Letters Full of Sunshine ✓

Day 01: Where it all starts

Day one. 

Where it all starts.

✉

1st.

The little girl looked at him as if she was examining everything about him. The boy doesn't know if it's because of pity. But then again, he was used with the pity. Even at this young age, he already knew that he was pitiful; he despite his life. 

He looked at her, carefully assessing things on what she might do. It was either if she will scream for help or slap him or... hit him. He's used with this. He's used with getting beaten up... 

What surprised him though... is that this girl just smiled and offered her hand.

Instead of screaming, she smiled and spoke softly, "Are you alright?"

No, because finally, you have come.

/end

✉

March 6

    My forehead creased as I read the words inside the letter. 

    I'm carefully looking for some clues since that is my goal in whatever this is. True that at first, I have seen this as nothing but me having a month end subscription of sunflowers with just written notice every single day. I know better that this letter was from him, from Shawn Mcklaire.

    Even if I was getting the better end of the stick in this kind of situation, I still need to try my best to give my contribution to what was put into me. There would be no cheating in my end, that is not fair for Shawn. He'll probably have his hands full for all day and prepare everything for my slow brain to understand. 

    I shouldn't research anything that associates sunflowers to Shawn Mcklaire. Every idea should be solely from my own comprehension - as I didn't seemed to have a choice. My stupid ass already searched everything that would tell me everything there is to know about Shawn. 

    There were no issues of him being linked to any flowers - for of course, he was a man.

    All I saw from the internet is their company and how he looked in a tuxedo. The man was perfect, that is for sure. He has a brain that astonished everyone in the media as he was able to handle a multi-million corporation at a young age. 

    "I wonder what this is," I questioned while holding on to the letter, looking for any more clues that would be placed on it. However, I see nothing but the words written on it. The paper seemed new, which gave me the idea that he must be writing a story to these letters.    

    These aren't old or some journal.

    He wrote this.        

    "Oh, f**k. I seemed to be not the person for this job," I whined, carefully folding the letter as the annoyance was slowly slipping through my head.    

    Of course that was his handwriting and he, of course, was conveying a story for me. He told me from the day that he wanted all of whatever this is to happen. Heavens sake, why does my brain shut down every five minutes when I needed it to focus on solving things?

    I am not even a detective to even know what the f**k this all means.

    How can I decipher something like this? 

    Hope that miracle exist? 

    This letter is the first thing that I saw right before I open my door. It was neatly placed on the doorstep when I came out for my 5 o'clock schedule. Basically, nothing is corrupting my mind to whatever this letter is for. I can't comprehend how his mind actually works. 

    That guy is really, really, really weird.

    And most importantly, where's my sunflower? Gods!

    "Tami, hello there~ Are you still there because I'm still here~" my gaze followed the girl right who was sitting in of the stools in the bar table. Carefully pulling up a sigh, I carefully pressed the letter into one of my notebooks before heading into her way. She seemed to be in full teasing mode as a glimmer glistened to her eyes. She must have saw me reading something, "I have been calling you for a while, why didn't you hear me? Did someone gave you a letter? Can I see it?" 

    I automatically rolled my eyes to her direction, wondering as to why she would meddle in things like that. Eyre, being herself, simply just giggled as a response. Why do they keep on suffocating me? 

    Then again, doesn't she know what her brother had orchestrated? I doubt that. For they live in a single house and Eyre is someone who is always bothering her brother. Shrugging, I see nothing wrong in telling her the letter that he had written me.

    Without missing a beat, I replied, "A letter from your brother." 

    If I didn't know better, it would seem like what I had just muttered were along a threat of a killer as she reacted in a bad way. Her body body shivered, mouth agape as she was perplexed on the words to say. Eyre seemed visibly anxious and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing. There's this fear swirling in her eyes and that just made me frown. 

    Weird, really really weird. 

    She awkwardly laughed and sit up straight, "Oh. I can't read it then. Anyway! You have to come with me after your shift."

    "N.O."

    "Everybody say NO!"

    I raised a brow at her as she continued on her singing by munching up words that I basically don't even understand. Most of the costumers seems to be getting her words because they all continued spitting out words. 

    Now, I don't care if they see themselves cool or hip whenever these things would happen - but in my point view, they all seemed like cult members who are casting out a chant to raise the dead. Their mouths are so fast into mumbling out things and not a single one of them f*****g synchs. 

    I mean, what is the point? 

    Are the lyrics just says, 'What the f**k you say doesn't matter - no one even understand you anyway?' 

