Chapter 5
Ancia's POV
It is just before my lunch time. I am spraying some water on the flowers to make them look fresher while crouching down on the floor. Suddenly I hear the bell chime meaning someone has entered the shop. I turn behind while putting on my usual business smile. So dark… That was my first thought on meeting his eyes. The man before me has fair skin with burgundy hair. He has well developed muscle and is quite tall compared to my own height of 5'5. Something about him is making it hard for me to look away.. I wonder what it is?. Then I instantly came out of my daze as I realized that I still haven't welcomed him properly. I blinked once.
"What am I doing?" I asked myself.
I immediately put on my business smile and greet the man in front of me.
"Welcome Sir, how can I help you?"
I waited for the man to register my words as he has been staring at me with an expression that I can't exactly explain since earlier.
"I am finally here…." I heard him say while I titled my head in question a little.
"Did he have an appointment with me? Well that can't be i haven't received any call regarding it and I am absolutely sure that I haven't ever met this guy before. He does not look like someone I would forget if we met after all. I mean look at this face ...this body and I am quite sure his voice is not something I will ever be able to forget no matter how many millennia I live . He is just so perfect. I want to ask him to let me make a portrait of him like I used to … Wait! Am I actually considering painting a portrait of a stranger? Just what is wrong with me?" I asked myself but the next moment the door of the shop opened again and the bell chimed. This time it is another good looking brunette with a somewhat pouty expression.
I greeted him with my usual business smile as I did earlier. I suddenly caught the burgundy haired man staring at the brunette, it feels as if they both know each other.
"How can I help you, Sir?" I asked again, this time I am glancing between the both of them.
"Flowers...I want flowers.." said the burgundy haired god…..Oops ... I mean man. I giggled as I watched the man suddenly make an expression as if he was embarrassed by what he just said.
"Of course Sir, But which flower would you like to buy?" I asked while I moved aside to give him the better view of all the flowers in my shop.
The burgundy haired man stayed silent for a moment before asking the other brunette who had his arm around his shoulder and was slightly panting.
"Which one do you like, Ed?"
Ed? They sound close.
"Umm.. some colorful flowers?" said Ed but I didn't pay my complete attention to him because I was surprisingly distracted by the hand of Ed on the burgundy haired man's shoulder.
"Could it be...they are...together like dating each other?!! .. I mean it's not out of possibility." I thought while my eyes went a little wide but I quickly put on my previous expression.
"What is wrong with me? It's not like me to jump onto such an absurd conclusion. But what is this strange burning sensation in my chest while imagining this guy with anyone. Also he could very well be straight and they could be just friends or what do they call it these days close 'buddies'? " I mentally scolded myself and decided to stop over speculating things while I tried to focus on the customer in front of me.
"I see… A very good choice, Sir. What color would you like to see?" I replied. It was a well memorized response of mine which I did without batting an eye.
"You see, this is my first time buying flowers so I don't know much about them. What would you recommend?" asked Ed with a somewhat bashful expression.
This Ed guy reminds me of a cute puppy . He has this aura around himself.
"May I ask what the occasion is, Sir?" I asked while I instinctively stole another glance of the burgundy haired guy's face.
"It's not actually anything special.. I just wanted to buy some flowers to put in our bedroom." said Ed. I felt something in me snap at the mention of "our bedroom".
"Our bedroom!! Does he mean his and this burgundy haired guy's room?! I was correct? I was actually correct about their relationship...They are together. Why?.. Does he love Ed? Of course he does or else why would they be together. Ed...I want this man to disappear from my sight. This man with broom-like hair is not even worth noticing but ..if he disappears the burgundy haired guy might go away as well. I don't want that..I mean unlike this stupid broom-like haired guy his presence is not an eyesore. " I thought but then suddenly I realized how weird I sound and I put on my most bright smile to hide my inner dark thoughts.
After that I started showing them the Hydrangea and it's different combinations in different colors. I showed them the rainbow themed bouquet of hydrangeas because this 'Ed' guy asked for some colorful flowers earlier. I was quite satisfied with my recommendation but then I suddenly realized that the burgundy colored man has a soft smile on his face.
"Is it because it is a rainbow themed bouquet? The colors of LGBTQ?!!" I mentally asked myself. While I was having this inner debate, the burgundy haired guy started looking around my shop.
Ed paid the bill and thanked me for my help while I smiled back in response . To be honest, I didn't want this guy to be in my shop anymore and if I can do a minor curse on him ,I want this guy to get diarrhea by the next morning but there is no way I can do that to an innocent person.
"Thank you so much for the recommendation, Miss..?" asked Ed with an earnest expression on his face.
"Ancia" I replied while stealing another glance towards the burgundy haired guy. But this time , his eyes caught mine and with a soft expression he mumbled something in a whisper which I heard as clear as day.
"A beautiful name indeed"
The moment I heard him. I felt a blush crawling it's way on to my face and to cover that up I decided to put on a poker face. They both looked confused for a moment before noticing something and their expression becoming that of a relief.
On the other hand, I was trying to hide the blush that had already gone past my neck and had reached my cheeks. I could feel my cheeks emitting a warmth that I haven't felt ever before.
The 'Ed' guy sighed and then they both left the shop. I was a little disappointed as the burgundy haired guy left. It was weird. I have never felt this sort of emotion before without any reason. I mean him returning to where he came from should not bother me at all. So, just why do I feel like this. After a while I got busy with other customers and the day ended without any noticeable event.
But the next day, the burgundy haired guy returned. I was somewhat relieved, I don't know why I felt that but the reason could wait to be understood later on. I greeted him like I did yesterday and he still had the same expression as when I first saw him. Today, he chose violets. Violet means affection. The moment I thought that I could feel myself becoming irritated by the thought of him gifting these flowers to someone. The day after that he returned again and this time he chose lilies. Pink lilies means love. After that The burgundy haired guy whose name is Drake (that i know now) visits daily to buy different flowers. He and I have started to have some small talks during our interactions which I like very much so. I start to look forward to his visits everyday but a question still lingers in my mind.
"Is it me or every flower he buys has a meaning of love or affection? Just who is he giving them to?" I questioned myself again and again while the face of a much hated brunette suddenly flashed in my mind.
It was on his visit on the 16th day that I finally decided to confirm my doubt.
The bell chimes again and Drake enters my shop. I greeted him as usual. Today he chose a bouquet of sunflowers.
"Sunflowers… has the meaning of loyalty, adoration and longevity." I thought to myself.
"You visit everyday now." I started. Drake gives me a bright smile and nods his head shyly.
"Why is he being shy? Is it because after giving these flowers to his partner , their relationship is becoming more and more better?" I wondered to myself.
"Your partner must like these flowers that you are bringing just for him" I said with a gentle smile on my lips but inside I was frustrated.
"Huh?!" reacted Drake but before he could say anything else I started.
"It is really nice to see someone putting this much effort to show their love towards their partner. No wonder you are glowing with happiness nowadays and this must be the same for Ed too. I am rooting for both of you." I said with a bright smile while passing the bouquet to him which he received silently and then looked at me with a blank face.
And then he left the shop. I sighed.
"Just why are you being like this , Ancia?" I asked myself again.