Carnations

Carnations
Robert decided to answer Jared's call. He didn't want to see him, didn't want to talk to him. He knew that Jared would try to make things right, but Robert didn't want that; he needed to be away from Jared. 
Nevertheless, he agreed to see him.
He was picking up things from his office, while Dayana watched from the door, eager to know something. She hadn't seen him in days, she was very angry with him, but she was aware that she couldn't throw a fit, because Robert only kept his distance and said nothing to her.
"Robert... let's talk, please." Why wasn't he saying anything? He was moving from one place to another, in silence.
"Not now," he finally answered. "I'm waiting to talk to Jared."
"Since when is Jared more important than me?!"
"Can you wait outside? You're distracting me, and I'm busy." Ignoring his words, Dayana took a seat.
"Are you packing your things? I haven't heard of any office change, could you tell me what you're doing? Where are you going with all that? Are you cleaning your office? I'll help, Robert. What do you need me to do? If you want, we can give it a different look, a design change; the colors are very dull, they make the place look smaller, and I don't like it. If you're thinking of a change, that's fine."
Full of patience, he put down what he had in his hands and paid attention to the woman, sitting down to talk to her.
He wanted to be direct because he had spent many good moments with her that managed to pull him out of the madness of a marriage he didn't want, so it was better to be honest, to end something that no longer made sense.
"Dayana, the coldness of my wife no longer chills me, so I don't need your warmth." Was that being direct? Dayana's eyes dropped to the desk, unable to look into his eyes since she understood the meaning of his words. "I'm getting divorced, and you were only a part of my life during my marriage. Now that it's ending, so are we. I feel much better and am grateful for your contribution to my improvement. I had a good time, you're lovely, but this is the end. We can be friends; I like you."
"Y-You're... getting divorced?" Wasn't that a good opportunity for him to make her Mrs. Graham? So why was he breaking up with her? It was supposed that now that he would be single, their relationship had to become stronger, not the other way around, but Robert was ending it.
What happened to all those plans Dayana had?
And her aspirations to replace Alice Taylor and become Mrs. Graham? There was no Mrs. Graham now, neither for Alice nor for Dayana. Robert felt he could breathe now that the divorce was a fact. Even though he couldn't get his company back, he got something much better.
"Yes, I'm getting divorced."
"And you're leaving me now that you'll be single?!"
"Yes, Dayana. I won't work here anymore either. The company will belong to the Taylors. I'll make sure you keep your job, that they don't change any of the staff."
"But... is she taking everything from you in the divorce?"
"It's not about that, Dayana. It will be explained to everyone."
She didn't understand, and he didn't feel like explaining. He looked at her tear-filled face and went over to comfort her; she had given him pleasant moments where he could clear his mind and think of nothing but the fabulous body beside him.
As he hugged her, Jared knocked on the door, entering.
"I didn't mean to interrupt," he apologized, seeing that Dayana was inside.
"She was just leaving. Come in, Jared." It was uncomfortable seeing him, and a thousand questions formed in Robert's head that he wouldn't ask. He dried Dayana's tears and gave her one last kiss on the forehead.
The woman, who had such high expectations about the relationship, left with all her dreams shattered as she couldn't be with Robert anymore. The future she had planned was now in ruins, and she didn't like it one bit, especially the idea that the company now belonged to the Taylors. She would be nothing more than a simple assistant without Robert Graham there.
When the door closed, the tension could be felt in that office. Jared couldn’t sit down, feeling too restless. He looked at Robert’s belongings in that box, and a flood of questions came to him.
"You can't blame me for not telling you, Robert," the conversation began. What else could they discuss?
Robert thought he might easily sidestep the topic, but once Jared spoke, all the questions surged forward.
"Can't I blame you for marrying the woman you love? Can't I blame you for being her husband? Can't I blame you? Seriously?! You missed my wedding! Because you decided to go on a trip on that date! Jared!" Everything had clicked when he saw Jared with Alice in that room. He thought they had been seeing each other for weeks, but he didn't intend to confront that, especially since he had Dayana as a lover too. "We’ve fought, stopped speaking to each other, I’ve insulted you countless times! We’ve hit each other, lied to each other. But... damn! I married her! I married the woman you say you love. That surpasses anything we've ever done to each other, and I still can't understand why the hell you didn't tell me."
