Chapter 1 Conspiracy of the Universe

Janice's fingers moved smoothly to follow the classical music that she had played in the morning. Before employees and visitors arrive, Janice chooses to listen to classical music to lift her spirits in the morning.

A new day will be filled with new hassles. Janice would welcome the hassle. Because it is only at her flower shop, she can become herself.

"Classic song in the morning? Doesn't that make you sleepy?" asked Aunty Alisha, one of the employees at her flower shop. Aunty Alisha always comes earlier than the other employees, therefore she is the one who often listens to classical music that Janice plays on her cellphone.

"Good morning, Aunty. Has Aunty had breakfast? I brought a sandwich with extra cheese, special for you." Janice walked over to Aunty Alisha, handing her the sandwich she'd just been talking about.

"Why do you always bring breakfast for all employees?" She smiled as she accepted the sandwich Janice had given her.

"I woke up early so I could prepare sandwiches. I hope Aunty will like it." Janice smiled cheerfully again.

Then her eyes looked at several employees who started to cross the road to come to the flower shop. Janice immediately turned off the classical music she had only been listening to for half the duration.

"Good morning all! I've prepared breakfast for you guys.." Janice gave the best welcome when the florist's doorbell rang.

Several employees also gave an enthusiastic welcome as Janice did. Then not long after, some customers started to come and fill the shop. As Janice predicted, the flower shop will be full of customers because today is Valentine's Day. Most of them choose to order a bouquet of red roses or white roses that symbolize love. Red roses represent romance, while white roses are a symbol of sincerity and purity.

Valentine's Day, which is identical to the romance of a couple, can also be filled with a sweet relationship between two friends.

"Which flower should I give her?"

"Red roses?"

"Too mainstream. Everyone must have given her roses. I don't want my flowers piled up with other people's flowers. Try choosing another flower."

Janice turned her head when she heard a conversation between two young people discussing flower selection. For a moment, Janice was stunned. But after that, her steps moved towards them.

"Hello, is there anything I can help you with?" Janice asked with a smile.

"Oh, hi." One of them greeted Janice. A girl with short hair with a slightly tomboyish appearance.

They looked at each other for a moment as if trying to talk through their eyes.

"Okay," the woman exhaled slowly, "my friend wants to find flowers to give to the girl he likes. What flowers do you think would be suitable?"

Janice started showing some of the most popular flowers for Valentine's Day shoppers.

"You're not interested in white or red roses?" Janice asked.

"He said he didn't want to give her the mainstream flowers," the woman explained, "he wanted to give flowers to the most popular girl in school. There must have been a lot of people who gave roses. Do you have any recommendations for beautiful and extraordinary flowers?"

Janice was quite intrigued by their thoughts.

"I have some other flowers. Are you interested in chrysanthemums? Although it looks simple, this flower actually has a beautiful meaning." Janice shows a chrysanthemum flower stalk which has a white color with a greenish gradation.

"Are you interested in this flower?" They looked at each other and discussed again before making a decision.

"Isn't it too simple to give to Angela? She is the most popular girl in school. She must have gotten a lot of beautiful flower arrangements."

The woman rolled her eyes, looking tired from all the debate about flowers.

"This flower looks very simple, but the meaning is quite interesting." Janice tries to give some explanation.

"Friendship?" she asked.

Janice nodded her head. Quite happy because someone knows the meaning of flowers that are still very rare in demand by people.

"That's right, friendship and sympathy. It is more suitable to show support to those closest to you. Sometimes love does not have to be shown clearly, it can also be shown in the form of support. Always there to support in ups and downs." Janice ended her explanation with a smile.

"Interesting. I never knew chrysanthemums had such a slightly sad meaning." The women smile on a sad face.

"Since when did you learn the meaning of flowers?"

"Not your business! Come on, I don't have much time. Which flower will you choose?"

Janice waited patiently. Honestly, she quite enjoyed the fight between the two young people in front of her. It seems they are a pair of friends.

"Okay, I chose that flower."

Janice smiled happily when she managed to recommend suitable flowers for customers who came to her shop.

"I will arrange these flowers by myself." Janice immediately took some chrysanthemum flower stalks to arrange into a beautiful bouquet.

Almost five minutes busy with her flower bouquet, suddenly someone came to approach her.

"I'm sorry, but can I order a bouquet of chrysanthemums too?"

Janice turned her attention away from the bouquet she had almost finished. For a moment, Janice was surprised when she saw that the person who approached her was a woman who came with a young man who ordered Chrysanthemum flowers.

"Of course. Please wait a moment. Let me get a new flower stalk." Janice replied with a smile.

