CHAPTER 7

With a slow push, the door squeaked open.

"Knock, knock," Landon said trying to get the attention of those inside the shop.

Enrico turned toward the door as Landon and Mavis peeked inside. "We hope we're not coming in at a bad time. I was just with Abby at the hotel, and she said you came back to the shop after delivering the flowers for her event."

Locals considered the House of Flowers a haven for flower enthusiasts. It may be one of the small shops in the North King Street but its location is most sought after by bigger shops for being near to different establishments like the Doug Memorial stadium, and at the heart of the so-called religious area in North Boulevard being surrounded by churches of different congregations like a mile away from the Greek orthodox Church, on its far end of the North King Highway was the Connection Church of Nazarene and just some blocks were the First Methodist Church, First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church. Its greatest advantage though was its closeness with the St. Andrews Catholic Church, which was adjacent to it being just on the other side of the road. Surely, there was no better place than where it's currently located.

The interior design of House of Flowers was something Enrico's proud of being one of the most modern design architectures in Myrtle from the vases, wall decoration and table displays to front window display. His shop was even featured in a South Carolina interior design magazine. All of what the eyes could see was all thought of to blend every inches of the shop into one particular architectural masterpiece.

Enrico never grew tired of the overflowing workload he had to take upon taking ownership of the shop. Enrico just wanted to express things he had learned from the school of arts by renovating the flower shop he inherited from his dad, offering a fresh breath of air to both loyal and new clients from Myrtle Beach or from nearby towns.

He had even taken into consideration the arrangement of flowers, categorizing them into symbolic meanings with the intention that customers would be educated and would appreciate the symbolic meanings of flowers the would wish to buy. Such is what made the shop clicked with buyers since he took over the family business.

Enrico stood up, trying to straighten his wrinkled apron. "No, of course not. I'm just pruning some dry leaves.

"Are you sure?"

"Please. I can only work on my babies without a break." He was referring to his orchids at home, which he usually showcases in exhibits and in contests within the southern district. Among them was gold of Kinabula orchid, considered to be one of the endangered orchid species, which Landon and Theresa gave him on his thirty-fifth birthday.

Despite his good looks, he had always stayed out of the public eye and continues to keep a low profile. Many attractive bachelorettes in Myrtle Beach have made a move on him. Some have even shed tears for him in public but not a single one has caught his eye. The only one closest enough to give a sparkle on his eyes was Abby. Yet, due to the closeness that they have as friends, he never expressed his feelings for her. He was not afraid to do so. Rather, his idea on what Abby wanted from a man kept him from a distance. He thought that in Abby's eyes, he was just one of her friends. He knew what Abby wanted, someone who's a wordsmith. Abby has always fallen to someone who could sweep her on the floor by mere speaking words with finesse, which is quite an opposite to someone like Enrico being an introvert person.

He removed his gloves and placed them together with the cutter on the nearby table. "Well, if isn't little Mavis?" He angled his head, glancing proudly at Mavis who was hiding behind Landon's leg.

Mavis isn't shy talking with strangers. He was used to mingle with guests of the Palace. Moreover, Enrico wasn't a stranger to Mavis since he's one of his parents' friends together with Abby, Marco and Alfonso. They often see each in events and their weekly Thursday nights. There was just something in Enrico that make Mavis scared every time he sees him. The cause of his fear was simply Enrico's tattoos on his left arm. Being an artist, his arm had became canvas in showing his inner thoughts from an Orca, a killer whale considered as most valued and respected by Haida people, honoring Enrico's root being a half Columbian; to bold orange flower surrounded by black flames design, which captured his burning passion for flowers.

"Mavis, say hello to your Uncle Rico," Landon instructed as he gently pulled Mavis from his back.

"Hello, Uncle Rico," he whispered. His eyes were still glued on the floor.

Enrico walked toward them slowly, bent on one knee and gently patted Mavis on his head. "Hello, Mavis. How are you? I heard from Deanna that you had a big adventure last night at Family Kingdom. Did you enjoy their rides?"

After a moment of silence Landon prodded his son. "Mavis - say, 'Yes, I did.'"

"Yes, I did."

Enrico glanced at Landon, "He looks just like you."

"Of course, he's my son," he said quickly, and Enrico laughed.

Enrico turned his attention to Mavis again. "Your dad's funny, huh?"

Mavis didn't respond.

"He's still shy like his Mom."

Landon nodded.

Enrico leaned in a little closer to Mavis as if telling Mavis a secret.

"That's okay, isn't it, Mavis? I have a pistachios ice cream at the back. Would you like some?"

Instead of answering, Mavis glanced at his dad as if asking for a permission to have some. Knowing the meaning behind the glance of his son, Landon tapped him on the shoulder. "Mavis, just a small scoop. You just had yesterday." Landon couldn't reject him from having an ice cream. It's one of the rare moments that Mavis expressed himself.

Without looking at Enrico Mavis whispered, "Can I have some? Please?"

Enrico brightened. "Of course you can." He led them to the table set near the glance wall and gave instruction to one of his employees.

While Mavis was silently enjoying his scoop of ice cream, Enrico asked, "Is it good?"

Mavis nodded exuberantly. "Yes. Thank you."

"By the way, are you participating to this year's music festival?"

"I think the Palace would again be one of the sponsors but I wouldn't be the one to man the kitchen."

"Why not? I'm sure the organizers would be glad to have you prepare something for them."

