When Aunika left the orphanage as a kid, she vowed to live her life the way she wanted once she reached eighteen—within reason, of course. It wasn't a problem since she only wanted a simple life.
This didn't go as easily as she planned. Although her adoptive parents had a fair chunk of wealth, her new father was tricked into a shady business deal and gained an enormous debt. They eventually got by as part of the middle class which Aunika didn't mind.
She, then, strived to excel in her school work and extracurricular activities for scholarships. Both of her adoptive parents supported her in every decision she made, including her desired college and career.
Soon, Aunika was 22 years old and was opening her first flower shop. Every time she opened the shop,It felt like it was the first day every time she opened the shop—though three years already passed.
"You're probably the only person who asked for an investment fund rather than a car for their 16th birthday," Aunika heard behind her as she opened the windows. She breathed in the city air. Then, she turned around and repeated the same thing.
The smell of dew on the newly delivered flowers flooded her senses. "A car loses value each year, Yuki. An investment is like a seed that can grow up to be the tallest tree. The tree will then bear fruit and drop on the ground, creating more trees."
Yuki pushed her round glasses up her nose and placed her hand on her hip. "Aunika, tell me. Are you an 80 year old man?"
Aunika winked in her direction. "Even better. I'm a monk who was Gandhi's disciple."
"This is why you're single." Yuki shook her head and went back to arranging the shelves. Light seeped into the shop almost like a greenhouse.
"Yuki."
"Yes?"
"Do you want to keep your job?"
The hair on the back of her neck rose up. Yukk pinched her fingers and ran them across her lips. "My lips are zipped, boss."
"Honestly. People should really stop obsessing over someone's relationship status." Aunika grabbed the broom and started sweeping the floor. "What's important is that I am happy."
For some reason, her relatives thought she met a lot of men with good breeding in her shop. They weren't exactly wrong… but most of them came by to buy flowers for their significant partners! And she enjoyed helping them out.
Sometimes they'd drop by again to thank her for her suggestions—but maybe she wouldn't have minded if they offered to introduce her to their brother or even a distant cousin…
Aunika pushed her silly thoughts aside and stopped to smell the roses. Their scent cleared her head. She clapped her hands, looking at Yuki. "Right! Time to prepare for that big order. It's our first deal of the month so let's make the best out of it!"
Yuki and Aunika spent the rest of the morning preparing flower arrangements at the back of the shop. They kept the door open so they'd hear the bell on the counter and the windchime on the door. Flowers in warm colors of yellow, pink and orange surrounded them in bundles.
The planner for the event sent photos of the venue and the vases they'd use. Aunika had picked what flowers best suited the theme. She couldn't wait to see the finished look. It made her giddy how much difference a few flowers can make.
Her head snapped up when the sound of ringing came from the counter. She wiped her hands on her apron and headed for their telephone. A pleasant smile spread across her face.
"Hello, Aunika from Sky Hana Flowers here. How may I help you?" Aunika greeted. The planner of the event spoke against her ear. Her eyebrows scrunched. "The room has changed? Wait. Let me get my pen and paper to write this down."
Handset wedged between her ear and her shoulder, Aunika wrote on her sticky note as the planner explained the change of plans. "... The Whitlock Hotel? Are you sure?"
It was the big day and they changed locations? It couldn't have been that easy. The cost alone would have turned her off. And it was the Whitlock Hotel? The price had to be astronomical if it was last minute.
"No, I'm not stupid." Aunika tightened her grip on her pen. Then again, people must be waiting by the phone to her about a cancellation at that hotel. She took a deep breath to calm down.
The flowers were imported according to the client's specifications. Agitating them would only cause her the most trouble. "Yes, the delivery will still be on time. Alright. Goodbye."
Yuki turned her head towards the door when Aunika came back. Her black bangs were now covered in sweat.
"Aunika, what is it?" she asked, tying a bundle of lilies, moonflowers and orchids.
"We need to speed it up," Aunika grunted. "And call Sakura. There's a change of plans. We're going to the Whitlock Hotel."
Yuki observed her boss a little longer. Creased lines covered Aunika's forehead and her brown eyes glazed. The expression didn't disappear when she started working on the flowers again.
From experience, Yuki knew that was never a good sign and she hoped she was wrong.
At the Whitlock Hotel, Cal walked into the lobby. Hugo, Dion and Louis followed behind him. Security guards contained the reporters outside. With the buzz of Jaime's engagement, they couldn't wait to ask for Cal's opinion and his plans on his own engagement.
Their questions echoed in his head like a broken record. He could imagine t
"Where's lunch today, boss?" Dion had a broad smile. The sight of it made Hugo roll his eyes. He could tell where this was going already.
Cal glanced over his shoulder. He spotted the press then looked at Dion. "What's wrong with the food here? Is the kitchen slacking?"
Dion's coral eyes widened. He waved his hands frantically. "Nothing, boss! Nothing is wrong with the kitchen. They're good workers. Wonderful. Best of the best."
"Then, what is it?" Cal arched an eyebrow.
He looked at the other two as well for answers.
"It's just…" Dion gulped. How should he say this?
"We have it everyday!" Louis exclaimed, scratching his head. He couldn't take the silence anymore. Dion had started it, they might as well admit the truth. "Our stomachs want to taste something new! Something… not in here."
Cal blinked and glared at the floor.
Silence surrounded them for a while.
Dion elbowed Louis in the ribs. Maybe they should have told Cal about this sooner. This was going better than they expected! Hugo grimaced at their excited faces. Cal hadn't said anything yet and they were celebrating.
"Okay, I think I got what you mean," Cal said with a nod of his head. He called for a staff worker nearby. "My team thinks our food menu is now out of date. Please tell the chef to prepare a new dish in 2 hours. And if we don't like it then he is as good as fired."
"Yes, sir."
"Hold on a minute!" Louis screamed before the staff could leave. Horror reflected in his green eyes as he gawked at Cal. "2 hours?!"
"Fired?!" Dion added, his chin on top of Louis's shoulder.
Hugo shook his head. "Cal, that's too much even for you."
"So I'm Cal now?" Cal teased, showing his perfectly straight teeth.
"Boss, I mean," Hugo mumbled and corrected himself.
"And since I'm the boss, what I say goes, right?" Cal gave them each a pointed look. None of them dared to say anything. His shoulders began to shake. Then, he smiled at the female staff worker and said, "You can get back to your tasks now. No need to speak with the chef. Thank you and keep up the good work."
Louis shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "Ugh, he's messing with us."
The staff worker stammered a response and scurried away. Her cheeks were hot to the touch.
Their general manager truly was handsome. He was the ideal man!
"You're such babies." Cal snorted. He stepped towards the main entrance but realized the press were still there. His legs changed directions and headed for a more discreet getaway.
"Hey, we're not—!" Louis started to protest.
"If you don't think so, I'm not treating you to a buffet~" Cal cut him off with a sing-song voice, not looking back. The grin on his face was now ear to ear.
"Well, when you put it that way…" Louis contemplated. He skipped ahead and wrapped his arm around Cal's shoulders. He inched closer until his breath could caress Cal's ear. "Whatever you say, Daddy."
Cal shrugged him off and shuddered. "Please don't do that again."
Dion smacked Louis at the back of his head.
"Yeah, Louis. When it comes to Cal, it's Daddiest not Daddy."