It had been three weeks since the doctor let me go home. I found myself in that hospital with no recollection of any memories after my last birthday. Diagnosed with a pretty serious amnesia, I was discharged a few days later.
If I were to make a summary, of the present, none of the things happening to me these days make me recall any memories.
I'm working in a flower shop, that I own. I live in Italy, with a handsome man around my age, who firmly supports the idea that he is my old precious friend. Also, I own a house, in which me and my "friend" live together.
How did all this happen? I don't seem to know.
Leaving this aside, since my brain is spiraling always when I try to remember the past, I am going to focus on the present. Just like the doctor said.
With some papers in my hands, I head to the storeroom of the flower shop, where I know that my friend, Alexey, just went with some boxes.If it weren't for him all these bouquets and decorations would be impossible to make. Or maybe is just that my skills are too rusty? Else I can't explain why I even bought a flower shop...Either way, he told me that I should let him do the handsy stuff and I should just enjoy the owner's privilege. But how can I leave all the things to him? Unacceptable!
"Alexey, have you finished?" My eyes follow his movements as he arranges the boxes around. His muscles tense when he stands straight and glances at me.
"Yes! I'm coming! " His voice echoes, while he seems still preoccupied with the boxes.Since he told me that he is my friend, I have been questioning my stupidity level. How can I be friends with this man who is straight-up my type? Or did I have higher standards before losing my memory?
A tall frame, with a finely sculptured body, accompanied by fluffy brown hair, is sure enough to get me going though. Not to mention his raspy voice and brown eyes that can burn holes through you. It is an impressive combination in one person no matter how much I look at it!
I stare at him frowning at my thoughts about him. I might have gone crazy after the car accident I had, it seems.
There was no way I was still sane to have such thoughts towards a kind gentleman. He took care of me a lot after I got discharged, also almost all the work done in the shop is done by him. I should stop myself from ruining the only relationship I got, by letting myself catch forbidden feelings.
I hand him the papers, and some brief details about who was the client and that it was a wedding decoration ?... Or what was it called ....he knows anyway what is written on the paper.
He looks through the papers, and by the way he breathes heavily I get that he is tired. Maybe I should give him a break?
But before I can speak up, he puts the papers on the counter and steps towards the front door saying he will head out.
Knew it! He needs a break and his second coffee. His schedule is not that hard to remember. If only I could remember my past as easily as this.
Sigh.
"You're going to the café, aren't you? Bring me back a donut!" My voice calls to him without thinking much.
All I know is that he needs to bring me a donut. For unknown reasons, my feelings are dictating this action. And I feel powerless against it.
He leaves and the silence in the shop brings me a sense of anxiety. I start fidgeting. While sitting on the chair behind the counter, I hope to find something to distract my attention with.
Im alone.
No customers are coming since he left.
Just me and the flowers. My hand touches the petals of a red chrysanthemum, freshly put by Alexey as usual in the vase that stays always on the counter. I take my hands away from the flower, knowing that Alexey would lecture me if I were to damage it.I don't get why he likes this type of flower so much. But I know for sure that he loves to have it always present in the shop, preferably as close to his range of sight as possible.
Minutes pass slower than expected, and I feel more and more uneasy. Was the absence of Alexey the cause?
As far as I know, I never relayed in my life to anyone before. Orphanage taught me the lesson of giving up waiting for someone to come and help me. I had to sit on my own two feet to survive.
However, after the accident, I find myself more unstable. All are too foreign to me. Is like I am a newborn baby and he is the only support I have and know. So naturally, I keep relying on him without knowing.
But I will have to stand on my two feet alone again ....soon enough. He should leave free, not burdened by me. I'm already twenty-two years old.
My train of thought is stopped when a black-clothed man enters the shop with a cigarette between his lips.
"Welcome to the Sunrise Flowers! How may I help you ?" The soft tone of my voice slowly cracks when I see the smoke as he puffs out, "Smoking is not allowed here, Mister!"
I hate him already. Alexey didn't work to see all these flowers take in smoke and then wither.With a fake smile, I try to be still polite. After all, this man was still a customer.
"Miss ...." He comes closer squinting his eyes to see the name on my pin, and adds," Nina. Smoking should be allowed if you want to have higher cash. I heard the shop is newly opened. How come you have no protection, yet? Tell me you don't plan to run this shop no protection. That would be stupid of ya." His teeth chop on the cigarette, while he stares at me. I do not doubt that he is with the mafia.
Protection money is a method used by the Mafia to gain money while promising to ensure the safety of your business. Owners that don't pay, are made to pay. There is no way in between. Guess they finally took us in the visor.
" How much should I pay? I need a peaceful life. No fighting." With a serious face, passing the counter and I stand in front of him. Stretching my arm I snatch the cigarette off his mouth and look him straight in the eyes.
"But still no smoking allowed." With a grin, I toss the thing in the garbage near the counter. His face wears a satisfied expression despite me hoping to make him at least a bit annoyed.
I'm able to be like this because he truly annoyed me to the core, to the level of not caring that he is part of the mafia and could kill me right now if he wanted to." You're feisty for such a tiny human being." His smirk makes me frown and I sigh.
"Write down where I should deposit the money and how much." I hand him a note and a pen.With a grin on, he writes down what I told him too. Taking my hand in his, the note is placed on my palm.
He leans in and our noses almost touch as he pulls me in. The smell of cigarettes mixed with mint is strong enough to make me cough. He smirks while saying smugly," Have I taken your breath away ?"
I'm ready to push him away when his phone calls. Shouting a curse, he takes the call. While he talks, I take my sit back on the chair behind the counter.
"I am on my way, Boss." He ends the call pretty fast and coming behind the counter, he takes my hand and places a kiss on top of my palm.
" I will visit you soon, Nina. Wait for me. "
*Who's gonna wait for you, smug ass bastard?*
Without being given the chance to reply, he leaves as he came. Like a tornado.
Left with no energy, as if he sucked it from me, I keep thinking of the sum of money he wrote on the note. I play with the note and in the end, I place it in the back pocket of my jeans.
I plan to not tell Alexey anything about the encounter. This will be the first step I take as a proper human again ...I don't want to rely on him anymore. I can handle it myself.
The door opens after a few more minutes since the mafia man left. Alexey enters with a bag that contains the donut I asked for. He looks more tired than when he left and I wonder if the effect of coffee diminued . I told him that he drinks too many and in the end, it won't do anything for him.
"Thank you very much " My eyes stuck on the donut trying to see what kind he brought and my mouth anticipates the taste. He puts the bag on the counter and smiles slightly at my excited face while leaning on his elbows.
"You are welcome, enjoy! " He gazes at me while I take a big bite. The sweetness fills my mouth and I feel satisfied. Donuts are the best ! Especially those ones that are filled with chocolate.
I feel bad though that I will have to hide from him the mafia encounter. A bitter taste fills my mouth and looking in his eyes, I feel guilty.
One sigh and i know he will ask me what is wrong. I smile back at him, using my best acting skills. Let's hope he will not find out.