps back.

“Little child don't be curious.”