Edited by: @RomanticZiggy

Layna paused near the entry of her house; there on the pedestal laid a bouquet of red roses. She picked them up and thought that it must be for Emily. She was the only one who had admirers amongst the three of them. She entered the house with a loud bang.

What the hell did he think of himself. Thomas Conrad. Wear red. Well! News for him. She won't. She despised red. Actually she didn't. It was irrevocably her favorite. But now. Now she hated it.

Huh!

Yes, she was perfectly fine and not losing her head. She straightened and wished her sisters were home but she knew Mia would be at the site of her new project and won't be back till late and Emily, no one knew where this journalist hid during the day or night.

It was times like this when she wanted someone to rant to. Simply get the anger out of the system. She needed that.

Her eyes landed on the roses, in every color but a blood red gaining the centre stage.

An invariable giggle erupted; Emily would be shocked to receive them. After all, she has fleeting acquaintances not relationships. She crossed over to the dining hall and placed the roses on the table. The long stems, with its willowy shape tugged Layna's heartstrings.

What would it be to be the one to receive such frivolous things? She had never had anyone that special to shower her with gifts. Her only one boyfriend, dated way back in college, she still carried the scars of his betrayal. And after that she had not dared to venture into any relationships. She sighed in contentment, the man, no, more like a boy whom she thought she had loved once had left her for a more flighty female. Her satisfaction only lay in one thing; that she had never given herself to him.

In truth, she had never felt that passion, that intensity, one that made you lose your senses, made you go wild. Layna had obviously read about them in books; heard from Emily when she regaled tales about her conquests.

She shook her head as she took off her heels; there was nothing like walking barefoot after a long day. Okay, maybe a luxurious hot bath could make it just perfect.

Layna went to the kitchen to forage for food. To her delight she found last night's pizza slice, one that had escaped Emily's grubby hands.

Executing a neat happy dance, she put it in the microwave.

As she waited for the longest thirty seconds of her life, for the pizza to warm up her curiosity got the better of her.

She marched towards the table; lifted the bouquet in her hands and buried her head amongst the roses; taking in the heavenly scent. Her heart cooed at the thought of someone giving her those.

She gingerly plucked the card and with a gasp dropped the bouquet on the floor.

"I didn't know your favorite color. I wish I was there to see your smile which is way more beautiful than them.”

Thomas

PS- Don't forget 'Red'.

She felt oddly giddy. She couldn't stop the thrill that overwhelmed her even though she knew she would despise herself for being so weak hearted.

The roses lay on the floor, as Layna sat and ate her pizza occasionally throwing a glare towards them.

After nearly ten minutes she gave up; how could she treat them so cruelly. She jumped and lifted them hurriedly in her arms against her bosom.

When Mia and Emily trudged in, they found the roses magnificently decorated in a crystal vase.

Emily all but dumped her bag en-route to them, as she let the petals brush her cheek, she screamed for Layna.

Layna walked out of her room, sleepy, dressed in shorts and a loose ill fitted t-shirt. She waved at them and before she could inquire about their day.

Emily squealed, “For me by whom?" She looked at the roses with immeasurable fondness.

Possessiveness reared its ugly head inside Layna as she shook her head and took the crystal vase from Emily's hands, “Mine."

Mia stopped mid-stride towards her room, she turned and raised her eyebrows, "Yours? By whom?"

Layna pursed her lips and remembering her disgruntlement dumped the vase back at Emily, "Thomas Conrad!"

The entire evening was spent amidst heavy teasing, without Layna's consent- choosing a red dress for her and finally, lots of awwws. They sat down as Mia cooked something edible for her. They took turns to cook. And Emily by far outweighed any competition in cooking, with Layna faring second and Mia worst.

The next evening, Layna deliberately chose to wear green. A green ankle length formal dress. Layna grumbled at the send off she was given by her sisters. She was kissed and waved at in symphony till her irritation got better of her and made her scream out her anger which was simply met with chuckles.

She walked into his office and waited for the secretary to buzz her in.

"You're set to go right in, Miss Patt."

Nodding a quick thanks, Layna opened his door.                

She found him sitting straight, with a smile on his face. The room was huge, with a big wooden table accompanied with formal chairs for visitors and on the corner, an informal setting comprising of a set of three couches.

The room was cozy and the floor was carpeted. One end of the wall was filled with the cupboard full of books which provided it warmth that she was sure made working more enjoyable and less of a chore.

The power that emanated from him, from his designation, from the room, over-powered her. She felt vulnerable yet exuberant to be in his company.

