[DBJ] Chapter 3

“Have we met before?”

“A week ago, you came into my shop late at night and bought a bouquet.”

Isaac replied nonchalantly. Felix’s gaze was piercing as if he could see right through him, but he just turned his back and muttered, “That’s right.” Isaac rubbed his tingling jaw, which was just freed from the tight grip of the other man.

“Make me a bouquet today as well.”

Without looking back, Felix ordered Isaac who was still standing in place like a statue. That made him stop rubbing his jaw.

“Does the… interrogation end here?”

“It does.”

His answer was short, and he looked so innocent when he glanced up that Isaac was the one to get flustered. As if he noticed how Isaac felt, Felix continued talking in his lazy voice.

“My friend, Tony, standing over there, was boasting. He said he felt like you knew my identity. It’s quite amazing how he notices things I usually don’t.”

“…”

“That’s why I did a little test.”

Just because of a bet, he used a terrifying method to test if Isaac knew who he was. Did he have to point a gun at him just to get an answer to a question? The more Isaac thought about it, the more ridiculous it got. However, he couldn’t get angry at this man named Felix Felice. After all, he was known to be more brutal than the average mafioso.

“I apologize if I went too far. I’m just surprised because it’s uncommon for an average citizen to know me.”

“You thought I was working for the FBI or the CIA?”

“Or any other organization, actually. Also, you’re a florist, but it’s strange how you can’t even make a bouquet properly.”

“I’m just saying, you’re suspicious.” Felix casually let out some disrespectful remarks and scanned Isaac from head to toe with an intense stare. Isaac silently received his gaze, which was as rude as his words. Then, he sighed and asked a question.

“So, what conclusion did you come to? Do I look like someone disguising as a florist so I can spy on you?”

“Well, you never know.”

It was a carefree answer. He looked so nonchalant, shrugging his shoulders and making idle talk.

“I still think you’re a weird florist who hasn’t grasped the skills for making bouquets. Or maybe, it’s just my wishful thinking that you don’t have any connection to the things I am doubting you about.”

“I’m an ordinary florist who finds it hard to wrap flower bouquets. That much is right.”

“I can see that much.”

Felix blinked and laughed while he leaned against the counter. His enchanting smile was worth a million dollars. However, Isaac was gradually getting more nervous.

Unlike what he was being accused of, he never approached Felix with his fake identity. Even people who couldn’t be considered average citizens wouldn’t normally want to approach Felix. Isaac simply wanted to be an ordinary citizen who could live normally without crossing paths with an infamous arms dealer.

In the first place, it wasn’t Isaac who first approached Felix. It was Felix himself who barged into his shop when his business hours were already over. However, Isaac didn’t bother clarifying their situation. Because even if he was trembling in fear, expounding every single word he said, Felix would only believe the information he had gathered.

“If you can see that much, then there’s nothing to explain.”

Isaac had no choice but to calmly imitate and return the other man’s words.

“You… You really better not want to be anything else other than an ordinary florist.”

“I already am, so how could I have such a want?”

Felix’s eyebrows furrowed a bit. He frowned, staring at Isaac, and then ordered him again to make a flower bouquet.

“I thought you didn’t like the way I wrapped the flowers?”

Isaac scratched his cheek, suddenly feeling weary.

“An ordinary florist can’t even make a flower bouquet properly, so I should let him practice more.”

“…”

“Oh, and make sure you choose more sophisticated flowers this time.”

“Because it isn’t for a date,” Felix added. Then, he calmly rested his chin on his palm, while he placed his elbow on the counter. He actually looked just like an ordinary customer. Isaac had no choice but to take reluctant steps toward his baskets of flowers.

“This counter’s a mess. What did you even do to get it to this state?”

Felix muttered as he was slightly bent over, still supporting his chin with his hand. The counter was messy, just like he said. Several notebooks and cards were all over the surface, but it was strange how a certain order could still be seen with the way it was disorganized. And then, Felix’s gaze, which was in the middle of carelessly looking over the clutter, was suddenly fixed on a specific spot.

“Dear Benjamin.”

