Chapter 2

“SSS.”

Oh, I know that.

“What’s that?” I lied, I took some chips from the plate and focused on what she was going to say.

“Sullivan’s Scented Society,” I knew it. “One of the famous perfume company in the whole country. It was invented in the year 1952 where the original owner died and passed on to the son, it also died, passed on to the son again. That only happened until the company fell into the hands of Louis Montreal Sullivan, he was the one who grew, popularized, and produced the most fragrant perfume worldwide. Any questions?”

I shook.

“Nope, definitely nothing. I now understand why it is so quick for him to find a wife.”

Even though I knew about him, we still did some research to make sure.

Louis is now a twenty seven years old CEO. One of the youngest entrepreneurs who grew their company that once collapsed at the hands of its careless stepmother. I also learned that he is not entertaining everyone, you have to first make an appointment with him and wait for his approval—a literal, ill-mannered man. His dad died of food poisoning, it was probably his stepmother who was just chasing for the money. Until he stepped to the right age where he inherited everything. All wealth is named after him, even their company. It is also rumored that he evicted his stepmother from their house, but let his little half-sister stay.

Everyone looked up to him as if he is the richest man in the world. Yes, it’s true. He is wealthy, he can buy a mansion, he can buy luxurious cars, he can buy his own woman—like he does to me, he can make everyone obey. But you know what the thing that he doesn’t have? That is love. Louis never felt love, especially from his parents. I found out that his dad used to hurt him, his mother committed suicide because of his abusive father. He has no friends, except for his only friend named Hendrix Madrigal—also a CEO, but a year older than him.

“And you are the lucky one, Jassie.”

Suki stood up and tied her hair. She looked in the mirror and adjusted herself.

“No, I am not lucky. I have no idea why he chose me. I didn’t audition—and does he need an audition when it comes to finding a woman?”

She shrugged at me.

“I don’t know, maybe? He’s rich and handsome, so you need to grab the opportunity. You dreamed of having a bigger flower shop, didn’t you? You can accept the offer, marry him, accept the money he will give, then file for divorce.”

I tilted my head.

I don’t think that’s that easy. I held my head. I can’t sleep mentally. After the men in black talked to me, I said I could not accept what they were saying, they all suddenly left and never came back. I giggled, maybe they won’t force me anymore.

“That’s not gonna happen, Suki. If it’s just money, I won’t agree with that. I can work, I can work until I get what I want.”

She rolled her eyes on me, put her lipstick and spoke again.

“Whatever, Jassie. The opportunity is already there. You don’t have to work hard just to get what you want.”

My forehead furrowed and I just never spoke again. I bit my lower lip and lowered my gaze to the food. But mom and dad say it’s normal for you to feel miserable before you achieve your dreams. And I also didn’t know what I would do when they found out about this bullshit, I am only twenty four. I promised them that I would get married when I am thirty, I was not in a hurry. I rested my body on my back, I saw her wearing a leather jacket and carrying a bag.

“You going somewhere?”

She pressed her lips together and smiled at me. I picked up her car key and gave it to her.

“Yup, I have a blind date.”

“A blind date?”

“Yeah, I don’t want him to wait. I’m leaving. Just lock the door when you leave.”

I nodded and just watched her ran out the condo.

I sighed as I was the only one left inside. I picked up my phone, I was planning to text mom and dad to ask if Jaxon’s condition was okay, I stopped. I remember that he was at busy right now. I just shrugged and got up. I also took my bag, went out and locked the door. I’m going to the grocery store first.

The fare is expensive when I take a taxi so I thought of just walking. It’s pretty close to Suki’s condo, after that, I’ll go to the flower shop to see if Hayden is there. While walking, I took off my cap from my bag and put it on, the sun is pretty straight now so I need to protect my face from the heat. When I arrived at the grocery store, I took a push cart, I immediately put the things I needed at home, in the shop, and for myself.

I took shampoos, conditioners, soaps, products for my skin like lotions. I also got cup noodles, ready made foods, since I love junk foods, I got five big chips, there are Pringles and Cheetos. I also put chocolates and candies. Of course I won’t lose the vegetables and meat, as well as the drinks that I will put in the fridge. When I finished, I lined up at the counter to pay. I’m carrying two plastics today. I was about to get in the car when suddenly my phone rang, I let go of what I was carrying and took it. Hayden is calling.

