Chapter 6
525words
I gave up on sleep, threw on a jacket, and headed out to buy toothpaste—and clear my head in the process.
As the elevator doors opened, I bumped into a familiar face—Lucas Lee, who owned the flower shop downstairs.
He carried two pots of budding camellias, their fresh scent cutting through the stale elevator air.
Every month before visiting Mom's grave, I'd buy flowers from his shop. His blooms were always fresh and fairly priced. After several visits, we'd become acquainted.
He was probably in his early thirties, around Gregory's age, with a clean-cut appearance. Years of tending flowers while staying fit had given him a gentle yet strong presence that made him the neighborhood aunties' favorite bachelor.
Some had even tried to match us up.
I'd deliberately avoided him during that time, but he remained unfazed, always greeting me with a warm smile whenever we crossed paths.
"Morning. Out early today?" Lucas moved aside to let me in, his voice crisp as morning air. His eyes briefly caught the red mark on my cheek where Gregory had slapped me.
"Not work. Just need to buy a few things," I forced a smile.
"Oh," he said, as if just remembering something. "Are you moving? I heard packing noises from your place last night."
I shook my head. "I'm not the one moving."
Understanding flashed across his eyes. After a moment, he asked softly, "Did you... break up?"
I lowered my eyes with a bitter smile. "I suppose so."
If you can call a relationship with a predetermined end "love."
He studied me for a long moment. "Don't be too sad. It'll pass."
His attempt at maturity, with eyes more sorrowful than mine, suddenly made me want to tease him.
I looked up, my tone playful. "Mr. Lee, you sound experienced. Suffered many heartbreaks?"
Surprisingly, his ears turned bright red, and his speech stuttered: "N-not at all..."
"No experience?" I raised an eyebrow, drawing out my words. "That can't be right. I've seen all those aunties trying to set you up..."
"We just got some beautiful champagne roses in the shop," he interrupted, eyes downcast, changing the subject. "You haven't been by for flowers in a while."
"Not right now, thanks." I stepped out as the elevator dinged open. "I've been busy arranging Mom's grave relocation. Once that's settled, I'll come by."
The air between us stilled.
He clearly hadn't expected this. He froze, his eyes softening with awkward sympathy. "I'm sorry, I didn't know your mother..."
"It's okay," I said, stepping into the morning breeze that suddenly made my eyes sting. "It's been a long time."
But some aches never fade, no matter how much time passes.
Lucas followed me, keeping a respectful distance. "If you'd like, you can come sit at the shop anytime. See something you like, just let me know. I'll save it for you."
"Okay," I whispered, quickly brushing away the moisture from my eyes as I turned away.
He asked nothing more, just walked quietly beside me. The morning light stretched our shadows, intertwining them on the pavement.