The languid voice came from Felix’s beautiful lips. It was the same words as before. It was also the same phrase from that card last time. Isaac picked up the flowers and hurried back behind the counter. He quickly grabbed the card and shoved it into a drawer again.

“Who are you sending it to that you have to be so affectionate every time you write on a card?”

“…”

“Are you in some long-distance relationship? Then, why don’t you write a letter instead of just a card?”

There was curiosity in Felix’s eyes as he grinned, his chin still propped on one of his hands. Isaac turned to select flowers without saying anything. Felix’s persistent gaze followed his back.

“Benjamin, huh? Is he really your lover?”

“Is pink a good color, or do you prefer beige?”

“It’s a man’s name, but you’re clearly a beta. You’re gay, then?”

“If you want something sophisticated and elegant, beige and yellow are good choices.”

“You’re not actually an omega, are you?”

The series of questions and unmatching answers went on. But on that particular question, Isaac’s hands, which were picking flowers, trembled slightly.

“Because omegas disgust me.”

Felix muttered in a vicious voice, yet he put on a smile that anyone would find captivating.

“…Luckily, these beautiful callas are quite fresh today. I’ll make your bouquet using mainly these flowers.”

Isaac answered calmly, staring at Felix. Fortunately, the blond man didn’t follow his usual pattern of asking questions that were borderline sexual harassment. He didn’t even say anything else. So now, there was a tense silence in the shop.

Felix, who was keeping his mouth shut while Isaac was busy at his workbench, finally raised his eyes when he heard his bouquet was completed.

“Seriously, look at how awful the wrapping is. This is why I doubted your identity. It’s probably better to just take the flowers.”

He didn’t hesitate to dish out criticism, but he still took out two 100-dollar bills.

“This is too much. If you dislike the wrapping, you can just take the flowers as they are.”

Isaac didn’t take the bills Felix was handing out. He didn’t want to. Still, Felix simply slapped those onto the counter.

“It was me who ordered it. Even if it’s ugly, I still have to pay for the flowers and your labor. Do I look like someone who extorts flower bouquets? Besides, I already told you beforehand that it’s for you to practice on.”

“…”

“The cost of the bouquet doesn’t matter since the rest is a tip, so take the payment out of that yourself.”

Felix openly voiced out what he didn’t like, then he took the bouquet and turned his back. He didn’t even say goodbye. Jingle— The door opened with the sound of the bell, and then he left, just like that. Tony also followed Felix out, this time, without saying anything.

Finally, there was the peace he was looking forward to. Isaac’s shoulders, which stiffened from all the tension, collapsed as if they were melting. He even doubted if he was just daydreaming. However, the two 100-dollar bills on the counter were a stark reminder that what happened was real.

The man named Felix Felice was like a stone thrown into Isaac’s peaceful daily life. That man generated large splashes on the previously still water, creating ripples all over. It was a very unpleasant disturbance. Isaac scratched his rough cheek, wishing inwardly that he wouldn’t have to see him again.

 

***

 

The greeting at the beginning of the card was the same. However, deciding what to write next was always the difficult part. He would pick up a pen and think hard about what to write, but eventually, he would suddenly think of something to take care of, so he’d end up putting it off for a while. It could take an entire day to finish one card because he kept getting interrupted when writing. Sometimes, it wouldn’t even be finished in a day. It was simply difficult to express one’s feelings, even after putting a lot of thought into it.

First things first, Isaac felt overwhelmed the moment he wrote the name ‘Benjamin’. So, he would take a deep breath, rub the spot on his chest right over his pounding heart, and then he would think about what kind of pleasantries to write until time gradually passed by.

“I miss him…”

Isaac closed his eyes and muttered, bending down and resting his forehead on both of his hands. There was still not a single letter written on the card.

“Who are you missing so much? Don’t tell me, you were thinking of me?”

A playful, low voice suddenly interrupted him. Isaac, who had his head buried in his hands on the counter, raised his eyes in surprise. Without any sign or sound, a dazzling man was suddenly standing in front of him.

It scared him that such a big man was able to approach him without making any sound. How on earth did it happen? It didn’t matter how occupied he was, but how come the bell on the door didn’t make any noise?!