    From the very moment that Eyre's golden eyes met mine did she stilled, stopping her chants of the cult and copied the frown that was etched on my lips. Ever so slowly, her lips formed into a pout which was enough to have me raise a brow of my own. 

    "I am not going to fall for that," I muttered slowly to warn her about the rejection that will seem to happen to her life. However, in the way that I see it - this would seems like I'm just coaxing myself by that lie. For everyone knows that I couldn't really say no.

    Not to Eyre Mcklaire, anyway. 

    She's way too adorable to dismiss. 

    Her frown suddenly intensified, "Please, Tami? Please?"

    "Oh god, fine! Just stop whatever magic you're doing and let me work," I grumbled as I basically throw curses at myself. Why do I got to be so soft when it comes to this adorable kid? Ugh!

    She throw her fist in the air as she giggled softly, "Yes, yes! Yeees! Thank you!"

    "Yeah, yeah, whatever." 

    I grab the schedule assigned to us as I check the clock on the side. Pointing two and two, I double check if I am right about how I am handling my time. Eyre waited patiently so I didn't bother cutting my hours. With little to no care about time, I took my precious time as she took a delicate sip on her juice. 

    I nodded, "Yeah, I'll be just quick. My shift ends in about 3 hours."

    Oh heavens, help me. 

    I have the sudden urge to slap someone right in the face as I was practically showered by her drink. If I didn't just love this adorable kid right in front of me, I could have already killed her - so hard. 

    How dare she spit her drink on me?! How dare she? Damn it, talk about disgusting. I mean, that just came from her mouth! I heard her sigh while she slammed the table, as if nothing actually happened.

    She grumbled as she showed a pout, "That long? Why does it have to be this hard?~~"

    "Eyre Mcklaire," I growled lightly.

    "Oh no, you just used my full name." 

    "You just spit on me, young lady!"

    She looked at me and her mouth form into an 'o' form, "Sorry, Tami. I just got caught up by the bad news that you've just told me. Sorry~"

    I just shook my head as I head towards the staff room to change my current wet uniform to the extra set of uniform in my locker. Silently thanking myself for always making sure that I always have extra clothes for emergency. 

    For my whole work time in this place, this was the first time that I am using my emergency clothes. 

    The liquid did some minor damage in my make-up but I just shrugged it of as I head back into work. As I push the staff door open, my eyes met with Eyre's apologetic eyes, in which I just smiled at her in response. Oh gosh, help me to have a large amount of patience for her and her brother.

    Now, let's get to business!     

    To say it frankly, working in this coffee house isn't actually all that bad. Every smell from would come out from the kitchen was enough to have me hungry but it would always be a blessing in my nose. All the fruits are fresh as the owner runs their own farm too. 

    This still isn't a big coffee spot yet so there aren't that many people in here, But nevertheless, I loved it here. I love every people that visit this coffee shop, and with our regulars - I am proud to say that I am close to knowing around 100 customers. 

    It's like my second home. 

    I wipe the tables, take orders, do some servings and every prepare some coffee of my own. That's actually my main job but I was just filling up today and the barista bar is already filled. So, all I could offer is cleaning up for the people. 

    I have done almost everything that's enough to make me feel exhausted but I feel rather refreshed.

    "Boo yeah!" My thoughts got interrupted as Eyre just started dancing some weird dance out of nowhere which made some of the costumer look at her in amusement. She, however, just take a good glance at me after she's done before showing a soft smile, "Time's up, Tami!"

    My eyes darted into the clock from inside the coffee house which is now set into a firm 3 o'clock. I can't believe that she really wait for the entire three hours. Not that I was thinking that she would walk out and dismiss whatever she has in mind - but Eyre doesn't particular have all the time in her hands.

    She would always be antsy.

    The woman couldn't be in a room for more than 30 minutes and not panic when she's utterly doing nothing. No one was reporting her of doing something bad so I guess that she really did do her best in behaving herself. 

    Without even letting me utter a response, Eyre just dragged me out of the coffee house before forcefully pushing me inside her car. I didn't have the time to change my clothes as she keeps on telling me that we'll be late. 

    I wasn't sure where we'll be late but she seemed determined to get there.

    Too determined if you ask me. 

    "Yeah, sure. I'll come with you, Eyre. Thank you so much for taking the time and asking me," I muttered sarcastically as she got inside the driver seat. She however, seems unfazed as she pull the seat belt strap on her body, "I didn't actually know that you dri-aah! Oh my heavens!"

    She shot me a worried look before looking back in the road, "I'm sorry but he's already freaking out that I'm getting kind of late that I originally told him."

    I don't even have to respond as I cling on the car with all my might. 