"Good evening, Mr. Conrad."                        

"Good Evening, Miss Patt." Thomas stood up and he gestured her to take a seat.

Layna sat down, putting her handbag behind her on the chair, she took out her notepad and a pen and faced him," Thank you for the roses. They were beautiful but unnecessary."

"You're welcome, they were meant for your enjoyment," he chose to ignore the 'unnecessary' comment. Thomas wanted to blink, she looked wonderful in green. Wonderful enough to eat, he thought. Her beauty shone from her simplicity, in the way her eyes twinkled and the lips movement.

How was he ever going to resist her?

"By the way you looked stunning," Thomas quipped as he shifted his papers, placing them, face down on the table to give her his complete attention.

"Excuse me," Layna chimed burrowing her brows in confusion.

"In my dreams, you were wearing red. But, you still look fantastic in this green dress."

Layna rolled her eyes," And I thought, diplomats had more grace."

"Where did you hear that?" Thomas leaned back on his chair as he looked at her, amused by her uninhibited antics.

"Oh, here and there," Layna gestured with her hands.

He tilted his head unknowingly looking more than handsome and in control," Trust me, contrary to what people say, we're as human as the next person."

“Thank you for the clarification," Layna muttered.

"I am at your service," Thomas spoke as he lifted a finger to rest on his lips.

The action forced Layna to focus on his lips. They seemed ripe, smooth and for her taking. For one second, she wondered how they would feel on hers. Would they incite in her a thrill that will promise to shake off her well guarded defenses?

She cleared her throat, “So, now that we are done with the formalities. Should we start?"

Thomas picked up his connecting line, “Would you like some coffee before we begin?"

"Sure, black please."

Thomas asked his secretary to take care of the coffee. As he kept his phone he looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. It was the first time he was seeing her bathed in dwindling rays of sun, dawn with its splash of colors could be seen playing hide and seek on her hair, glowing it, fascinating him.

"Why did you choose being a diplomat as your career?" Layna asked. She was dying to know the answer for such a question. She had known many, read many articles which seemed to be strewn with politically correct ones. Layna expected his to be different.

"I felt I was born to be one," Thomas replied as he linked his hands together.

"Born to be," Layna rolled the phrase on her tongue, getting a feel of it,"Doesn't that sound too...ummm?"

"Obnoxious," Thomas gestured with his hand.                       

Layna gave a soft appreciating laugh, she liked men who could joke about themselves, who weren't uptight enough to take life too seriously and any word against them as a sin. She nodded and conceded," Yes, couldn't have put it better myself."

"I would have taken that as a compliment but doesn't seem fair especially when I spend ninety percent of my time, playing with words, trying to make them sound elegant," he quipped.

"Ah! The files, no wonder you're good at it," Layna shook her head, contrary to what she had decided she was enjoying herself, "So, why did you choose that answer?"

Thomas stood up and wandered to the window overlooking a long patch of well mowed grass, Layna turned to listen to him as he kept his back towards her," I don't really know how to explain this," he ran his fingers lightly in his hair and continued," It was just always there in my mind, in my awareness, in my instinct. It increased gradually on its own, and became my ambition, my passion and before I knew it, it had grappled me within it."

"Interesting," Layna chimed. She could rightly understand what he meant. After all, she had always felt the same thing about teaching.

Thomas gave a humorless laugh as he turned to face her," You can say in a way, it chose me."

"I understand, I feel the same about my profession. It's exhilarating, it's marvelous, the way it seeps you with an almost enthusiastic fervor that is outstanding. Isn't it?"

"It is. It is," he pointed at her, "You do understand."

She gave him a smile, “In the lecture yesterday, you said 'diplomacy' flows in with spirals, minding its own route, finding the ultimate goal."

"Yes I did. Like I say, diplomacy is basically human instinct. It is nothing more than an understanding. Be it intra or inter."

"Hmmm." Layna murmured as she picked up the coffee and thanked his secretary.

"Thank you, Leena," Thomas took his mug and took a long sip.

"How was your journey to being a diplomat?"

"It did not come easily. Things that come easily are usually not in tandem with the natural way of things. I like challenges."

"Do you weigh importance to virtues?" Layna asked, interested.

"In the political scenario, vices seem more interesting than virtues, doesn't it?" He tilted his head.

"Oh yes, I hear you," she nodded her head in agreement.

Seeing her as so unbridled made him realize she was a beautiful woman and he was sure she would be a beautiful lover. What he would give for a taste of her.

Layna looked at him and seeing the desire in his eyes, her mouth went dry.