He found it odd, so he looked at the door. “Ah…” Only then did an embarrassed sigh come out of Isaac’s lips. Sometimes, passers-by would think the shop wasn’t open if the door was closed, so he usually left it open during the afternoon. That was the reason the bell didn’t ring.

Isaac, who had completely forgotten when he left the door open, pressed his fingers on his throbbing temples and gave the man in front of him a stony glare. Felix Felice had been frequenting the shop once every two or three days now. Today, he had both of his hands stuck in his pockets as he stared at the counter which was messy once again.

Isaac realized the man was staring at the card he was trying to write on, so he furtively took all of the colorful cards and placed them inside the drawer.

“How may I help you?”

Isaac couldn’t bear to look at him directly, pretending to be calm. Was it because he was writing a card with Benjamin in mind? It felt like there was a disturbance slowly welling up in his chest.

Afraid that his anxiety would be discovered, Isaac glanced at Tony, who was following a step behind as usual, instead of directly looking at Felix. Tony seemed to be over 40 years old. He was now sitting on one of the chairs for guests, looking at his phone. As insensitive as he may look, he could clearly feel the older man paying careful attention to Felix, doing his job as a guard.

“Those cards you’re about to hide, are you even finishing them and sending them off?”

That sudden question also caught Tony’s attention. Isaac finally turned to face Felix, who was staring at him. At the same time, the drawer closed with a click as he pushed it with his fingertips.

“Of course, I do send them with no problem.”

“Hmm, is that right? I was curious because I only saw ‘Dear Benjamin’, but I haven’t seen anything written after that.”

Felix shrugged as if he didn’t care. And if he actually did, he wasn’t like Isaac who would be polite enough to give a reply. Felix didn’t ask any questions further, as if he had known about Isaac’s cold reaction beforehand.

It had already been two weeks since he first hoped he wouldn’t have to see Felix again. This man, a dangerous arms dealer, was walking around downtown San Diego in broad daylight like he was just any ordinary citizen.

But for some reason, Felix had been coming in and out of the store since then, buying a flower bouquet at a high price each time he came in. He still bought one every time, even though he didn’t hold back in criticizing how much of a mess the wrapping was. And his excuse was always letting Isaac ‘practice’.

It was a ridiculous demand, but Isaac didn’t complain. Anyway, it was enough that he just had to do what a customer requested, and then get paid for it. After all, it was the blond man’s money that was being thrown away, even though he wasn’t the type of man who would consider a mere 100 or 200 dollars to be a waste.

“What kind of flower bouquet do you want today?”

He asked the same question to Felix, a regular customer who could make him both mentally and physically tired each time he came in. With both hands in his pockets and leaning most of his weight on one foot, Felix stared at Isaac with a particularly mischievous look today.

“Do you miss your lover, Benjamin, that much? To the point, you can even make the heart of someone listening throb.”

Instead of answering the question about the flower bouquet, the man managed to kindly remind him about a topic Isaac thought he had finally put aside by then. He had always been behaving this way, but as time went on, he seemed to have become increasingly inappropriate. He kept trying to invade his personal life.

“Yes, I miss him.”

Unexpectedly, agitation briefly crossed Felix’s face. He was taken by surprise because Isaac usually avoid giving him an answer.

“Ah… Is that so?”

“So please tell me, what would you like today?”

He asked the same question for the third time, but he didn’t receive a reply immediately. A short silence awkwardly passed by. Isaac wondered what was going on with the man who was usually so cocky and had no qualms about saying whatever he wanted.

“What kind of taste do you have?”

“Pardon?” Isaac was puzzled. Another random question came out instead.

“I asked what kinds of flowers suit your taste.”

“I… prefer potted plants rather than bouquets.”

“Potted plants?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm,” Felix hummed after hearing his short answer.

“Is that so? Let’s see then. This one looks nice and pretty. What do you think? Does it suit your taste?”

He was talking about a deep pink orchid. At this time, the plant was blooming beautifully, its flowers as elegant and gorgeous as usual. Beauty and seduction, just like what it represents in the language of flowers.

“Yes, it does.”

“Then wrap it up.”

