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Chapter 9

The motorbike slows down and enters the parking lot area. Khaiser continues driving to his usual parking spot and parks his motorbike. He turns off the engine, takes off his helmet and opens his steps to the flower shop. A few vehicles are entering and leaving the parking lot, but it is still relatively peaceful and not too busy. It is still early in the morning and most of the shops are not even starting their business for the day yet. He has much time left before he can begin working on the project with his other co-workers. But as usual, he needs time for some self-motivation even though he has been doing similar things a few times in the past. Plus, he needs to make sure all the preparations have been set before they head to their destination. He is not even sure if Elena and Aika have already arrived at the shop.

Khaiser keeps walking as he enjoys the morning ambience of the town before it gets busy. There are a few other people on the street, probably with the same purpose and intention as him. They are all just minding their own business without looking at those around them.

His steps finally bring Khaiser closer to his destination. From afar, the signboard of the flower shop greets his eyes. He looks around the shop as his steps bring him right in front of the door. There are no signs that anyone has entered the shop, telling him that it is safe during the holiday and that he is the first person to arrive. Lucky for him, he also holds the key to the shop. Otherwise, he has to wait for the two girls.

Khaiser unlocks the door and steps inside the shop before examining its interior. Nothing unusual meets the eyes that should be concerned about. It looks exactly the same as the time before the three of them left. Everything is in its place. Feeling satisfied, he closes the door behind him and continues his steps towards the room at the back of the shop, where they keep everything they need for the project.

Khaiser opens the door and switches on the lights even though the room is not so dark. The amount of morning sunlight that slips into the room through the window is enough to brighten it. Even though there is quite a lot of stuff present in the room, it is relatively clean and neat. He approaches the table at the centre of the room and puts his helmet on it before taking off his jacket and hanging it behind the door. He glances around the room without moving from his spot.

"So, what am I suppose to do now?" Khaiser mumbles to himself while still looking around. After spending a few moments searching for something to occupy his time and failing, he decides to check up on the flower shop's van. He is hoping that the van is fine as he just remembered that it has not been used since a few days before the holiday. He grabs the key from the drawer at the corner of the room and heads toward the back of the shop where the van is parked.

***

Aika peers at the image of herself in the mirror. She brushes her hair lightly with her fingers as she turns her head to the left and right a few times. Feeling satisfied and confident with her appearance, she smiles and winks at the mirror before quickly grabbing her bag from the bed and getting out of her bedroom. There is no need for her to spend a long time in front of the mirror as she just wants to go to work, not go on a date. Plus, she is not fond of makeup and fancy dresses. She feels uncomfortable in them and they are just a waste of money.

Aika steps to the dining area to see her housemate enjoying her breakfast. There is a mug on the dining table right in front of her. A bit further from her, a plate of sandwiches and a tray filled with a mug and a teapot are resting undisturbed. She is already finished dressing up in a long-sleeved light blue t-shirt and denim trousers. She seems ready to leave the house and probably just waiting for her. She does not show any signs that she notices her presence as she is busy staring down at her phone while munching her sandwich.

"Anything interesting?" Aika interrupts her housemate's focus and breaks the morning silence. She puts her bag on the chair next to hers before reaching for the empty mug and the teapot on the tray. She pours some tea for herself and takes her seat, sipping it. The sensation of hot tea flowing down her throat to her entire body gives her an overwhelming freshness, especially after a cold morning shower. Her focus then shifts to the pile of sandwiches on the plate. She takes one and brings it to her mouth.