He looked just so achievable, a young man with a burst of tremendous energy and a philosophical leaning.

They continued speaking with each other.

"I am surprised; you didn't ask me the basic questions?" He asked as he sat taking the visitor's chair adjacent to hers, ditching his own opposite to hers and laid the coffee mug on the table.

He wanted to breathe in her fragrance; she reminded him of wildflowers, something sweet yet exotic.

"Basic questions?" Layna questioned as she shut her note pad and jerked her face up in confusion. She was surprised to find him so close to her. Layna took a good look of him and thought that he was too attractive. It was a pity she couldn't enjoy his physical attributes as much as she had enjoyed his intelligence.

Thomas decided to take a chance; the need to touch her was getting unbearable as it is. He tucked her hair behind her ear, reveling in the smoothness of her skin.

Both felt a jolt, they unanimously decided to ignore.

"Yes, about what I feel about the most pressing issues dominating the international arena," he said as he crossed his legs trying hard not to discern his feelings by just being near to her.

Layna laughed, and Thomas wondered if she was aware what her laugh did to her face, made it quirky, so alluring and captivating. She was like a painting waiting to be devoured by an art enthusiast, “No, frankly, I am of a different opinion."

They were interrupted by a knock on his door. "Yes, Leena, come in."

His secretary handed him a file and briskly walked out of the office.                      

He peered at his file and without giving Layna a glance, took out a horn rimmed glasses and put them on to study the papers."Different opinion, I like that. How so?"

God, why did he had to look so intellectual, so in authority, with power oozing from his very presence. She knew if she didn't put up her defenses soon, she would be so gone. Layna was sucker for reading glasses. Why did a man with rolled up sleeves highlighting his tout, tempting muscles and reading glasses look so sexy? She wanted to let out an appreciative moan.

She settled for a sigh, tearing her eyes away from his profile, she spoke, “As in, I believe firmly that the policies as well as opinions or any analysis for that matter is the outcome of varied pressure groups. Some are due to country's proposals; others may be guided by a tendency or merely a trade-off. We can judge it, discuss it but not without understanding the neighboring issues and I for one, like my students to come with their own answers from calculations of various geo-political, economic calculations."

Thomas shut his file as he gave her his complete attention. He heard her loud and clear, assimilated it, corroborated it with her personality and digested it.

He turned towards her and gave her an easy smile," I wish I had you as my teacher."

Layna smiled, “Tell that to my students," they both shared a laugh. In reality he would have loved to have her as his teacher that way he could have had a bonafide reason to hear her melodious voice every day, “Well, of-course there is also one more reason as to why I am so hesitant to put your views in my college magazine." Layna leaned forward, mischief glinting in her eyes.

"Yeah, what is the reason?" He realized this part of her personality, open, easy, sassy was quite fetching.

"You know half my department consists of women and seeing an attractive man voice an opinion may illegitimately influence theirs."

Her face was barely inches from his. She let her eyes roam across his face, noting his sharp features and that wonderful twitch of his lips.

"I suppose that is a compliment, Miss Patt," he looked at her, watched as her eyes moved across his face and then before she could say another word, he pressed his lips to hers.

There was a gentleness in the kiss that she had not expected. It was more than just the meeting of lips. As she began to adjust to it, Thomas shocked her. He slid his tongue to lick across her lips; he wanted a taste of her, just a tiny taste of the wildflowers. The taste wasn't like what he had expected. It rocked his senses as the sensuous lick sent tingles up Layna's spine. She wanted more but maybe not here because….

As he crushed his mouth on hers, she forgot the reason. Need met need, strength met strength as their tongues intermingled in a very primal erotic dance. The gentleness combined with lethal hunger surprised her.

Her arms found themselves entwined across his neck, dragging him closer as his hands tangled in her hair, upsetting her braid; unnoticed by both.

Suddenly, Layna roused reluctantly and muttered an agonized, "No, this is not right."

Gently, he ran his finger down her jaw, enjoying the way she seemed to shudder, “This is right, Layna."

"No, I...I hardly know you," Layna shook her head.          

He took her wrist in his hand and lightly skimmed his finger over her wrist. Her pulse skittered and throbbed.

"How do you explain this mutual attraction - is there any logic?" Thomas asked her.

"I don't know, okay, I don't know," Layna pulled her hand out of his.

He met her gaze as he said, "Spend an evening with me? A dinner. Nothing more," he let his suggestion hang in the air.

Layna plucked her handbag out of the chair as she shook her head, took two steps towards the door, stopped, " Sorry but I don't date bureaucrats."

.......