"You want to clean?"
Harriett nodded and I can't help but look around her apartment. It definitely became gloomy and more so unorganized which was so unlike her. We had just finished eating lunch, our travel certainly took most of our morning but I'm not complaining. Since I have Harriett in the passenger seat.
She had said nothing about my declaration and confession but I took that as a sign that I can continue my pursuit for her. And that was a good sign in itself.
"It just feels so… different"
She stated as she rubbed her upper arm. She had said she wanted to still wear a long sleeve shirt which is why that's what I bought for her. I haven't asked her any questions about her scars. I don't even think asking about them would do any good.
So for now I'm letting them be. I'll ask when the right time comes but for now, maybe giving her a little space to breathe is the right thing to do.
I put my arm around her shoulders and placed my head on top of hers.
"Let's do whatever you want. We could also paint the walls a different color"
She looked up at me and smiled lightly to which I returned. Then suddenly another image popped up in my head. The painting. I stared at Harriett as she seemingly looked around her apartment.
Maybe I'll ask about that another time too. I don't want this peaceful scene to end.
"What about rose pink?"
She finally asked as if she had made up her mind and I just smiled at her.
"Perfect"
—
"Qian's renovating?"
I nodded at Annika before taking another puff from my cigarette. I stared at my cigarette and pondered deeply. Maybe I should stop this slowly too. I don't want Harriett smelling this nor do I want her becoming a second-hand smoker.
"She's starting to organize everything. It actually feels like a good thing"
"Yeah. It feels as if she's recreating herself"
Annika said before putting her cigarette off and giving me a hard stare.
"So what's your plan?"
I stared at her with an eyebrow raised.
"Plan?"
"About Qian. You said you'd take care of it"
My eyes squinted at her. Why does it feel like she's on edge right now?
"Slowly Nika. I don't want to force her when she's still recovering. Let's give her time. One step at a time"
Annika stared at me before letting out a sigh as if it was a breath of relief.
"Do you know that you're only a green flag when it comes to this stuff?"
I raised an eyebrow at her statement and completely put out my cigarette as I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
"Excuse me?"
I know what green and red flags are, I've already heard about it countless of times but did she just imply that I was a red flag? Me?
"You're an idiot and that in itself is a red flag. You jump into conclusions and then give up but there are times where you're so stubborn about what you want. So it's actually surprising that you're not forcibly making your way towards Qian's life right now"
I scoffed. All this coming from the girl who made her boyfriend beg for her three times. I knew just how much she had tortured Rico before because I was there so hearing this from her was really hypocritical.
"You know what, I'm not even gonna argue with you about what you had just said. I'm gonna go and do some work and then come home to Harriett."
I said as I waved her goodbye but I could still hear her chuckling. I shouldn't think about it but the thought had stuck even as I was driving back home. Was I the red flag? I mean I was on the part where I had multiple girlfriends before.
And I had already admitted to myself that I had done that so that I can put out my feelings for Harriett. But aside from that, I don't think I ever did something that would account for me as a red flag.
"Pierce?"
I blinked and turned around to see Harriett on the open doorway. I brushed my fingers through my hair as I dropped my forehead on top of Harriett's head. I had been so distracted I didn't even notice I was already standing in front of her door.
"Are you alright?"
I chuckled at Harriett's question. She's going through something and yet she still asks for my well-being. The irony and yet I knew very well that that's the kind of person she is. Part of why I fell of course.
"Just tired from work…
I smirked when I saw her eyes staring back at mine.
"... nothing a warm hug from you can't solve"
I smiled when I saw her cheeks show the slightest tint of pink. She cleared her throat before giving me a tight hug. I hugged her back as I savor the feeling of Harriett inside my arms.
It's still not clear to me how Harriett is feeling right now and I don't want to make the mistake of pressuring her. What comes first is that she fixes herself. Once she's done that, slowly, I'll slowly ask her about all the things that I need to know.
Her scars, that part of her past that I didn't know, that painting, and her feelings.
All of those questions, one by one I'll ask her but right now she comes first.
"Please tell me you've eaten something"
I said as I tightened my hug and looked down at her only to find her looking up at me now.
"I cooked"
I smiled before pulling her inside her apartment. She already started putting some of her stuff into boxes.
"Please tell me you've left some for me. I miss the taste of your cooking"
She gave out a short chuckle before nodding.
"I did"
"Great"
I smiled as I dragged her into the kitchen, my arms still embracing her.
"Pierce I can't move if you don't let me go"
"Don't wanna. I'm still not recharged enough"
I said which was obviously a lie. I just didn't want to let her go just yet. Hugging her feels like the most comforting thing to do for her. And the fact that she never shied away from it or never declined my request for a hug meant she needed it too. Maybe even more so than me.
I did read that hugs do help alleviate anxiety and something like that. Since I'm not confident with my words right now, I feel like hugging is the safest option.
"By the way do you think I'm a red flag?"
Harriett looked up at me, eyes squinting as if trying to understand the meaning of my question.
"Huh?"
"Annika said I'm a red flag when it comes to relationships. Do you think that's true?"
Harriett stared at me for a good minute before she averted her eyes as she tried to get out of my hug.
"I forgot, I have something I needed to do."
Instead of letting go, I tightened my hug. It was obvious that she was trying to get away by not answering.
"Am I or Am I not? Harriett"
"Pierce let go, Akira hasn't eaten yet"
"Harriett"
I whimpered as she finally got out of my embrace and ran to her room.
Was I really a red flag?