It was a puzzling order, but Isaac silently used floral wrap to cover the flower pot and attached a ribbon to it. Felix also watched him in silence until he finished, and then he picked up the potted plant after yet again paying twice the actual price. Isaac wondered if he was going to leave quietly today.

“Take it.”

Felix suddenly pushed the potted orchid towards him. Isaac’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“I said take it. Don’t you like this kind of flower?”

“Why are you giving it to me?”

When the baffled Isaac asked, Felix put down the potted orchid on the counter loudly, then he smiled brightly.

“You’re asking why? I’m trying to seduce you because I’m interested in you.”

Ah, who would’ve thought he would say something that matches the meaning of the flower he just bought? Beauty and seduction. Isaac scratched his cheek awkwardly, recalling those two words. But then, he didn’t expect Felix to suddenly say something like that.

“Why me?”

“Who knows? I keep on thinking about you, and I also have no idea why.”

“…”

“That’s why I kept coming back here, and I’m pretty sure the door threshold is already worn out because of me. Also, that’s why I kept spending quite some money just to buy those lousy bouquets of yours.”

“How dense,” Felix continued to mutter, clicking his tongue afterward.

Isaac stared at the man who didn’t hesitate to diss him despite his declaration of romantic interest in him a few seconds ago. It made him question how the blond man was able to date other women up until now. Or maybe, he was just clueless because Isaac wasn’t a woman.

The bewildered Isaac shook his head. Well, after all, the person in question was none other than the notorious arms dealer, Felix Felice. His appearance, power, wealth, and notoriety— who would dare refuse him? People would’ve accepted him whether they like the situation or not. Regardless if he was dealing with a man or a woman, it was clear that Felix’s personality and attitude had always been shaped this way.

“I am thankful for your interest, but with all due respect, I refuse.”

It must have been a first for Felix, but Isaac stated his rejection without any hesitation. And sure enough, Felix raised one of his eyebrows, as if he thought he heard Isaac’s words wrongly. When Isaac saw Felix’s disbelieving expression, it felt like a heavy stone rose up to his chest.

“What’s the reason? Is it because of that man called Benjamin?”

Felix asked before Isaac could continue speaking. The other man’s eyes and expression were gradually getting more vicious with each passing second.

“Yes.”

Isaac faced him directly, swallowing dryly from the tension.

“It looks like you are in a long-distance relationship. You can keep it. I won’t forbid you from continuing what you have with him. Instead, why don’t you go out with me while I’m here?”

“Two-timing isn’t my cup of tea.”

“Then break up with that Benjamin.”

“I won’t.”

One of Felix’s eyebrows rose again at Isaac’s firm reply. This time, he kept closing and opening his fists. The tendons on his forearm that were exposed under his rolled-up sleeves were pulled tight. It looked like he was upset, being rejected for the first time. Yet at the same time, he also seemed to be displaying a lot of restraint.

“Do you know you are the first person to reject me?”

Felix murmured, his grin looking somewhat suspicious. His tone conveyed how annoyed he was, but Isaac, on the other hand, was close to bursting into laughter. How he wished he could tell the other man that even third-rate novels nowadays don’t even have such lines.

“I guessed that would be the case.”

Of course, Isaac didn’t expect anyone to easily reject this man, but how on earth did he have the confidence to simply state that he was the first to reject him? The more he saw it, the more he thought that this man could be quite childish indeed. It felt like he was looking into the interior of this smirking, rude and haughty man, but strangely enough, he actually didn’t hate it.

“And yet, you still rejected me?”

Felix tilted his head and pouted. He looked just like a sulking child.

“I’m sorry.”

“Think about it again. You will regret rejecting me. I guarantee there’s no one else who can make you scream from pleasure in bed as I can.”

His confidence and childish arrogance seemed so cute for a moment, perhaps, because Isaac really liked the other man’s face. For the first time, since he started meeting the blond man, a faint smile appeared on Isaac’s lips. Oddly enough, Felix’s eyes, which were closely watching Isaac’s expression, also seemed to soften.

“Anyway, a gift is a gift. Look after the orchid well.”

