Chapter 7: A Savior Who Was Not Expected

The knock on the door startled Tessa, who was standing in her kitchen, staring blankly at the pile of past-due bills on the counter. She briefly considered ignoring the jump in her heart. However, the steady knocking persisted, measured and strong. Before going to the door, she sighed and wiped her hands on her apron.

Even in the late afternoon golden light, Lucas Greystone's presence was powerful as he stood on her doorstep when she opened it. His sharp features and fitted coat stood out against the rusty wood and flaking paint of her front steps, but he had a serene, even comforting look on his face.

"Lucas," she murmured, a hint of astonishment in her voice. "Why are you in this place?"

His golden eyes met hers steadily, and he stated simply, "I wanted to talk." "May I enter?"

Tessa paused, looking back at the messy living room and the mess she had been too tired to tidy. However, his face was unreadable, and she moved aside and gestured him in because of the manner he asked.

She answered, "Sure," and shut the door after him. "But I'm not taking any more orders today if this is about flowers."

Warm, deep laughter escaped Lucas's lips. "It has nothing to do with flowers."

She ushered him into the kitchen, where papers and half-drunk tea strewn on the table. He took a look at the mess but remained silent, sitting down and waiting for her to follow suit.

She crossed her arms and muttered, "So." "Why have you come here?"

Lucas put his elbows on the table and leaned forward a little. "I've been considering your predicament," he said cautiously. "And I think I can be of assistance."

She raised her eyebrows. "Aid?"

"Yes," he said. "I am aware that your house is in danger of going into foreclosure."

Tessa's stomach twisted as she tensed up. "How are you aware of that?" she insisted.

It's a little town," he shrugged. "People converse. That's not the purpose, though. The important thing is that I can help you.

Her brows narrowed as mistrust flared in her gut. "What would motivate you to do that?"

Although Lucas's face stayed expressionless, there was a gleam in his eyes that she couldn't quite identify. "We'll refer to it as a business arrangement," he stated. You are uniquely qualified to oversee a little project for me, which is what I'm seeking for. I can provide you the money you need to maintain your house in exchange.

Her mouth dropped open in shock. "A project? What sort of undertaking?

"One that involves your floral expertise," he added with ease. "Over the next two months, I'll be holding a number of high-profile events, and I want you to manage the floral arrangements completely. I'm prepared to pay more for your time because of the excellent work you do.

Tessa's thoughts were racing as she gazed at him. It sounded too wonderful to be true, and she became even more cautious after he made the proposal with such composed assurance.

She said in a softer tone, "Why me?" "There are many florists who could complete the task."

Lucas's eyes grew a little softer. He remarked, "Because I think you have talent." "Because I like to collaborate with people I can trust."

Between them, the word "trust" weighed heavy and unsaid. Tessa bit her lower lip, her doubts still present despite the alluring proposition.

Lucas stood up and straightened his coat before adding, "You don't have to make a decision just yet." "Consider it. However, know that the deal is still valid regardless of your decision.

The sound of his words reverberated long after the door had shut as she watched him go.

The carpet was worn thin from Tessa's nervous footsteps as she traversed the length of her living room. She kept thinking about Lucas's remarks, each one strengthening her resolve. Her chest constricted as she tried to convince herself that his offer was sincere.

The red "FINAL NOTICE" stamp on the top letter caught her attention as she looked at the pile of bills on the coffee table. The danger of losing her house choked any remaining pride she had, and the weight of it all weighed her down like a vice.

She ran a hand through her hair and mumbled, "This can't be real." "Why now? Why him?

She was shocked by the knock on the door once more, and when she turned around, she saw Landon looking through the window. She walked over to let him in after letting out a breath.

He said, "Hey," and entered. His blue eyes searched her face, his features marked with concern. "You appear to have seen a ghost. What is happening?

She paused, then motioned for him to come into the kitchen with her. When she arrived, she sat across from him with her fists clenched around her own mug and gave him a cup of tea.

At last, she continued, "Lucas was here earlier."

Landon's face became a little more serious. "What was his desire?"

Her voice was tinged with disbelief as she replied, "He offered to help me." Floral arrangements for his events are the project he wants me to work on for him. He promised to fund the cost of the house.

With his fingers tapping the table, Landon scowled. "And you're thinking about it?"

"I'm not sure," she said. "I need the money, and it's a lot of it. However, something about it seems strange. Why would he want to assist me?

