The Taste of Seduction

Accustomed to the general bustle of the city, Marcus decided to plan a surprise for Diana over the weekend, as a celebration of their blooming affections as well as a monumental mark to get a start on their growing fondness to a more deeper relationship probably, after all it's been one month together rolling and bing closer than ordinary neighbors.

The flower shop was not too packed as he walked into the nearest location next to her favorite pastry restaurant, Burritos. After placing multiple orders for her favorite snacks, he took a short stroll into the floral sanctuary.

The door to the florist shop clicked open with a small bell chiming sonorously, notifying the inhabitants of the shop of the presence of a new guest. Lovely burst of fragrances, lilies, roses and many other natural fragrance filled the air, gently nudging the soul as Marcus made his way to the florist.

Taking a moment to breathe the relaxing portent of fragrance, he turned to the florist to seek the best arrangement of bouquet to complete his preparation as well as ones that could represent his intentions.

"Earth tend to have different traditions, some help would be nice," he reasoned within his mind as he approached the florist

The florist, a cheerful woman with a twinkle in her eyes, approached Marcus with a warm smile. "Can I help you find something special today?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.

Marcus returned the smile and nodded. "Yes, I'm looking for a bouquet that can describe deep love and devotion for eternity, I would also not want them to have different possible meanings," he replied, his voice tinged with anticipation. "It's our one-month anniversary, and I want to surprise her." he added after taking a moment to think to ensure that the effect would have the result.

Picking up his orders at the restaurant and the flower shop, Marcus returned home while taking caution that Diana might catch any whiff of his plans.

Feeling his phone vibrating in the pocket of his trousers, he picked it up without checking the caller, "Hello, this is Marcus from ABC Properties. What can I help you with today?" He asked succinctly, as he remembered not having any contact on the phone other than work colleagues or clients.

"Marcus, it's good to hear your voice," Meredith responded warmly yet in a hurry, as though panicky. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," she asked with a slightly weary voice.

"Hey Meredith, How are you today?" Marcus greeted, his voice tinged with a mixture of anticipation and caution.

"Where is Atlas? It is very unusual for you to call from his phone. Is there a problem?" he asked tensely as his voice grew taut, slightly anxiousness was noticed in his voice.

"Oh he's playing with the kids. I just wanted to check up on you! How are you? Enjoying your trip?"

Marcus' lips pulled into a smile as he heard the familiar voice. If it was before his heart would've been racing at the sound of her voice but it seems now his heart only beat for Diana.

Who would've thought that he would ever overcome his love for her. Now he felt at peace with himself.

"It's great Meredith! This trip is the best decision I have made." He said, his eyes glistening with joy.

"Oh? Don't tell me you've met some girl?" Meredith asked in a teasing voice.

"Well….."

"Oh my God Marcus! And you've been hiding it from us. Atlas! Atlas!"She shouted from a distance, her voice filled with excitement. Within seconds, the sound of playful laughter and small footsteps grew louder as Atlas approached, followed by the sound of children's giggles.

"What's going on, Meredith?" Atlas asked, appearing in the doorway with a wide smile on his face. He was holding the hand of their youngest child, Lily and her brother Ethan. They trailed behind, their faces beaming with curiosity.

"Guess what, Atlas? Marcus has met someone special on his trip!" Meredith exclaimed, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

Atlas grabbed the phone, putting it on speaker. "Marcus, his eyes widening with surprise. "Is that true, Marcus? You've found someone?" he asked, his tone a mixture of excitement and curiosity.

Marcus chuckled, feeling slightly embarrassed by the sudden attention. "Well, it's still early stages, but yes, I've met someone," he admitted, his cheeks turning slightly pink fortunately they weren't here to see it.

The children gathered around trying to speak on the phone , their eyes wide with anticipation. Aurora, the youngest, tugged at Atlas' pant leg, looking up at him with innocent curiosity to bring the phone down.

"Who is she, Uncle Marcus? Is she pretty?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder as her father lowered the phone.

Marcus chuckled when he heard her, his smile warm and genuine. "Yes, dear, she's very pretty," he replied, his voice gentle. "But what matters most is that she's kind, funny, and makes me feel happy."

Sirius and Aurora exchanged mischievous glances, their playful nature getting the best of them. "Is she going to be our new aunt?" Sirius asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Meredith and Atlas exchanged a knowing look, their hearts filled with joy for Marcus. "Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, kids," Meredith said, trying to temper their expectations. "But who knows? We might have a new addition to the family someday."

Marcus' lips pulled up into a smile, feeling a mix of gratitude and love for his friends and their children. Despite the past challenges and heartaches he had faced, he was grateful for the support and happiness he found in their presence.

As the laughter and conversation continued, Marcus couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and anticipation for what the future held.

With his heart full of joy, Marcus bid farewell to his friends and their children, promising to share more details about his newfound love in due time. Hanging up the phone, he felt a surge of excitement and determination to make his surprise for Diana even more special.

Arriving back at his apartment, Marcus carefully arranged the bouquet of flowers he had purchased earlier, making sure each stem was perfectly placed. The vibrant colors and fragrant blossoms seemed to reflect his growing affection for Diana.

Setting the bouquet on the dining table, Marcus went into the kitchen to prepare a romantic dinner. He knew Diana had a penchant for Italian cuisine, so he selected her favorite pasta dish and paired it with a bottle of her preferred red wine. The tantalizing aroma of garlic and spices filled the air as he cooked, adding to the ambiance of the evening.

As the final touches were made to the dinner table, Marcus glanced at the clock. It was almost time for Diana to arrive home from work. He quickly changed into a crisp shirt and adjusted his tie, ensuring he looked his best for the occasion.

The doorbell rang, causing Marcus' heart to skip a beat. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves before opening the door to reveal Diana standing there, a look of surprise on her face.

"Marcus, what's all this?" she asked, her eyes scanning the beautifully set table and the bouquet of flowers. Her voice was filled with curiosity and excitement.

Marcus stepped forward, a warm glow emanating from him. "Happy one-month anniversary, Diana," he said, his voice filled with affection. "I wanted to surprise you and celebrate this milestone.

These flowers are for you," he said softly. "They represent my deep love and devotion for you, and my hope for a beautiful journey together."

Diana's eyes filled with emotion as she accepted the bouquet, her fingers delicately tracing the petals. "Thank you, Marcus," she whispered, her voice filled with tenderness. "This is more than I could have imagined."

Diana's eyes shimmered with tears of happiness as she took in the scene before her. She felt overwhelmed by Marcus's thoughtfulness and the depth of his feelings for her.

"I don't know what to say," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Marcus gently took her hand in his, his gaze fixed on her eyes. "You don't have to say anything, Diana. Just knowing that you're here, sharing this moment with me, is enough. I cherish the time we've spent together, and I'm excited for the future we'll create together."

Diana's heart swelled with love as she leaned in and embraced Marcus, feeling a sense of warmth and security in his arms. In that moment, surrounded by flowers and love, they both knew that their bond was something special and worth cherishing.