The Garden Clock and the Stranger’s Suit

Elma could still see it clearly—the moment that man collided with her, spilling his drink across her designer dress. He didn't even stop to apologize.

"Did you get a good look at his face?" Vivienne asked, brows furrowed with indignation. "Because we could absolutely sue. Who ruins a superstar's outfit and just walks away like that?"

Lila threw her hands up. "The audacity! People like that need to be taught a lesson."

Elma shook her head slowly, her fingers brushing the fabric of the new dress she'd changed into. "No… I didn't see his face. He was in such a rush—never even turned back. But..." Her voice softened, a touch haunted. "I remember the suit. Dark blue. Silver buttons. Black pocket square. It was... distinct."

Vivienne squinted. "So you're telling me you didn't see his face—but the suit's burned into your brain?"

Elma nodded. "Exactly."

But even as her friends fumed, Elma's thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.

She hadn't told her beloved boyfriend that,she was back in the country—not because she wanted to avoid him, but because she wanted to surprise him. Their relationship had always been full of little traditions. And one meant more than all the others.

Every time they reunited, no matter how far apart they'd been, they met at exactly 10:00 AM in the flower garden where they'd first fallen in love.

She wanted to see if he remembered.

If he still felt the same.

By 9:00 AM, Elma was already there.

The garden had only grown more magical in her absence. The roses had bloomed fully, each petal blushing beneath the morning sun. Butterflies danced lazily on the breeze. The air smelled of lilies and longing.

Still an hour early.

"Maybe he won't show up," she whispered, brushing her fingertips across a rose. "Maybe… he doesn't even know I'm back."

Her heart tugged, and with hesitant fingers, she typed a message.

Hi, JC—I mean, darling... I'm in.

---

Miles away, on the thirty-eighth floor of a glass skyscraper, Jason's phone vibrated.

He was in the middle of a tense business meeting with Simeon Dupanche—an international investor whose name held weight across three continents.

Jason's gaze dropped to the screen.

His entire body stilled.

Without a word, he rose to his feet.

"Boss?" his assistant, Orlando, asked cautiously.

Jason didn't respond.

"Boss! Where are you—?"

Jason's voice cut through the room, low and unshakable. "No one follows me."

And then he vanished.

Simeon blinked, confused. "Was it something I said?"

---

Jason's Lamborghini roared down the streets, slicing through the city like lightning. His heart thudded in sync with every turn. Elma. Was it really her? Was she really back?

He didn't care about the meeting. Or the money.

He only cared about her.

At exactly 10:00 AM, the car skidded to a stop outside the garden.

And there she was.

The girl he'd been waiting for. The love he'd never let go.

Without thinking, Elma ran into his arms, her breath hitching as she flung herself around his neck. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks.

"I missed you," she whispered, her voice breaking. "So, so badly."

He stood frozen for a moment—overwhelmed, stunned—before his arms wrapped around her. Warm. Protective. Real.

"I missed your hug," he murmured into her hair. "I missed everything about you."

"I thought I'd never see you again..." She pulled back slightly, eyes shining with tears. "I love you, Jason. I love you so much."

"And I love you." His voice trembled. "Always."

But then...

Her smile faltered.

Her gaze dropped.

Dark blue. Silver buttons. Black pocket square.

Her breath caught in her throat. Her fingers trembled as they hovered just above his chest.

No. No… this can't be.

She took a step back, eyes widening in disbelief.

"Jason…" Her voice was barely a whisper, laced with suspicion. "Why… why are you wearing that suit?"

Jason blinked, startled. "What?"

She stared at him. Her mind raced.

The suit. The exact same one.

The man who ruined her dress.

Didn't say a word. Didn't look back.

Was it… Jason?

And if it was…

Why didn't he say anything?

Why didn't he recognize her?

Or worse—

Did he already know?

Elma felt cold. The warmth of the garden vanished. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

She took another step back, her world tilting.

Had she just embraced a lie?