part 8: message

                                    

                                          
They exchanged numbers.
Non may or may not notice the bright smile he's been putting on the whole day. The song he hummed all evening while watering his mini herbs garden. Or the extra spring in his steps all night. But his sister knows. She always knows.
"Have you gotten any text?"
"What?"
"Tan. Did he text you?"
Non's face exploded in beet reed. "How did you know?"
Iris shrugged. "I have eyes and ears everywhere."
"That's scary."
"So, did he?"
The older of the two turned away, trying to focus back on folding clothes. Failing miserably, of course. They are more wrinkled now than before. "No, he told me to text him."
Iris raised her brows, eyes sparkling. She plopped down on the couch next to him. "Then, what are you waiting for??"
"Wait...?"
"Text him!"
"Why? I haven't made bombolone yet."
"What?"
"He said to tell him if I put it up for sale."
"Oh my goood!" Had Nonsee not been her older brother, she would have slapped some senses into him already. "That's just a flippin' excuse! He wants to talk with you more! Do you get it??"
There was a pause. Iris looked down and noticed how ruined Wech's shirt is now. "What??" Non nearly screamed. "No way! Why would he??"
"It's called 'flirting'. He is into you and has been finding excuses to meet and talk to you. Get the hint already, big brother!"
Iris doesn't actually blame him. He'd seen too little of this world, and had not allowed himself to feel more from it. Because they grew up differently with their peers, or even with their half-sibling, Mintra. She was the golden child, the vibrant rose, the center of attention and given everything she ever wanted without needing to ask. While Iris and Nonsee are like wilting, leftover flowers that can't be disposed of, yet never good enough for anything else.
But Iris never gives up to fate. Non never runs out of the love he has in him. Even to the day Iris almost loses him, he still loved their good-for-nothing mother, their ungrateful grandmother, and everything else in that shitty family. To this day, he still carries what Bussababan gave him through the flower shop. It runs in his blood, the love for flowers and the uncorrupted  look he has towards this world.
Wech came up with the name 'White Beauty' after Iris decided to build her brother his own kingdom. It was a perfect name. It was dedicated to Non. Because he was the first man to ever love Iris unconditionally. Hence, as soon as they saved up on enough money for their own business, it had to start from realizing Non's dream: to work with flowers.
...
But...
"What about you, baby?" Asked Wech that rainy night while they cuddled in bed.
"I like doing business. Doesn't matter what."
"Really? You don't want your own clothing brand?"
"Nuh-uh," Ai shrugged, pressing her eyes closed. She is a magnificent liar. "I can do whatever as long as it makes money."
Wech hummed, petting her head and sniffing it. "But I made the name 'White Beauty' to match yours..." whispered him.
"What?"