"What would you have done?"
"What would I have done? Not attend that damn wedding! I would have done whatever it took not to marry Alice. Anything. How do you think I feel?"
"How do you think I felt all this time? Do you think it was easy for me or for her? You made her live in hell, you told me about your plans, you were going to have another child with her just for business."
"And yet... you didn't do anything, Jared. You let me marry her without saying a word. How far were you going to take it, Jared?"
"What did you want me to do? Could I have done something?"
"Just tell me. If you really knew me... if you really knew me, you'd know that I would never, ever touch anything you love. It hasn’t been a rosy friendship, it had its ups and downs, but we've lasted many years because we know how to tolerate each other. However, I feel this is where it ends, Jared," he said sorrowfully. Robert didn't even know what to name his feelings; it was confusing and contradictory. "The company is in the hands of the Taylors now. I don’t know if Alice told you. With our divorce, they get the company, because of the stupid deal my father made with them. Anyway, I've come to terms with it. I packed my things, I assume they will keep the staff and I can't think of a better option than you to run it."
"Alice told me, that's why I came. I believe they've chosen me to lead it," Jared said. Robert moved from behind his desk to pick up a small frame by the door. He was fond of it and didn't want to leave it behind, fearing it would end up in the trash. "You see, I didn't know she felt the same about me. Nobody knew until a few months ago. I'm sorry you lost the company and that things are ending this way. You hurt Alice a lot, and I don’t think you’ve apologized to her yet. You should, Robert. The marriage was tough for you, but for her, it was torture, a torment you exclusively created for her. She also told me you spoke well of me to her father. Thank you. I won't try to continue our friendship; it's clear you want to distance yourself. That's fine by me. It's best for both of us not to be around you; it would be too awkward since you’re her ex-husband, and I was your friend. Even saying it aloud sounds wrong."
"Yes, I want to distance myself. It's now possible," Robert replied, referring to the impending divorce after which he wouldn’t have to see Alice ever again.
"Before anything else, I need you to tell me something. And bear in mind there's a high chance I’ll know if you're lying, Robert."
"What do you want to know?" Robert propped his hands next to the box, having gathered all his belongings.
"That morning... you filled the house with flowers," Jared recalled, eyes scrutinizing his friend.
"I was trying, what's wrong or strange about that? They were just flowers," Robert dismissed, looking at the items in the box.
"No, they weren’t just flowers, Robert. They were carnations, and you filled the house with them," Jared said. He knew those were the flowers Robert always brought to his mother, aware of their significance to him.
"You gave Alice carnations. I’ve seen you give roses and many other types of flowers, but these, these were reserved for your mother, and yet you gave them to Alice. So, I have to ask, do you have feelings for her?" Jared's eyes sought out Robert's, needing to see the truth in them.
Robert could refuse to answer, but he couldn't lie; Jared would be watching for that. His heartbeat changed, anything but calm. He was grateful Jared didn't notice.
It took a moment for Robert to meet Jared's gaze. When he did, he spoke, "There weren’t any other flowers available. I did it in the early hours, only because my father told me to. It was his request, not mine. Since when do you think I’m a romantic, Jared? It was a last-minute decision. Those were the only flowers available, and I didn't have time to get others. You’re giving too much meaning to something that had none. It was mere coincidence. Don't blow it out of proportion. I have no feelings for Alice Taylor."
Jared seemed convinced by the answer. "If I ever find out you're pitying me... that's something I won't be able to forgive, Robert."
"I know. And that's not the case."
In truth, Robert had handpicked those flowers, being very specific about his choice. He had wanted to give them to her, which was why he filled the house and gave her that beautiful bouquet, which Alice had later thrown on the floor.
It wasn’t a coincidence or some random chance.
It was his deliberate choice.
Carnations.