    From this moment on, there's this thin line between my life and death right at this given point. I was basically looking at my very death and I wasn't sure if I was ready for this very second. Not even a scream was able to escape from my lips as I am nothing but scared to even f*****g more. 

    Eyre is basically driving at insane speed as she continue to maneuver the car in the road, smoothly passing other cars in the process. No matter how f*****g cool it looks from the outside, it was a whole experience from the inside. 

    I'm sure that whatever her speed right now is not even allowed in this kind of road.

    "That face," she chuckled as she shot me a glance, "Calm down, Tami. We're perfectly safe, I will never put you in danger. You can trust me."

    I gasped as she just set her eyes on me, "OH MY GOD JUST FOCUS ON THE DAMN ROAD, YOUNG LADY!"

    Her used to be contagious laugh surround the whole car - I say 'used to be' because if I'm not in the verge of having a heart attack and practically dying at this speed, I would have laughed along with her. I never knew that there would a time where I would physically hand my life to Eyre for all people. 

    This is ridiculous, who even taught her to drive at this speed!?

    As the car suddenly decrease in speed, my whole body relaxed and then we came to a complete stop. My eyes wander in the surrounding and in an instant, my body just went back to pure anxiety. I'm sorry - but it would seem like the Eyre that I have known for months now are just hiding behind the persona of a serial killer. 

    We're in the abandoned forest in this whole place and that's not a good news for me because one, I don't like being in the middle of the forest because I don't have the chance to survive. Two, this forest is abandoned for a reason.

    "Is this the part where you kill me? And I have been nothing but kind to you," I tried to make a joke but my voiced just carefully laced out that I am in an intense sense of worry.

    Eyre bit her lips, containing her laugh to how my mind seemed to make a way of things, "We don't have time for this. You need to get off, Tami."

    "No thanks, I'm fine."

    "Everything will be fine, come on," she mumbled but no fraction of me is going along with her and I don't have the energy to listen to her coaxing me that everything will be fine because it's not! It's dark and this forest is way pass the whole 'spooky' scenario, "Fine, let me escort you then."

    Eyre grabbed her keys out of the ignition as she gracefully push herself outside of her car. She was taking some delicate steps towards my side as I look around carefully, looking for anything that could scare me. As she was about to touch the passenger door, a set of hand grab her from behind before dragging her into the forest.

    Then my face instantly just paled.

    What the f**k. 

    Without thinking logically, I set foot into the forest as I dash out into wherever Eyre was dragged into. As my feet continue to drag me deeper into the forest, I could hear another pair of feet running towards me. My hand automatically formed into a fist as my fear continue to eat me up inside. Doubling my pace, I lost my balance and fall into the cold ground. The creature stopped running and I could hear it's breathing behind me.

    "Don't touch me, please." My voice was broken, cracked, scared and shattered. I was doing my best to move away from that beast, "Please, please don't."

    "Tami, it's me."

    My mind just turn blank as I heard that familiar voice. Pushing up the little set of courage inside me, I met the eyes of my so called beast, the one and only Shawn Mcklaire. 

    Only it wasn't a beast but a wealthy man who is nothing but a sight of beauty. As if his presence is some sort of signal, my tears just escape my eyes as I realize how twisted this thing is. How dare he plan this kind of thing!? 

    I was scared and traumatized! 

    Does he honestly think this is funny? I'm crying for Pete's sake! 

    His eyes soften as he lowered himself at me.

    "Tami, don't cry."

    "You jerk! I freaking hate you," I mumbled softly as I push him away from me but I don't think I have the enough energy to push him away because he didn't even move from his place. There's this whole guilt thing dancing in his eyes, "I was so scared, Shawn! That is not funny. How could you make me think that someone was trying to get Eyre? To get me? I felt like dying!"

    I was supposed to rant at him, scream and hit him but I end up being such a baby, whining for his attention. My own brain wasn't exactly sure as to why I was acting like a five-year-old kid who was muttering just how hard life is to their parents. 

    Why am I being like this? 

    Shawn sighed as he sat on the ground to keep his eyes in my level, huge wave of guilt was pressed on his eyes and it was already enough to put some calm nerves inside my anxious heart. He started to wipe my tears away, even flashing me his adorable smile to ease the fear inside me.

    "Sorry, Tami. I'm really sorry. I just really want this first thing to be special and unforgettable. I thought this would be a great place to start creating memories."

    I sniffed as I couldn't believe how his mind f*****g words, "You get the unforgettable part. But special? You should try again."

    "Well, I do have a month to try," he grinned. 

    "We're revoking it." 

