Crashing into an Old Flame
Chapter 148: Roses

Chapter 148: Roses

’’I asked whether you want to feed me.’’

’’Oh... that...’’ Diana pulled her hand out of his grip as she rubbed her neck, ’’I had work to do so I forgot.’’

’’And you asked someone else to bring me food,’’ Maxim reached towards her before holding her hand again.

’’I was busy or else I would have brought it over,’’ she ruffled his hair with her vacant hand, ’’Is there some issue with the food?"

’’Don’t you know I never had an assistant before?’’ he asked, grabbing her other hand as well.

"I know. What about it?" Diana was bewildered. Why was he asking about that?

’’I won’t have another assistant if you ever get sick of his job and quit. Other than you, I am not suited to having anyone else around me,’’ he gave her hands a gentle tug and pulled her into his arms with ease before resting his chin on her forehead.

The smile that had formed on her face by hearing his words vanished the moment their proximity registered in her hand.

With the distance between them, she was his best friend but it was strange how she threw friendship to the back of her head the moment the distance ceased.

She felt him wrapping his arms around her waist as he leaned back on the door.

’’My bad. I should not have done that. What do you suggest I should do to make up for it?" Diana whispered.

Maxim closed his eyes, inhaling her scent. She smelled of roses as usual and it reminded him of the rose body wash he had gotten for her knowing that it was her favorite fragrance, when she was staying with him.

His work had never frustrated him before. For as long as he could remember, he had wanted to be a neurosurgeon. Even though he never gave up on working for it, there were days he was worn out, days when the hectic schedules got the best of him and he felt tired.

Yet, since the day Diana started working with him, it was like she was his recharging station. No matter how tired he was, he just had to get a glimpse of her and the rest of the world disappeared.

But now, looking at her was barely enough.

Diana pulled back to look at him, her eyes demanding an answer to the question she had asked.

He glanced at her, ’’Then, let’s stay like this for some time. Let me hold you.’’

She blinked, ’’That’s what I have been negotiating since yesterday. I totally don’t mind it at all.’’

Maxim buried his face in her neck this time, the corner of his lips tugged up at an angle she could not see. He inhaled her scent, ’’Ana."

Diana stroked his shoulder, her eyes softening when he called her Ana just like he used to do when they were younger, ’’Hmm?"

"Why do you like roses so much?" he rubbed his nose along the nape of her neck.

Diana shivered when his warm breath caressed her skin, the movement of his nose sent tingling sensations in her stomach, ’’Because you gave me a bunch of roses when I was 15.’’

He stiffened, "Just that?’’ He broke the hug and looked at her in disbelief.

Maxim had always known that she loved everything related to roses, be it the flower or fragrance or anything but he never really knew why she liked it.

Diana looked at him like he was growing two heads, ’’Do I need a life-changing reason to like a flower?"

He scratched the back of his neck.

Diana laughed, ’’I remember... That year, a senior confessed to his crush in the hallway with a huge bouquet of roses but his crush rejected him and after he was gone, she threw the flowers in the dustbin. And I made some random remarks about it...’’

’’What a pity. Those flowers were beautiful,’’ Maxim interrupted her. When she looked at him in confusion, he cleared his throat, ’’That’s what you said."

’’You remember?" Her eyes widened. How come he remembered what she said when even she had forgotten her exact words?

"Having a good memory is troublesome. It stores unnecessary data as well,’’ Maxim shook his head.

She punched his chest, ’’Unnecessary data, my foot. I don’t believe that you remember every other thing that happens in your day.’’

He coughed, rubbing the tip of his nose as he ignored her gaze.

She laughed, ’’So, the next day, I found a bunch of roses on my desk. One look at them and I just knew that you were the one who got them for me. When I asked you why you got them for me, do you remember what you said?"

"I can assure you it was nothing important. I don’t even remember it,’’ Maxim shrugged.

"Because you called them beautiful,’’ Diana mimicked his nonchalant voice from back then as she said it.

The corner of his lips twitched, ’’Didn’t you say you don’t remember it?"

"And didn’t you say your memory stores unnecessary data too? How come you forgot your own words?" she rolled her eyes, ’’But fair enough, you remember my words. I remember yours."

Maxim pulled her closer till her body brushed against his, ’’And?"

"And what? That’s it. My younger self was obsessed with roses from then on. My liking towards it originates from that incident. It was the first time a boy gave me flowers and what’s more, the boy was my best friend. All the more reasons to love it,’’ she smiled.

To think that she would label the person she wanted to sleep with as her best friend. Only Diana Chen would do that. Troublemaker.

Maxim pressed the tip of his index finger on her forehead and pushed her away.

’’Hey, don’t play push and pull with me,’’ she rubbed her forehead.

Maxim opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Dr. Warner, sorry for disturbing you. Is Diana there?"

Diana pushed Maxim far away from her when she heard Mary’s voice. She cleared her throat, ’’Dr. Warner, please have a nice meal,’’ she said in a professional voice, ’’Mary, I am here. Give me a moment.’’

Maxim raised an eyebrow.

Diana cleared her throat and looked at her reflection in the window glass panes as she fixed her dress and hair.

Waving her hand at him, she turned to leave only for Maxim to grab her hand.

’’What are you doing?" she whisper-yelled when he pulled her back to him.

"Eat something,’’ he whispered beside her ear, ’’If you fall sick, I will shove you inside a swimming pool.’’

The touched expression on her face disappeared when he finished his sentence and she shoved him away, ’’Then, I will send you to hell.’’

’’Can’t wait.’’

’’You...’’ Forget it, he is messing with you on purpose.

Consoling herself, she threw daggers at him for one last time before leaving his office.

When she was gone, Maxim glanced at his reflection in the glass panes. His crumpled shirt and hair that she messed with her fingers were a highlight.

And certainly, a delight.

....

"I have been looking for you for so long yet you were nowhere to be seen,’’ Mary sighed.

’’You know the number of records I have to keep throughout the day. As an assistant, I don’t get a breather. I am surprised how Wa... Dr. Warner isn’t tired,’’ Diana shook her head, "So, I can only try my best to work harder and sort out everything for him. Which makes me wonder how he managed without an assistant for so long.’’

"I thought Dr. Warner was the biggest workaholic out here but it looks like you are competing with him for that position,’’ Mary held her arm as she spoke, ’’I get it that you want to work harder but you need some rest too.’’

Diana smiled.

"Dr. Warner has made a name for himself through his achievements since a long time ago so it is not surprising that he is the first choice of most patients, which in turn keeps you busy throughout the day. Our director’s grandson is good too but...’’

Diana remembered that the day when they were having lunch at Hazel’s place, Old Master Qin had received a call from his grandson. He had looked annoyed and he did not even stay longer after the call, ’’But?" she couldn’t help but be curious.

Mary sighed, ’’But he can’t compare to Dr. Warner in many ways even though he is just as talented. He lacks the discipline one needs when being a doctor. Although Dr. Warner comes off as unapproachable to the staff members, you won’t ever see a patient being uncomfortable around him. When he first came over, I remember there was an emergency in the hospital and he ended up doing two consecutive surgeries before he proceeded to work throughout the next day. The kind of determination... is admirable.’’

Diana lowered her head. She knew he was great but at the end of the day, she would rather he was happy and comfortable. To think that he worked so hard. But then again, it was not surprising considering the person they were talking about was Maxim.

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