“But—”

“If you wish, I’ll give you more time to think. But next time we meet, you better give me a proper answer. I’ve got a side that can be more persistent than you think.”

Felix said whatever he wanted, then turned to leave as if he couldn’t wait to. Isaac kept his mouth shut, staring blankly at the rapidly retreating back. Meanwhile, Tony, who was quietly sitting on the chair without any movement, was right in front of Isaac before he could react.

“If you want to leave a tip once again, then there’s no need.”

He told him not to give him any more money, but Tony only shook his head.

“I’d run away immediately If I were you. Of course, I guarantee you’d get caught in no time at all, but shouldn’t you at least give it a try?”

“…”

“To tell you honestly, the boss… despises men with your type of appearance. But for some reason, he still wants you to be his sex partner.”

“Do you understand what I’m trying to say?” The words Tony added sent a chill up Isaac’s spine. That meant even if he didn’t like it, he’d still end up being that man’s sex partner, and then he’d eventually turn into Felix’s personal slut. That made his temper flare.

Tony left a dire warning, and ignoring Isaac’s refusal about tips, he still left a 100-dollar bill on the counter. Once Tony left, Isaac’s head started throbbing. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on his hands, just like he did when those two first entered without saying a word.

Come to think of it, things went wrong the moment Felix first entered this shop. Isaac should’ve packed up and bolted the same day they met. Not doing exactly that was a mistake on his part, despite knowing what kind of man Felix was.

Nothing would change even if he regretted it now, but he couldn’t help how that feeling washed over him like a tidal wave. Isaac closed his tired eyes. He felt like there was something extremely heavy inside his chest.

 

 

Felix gritted his teeth, sitting in the back seat of a sleek sedan. For someone like him who had never met anyone who rejected him in his entire life, he found his current situation unbearable and frustrating.

As long as he held out his hand, people would always come to him, be it men or women. Even if he didn’t extend a hand, many still tried to get closer and struggled to vie for his attention. Thanks to that, it had always been natural for him to select whoever took his fancy, whether as a one-night stand or as a steady partner.

“But that florist had the nerve to turn me down? That guy who can’t even make a proper bouquet!”

While he was clenching his teeth, the stony face of that man flashed before his eyes. On that expressionless face, he always wore like a mask, a faint smile suddenly appeared, like watercolor spreading.

Damn, mesmerizing me yet again with his beauty!

Blood rushed to the lower part of his body as he recalled seeing Isaac’s faint smile for the first time. Damn it. Felix bowed his head and let out a sigh.

Jack, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, suddenly took out a Beretta from his waist and spoke in a serious tone.

“Do you want me to take care of it?”

“What will you do with that?”

Felix, who had been pressing his hands on his temples, raised his eyes and glared fiercely. However, Jack simply shrugged, busy inspecting his gun and not looking at Felix’s expression.

“Since he irritated boss, killing him is—”

“Shut up.”

A rolled-up newspaper hit the back of Jack’s head while he was proudly adjusting his gun. The surprised Jack rubbed the back of his head, then he looked back to see Felix, who seemed to be growling fiercely with his teeth bared.

“What’s the matter with you?”

Those fierce eyes and that sharp expression gave him goosebumps. Jack, who was suddenly anxious, unconsciously swallowed dryly. Even if he met a beast while walking out alone, he knew it wouldn’t be as frightening as this.

With the fine hairs all over his body standing from being oppressed by Felix’s bloodlust, Jack quickly turned around and held on to the steering wheel in a rigid sitting position. Still, he could feel the sting from Felix’s glare and unspoken curses, which stabbed fiercely through the exposed back of his head.

“You’re such a dumb simpleton.”

“Wow… Hearing such words from you, boss, I feel like the world’s gonna end.”

“Just shut the fuck up.”

The sound of clenching teeth continued. This time, Jack did close his mouth tightly and drove away without uttering a single sound. Thanks to that, the inside of the car, which had begun traversing the freeway after passing through the city center, was dead quiet, as nobody was inclined to open their mouth unnecessarily.

As soon as the sedan stopped in front of a mansion, Felix, who had been looking out the window, finally spoke.

“Go get that guy.”

 

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