Chapter 9- Larkspur

Derrick was preoccupied, enjoying his lunch as he savoured a sandwich in an outdoor cafeteria just outside the school. Suddenly, he spotted one of his coworkers, Simon, in the distance. Simon approached with his own lunch and asked, "Can I join you?" Derrick replied, "Sure."

Simon began, "So, a little bird told me about your match with your brother."

Derrick, feeling a bit embarrassed, retorted, "You know what you should do? You should take that bird and cook it."

Simon suggested, "Well, if he's really in town, you should invite him. God only knows how much publicity we need in this school."

Derrick responded, "I'll see what I can do."

Simon, as if a thought had just occurred to him, asked, "Hey, is today hopefully Wednesday?"

Derrick, with a straight face, corrected him, "No, it's Thursday. And Simon, you're a teacher; you really should keep track of your calendar."

Before Derrick could finish speaking, Simon exclaimed and started running, "Oh, bollocks, I'm late!"

After finishing his lunch, Derrick decided to head back to class. In the corridors, he encountered streams of students making their way to the assembly hall. He asked one of his students, Jenny, "Hey, where are you all going?" Jenny, responded with a chuckle, "All classes are canceled, sir. We're going to see Mr. Simon and some other teachers perform.

Intrigued by the prospect of watching Simon humiliate himself, Derrick contemplated what to do. Eventually, he decided he no longer wanted to feel like a guest in his own home.

He drove his car to a beautiful flower shop. Upon entering, he spotted a single flower that caught his eye. Pointing to it, he said, "I want those purple ones." The flower, later identified as larkspur, was beautifully covered. The flower seller confirmed, "Oh, this?" Derrick replied, "Yeah, what are they called?" She answered, "They are called larkspur." Derrick said, "Oh, cool name. I'll take them."

Returning home, he found no one in the living room. As he approached the bedroom door, he called out, "Honey, I'm home. I brought you some flowers." Just before reaching the bedroom door, he heard faint rumbling from inside. Upon entering, he saw Samira covered in bed sheets, with the bedroom shower still running.

Concerned, Derrick asked, "Honey, are you alright?"

A nervous Samira replied, "Yeah, I'm alright. I... I just feel a little down, maybe it's the weather."

Derrick, as he closed the shower, remarked, "You left the shower open."

Samira, growing even more nervous, explained, "Yes, the water stopped flowing when I first opened it before I slept. It seems they released the flow later on."

Derrick smiled and presented the flowers, saying, "Oh, I see. I brought you flowers."

Samira expressed her gratitude, "Aww! They are beautiful. Thank you. Just put them on the table."

As he walked to the table, he noticed a red bra lying on the floor. Upon picking it up, he saw wet footprints leading to the cupboard.

Derrick's mind raced, and as he reached the table, he set the flowers down and turned towards the cupboard. Samira, trembling in fear, pleaded, "Don't."

With a jolt of realization, he swiftly opened the cupboard to find Erick, soaked and wearing only black Nike boxer.

Nerves and anger surged within Derrick, and he froze. Erick stammered, "Brother, it's not what you think."

Derrick hearing the word Brother made him even more angry. A surge of energy flowed through to his fist and threw a punch..but Erick with his spider senses managed to quickly avoid it and with his instictual flight or flight reflexes he threw his own punch and managed to connect to Derrick's face.

Samira screamed in terror. "Honey, No!"

Derrick, a mix of sadness, anger, and pride, shouted, "Don't honey me. Why, Samira? Why with my own brother?"

Both of them remained silent.

Derrick thundered, "WHY?"

Samira, overwhelmed with guilt and tears, mumbled, "It... it just happened."

Derrick, sarcastic and still angry, replied, "It just happened, alright."

Derrick ordered, "You both disgust me. Pack your things and leave."

Erick stuttered, "It's not even your house."

Derrick retorted, "You don't even know, do you? Mother left this house in my name."

With a spiteful twist, he added, "She never loved you."

Erick responded, "I don't even care. I pity you, Derrick, still clinging to mommy."

Derrick, growing angrier, began packing Samira's bags. "What are you waiting for? Leave!"

Erick retreated to his room as Derrick continued packing.

Samira, wrapped in her bed sheets, reached out to touch Derrick and implored, "Honey, please calm down."

Derrick, disgusted, replied, "No, you shagged my brother."

With a sense of shame, guilt, and sadness, Samira said, "If that's what you want, it's okay. I'm sorry, Derrick. Goodbye."

Derrick's anger only intensified upon hearing her resolve, but he remained silent and tossed the bags outside.

Samira dressed, gathered her bags, and met Erick, who was waiting in his Porsche.

Erick urged her, "Just get in, Samira. Leave that pathetic man to himself."

Samira placed her bags in the back of the car and took the passenger's seat.

Erick started the engine, filled with disappointment and sadness, and said, "Goodbye, brother."

In a blur, they drove away.

Derrick returned to his bedroom, furious. He angrily tore the larkspur into smithereens.