chapter 15: jealousy in bloom

 -----------

.

As he started driving, she crossed her arms. "I don't think I need to tell you my address. You must have checked the data of even my ancestors by now."

Kenan chuckled. "Sorry about that, Ms. Aldrich."

She rolled her eyes.

His voice softened almost imperceptibly when he whispered her name under his breath. "Charlotte."

Her head turned instantly.

Something in her heart jolted at the way her name left his lips. She swallowed.

"Who named you?" He kept his eyes on the road.

"My mother." Charlotte turned to the window.

"It's a beautiful name." Kenan's fingers tapped against the steering wheel. "Just like chamomile... my favorite flower."

She scoffed. "You didn't even know the difference between chamomile and daisies before. And now it's suddenly your favorite?"

A lazy smirk tugged at his lips. "It doesn't take long to fall for something."

His voice held a depth that made Charlotte's stomach twist in an unfamiliar way.

He continued, almost absentmindedly, "Chamomile is so beautiful, I even thought about naming my daughter after it."

Charlotte blinked. "You have a daughter?"

Kenan stiffened. "No-uh- I mean, my future daughter." He let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing his neck.

She raised an eyebrow.

He sighed internally. 'When did I become so dumb?'

"So..." she started, "you're married?"

His grip on the wheel tightened. "Not yet. But maybe I should start thinking about it."

Charlotte nodded absentmindedly. 'Is he in a relationship? But as far as I checked, he was single.'

Kenan exhaled. "My mom wanted me to settle down ever since I turned twenty." He scoffed lightly. "But I was too busy with studies and then with work."

'So my research was right.' She sighed, but low-key felt relieved. She looked outside on the passing trees.

Kenan's gaze flickered to her for a split second. He had said it intentionally—to let her know that he's single and not trying to double-cross by flirting while being already in a relationship with someone

But when he noticed the slight ease in her posture, the corner of his lips lifted ever so slightly.

Charlotte, however, frowned. 'Wait... why the hell am I relieved that he's single?'

"Kenan..." He spoke while looking straight.

"Huh?" She looked at him.

"Kenan Dragomir, my name.." He spared a gaze at her while telling his name.

"It should be Knavish, instead of Kenan." She murmured. But it was clearly audible to his ears

He chuckled brightly.

"What happened, Mr. Dragomir?" She asked having all innocence on her face.

"Nothing." He just shook his head, and then continued driving suppressing his smile.

While Irritated, she looked out the window again, while Kenan smirked slightly before focusing back on the road.

Silence settled between them until they finally reached their destination.

***----------------***

[Chéri's cottage]

They arrived at the destination.

"You can stop here," she murmured.

Kenan gave a short nod, smoothly parking the car to the side. Without another word, he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out, but Chéri remained inside, fumbling with hers.

Her brows furrowed as she tugged at the buckle, but it wouldn't budge.

Kenan noticed her struggling and circled to her side. "What happened?"

"I think it's stuck." she muttered, her fingers still trying to pry it open.

He leaned down and opened her door. "Let me try."

Chéri gave a small nod, leaning back against her seat to make space for him.

Kenan bent down, one hand resting on the headrest behind her while the other attempted to unlock the buckle. Unintentionally, he caged her between his arms. But he wasn't even aware of their proximity—his full focus remained on the stubborn buckle.

Chéri, on the other hand, felt the air around her shift, her breathing faltering.

He was so close.

The space between them felt nonexistent. His warmth surrounded her, and a sudden, unfamiliar tension spread through her chest.

Her throat went dry.

"That's why I only trust my Blackie. Other cars suck," Kenan grumbled, still struggling with the buckle.

But Chéri barely registered his words. As she inhaled, a familiar, soothing scent filled her senses, one that sent a shiver down her spine.

Her lashes fluttered. 'This fragrance..?'

A subconscious pull overtook her, and before she even realized it, she leaned forward—closer, closer—her nose just centimeters away from his neck. She took in a deep breath, her eyes falling shut as the intoxicating scent wrapped around her like a spell.

Kenan, unaware of her actions, finally heard the soft click of the buckle unlocking, but she was so lost in the enchanting fragrance coming from him that she didn't even hear the clicking sound of the buckle opening.