    Shawn chuckled as he diverted his attention at the clouds. It just 4 pm so it isn't that dark to look for stars. I shivered as my body finally got aware with the cold place. This was a forest, after all. Nothing but pure air and wind covered the tress so it would natural for me to be cold. 

    Noticing my big dilemma, Shawn drape his jacket on me, proving me the heat that I have missed for a moment. I thanked him silently and he just smiled as a response.

    "We should be going, Tami," he just casually announced before pushing himself on his feet. Shrugging some dirt of his body, his eyes found mine before he offered his hand to me, "It'll be dark soon so we better head on out of here."

    Oh.

    "Do you have your car? My house if pretty far from here to travel by foot," I looked around, still sniffing from what seemed like the combination of my tears and the coldness that was surrounding my body. My forehead creased as soon as I realized that I wasn't sure as to where we were. 

    "Do you know even know to get out of this place?" I asked, looking at Shawn. 

    "Home? This fast? I haven't even started with my surprises yet."

    "Oh my god, there's more?" I exclaimed. 

    Shawn nodded, seemingly not understanding my worries. If there are more things that would make me realize that I should be grateful about life - I am all good. Was that the message of this whole thing because I just fixed it. 

    He grabbed my hand as he continued to walk in some place which just drive my anxiety in an uproar. I grab his hand towards me, practically stopping him in his tracks which made him look back at me.

    "You're not gonna scare me again, are you?"

    Shawn frowned, "And let you cry again? Not on my watch."

    He pinched my nose before we inside the spooky forest. Instead of a normal trailed forest that people usually visit, you could see that this place is rarely even visited by locals. The trees aren't tainted with illegal logging and the trees completely covered you from whatever it's hiding you from. It was an untouched soil of land and in a sense, it gave people the most beautiful air that we always have. 

    Most people would see this forest as a very perfect thing since everything seems to be in place, but I could help myself but to feel like in some point, some danger would come across my sight. The sound was calming, the wind was refreshing. Everything was relaxing - but my foot strongly disagree. 

    I think we walked way too long. It's aching so badly.

    I grumbled as I look around, there were still no trace of anything, "Are you lost?"

    "No, I'm exactly where I should be," He looked at me very carefully before flashing that million dollar watt smile to my direction, "Right here, beside you. Holding your hand as we explore the forest."

    Well damn.

    I think my cheek flushed red at his response and seeing his contented expression, I think my cheeks are clearly visible to him. Oh heavens, help me. After some minutes of nothing but me freaking out that I was blushing due to this man, he finally announced that we reached our destination. 

    A small smile appeared on my lips upon seeing the sight before me. 

    We have arrived in a waterfall. And no, it's not just a normal waterfall. For it has an entrance on the back of the water and I was taken aback with the beauty that this forest has. From the outside, one would fear tracking this whole place but it seemed to be worth it. 

    What we went into was a cave. 

    It was dark, but thankfully, there are fireflies everywhere that serves as the light inside the cave. Shawn squeezed my hand which made me look at him. He was looking at me carefully, examining my expression.

    "Do you like it?"

    "Like it? Oh my gosh! I love it! You made all of these possible?"

    He smiled, "For you, Tami."

    "It's the most beautiful that I have ever seen, Shawn!"

    "Tami, you're more breathtaking than this."

    He squeezed my hand and I could see his red ears. I giggled at his embarrassed state even though I know that my cheeks is in the same state as his ears at this exact moment. I just can't help but to blush in every word that he's saying to my face. 

    The man wasn't fearful into showing me how he feels.

    How he cared.

    How he's interested in me. 

    Why is he being like this? 

    This is all so unexpected. 

    He just laughed slowly and dragged me to the cave. As we enter the cave, it's getting more and more beautiful. There are some glow-in-the-dark scribbles in the wall, adding to the beauty that it offered to those who were lucky enough to see it.. 

    There were also some were poetry written there. 

    Some were song lyrics with such sad ending.

    Some were lines from old films. 

You used to be nothing,

A part that's not everlasting;

You used to be nothing,

A fraction that was meant to be forgotten;

And I, used to be just nothing

that is, until you happened.

    I read the words softly, completely amazed at his surprising talent. Not like it was one of those poem that would be sent into competition but it was enough to have me in awe. I looked at him and there's this whole adoration look in his eyes as his mouth showed his most sincere smile.

    "You made this? I never knew you love poetry."

    He laughed, "You're always unaware of everything I love, Tami."

    I chuckled but I agreed softly. 