“Hello, Hayden. How’s going?”

“Jassie! You need to go to the flower shop, right now!”

I frowned when I heard a noise on the other line, what’s going on?

“Yes, I was about to go in there. What’s happening—what’s the noise I am hearing, Hayden?”

“The flower shop is on fire, Jassie!”

It was as if a bucket full of ice had been poured on me. I grew cold in my position, my heart beat faster when I heard what he said.

No… it can’t be.

I quickly turned off the call. I took the plastic I was carrying and immediately took a taxi. My whole body was shaking because of what I heard. It seems like at any moment my tears would flow. Impossible! How did that happen? I am not putting things that will burn the shop, my house- m-my room is just above it, so if the shop catches fire, my whole house will be affected. I pressed my lips together and blinked, trying to calm myself. Oh god, please… p-please don’t get burned, I hope the firetruck can respond right away. Please… I’m praying. Not my s-shop, not my house. There are my important things.

Even before I could get close to the place, I could already hear the noise of the firetruck. My eyes widened at the sight of the shop’s massive fire, including my house. I didn’t wait for the car to stop, I left my groceries and ran until I got there.

“No! My shop!”

“Ma’am, no. You are forbidden to go inside.”

I shook at him.

“No! I need to go in there!”

He still tried to restrain me but I take his hand away from me. My tears started to drip from what I saw.

“Jassie! You can’t go in there!” Hayden tried to stop me too, but I courageously remove their hands from me.

“No! I need to g-go in there!” He shook at me. “Hayden! H-Hayden, there were my certificates when I was in highschool, there were also the m-money I saved for the shop. There are my things, there are also pictures of J-Jaxon and me. I need to take it out.”

He held my cheeks.

“Listen to me, Jessamine. You can’t go in there. The whole shop as well as the house were on fire, almost nothing was left.”

My mouth opened, no words came out of me and my lips trembled as I cried. No! No, I worked hard for it. I even borrowed money from my parents just to get it. It can’t be like this, I worked hard for it…

I ignored what he said. I pushed him with all my might so I had a chance to run.

“Jessamine!”

“Ma’am! I said you are forbidden to go in there, we will allow you once our staff finishes what they are doing. It’s even more dangerous, stay here first and we will take care of it.”

“Sorry, s-sorry, I can’t wait anymore. I need to g-get my belongings.”

“No, ma’am.”

I bit my lower lip.

Firefighters blocked me but I pushed them as well. I went inside, I tried to search the whole shop but I could hardly see anything but the black colors and flowers, utensils and papers that had just turned to ashes. As well as Jaxon and I’s frame was burned.

No…

I can no longer think correctly because of what I see. My shop is empty, dilapidated and it is so impossible to fix because of the strong fire that ate here. I couldn’t help but faint, I suddenly got on my knees while watching the shop I had worked so hard… and it just got destroyed.

The only photo of Jaxon and me is gone. My hand was shaking. I held my eyes, I sobbed. I saw myself from the broken glass. I was crying, I had black on my cheek made of fire and ashes. My hair is messy and my clothes are dirty.

While crying, I heard the footsteps of shoes from behind me. I suddenly smelled his perfume… six years have passed since I last smelled him. I can already hear his breathing. The familiar heavy and dark presence, the familiar eyes glancing from behind me… I will never forget this man.

Anger filled my heart. Is he the one who did it? Is he to blame for it? Why? Is it because I didn’t accept the offer? Is it because I don’t want to be his wife? Is it because he knows that I won’t accept the money so he did some way so I can go near to him… s-so I can ask and b-beg for money?

Is… i-is this what he want?

I remained bent over and did not look at him. Gradually, my crying subsided.

“Turn on the deal, I’ll enter your property now,” he muttered. “Jessamine McCoy.”

I thought he would never chase me and look for me again. But surprisingly, to this day, he still has not forgotten what happened six years ago. And this will be his reward.

The man who marked me, six years ago.

Louis Sullivan.