"No!" The woman pulled Janice's arm gently. "I've chosen my own flower stalks.." She showed five chrysanthemum stalks that looked withered, with some of the petals starting to dry.

"You can choose flowers that are still good. I guess my employees are too busy that they don't replace the stock of chrysanthemums." Janice said with a smile.

"I did choose a wilted flower on purpose."

"Oh?"

This is the first time Janice has found a customer who chooses to use wilted flowers instead of beautiful fresh flowers.

"These five stalks represent our five years of friendship. As you said, chrysanthemums symbolize friendship and a love that is shown through support. Five flower stalks from me who are getting tired of giving support to him .."

Janice was stunned again. Feeling lost for words when listening to the meaning of the chosen flower.

"This flower is for that young man?" Janice asked as she started to make the most beautiful arrangement to make a special Valentine's Day bouquet for someone who in love with her best friend.

"Does it look clear?"

Janice smiled briefly.

"Very clear.." She replied with a simple smile.

For a moment, Janice remembers her life for the past five years. Should she send five chrysanthemums to a man she loves to show that even if they don't talk to each other and don't see each other, even if he hates her, she still shows her support? The support she gave was discreet. Also hope that she always says in every prayer. In the hope that man is always happy, with or without her presence.

***

Time goes by very fast. The busy day finally passed, and the dark night began to come, making the shop's atmosphere feel quiet.

"You'd better get home soon, Janice. Why make a flower order in the evening? We still have some flowers in stock to sell tomorrow morning." Aunty Alisha became the last person who still accompanied Janice. Several other employees have been home since 15 minutes ago because they feel tired after working to fulfill orders of hundreds of buyers.

Meanwhile, Janice was still busy calculating the store's income and reordering some flowers that had run out.

"I'm fine, Aunty. Aunty has been working really hard all day, so you'd better go straight home. I will also go home as soon as I finish doing the financial calculations." Janice replied with a smile.

"You are a very diligent girl. All right, I'm going home now. Don't forget to finish your chocolate milk, then go home as soon as possible. It's not good for you if you come home too late."

Janice answered by showing her thumb.

Not long after that, there was the sound of the shop doorbell closing. That means Aunty Alisha has left, and now Janice is still busy taking care of some late flower orders because the plantation received too many orders. Janice is still trying to discuss with them so that the flower shop doesn't run out of stock, but it seems they want to increase the selling price, so she inevitably has to follow their policies. Maybe when she has free time, she will start researching flower suppliers that have affordable prices, so she doesn't have to increase the price of flower bouquets in her shop.

The sound of the cell phone ringing made her flinch in surprise. To be honest, she had forgotten about the sound of her own cell phone ringing because it had been a long time since anyone had contacted her.

"Daddy? Hey, how are you?" Janice greeted cheerfully. The only person who still regularly contacts her is her father. But they also don't talk very often because her father is quite a busy man.

"Janice, can you go home now?"

"I still have some work to do. What's wrong, Dad?"

"Go home right now, Janice. Julian is waiting for you at home."

Janice's heart stopped beating for a moment when she heard Julian's name being called by her father. The feelings of longing, sadness, regret, and disappointment that Janice had been hiding in her heart resurfaced without her control.

Five years have passed, but it turns out that the name Julian still affects her heart.

Like five wilted chrysanthemums, Janice's feelings for Julian are a form of the support she gives to the only man who is being the reason she lives in such deep loneliness.

"What did he come for?" Janice asked breathlessly.

"I don't know, but he wants to see you. So… go home, Janice."

"What about Mommy and Callista? Is it okay if I go home?" Unknowingly, Janice's tears flowed slowly. She still remembers all the curses given by Callista and her mother. They hated Janice's presence. They certainly didn't like it if Janice came back to the house, even if it was just to visit for a while.

"This is your house too, Janice. Don't worry. They won't mind if you come home. After all, we were hanging out together when Julian came and said he wanted to see you. So.. can you go home as soon as possible?"

Julian. He came and wanted to see her.

Janice's heart was beating fast. She suddenly remembered the time when she could see Julian whenever she wanted. Now, let alone to meet, just to hear his name, Janice felt unworthy. She didn't deserve to meet Julian after making that man live in misery.

"Sure, Dad. I'll be home soon."

With the remaining strength she had, Janice tried to move her feet. Trying to muster up her courage before meeting with Callista and her mother again. Even more, she will also meet Julian, someone she misses the most but also someone she wants to avoid.

After five years, what is the purpose of Julian coming to her house?

To give forgiveness or to give revenge?