[Samantha]
I stared at the marigolds with their blazing orange color, perfectly placed on the vase near the bed. It then reminded me with the conversation Gregory and I had on the other day after he went out to look after me. The incident eventually reminded me of the moments where I sat in my bed looking at the painting my grandmother gave to my mother.
My Mama always reminded me that my grandma loved the canvas so much that she wanted her granddaughter to have it once she passed away from this world. 
The canvas was filled with the Mother Mary carrying her blessed child. Around her where cherubims and even archangels. The angels were surrounding them, almost as if they were task to shield and protect the child and her.
Under the mother and her son were flowers of all kinds. 
Florals of different colors…
They were striking and they were lovely. And perhaps I might have inherited the gene that contains of my grandmother’s love towards flowers. 
My grandmother was a devotee of the Virgin Mary. She uttered prayers whenever the clock strikes at exactly six in the evening. My Mama told me she always carries a rosary with her. She loved the Blessed Mother of Jesus so much. She loved the Virgin Mother with all of her heart that she had a necklace engraved with her while she was carrying her beloved child of God. 
I opened a small jewelry box colored with red and golden embroideries of flowers. I took the necklace out and placed it in top of my palm. She gave it to my mother. She wanted it to give it to me when the right time comes. But I never get to see her face. 
My fingers then clutched unto the pendant before putting it back in the box. I carry it with me all time. I clutched it the most during the times I am in deep pain. 
**
My dress had riddled up. My hands then immediately pulled the hem of the fabric down with a careful tugging. I stared at the clouds above. The sky is dipped with indigo hues, making it a scenery worth photographing. The dinner was finished and we already were done with our visit to the country house near the valley. 
I enjoyed the smell of the wind that blew passed us. Wishing that I will be back to this place again someday… 
“Is Cassidy the only one?” Gregory spoke. His eyes were carefully staring at me once I met his gaze. 
“You mean the only friend I got?” I asked back. 
Gregory let out a contented sigh before he smiled. His expression looked calm. “Yes.” 
I smiled as I inhaled the breeze. “She was just the right friend for me.” I looked at him. “The one who sticked around after everyone let me when I need their support the most.” I answered him with full of honesty. 
Gregory seemed to fall into deep thinking. His eyes darted far off. His eyes were away before he looked at me again. “I once had one too. I treated him as a brother.” He talked. 
I smiled trying to insinuate that I am taking it all lightly. “And Chase came, then you came. You know what Gregory? I found a friend in you when you came.” I uttered. 
I recalled those times when I speak and he listens, barely contradicting my words. When I say barely, it meant he didn’t. He did not for once talked in a way that can be interpreted in a bad light. He was careful. He was gentle. And after all these years, I think he’s the one I am waiting for. He is exactly what I always wanted to have in my life. He wasn’t just a husband. He was also my safe space, my trusted confidant. 
“We’re jaded.” He then spoke. But his eyes looked happy, his expression showed on hint of any sadness nor in it.
“Two jaded person that found solace in each other’s company.” He added. 
I smiled at what he said. Then the sky finally surrendered, giving us a drizzle of rain.
He then handed me the marigolds he had beside him. “Picked these for you.” 
I took it before I then extended my hand towards him. Gregory then intertwined our fingers, clasping it together before we ran back towards the house. Sinking with our shrieks and laughter before we reach the balcony and took shelter. 
“We need to enter without making anymore sounds.” He was leaning as he whispered his words near my ear. 
I turned my head after, wanting to turn my head away when my very own face was mere inches closer to his. He moved. His nose then bumped into mine.
Before Gregory slowly mesh his skin with mine, rubbing our noses together. I laughed because of it. He then flashed out his smile when he saw what I did. 
We were staring at each other’s eyes. I bask into his mesmerizing lenses that glaze with sparkles. Before I moved my mouth to smile wider. Gregory smiled too before he suddenly leaned, planting a soft kiss on my lips. 
It was just a plain smack. A plain meeting of our lips. Before he suddenly nibbled my lower lip making me moan a little.
We both stilled from the sound we both heard that came from me. I wanted to walked away when his hands were on my waist, keeping me in place. His touch was firm on the both side of my hips.
Gregory then had a boyish grin on his mouth, dipped his head to give me another kiss. 
This time we took our precious time. I wrapped my hands around his neck. He then used his hands to pull me closer to him. His other hand was placed on the back of my neck. His kisses were gentle, soft. He bit my lower lip again and I sighed finally getting what he was trying to signal me then I eventually gave in… 
**
I smiled because it just started with the talk about how I am fascinated with marigolds. We then talk about life, the spaces in between. And somehow, I know that some people crave what we have.
But only I few were blessed to have this type of connection in their lives. And I think, we belong to those people. I love Gregory. And I will be waiting for the right moment to be able to say these three words to him…