Simply put, "Because he wants something," Landon stated. "Lucas Greystone never takes action without a purpose. Tess, you have to exercise caution.

"I understand," she answered quietly. However, what options do I have? I will forfeit the house if I decline the offer. And if I do... She rambled on, her mind racing.

Landon covered her hand with his as he reached across the table. "I'll be here no matter what you decide. Just assure me, though, that you will use caution. Lucas is not the type of man you can blindly trust, even though he may mean well.

Tessa nodded, but it didn't make her heart any lighter. With time running out on a decision that might alter everything, she spent the remainder of the night considering her alternatives.

The sky was streaked with pink and gold, and the air outside the flower shop was brisk with the early evening chill. With his mouth fixed and his arms folded, Landon waited close to the store's door. He had been thinking about Lucas's unexpected interest in Tessa all day, and his anxiety had been becoming worse by the hour. Now, Landon's long-simmering annoyance boiled over as Lucas got out of his sleek black vehicle.

Lucas came over with his typical cool assurance, his amber eyes glancing at Landon for a moment before settling into a neutral look. "Landon," he said with ease. "To whom do I owe the enjoyment?"

Landon's voice was low but tinged with rage as he yelled, "Cut the crap, Lucas." "I'm not going to allow you to control her; I know what you're doing."

With his hands nonchalantly slipping into his coat pockets, Lucas arched an eyebrow. "Manipulate? It's a powerful term. Would you mind explaining?

"Don't act foolish," Landon retorted, taking a step toward him. "As if it were nothing, you suddenly appear and start offering Tessa money and solutions. She's at risk, Lucas. She doesn't need to be taken advantage of by someone like you.

Lucas's face was unreadable as he cocked his head. "And what specifically do you believe I'm exploiting?"

"Her desperation," Landon stated firmly. "With your 'business arrangement,' you're swooping in like some savior when she's scared and has no other options." Lucas, what's your angle? What is it that you truly desire from her?

Lucas remained silent for a minute, his eyes unwavering and steady. He then approached slowly, his presence exuding silent strength. "You don't need to worry about my angle," he remarked quietly. But maybe you should think about why you haven't been able to assist Tessa yourself if you're so concerned about her.

Landon became agitated, gripping his fists at his sides. "Don't turn the tables on me." She has had my support through it all. She is important to me.

"And yet," Lucas remarked in a silky voice, "she's still in danger of losing everything." Maybe you should be doubting your own capacity to change things rather than my intentions.

Landon's jaw tensed as the words struck their mark. He forced himself to recover control by inhaling deeply. With a low but determined voice, he declared, "I will not allow you to harm her."

Lucas's expression stayed composed, but his eyes softened a little. "Landon, I don't intend to harm her. Whether you believe it or not, my offer is sincere. Additionally, you will trust her to make her own judgments if you genuinely care about her.

Lucas then moved by him with ease and without any problems. As he watched Lucas vanish into the store, Landon remained motionless, the burden of the altercation bearing down on him.

As Tessa completed arranging the final bouquet of the day, the flower store was silent. She desired a cocoon of peace, and the overhead lights' gentle glow created cozy shadows on the walls. She sighed as she wiped her hands on her apron, her mind returning to Lucas's offer.

She took up her phone when it buzzed on the counter, anticipating a message from Landon or a reminder regarding the orders for tomorrow. Rather, a blank text message caused her eyes to narrow. Not a number. No name. Only one sentence:

The mysterious warning sent a chill down her spine, making her stomach turn over. Her thoughts were racing as she gazed at the television. It was sent by whom? And above all, about whom were they alerting her?

The bell above the door jingled before she could figure it out. A small letter was laying just inside the entrance, as if it had been pushed through the crack under the door, as she looked up in surprise. Tessa looked around, but the street was deserted, the pavement covered in long shadows from the waning dusk light.

Her fingers shaking, she picked up the letter and opened it. There was only one sheet of paper with sloppy, uneven handwriting on it:

The warning echoed in her thoughts, causing her to catch her breath. In an attempt to find out who might have written it, she flipped the letter over, but the other side was blank. Her pulse thumping, she gripped it hard as questions raced through her head.

The uneasiness sunk into her bones as the shop became quieter and the shadows outside got longer. Half-expecting someone to show up, she looked at the door, but nobody did. Only the gentle hum of the refrigerator in the corner broke the suffocating silence.

Tessa's grasp tightened as she gazed at the note once more.