"I have a friend who's looking for a part-timer to help her out since her last one quit on her. I'll give you her number and the address, you can at least try it out, until you find another job."

That's what Hayley said before she left. I was starting down at the paper with a number on it and a name that read out 'Melanie.' I sighed and looked up at the shop in front of me. Flowers... It can't be that bad huh?

When I walked in, I was hit with a strong aroma, it smelled so good. I smiled as I looked around at the flowers, they're so colorful and they look so well taken care of. I walked up to the front desk and came face to face with a really pretty girl. I looked down at the name tag on her shirt, her name's Melanie.

Her hair was dark brown and she wore a small grey beanie over it, the same color as her shirt. Her eyes were hazel brown and she was staring right back at me with a small smile on her face. She didn't say anything for a while but stare, then she clapped her hands, "Morning glory!" She blurted out and my eyebrows raised. "Sorry, what?"

"Oh sorry... I meant the flower." My mind definitely did not go there.

"It's a habit of mine." She explained, "Your eye looks the same color of one, the blue one. Blue morning glory flowers usually symbolize trust, respect, and other deep, heartfelt emotions. Or so it goes..."

"Oh wow, I didn't know that. That's pretty cool."

She nodded, "Isn't it? You must be Jeyri right?"

"Yes. How did you know?" I couldn't help but notice the beauty mark on her face as she spoke. There was one above her mouth and under her eye. She looked really sweet, and her attitude as well... it matched with the vibe of her shop.

Pretty.

"Hayley told me that you were going to come." She pointed to me and smiled, "One blue and one brown right? Hard detail to forget."

She stuck out her hand I shook it, "It's nice to meet you, Melanie right?"

"Yup!" She said, "Oh, we just opened by the way, so that's why there's no one here right now. I can tell you about the job and you can decide on whether you want to work her or not?"

I nodded, "I don't have any experience though, with plants... The most I've done was water a flower a boy gave me when I was six but it died..."

She laughed and shook her head, "That's okay, I can get you familiar with them as you go along. I just need help watering them from time to time and someone to help up at the front. If you think you can start today, I'll just have you at the register so you won't need to worry about the flowers."

That sounds about easy.

"Most if my customers are regulars so, I've memorized their orders down so in case I'm not here one day I'll let you know it as well. There's a bathroom in the back and also a changing room, but you don't have to wear a uniform or anything, it just came with the place!"

"Okay, thank you so much by the way."

"Oh no, don't mention it, hun. Thank you, I was in dire need of some help. Does this mean you're taking the job?!" She asked excitedly and I nodded, "If you'll have me."

"Yess!"

Our introduction was cut short from the sound of the bells chiming at the entrance. "Welcome!"

My back was still turned to the entrance but I heard a real familiar voice that made me freeze up. "Melanie."

"Same as usual?" She asked and I'm assuming he nodded because I didn't hear him say anything. She motioned for me to come next to her and I walked over behind the counter and stood at the register. "Just stay right there for me okay? I'm just going to go get the flowers." I nodded slowly and she walked to the front of the store, leaving him and I alone. I stood there, not lifting my head but he spoke again, this time addressing me.

"I didn't know you worked here, I've never seen you here."

"I did lose my job yesterday," I said, still not looking up at him and he sighed, "Mi dispiace, tesoro."

"I don't know Italian..."

"I said I'm sorry. Won't you look at me?" He asked and I shook my head. Why did I have to run into him here of all places? I don't think I can work here if...

"Sorry it took so long! Oh God, it's a relief you're here Jeyri." She placed a bouquet of flowers down on the counter and he took them.

I almost had to look up at him as she "introduced us." "He's a regular here and he mostly buys the same thing as usual so I'll have you know what he orders."

"They're purple hyacinths." He spoke before Melanie could. "It's used to symbolize regret. It expresses the giver's sadness over a situation and asks for forgiveness. They're my mother's favorite." He said looking me in the eyes.

"Oh..." Why does he look at me that way?

He pulled one out from the bunch and reached over before tucking it behind my ear. "I'll be off. Good to see you again Jeyri." He said, pressing his finger to his lips before smiling and my eyes widened.

'Do you want to know what happened to the last person who made things difficult for me, hmm?' His words from last night repeated over in my head as he left and I felt my hands shaking. I clenched them up into fists and let out a deep breath.

"You two have met before?" Melanie asked and I nodded, "Somewhat."

She leaned against the counter and tilted her head, "I see..."

"Are you not scared of him?" I asked her and she looked up, "Hmm... No, not really."

<>

ya'll know damn well I cannot pronounce those flower names 😭✋)

Word count: 1002

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Seth out ❤️