CHAPTER 21

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Belle's POV :

Shit just got real.

Oh, how true that statement is.

" She belongs to the Sempre Gritante clan."

What the hell...?

"Alright, guys, wait a second", Flynn said, trying to calm everyone along with himself. The room was bursting with exclamations from everyone while I just sat there oblivious to everything. I'm surprised no one in the house woke up from such loud screaming.

They must be deep sleeper like me...

"Ryan", he looked at the steroid puppy, " Are you sure about this ? Because if she is, there is a lot at stake here, you know that". The seriousness in his voice was not lost to anyone.

"I'm darn sure. She has the tattoo as well", Ryan said quietly, his voice monotone, while his statement rose another bout of screaming.

This guy sure knows how to liven up an atmosphere.

Eros who was sitting besides me, made me stand up with him. The action made everyone quieten down.

"Belle", Eros called out softly,"Can you let me check your neck, please?"

His voice was so soft, captivating me, that I could only do what he wanted. I nodded my answer, slowly lifting up my hair. His answering smile was entrancing, nodding in motivation. The moment my neck was visible, everyone crowded around us, which made Eros very irritated. He blocked my view from everyone, standing right in front of me. Everyone complained but he completely ignored them, making them go back to their seats. I let out a sigh of relief, knowing that I won't be judged like a science experiment.

Eros gazed at my neck, eyes widening slightly when he took in the view. The expression was similar to that day of the seminar, shocked with a bit of awe. But this time, there was fear and worry radiating off him.

What changed from that time to now ?

"It changed", Eros whispered, shocked, not believing his eyes.

"Flynn", he called out, making Flynn walk towards us," It changed."

Flynn joined Eros, both staring at my collarbone, former with amazement and the latter with worry. Eros glanced at me, fear clouding his eyes.

I've been seeing that look in his eyes, way too much.

"Holy mother of all gods, she has the TATTOO", Flynn screamed, shaking from head to toe, in excitement.

Everyone gathered around again, to look at me, while Eros took Flynn aside to talk.

There is something wrong.

Hector, the Bitch Queen and steroid puppy, everyone observed the tattoo, while displaying different emotions. But they didn't matter to me. The one who mattered to me was at the corner of the room, talking heatedly with Flynn, using big hand movements. Feeling my stare, Eros looked at me. He shook his head, indicating that everything was fine, while smiling, but that smile was fake.

He has never faked anything in front of me.

There was a buzz in the air. Hector was busy talking with Ryan, Flynn and Eros were still discussing, the Bitch Queen was glaring at me, and I was sitting on the sofa, my mind blank.

What is happening here ? I was getting scared now.

What is this tattoo they keep talking about ?

What changed ?

My head was starting to hurt now. I was sitting with my elbows on my knees, my head in my hands. This is too much for one night.

I'm about to cry now.

"Belle."

Eros was kneeling in front of me on the carpet now, watching me. I raised my head, tears blurring my vision. His face crumbled, watching me break down.

Its too much for me...

His hands came to my cheeks, holding me carefully, like I was glass. " God, Belle, please don't cry", his voice was pained, eyes full of worry. His thumbs were caressing my cheeks, hands warm.

Has it come down to this that I must worry this guy ?

Shaking my head, I sat straighter, letting his hands fall down, wiping my eyes.

" I'm alright", I cleared my throat. Eros just raised an eyebrow, not believing me for even a second. But I pleaded him, my eyes telling him to leave it. Letting out a sigh, he sat besides me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, holding me close.

All this time, we never noticed that everyone had stopped talking and were actually staring at us. Not knowing what to do, I looked down, a blush covering my cheeks. Eros let out a small chuckle at my action. Clearing his throat, he moved the attention from me to him.

Thank you !!!

"Everyone, take your seats", he said in a sombre tone, "We have an issue at our hands."

Immediately, everyone followed his orders, sitting down swiftly, giving him their rapt attention.

" This matter won't leave this room, right ?", Eros said, coldly, getting quick nods from everyone.

He sounds like a spy, pufftt. Who even uses such statements anymore, bwahahahaha.

I was laughing in my head, while keeping on a blank expression. Eros pursued his lips, as if trying hard not to laugh.

Did I say out loud ?? Again ???

Eros still had his arm around my shoulders. I tried to move it, but he just pulled me closer, not even giving me a glance.

Such confidence !!

"Ryan", he started, " What do you know about the tattoo?"

Oh, so we're back to business.

The steroid puppy thought for a few moments before giving his answer, " Not much."

...?

He took almost a full minute to say two words ??

The puppy is on a whole new level !!!

As if expecting his answer, Eros sighed, before looking at Flynn. Flynn was quick enough to answer, " We have different books and old documents containing the origin of the tattoo, but we don't have exact information about it and how it looks", Flynn explained, "Moreover, there is only word passed down by mouth from generations. There is no established fact or data."

"What do the elders say about it ?", Hector asked.

Flynn looked at Eros as if asking for permission, when Eros gave him a short nod.

"They say that the mark would be shaped like a daisy."

"By daisy, you mean the flower ?", Ryan interrupted.

"Exactly the flower."

So I have a daisy tattoo on my neck ? Cool. At least it's something beautiful, unlike anything gruesome like a skull...

Ryan looked puzzled, which Eros noticed.

"What is it, Ryan ?"

Ryan thought for a moment before glancing at my collarbone again. Even though it would seem weird to have someone staring at your neck, his gaze was nothing but curious.

