Chapter 19

the small bell above the door chimed softly.

A lady stepped in, bringing with her a faint, elegant scent of lavender and a quiet coolness that seemed to defy the summer heat. She was impeccably dressed in a light linen suit, her hair styled in a chic, unfussy bob. Her gaze swept over the shop with an air of thoughtful contemplation. She looked to be in her mid-forties, her features refined, her eyes intelligent and curious.

Minji straightened, offering a polite, welcoming smile. "Welcome to Sunshine & Bloom!" she greeted, her voice calm and professional.

Lily, startled by the bell, nearly dropped her hose, which promptly spouted a small jet of water onto a display of miniature bonsai trees. "Oh! Gomen nasai!" she squeaked, blushing furiously as she quickly reined it in. She then quickly turned to the customer, offering a slightly flustered but earnest bow. "Welcome, madam!"

The lady's lips curved into a faint, amused smile, her eyes twinkling slightly at Lily's minor mishap. It was a subtle expression, but it immediately put Minji at ease. "Thank you both," the lady said, her voice smooth and pleasant. "What a charming shop you have here. It truly lives up to its name, even on a day like this." She gestured vaguely at the oppressive heat outside.

"We try our best," Minji replied, stepping forward. "Is there anything specific you're looking for today, ma'am? We have a wide variety of pots, from traditional ceramic to more modern designs, and a selection of plants too."

The lady took a slow, deliberate stroll around the shop, her gaze lingering on various displays. Lily, having finally secured the rogue hose, discreetly wiped her hands on her apron and tried to look as composed as possible, though the faint blush remained on her cheeks.

"I am actually looking for a pot, yes," the lady said, stopping in front of a shelf laden with beautifully glazed pottery. "But not for myself, not exactly. I'm… setting up a new creative space, a place for children, and I want something that truly pops. Something vibrant, full of life." She turned, her eyes meeting Minji's. "I'm looking for something incredibly colorful."

Minji's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Colorful, you say? We have quite a few options. Lily," she gestured to her sister, "please show our guest some of our more vibrant and unique pieces. Perhaps the iridescent ones or the ones with hand-painted patterns?"

Lily, eager to redeem herself after the hose incident, practically bounced over. "Right away, sis! Of course! Follow me, madam!" She led the lady with an almost comical level of enthusiasm towards a section of the shop bathed in natural light, where a dazzling array of pots shimmered.

"Here we have our rainbow series!" Lily began, sweeping her hand dramatically. "They're glazed in such a way that they catch the light and shift colors, almost like a soap bubble! We have them in various sizes, from small ones for succulents to larger ones perfect for a blossoming hydrangea." She picked up a small, spherical pot that indeed seemed to hold all the colors of the spectrum within its surface. "And over here," she continued, moving to another shelf, "are our abstract-painted pots. Each one is unique, hand-painted by a local artist. No two are exactly alike!" She held up a pot splashed with electric blues, sunny yellows, and fiery oranges. "These are really popular, especially with people who want something truly one-of-a-kind."

The lady examined the pots with keen interest, running a gloved finger over the smooth, cool surfaces. "They are beautiful, certainly," she mused. "But I'm thinking… even more vibrant. Something that screams joy, bursts with energy. Something that would inspire a child to pick up a paintbrush themselves." She paused, then turned to Minji, who had discreetly followed. "I would like to order some truly colorful pots. Something with a real difference, a unique variety. Can you accommodate a custom order for ten such pots?"

Minji's mind whirred. Ten unique, exceptionally colorful pots was a significant order. It wasn't their usual fare, which leaned more towards understated elegance or rustic charm. But a large order meant good business, especially in the slow summer months. "Ten truly unique and colorful pots," Minji repeated, her gaze thoughtful. "Yes, ma'am, we absolutely can. We work with several independent artists and ceramists who specialize in bold, vibrant glazes and designs. We can source specific colors, textures, or even patterns if you have something particular in mind."

"Wonderful!" the lady exclaimed, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "I'm looking for a range of sizes, perhaps a mix of small, medium, and a couple of larger ones. As for colors… think electric. Think neons, primary colors, clashing but harmonious. Something that makes you want to dance just by looking at it."

Lily clapped her hands exuberantly. "Oh, that sounds amazing! Like a party for plants!"

The lady chuckled, looking at Lily with a warmth that completely erased the earlier awkwardness. "Precisely, young lady! A party for plants, and for the children who will be tending to them."

"We can certainly do that for you, ma'am," Minji confirmed, pulling out a small notepad and pen. "We'll need a week to source and prepare them, given the custom nature. Is that acceptable?"

"A week would be perfect," the lady agreed. "And I'd like to pay an advance now, to secure the order." She reached into her handbag, pulling out a sleek phone. "I can transfer the advance online, if that's convenient."

"Yes, that's perfectly fine," Minji said, quickly providing their shop's QR code for online payments.

The lady quickly scanned and confirmed the transfer. A moment later, Minji's phone chimed with a notification. "¥1,000 advance received. Thank you so much, ma'am!" Minji said, genuinely grateful."We'll have them ready for you next week, same day, if that works for you?"

"That works perfectly," the lady confirmed. "I will come by next week, perhaps this time, and pay the full amount then." She paused, her gaze lingering on Minji, then on Lily. "By the way, my apologies, I don't believe I caught your names."

Minji offered a polite bow. "My name is Minji. It's a pleasure to assist you."

"Minji," the lady repeated softly, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Minji. That's a beautiful name. It sounds calm, serene, like the heart of this shop."

Minji felt a warm flush rise to her cheeks. "Thank you very much, ma'am."

The lady then turned her attention to Lily, whose eyes were wide with anticipation. "And yours, dear?"

"I'm Lily!" she chirped, almost bouncing again."

"Lily," the lady said, her smile widening. "What a cute name! It suits you, full of life and cheer. Like a fresh bloom." She paused, looking between the two sisters, a gentle warmth in her eyes. "You know, you both are beautiful, and it's clear you're working so hard. This shop has such a lovely atmosphere. It's truly a gem."

Minji and Lily exchanged a surprised glance, then both bowed deeply. "Thank you, ma'am, that's very kind of you to say," Minji murmured, a genuine warmth spreading through her. Compliments like that were rare, and immensely appreciated.

"Well, I mustn't keep you from your hard work," the lady said, gathering her elegant handbag. "I look forward to seeing the pots next week." She turned to leave, but Minji quickly interjected.

"Mam, please come again! We'd love to see you back, even just to browse," Minji said, her tone hopeful.

"Oh, I most certainly will," the lady replied, pausing at the door and offering one last, enigmatic smile. "You can count on it. Goodbye for now."

With a soft chime of the bell, she was gone, leaving behind only the lingering scent of lavender and a buzzing excitement in the air.

As the door chimed shut, silence descended for a moment, broken only by the hum of the air conditioner. Then, Lily let out a whoop.

"Ten pots! Ten unique, super colourful pots! Sis, this is amazing! We're going to be so busy, but it's going to be so much fun!" Lily bounced on the balls of her feet, already imagining the vibrant colours.

Lily finally shook herself out of her daze. "She was so elegant, sis! And she said I was cute! And that we were both beautiful! Can you believe it? Nobody ever says that to us, just that the hydrangeas are beautiful or the pots are nice."

Minji chuckled, stepping forward to re-arrange a slightly displaced stack of saucers. "She certainly had an eye for things. And a good judge of character, too, it seems."