    My feet just continued to travel inside the cave while I'm looking at the surrounding. Everything was just perfect. There's no wonder why I didn't see him all day. Wait... so he send me that letter before he went here and basically made all of these possible? Wow. Just... wow, that's amazing.

    A table is placed on the end of the cave where there's two crystal chairs on the both ends. Fireflies are almost everywhere in this side of the cave; even the center of the table has a jug full of fireflies. Every food was set and I can see that every food in the table are still freshly out of the pan. Oh my gosh. This isn't beautiful, this is beyond breathtaking.

♩♫ 

"I was a quick-wit boy

Diving too deep for coins

All of your street light eyes

Wide on my plastic toys"

♩ ♫

    As a familiar sound played, I looked at Shawn who just gently let my hand free. He bowed in a 90 degree angle which just made me smiled at his dorky yet very charming approach. As he offered his hand to me, his soft brown eyes followed mine and something about how his eyes glister in this cave made me all giddy inside. As his hand touched my waist, I almost jumped in the sparks that filled my body.

    He flashed me a soft smile, "Can I please dance with you?"

♩ ♫ ♩

"Then when the cops closed the fair

I cut my long baby hair

Stole me a dog-eared map

And called for you everywhere"

♩ ♫ ♩

    I shook my head as I slowly bite my lips, "I can't dance."

    He just shrugged as if he was aware of that idea. Slowly, he put my arms on his shoulders as his hands fall back into my waist. I feel our body swayed softly along with the song. My eyes absentmindedly look down to stop myself from stepping on his feet. His warm strong hands cupped my face before bring it back to his soft yet very passionate eyes. Everything about him just screams the whole idea of perfection.

    "Lesson one," he laughed slowly at his words before letting his hands back at my waist, "Never lose eye contact with your partner."

♩ ♫ ♩

"Have I found you?

Flightless bird, jealous, weeping

Or lost you?

American mouth

Big pill looming"

♩ ♫ ♩

    Our body were perfectly swaying in the rhythm. Both of our eyes were locked together, as if we're both in a trance. Smiles were plastered in our faces as our body is completely flushed to each other. I can basically feel the warmth that his body exert. I can feel him breathing, as if everything about this taking is breath away. I can hear how his heart beats faster than usual, probably matching my own heart beat. And lastly, I could already feel some silly emotions that I shouldn't feel.

    Why me, Shawn?

    On all the possible girls, why me?

♩ ♫ ♩

"Now I'm a fat house cat

Nursing my sore blunt tongue

Watching the warm poison rats

Curl through the wide fence cracks

Pissing on magazine photos

Those fishing lures thrown in the cold and clean

Blood of Christ mountain stream"

♩ ♫ ♩

    He hold me more closely to his body as I feel his hands tighten on my waist. I literally froze in the spot, completely unaware to what should I do in these kind of situation. Our body is too damn close! Shawn's looking way too intense yet kind of soft in my liking. It makes me calm, and I hated the idea of that. As if he was back in his mind, a sigh escape his mouth, yet again, and he put a distance between us.

    "Let's eat. I think the food is getting cold."

    I just nodded feverishly before we head towards the table. He assist me to my seat and I was take a good look to the treats in front of me. Yay, food! There are tons! Does he have any plan to make me fat?! Oh my gods! There are steak, carbonara, almost everything that would feed at least five people. The food were still warm so I can tell that he's not the one who prepared this. Then it hit me. Eyre. That little kid.

    "Kidnapping my sister wasn't actually the part of the plan," he sighed, "That guy just panicked because he can't prepare all of this without her."

    I smiled sweetly, "Well, now you have done it."

    "Done what?" his forehead creased in a very adorable manner which made me grin.

    "You know, you made this day completely special and unforgettable," I saw how his eyes twinkled in my response and there's this adorable smile that escape his lips. My hands formed a thumbs up before showing him a sincere smile, "Thank you for this, Shawn. It's all too much."

• • •

I arrived at my apartment after the day well spent with Shawn. 

    He took me home after we finished enjoying the scenery and finishing the whole meal that Eyre and her friend prepared for us. It was such a perfect night. My smile is still visible in my face as I get in my room. I was about to walk towards my bathroom when I noticed something on my bed.

    "Sunflower!"

    I was so happy to see it in my room that I rolled on my bed and danced crazily, not even thinking about every reasonable thing that I need to do. Then I noticed some notepad on my headboard which just made me stop doing whatever ritual that I am doing. I stood up and pick it up softly.

    It says: 'First Sunflower'

    Then everything just halted as my breathing just even out. That's right, I should be this glad. This is just the beginning of whatever this thing is and I'm acting like this.

    Shawn Mcklaire, what the hell are you?