"The tattoo..", Ryan took a pause, then carried on his doubt, "The tattoo is not in the shape of a daisy. Its something else."

So its not a daisy ? There goes my hope.

"What do you mean ?", Eros probed.

"Its- I don't remember the name of that flower", Ryan looked agitated, for not remembering the name.

Its alright dude, there are not many flowers.

And just like that, we started a quiz, mentioning all the names of flowers we knew.

"Rose"

"Tulips"

"Hibiscus"

"Violets"

"Sunflower"

"Lily"

"Marigold"

Ryan kept shaking his head, denying all them.

Why a flower though ?

"Trumpet", Hector shouted, making everyone look at him.

"Is that even a flower?", The Bitch Queen scoffed.

"Of course it is ", Hector huffed.

"Sure, sure", the bitch waved him off.

"Listen her, you bi-", Hector stopped mid sentence, shaking his head, " Its no use talking with an air head."

And we continued with our quiz.

"Daffodils"

"African lily", Flynn shouted his answer.

"Shut up, lily is lily. There's no African or American", Hector muttered.

"Why am I surrounded by idiots ?", Flynn cried out.

"Don't worry, Flynn. I know African lilies", I said, trying to comfort him.

"Thank god, there's someone who has a brain", Flynn raised his hands skywards, before blowing me a kiss, "Thanks, Belle."

I just laughed it off.

"Bluebell"

"Freesia"

"Carnation"

"Orchids"

"Forget-me-not", Hector suggested.

"There's a flower named like that ?", Flynn questioned.

"Yup", Hector said proudly.

" Oh", Flynn replied, amazed.

They remind me of Dumb and Dumber.

" Its a big name", Ryan said.

" As if that's a big hint ", the bitch spoke.

Everyone ignored her.

I wonder why she came here.

"Jasmine"

"Hydrangea"

"Magnolia"

"Peonies"

"Calendula"

"Chrysalis"

"Something like that", Ryan exclaimed.

"Something starting from letter 'c' ?",Eros asked, confirming with Ryan, who nodded.

Something from C ?

Wait !

"Wait ! I know what you mean ! ", I said, getting everyone's attention.

" Its- its chris- something", I stuttered, desperate to remember the name.

"Yeahh !!! Its that flower !", Ryan shouted, confirming the answer. This was the first time that Ryan looked excited.

"Ugh ", I was frustrated, " Its a difficult name."

Eros was looking at me jumping up and down on the seat, anxious to get the flower.

"Calm down, Belle", Eros mused, smiling at my antics.

I ignored him, trying my best to jog my memory.

"It was something my parents would use as a tongue twister in their games", I admitted.

I felt a pang in my heart thinking about the memory, but pushed it away.

Now is not the time.

Eros gave me a sad smile, holding my hand.

"I'm fine", I smiled at him, not wanting him to worry much.

Someone's phone rang. "Oh, its my mum", The bitch stood up, walking towards the balcony, " I have to take it".

Its my mum, mum, MUM !

"I got it", I screamed,"I got it ! " Eros was shocked to see me so excited. I was standing up, jumping in place, a giddy smile on my face.

"What is it ?", Hector and Flynn asked at the same time, eager to know the answer.

"Its chrysanthemums", I grinned.

"Huh?", Flynn had a dumb expression on his face, "Chr-chr- what ?"

"That's right !!", Ryan cried out ,"Chrysanthemums".

Flynn and Hector were still trying to get the name right.

"Chrysun, no wait, chirsam", Hector slumped on the couch," I give up, I can't say it."

Just then, the bitch queen walked in, " Did you get the answer ?"

"Yeah, chrysanthemums", Eros replied to her, seeing as rest of them ignored her.

"Why were we searching for chrysanthemums though ?", I pointed out. My question brought on a wave of silence. Everyone quieted down, thinking back to why we started this quiz in the first place. Flynn was scratching his head, trying to remember, Hector following suit.

They really resemble Dumb and Dumber.

Not getting an answer, we looked at Ryan. He was the one who wanted the flower.

"The mark on her collarbone has developed to resemble something like that of a chrysanthemum", Ryan explained. Eros suddenly leaned in closer to me, checking the mark. My breath hitched, having him so close without any warning.

"It does have a similarity to chrysanthemums", Eros muttered, after completing his check, " but there is a spot which looks like a daisy."

So I have a daisy and chrysanthemum tattoo ? I need to take a look after this meeting finishes.

"The daisy symbolizes innocence right ?", Flynn interjected, " I read it in a book."

Hector nodded, but Ryan was restless, his eyes on me.

" And the chris something flower means loyalty", the bitch stated.

Eros noticed the troubled face of Ryan.

"What's wrong, Ryan ?"

Everyone's eyes shifted on him.

He somewhat became a VIP of this meeting.

"Chrysanthemums mean loyalty in US culture", he started," But originally, they had different meaning."

"What do you mean ?", Eros asked.

I could sense the turmoil of Ryan. He was unsettled by his thoughts.

"In European culture ", Ryan said, slowly, "chrysanthemums are used to symbolize death."

Pin drop silence, twice in a day. Eros froze besides me.

" They are funeral flowers, called as the Flower of Death", he continued on ,"White and yellow chrysanthemums are used to say goodbye."

There was silence for the longest moment since the start of his meeting. Even Dumb and Dumber were speechless.

Wow. That definitely put a damper on the mood.


So what do you think, guys ???? Are you able to say chrysanthemums or are you like me ??

Thanks for reading folks !!! Make sure to vote and comment !!


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