Flowers For You

Prince came inside the Beauty's Flowers, inspecting the line of flowers inside their vases, and held a flower of pink tulips. It made Prince wonder what kind of flower do Aria wanted. The plan takes on as he got along pretty well with a soft and open-minded Aria. She's the type of a woman who would understand every action someone made, even if it's the bad thing.

Prince wandered around the hallways, picking up flowers in which he doesn't know the name.

A florist attending behind the counter must have noticed how bewildered he was upon picking flowers.

Prince turned to the small girl, about half of his girl, and wearing a burgundy shade for her lips. The florist asked, "May I ask who would receive the flowers?"

Prince put down a vase of white roses, saying, "Yeah. Can you give me some flowers that have the meaning of friendship or new beginnings?"

"Wow, who would you give it into? A friend?" Prince pursed his lips. He wasn't sure of what his relationship with Aria, maybe a friend is a safe choice, but he's disgusted about the idea.

Prince smiled. "Someone I saved. I wanted her to give those flowers."

The woman grinned from ear to ear. She might have gotten used with cheeky words from her customers. Prince observed her approaching a table by the corner table, and laid out a hand.

She explained, "The yellow and white roses would be the perfect fit. I know the one who'll receive this will like it so much."

The florist picked up a bouquet. "Are you going to get this or not?"

Prince didn't know if Aria would appreciate him dropping by on the store she's working at. He didn't even know if she's a florist here. Prince should ask Bryce first, but he remembered how he hung up to his call earlier at the precinct station. He must be annoyed now, and doesn't want to talk to him for a while.

Prince smiled, saying, "I'll get that, how much is it?"

He retrieved a black card inside his wallet and followed the florist to the counter. As he did so, something caught his eye. Right at the wall plastered frames of the florist working at the store. Prince skimmed through the pictures, and there, he saw it.

Aria De Leon, senior florist and designer, and her lips curled up in a small smile.

She looked pretty with her hair down and a collar shirt with matching navy blue apron. Aria looked like a modern Belle.

The florist noticed Prince staring at their senior florist, and spoke up, "She hasn't come to work for days. I was actually calling our senior florist, but her phone is in voicemail. I'm getting worried about her."

Even though Prince didn't ask, this junior florist ran her mouth carelessly.

"When did she go AWOL?"

The florist quivered her lip, thinking of the days that have passed since she left.

"Maybe a week ago, I really don't know. I'm a part-time worker here, and I barely see her. The manager kept calling Ms. De Leon, but she isn't answering."

Prince observed her eyes. She doesn't seem that worried about the absence of the senior florist. Is there something wrong with Aria that even if she gone AWOL, no one will find her? Prince didn't say anything after and just retrieved back the black card.

The florist didn't even notice his name on the computer. Probably, they haven't much got the time to watch the television news. Parela and Varean are the outskirts and the countryside of Vasteria. The people didn't care about the national issues as long as it doesn't concern them.

Aria was one of those people.

"Here you go." The florist gave the receipt and the bouquet.

After that, Prince left the premises.

…

He checked every cabin house on the edge of Parela, close to the borders of Varean.

Prince had to deal with it alone. Placing Aria on a secluded place would be safe for him. Aria wouldn't be alone right here, and nothing would go out of the plan as long as Prince knew what to play. The board is leading towards him, and he's winning on every move.

He found a cabin house close to the river bay. It has a boat, a deck, and warm swimming pool to relax in.

Prince should pretend to live here so Aria would be convinced, he thought.

As the real estate agent looked him around the first floor, second one, and even the attic, Prince shook hands with her. He paid in cash, and signed it with his name. Prince sighed, sending off the agent to the urban.

Prince looked around the empty mansion, speaking up, "Wait for you to get filled in. I'll be able to take it as a house in which I lived in for a few months."

…

He drove back to the hospital wearing a mask and a cap. Prince had to be careful with the buzz right now. Pretending to be on a low profile meant he abetted the disappearance of Avery a few days ago.

He couldn't afford to get caught and placed alongside his father.

Prince parked on an empty space by the hospital, and checked the time. It was already 5 in the afternoon since he has gone out from 9 in the morning. Prince retrieved the bouquet of flowers, and adjusted his cap.

He went inside the hospital without someone recognizing him.

Prince headed straight to the floor, and went to the room. He peeked in by the window first, checking if Aria was sleeping, and she was. Prince walked in, careful not to wake her up, but it turned out she was just lying down.

As soon as Prince simply locked the door without her noticing, Aria slowly stood up, but Prince rushed up to her aid. He put down the flowers on the coffee table, wearing off his cap, and held her by the shoulders.

"Don't stand up quickly. You might get dizzy." Prince's soft tone touched Aria's heart. She turned to him, beaming, and brushed off his hands for a while. Prince withdrew back, letting Aria sat up by the bed, and cleared her hoarse voice.

It's still raspy, and as the doctor said, it'll take a week before she finally recovers.

Aria clutched the hem of the blanket close to her chest, tucking in her hands with the needle underneath, and noticed the flowers on the coffee table. Aria halted, blinking, and sniffed.

That familiar scent…

"Did you…" Aria was working on Beauty's Flowers as senior florist and designer for almost 4 years. When did…

"I was just scrolling through the social media earlier when I got out. I saw the page, and I wanted to give you flowers, so… I did." Prince adjusted himself to the stool while Aria stared at the blooming petals of yellow and white roses. It made her heart flutter, but whenever she saw roses, she remembered Bryce.

Aria turned to her side, closed her eyes, resisting the fury to come out.

Prince picked up the bouquet, and placed it on her lap. Aria admired the colors, and perfectly knew the meaning of it. Prince smiled, saying, "The florist said that yellow roses resembled friendship and white roses for new beginnings."

Aria couldn't help but to reach out. This is the first time in a year she got flowers for another guy she didn't even know for a week. Prince helped her, giving the bouquet to her hands, but a sudden touch from him made her perk up.

It sent electricity down her spine. Prince felt that, too.

He widened his eyes, holding onto her fingers, and stared. Aria did the same thing.

She swallowed. The first thing that came to her mind was Bryce. She pulled out from his hands, and grasped the stem of the roses hard. Good thing the thorns had been plucked out.

Prince's hands froze in midair.

Prince beamed, saying, "You don't trust me yet, aren't you?"

Aria stared at the petals, responding, "Who's there to trust, anyway? Trust is a big word. It's sacred. It shouldn't be given to anyone just because you like them."

Prince recalled Bryce's remark about Aria. This woman uses her heart, and not because of what her mind dictates.

For now, it's hard to prove, especially she thinks critically than him.

"Thank you for the flowers. I don't expect you to be romantic, Prince."

Her pale lips curled up to an honest smile.