"Finally, it's done. You can—"

He turned his head toward her.

But then—

His chin brushed against her cotton-soft cheek. A fleeting touch, but it sent a bolt of electricity through his body.

Chéri's breath hitched, her chest tightening at the unexpected sensation. Kenan stiffened, his hand frozen on the now-released seatbelt.

For a split second, neither of them moved.

Kenan's mind went blank. His heart pounded, and an unexplainable warmth spread through his veins.

Chéri swallowed hard, the air between them suddenly heavy.

And then—

In a flustered panic, Kenan jerked back—only to slam his head against the car roof. "Ow—!" He winced, stumbling out of the car, his hand immediately flying to his head.

Alarmed, Chéri unbuckled herself and hurried out. "Are you okay?"

Kenan turned away, rubbing his head—not from pain, but from sheer embarrassment. He didn't want to show his flushed tinted cheeks to her as it could affect his chauvinist aura.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he muttered hastily, his voice slightly unsteady.

His ears burned red, his heart still hammering. He couldn't believe what just happened. That brief, accidental touch—why did it feel so… intense? 'Calm down, man. Calm down.' he continued to rub his head with nervousness to calm his emotions.

Chéri, however, mistook his reaction. She thought that he was feeling pain on head that's why he was rubbing his head as it really collided hard with the edge

"Was it that bad?" she asked, concern lacing her tone while her fingers reached out, gently touching his head.

His breath hitched again. The moment her fingers brushed against his hair, his entire body tensed. A strange, foreign sensation shot down his spine. His ears turned impossibly red.

Chéri, oblivious to his internal struggle, examined his head with slight worry. "It really hit hard…"

Kenan was too lost in his own dazed state to respond. He needed to step away. Now.

"Yeah, I'm fine… don't worry," he muttered quickly, stepping back—dodging her touch.

Chéri blinked, a slight frown forming on her face. 'Did he just… avoid my touch?' Her fingers curled slightly as she pulled her hand back.

"You should go now," Kenan added, still avoiding her gaze. "And remember to eat something."

She watched as he turned his back to her, a strange tightness forming in her chest. 'Maybe he didn't like my touch.' The thought irritated her more than she expected. 'Why the heck am I even worried about this cunning pervert?'

She clenched her fists. Kenan reached for the car door. 'no no, I have to trap him as quickly as possible.' she strode towards him instantly.

just as he opened the door—

"You can come inside."

He froze.

A pause.

Then, slowly, he turned to face her. "Huh?"

Chéri cleared her throat. "I mean… I make good tea."

"Okay–no... I mean..umm it's fine.. I don't want to bother you... And I prefer coffee." He was bluffing as still trying to control his blushed face.

"Well, how about chamomile Tea then?"

She grinned.

His brows arched slightly before a small, amused chuckle escaped him. "You're not that innocent."

She shrugged shoulders suppressing her smile.

A soft chuckle left his lips. "Okay, if you insist." He shut the car door.

Chéri pouted. "When did I insist?"

"Well, I'd like to try chamomile tea. I haven't tasted it before."

She smirked. "So, you'll agree to anything if it's related to chamomile?"

"Seems like it." He started following her lead.

A quiet chuckle slipped from her lips as she opened the wooden gate leading to a breathtaking garden.

Kenan stepped inside and paused, his eyes scanning his surroundings.

Tulips and daisies lined the bricked pathway.

Lush greenery surrounded them, the faint, sweet scent of flowers lingering in the air.

"You live in heaven," he murmured, looking around in awe.

"Thank you." She chuckled, knocking on the door.

Kenan's gaze remained in the garden. "Your garden is really beautiful."

A rare warmth flickered in her eyes. "Again, thank you."

Just then, the door swung open. A young man—early twenties, sharp features, casual yet confident—stood there. The moment he saw Chéri, his face lit up.

And then—he pulled her into a hug.

Kenan's expression darkened instantly. His jaw clenched. His chest tightened with something unfamiliar, something unpleasant.

And for the first time—he felt a strange, inexplicable irritation twist inside him..

.

.

.

To be continued

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***