A Suit, A Smile, and A Fall to Remember

Elma took a steady breath and met Jason's eyes.

"Were you... the one who ruined my first celebration and didn't even apologize?"

Jason blinked, puzzled. "What? Elma, what are you talking about?"

Her heart pounded. "At the restaurant," she said slowly, "someone spilled something on me—on my dress. Right in front of everyone."

He frowned, as he tried to remember.

"I was there for a private celebration," she continued. "My dress was ruined. It was humiliating. That place is for the rich, Jason. People were staring, whispering... If someone had recognized me that day, it would've gone viral. It could've destroyed me."

Elma's voice softened. "It was really humiliating that I blamed my friends."

Jason hesitated. "I remember holding a bottle… and yeah, I bumped into someone. But I don't remember ruining anyone's dress."

Elma let out a small laugh, her dimples deepening as her smile broke through.

"It was you, dummy," she said playfully. "My friends were ready to sue the guy. But now that I know it was you… I don't mind."

She wasn't the type to hold grudges—especially not against someone she loved this deeply.

They lingered in the garden, talking and laughing as the sun climbed higher. By the time it hit 1 PM, the garden shimmered with golden light, every petal glowing like it was dipped in warmth.

Elma turned to him, curious. "Why do you love this place so much?"

Jason looked around, inhaling the fresh scent of roses. "Because it feels real. Peaceful. Quiet." He paused, then added, "And… because it reminds me of you."

Elma giggled, nudging his shoulder. "You really know how to talk, huh? But same here. I always find peace here."

With a playful glint in her eyes, she whipped out her phone and snapped a picture of him.

"Babe!" Jason exclaimed, startled. "Why'd you do that?"

"Now I've got an updated photo of you for my profile picture," she said, laughing.

"You didn't even let me pose!"

"You don't need to pose," she teased, brushing her hair behind her ear.

Jason crossed his arms dramatically. "What if it's blurry?"

"I'll still post it."

Jason leaned in, determined. "Let me see it."

"Nope." She held her phone tighter.

"Elma…"

"I'm not giving it to you," she said sweetly. "Because I need you in my life—just like I need that picture."

Jason smiled. "But I'm already in your life, aren't I? Come on, just let me—"

"Nope!"

The teasing turned into a tug-of-war. Jason reached for her phone, and she darted back with a laugh. They wrestled, stumbling in their playful chaos—until Elma lost her balance.

She let out a soft gasp as she fell backward onto the picnic mat.

Jason toppled right on top of her.

Time froze.

Their faces were just inches apart. Their breaths mingled. Her heart thudded in her chest as he looked into her eyes, his hands planted on either side of her to hold himself up.

And then—

"Ahem."

A throat cleared behind them.

They both turned sharply.

The gardener stood nearby, wide-eyed, holding a watering can like it was a shield.

"I—I was just here to trim the roses," he stammered. "Didn't see a thing. I'll just… water the lilies. Far away. Not looking." He spun around and walked off quickly.

Elma burst into laughter, covering her face.

Jason groaned. "Well, that was embarrassing."

She giggled again. "But unforgettable."

Jason smiled, brushing a fallen leaf from her hair.

"You make everything unforgettable.