Since the Music Festival started in Myrtle, the MTL Palace has graciously sponsored the event. They have offered them the service of the restaurant in preparing their meal before the event. For two years, Landon has been the head chef of the kitchen, making sure that the event organizers coming from other states and artists would be satisfied by the meal prepared by Palace's restaurant.

"Chef Stephen Rosselle would be in-charged on that day. Actually, he has been the head chef of the restaurant for a year now. It would be a good exposure for him and he can easily do it."

"Oh! The one who's trying to replicate your signature pastries but couldn't?" Enrico sarcastically smile.

He couldn't disagree on such matter. No one has actually come close to Landon's pastries. As a chef, it's one of the things Landon could brag. But as a part owner of the Palace, it's a disappointment. Despite Chef Rosselle's inability to replicate Landon's unique flavors of his cakes and pastries, he had masterfully copied some of his dishes that continually made the Palace a restaurant par excellence in Myrtle.

"Give the chef a credit for the stability in the kitchen."

"If you say so."

"Have you heard?" Landon took a sip of his coffee.

Landon has always enjoyed the coffees made by Enrico. It may not be from the most expensive coffee beans but even the not so good beans could turn into a better coffee by a good barista. Moreover, Enrico wasn't just a good barista; he's among the better ones in the area. He wasn't just a florist and interior design artist. He was also a better barista than many of the coffee shop owners in Myrtle Beach.

Landon and Theresa, before, have actually offered a place at the Palace for Enrico to start a coffee shop but he declined. For him, blending coffee is just a hobby he enjoyed while being a florist is something he could never turn back. He felt that it runs through his veins like boiling blood.

"About what?" Enrico curiously asked.

"I heard from Abby that she's planning to set you up again with another woman. Still dating, huh?"

"No!" Enrico answered quickly.

"I know, I know – both of you have always been like this. Hey, you're not getting younger you know."

Enrico laughed. Landon was one of the few people in town who knew who Enrico really likes. They'd been friends for years; he was actually the one who gave Abby the idea of Enrico dating. However, Abby have in fact misinterpreted him as setting up Enrico with ladies she knew.

"It's your fault that these dates have been going on for ages. You shouldn't have told her in the first place."

Landon raised his hands. "You can't blame me if she misinterpreted what I said back then." He recalled the first dates Abby had set up for Enrico. Landon used to be the chaperone for Enrico from a distance. He would observe the date from another table and be one of the evaluators of Enrico's date, judging from appearance to how she handled herself. He even became the scapegoat of Enrico for two or more dates acting like a bother of an imaginary girlfriend of Enrico. Landon enjoyed such scenario until he married Theresa.

"What number is it now? Twentieth?" Landon asked.

"More like the forty-eighth."

"Congratulations then! Just two more and you would be in the Guinness world record." Landon turned his attention to Mavis. "Hey Mavis, your Uncle Rico would soon be a record holder." He chuckled.

"Your dad is such a jerk." Both men laughed afterwards.

"I almost forget. Tonight at Maria."

"Sure. It's been a while. Who would be coming? Would Abby and Alfonso be joining? I heard Marco was still on a business trip."

"Mavis' new friends would be coming too."

"Is that so?" Enrico glanced at Mavis who was concentrated on his ice cream.

When Mavis didn't reply, Landon gently patted him on his shoulder, "Your Uncle Rico is asking about your new friends," he said.

"They would be joining us tonight," Mavis said without again looking at Enrico.

When he didn't say anything more, Enrico glanced at his watch. It was almost lunch. "What would you like for lunch?"

Landon rejected his offer. He explained that he promised Mavis that he would be cooking for him at home. It was the only way Landon can think of to convince Mavis on agreeing in meeting Enrico. Landon's cooking was greater than Mavis' fear of Enrico.

After hearing the explanation, Enrico just nodded. He knew that it would be a great opportunity for them to be together. Landon and Mavis needed time for a fatherly bonding after losing the only woman in their house.

When Landon and Mavis just stepped out of the shop, "Are you dropping by Alfonso's restaurant?" Enrico curiously asked.

"Nope. Abby would just call him."

Before any of the adults could say a word, Mavis noticed a familiar face on the other side of the road. "Dad, is that not the lady this morning?" he curiously asked.

Landon knew that Mavis has sharp eyes and keen memory but he stared at the lady first before answering, trying to make sure if Mavis was right or not.

"But she's alone. I can't see the others," Mavis added.

When Landon already had clear view of the woman's face. Mavis was right. It was Lea but she wasn't with anyone or with her friends. Before he could even answer, she entered St. Andrews Church.

"Whom are you referring to?" Enrico asked.

"It's one of Mavis' new friends. The lady that just entered the Church," Landon calmly replied.

Unfortunately for Enrico, he didn't see the woman who just entered the Church. "Why don't you check it out if she's really the one," he suggested.

"Come on Dad, let's follow her." Mavis pulled his dad's hand and tried to start walking toward the Church's direction.

"Go!" Enrico seconded.

Landon was hesitant. St. Andrews Church has a special place in Landon's heart. It's the Church where he and Theresa got married. He hasn't been inside the church since the funeral. He didn't blame God for his lost but he wasn't pleased as well. Landon just couldn't bring himself on one's knees inside the church. It was among the many things he wasn't sure of.

With a little push from Enrico and a harder pull from Mavis, Landon found himself walking toward the church.