His Little Flower (Felix and Flora) novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68 

Rain–slicked windows blurred the outside world as | hummed under my breath, stacking clean dishcloths into a neat pile. Just as I was about to call it a day, Felix appeared in the doorway, his dark hair a little wet. 

on the stove. 

“Off work?” he asked, his voice rougher than usual. He eyed the pan on 

“What did you make?” 

“Stir fry.” 1 answered, “Is that okay?” 

He nodded. “Thanks,” 

“Um, 1 also made strawberry tarts for dessert. The produce was so fresh and tasty, I couldn’t help myself,” 

“I love a strawberry tart” 

“I know.” 

My smile widened, genuine and warm. 

“How are you going home?” he asked gruffly, “Need a ride? I can get your car fixed tomorrow.” 

I shook my head. “I’m good, thanks. Turns out my knight in shining armor has a knack for mechanics, so no more walking in the rain, getting hurt and cold for me.” 

The playful jibe, meant to tease, seemed to catch him off guard. His eyebrows shot up, a flicker of something crossing his face, something I couldn’t quite decipher – annoyance? Jealousy? It vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual gruff demeanor. 

“Who?” 

“Oh, Liam!” I answered cheerfully. “It was nice of him, no?” 

“You’re very close, he remarked quietly. 

“Just a friend helping a friend.” I echoed Liam’s words from before. 

“Lucky you, then. Some great friends you’ve got.” he spoke, leaning against the doorframe, his eyes clouded with an emotion I couldn’t read. 

I couldn’t help but tease further, the warmth of Liam’s earlier help still radiating within me. “He is pretty sweet,” I admitted, a playful lilt in my voice. “Even managed to salvage that ridiculous muffler of mine that sounded like a crying cat in an alleyway.” 

My words struck a nerve, I could tell. Felix’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. My smile faltered, the warmth evaporating as the air bristled with an unexpected tension, Why did Felix, suddenly, seem threatened by Liam? 

Was he threatened by him? 

I laughed on the inside. 

“Sweet, huh?” he grumbled, his voice strained. “He’s just another… mechanic. He’s my security guard.” 

The barb, though delivered clumsily, felt sharp. Did he really think so little of me, of my ability to choose my own friends, of my strength and 

I smiled at him. 

me clans prople aren’t vermin, Felix.” 

He scowled. “Stop putting words in my mouth.” 

Why didn’t he put something in my mouth for a change? 

The thought made something coil in my stomach. My checks flushed. 

“I want you to move in here.” He said suddenly. I was so taken aback I dropped the spatula in my hand. I cursed under my breath, and picked it up 1 

Chapter 68 

began washing it, and Felix’s voice resonated behind the sound of running water, 

“You can have a room here.” He continued, “I don’t want you living in that shithole. 

“Shithole? That shithole is my home now. I can handle myself, Felix,” I said, my voice firm. 

“It’s filthy.” His words stung. “And God knows what kind of people live in there.” 

“People like me.” I mumbled. 

My retort, laced with sarcasm, aimed to lighten the mood, but it seemed to miss its mark. His head snapped up, his eyes meeting mine with a fiery intensity that surprised me. 

“Shut the fuck up, Flora. It’s final. Pack up your things tonight.” 

“Just because you live in a mansion doesn’t mean you can look down on special.” 

wn on other peopl 

people. Thousands, millions of people live like me, Felix. I’m not 

“This isn’t about mansions,” he spat, his voice thick with frustration. “It’s not about other people. It’s about you,” His voice fell. “And it’s about me, a little. “You deserve better than that… that place. I just…can’t imagine you living like that.” 

He paused, his gaze scanning my face, searching for something I couldn’t quite name. Then, in a move that startled me entirely, he extended his hand towards me. 

“There’s a spare room at the estate. There are too many spare rooms,” he said, his voice rough with what sounded like… vulnerability? He was nervous. “Move in. You’ll be safe, looked after. No more late night walks, no more… worries.” 

The offer hung heavy in the air, a tangible manifestation of his concern, of a protectiveness that surprised me. Living with Felix? Under the same roof, sharing the same space, the memories, the ghosts of our past tangled like webs and webs of thread that couldn’t be untangled. 

“Felix,” I started, my voice hesitant, “things are… complicated between us. Sharing a living space wouldn’t be the best idea, for either of us.” 

He clenched his hand into a fist, his frustration evident. “It doesn’t matter.” 

“And what about you?” I challenged, my voice gaining strength. “Is this about helping me, or about… something else?” 

His eyes met mine, a storm brewing within their depths. The vulnerability of moments ago was gone, replaced by a familiar steely resolve. 

“Maybe it’s a bit of both,” he admitted, his voice hoarse. “I don’t want to argue with you. Or beg you. If it was up to me, if it was like before, I’d have hauled your ass over my shoulder and put you here. But it’s your choice, now.” 

This was the first conversation we had had that included us acknowledging the past so easily. 

“If it was like before, you wouldn’t need to.”