The Red Cosmos

Daffodils

She calls in late to work that morning, opting to clean the mess on the porch.

"My poor begonias" she sighs sweeping them up. As she's picking up stray pieces of the pot she spots Hoseok leaving his house.

"Good morning Hobi!" She shouts startling the man. He smiles when he spots her, waving as he unlocks his car and jumps inside.

Should she tell him about the letter?

Probably not she concludes watching his car pull out of the driveway.

🌸

By the time she makes it to work, she finds the shop empty. Mr. Kim is nowhere to be seen and the closed sign hasn't been flipped yet.
There's a small note taped to the door, upon closer inspection it read:

Da Hye- had an emergency, will be back later. the shop is in your hands today!
-Mr. Kim :)

Tugging out her keys, she's thankful Mr. Kim trusts her enough to give her a spare key, she unlocks the doors and flips the sign. The fresh floral scent welcomes her and the anxiety that had been eating her alive earlier, disperses.

She gets to work arranging bouquets and snipping stems. Halfway through sweeping up discarded stems the shop doors swing open and the familiar shop bell rings signaling a customer.

"Welcome to Spring Day, how can I help you?" She smiles without looking up.

"Da Hye"

Looking up she's taken aback not expecting to see him here.

"Taehyung! When did you get back?"

He doesn't answer her, rushing forward and encircling his arms around her, tugging her into a warm embrace.
She flushes, unable to react until he pulls away.
His ears are tinged red when she looks him over, he dyed his hair again. This time it's a light shade of ashy brown. A fond smile finds its way to her lips.

"I heard from Jaebum about what happened last night, are you okay?"

There's worry on his brows and she waves him off
"I'm fine, Hoseok was there and they only damaged one of my flower pots, could have been an animal. Now tell me, when did you get back?"

He sighs "Yesterday. I meant to visit but I was preoccupied with work"

"I know it's okay, how did it go?"

A slow smile finds its way onto his lips and she already knows the answer "it was amazing! They loved my portfolio!"

"That's great Tae! I'm so happy for you, you have to show me some time okay?"

He nods, his curly hair bouncing atop his head and she can't help but think he resembled a puppy.

"Ah, shit! I have another shoot in a few, I'll catch you later Hye, and listen if you're ever scared or need someone, I'm here for you" he winks before rushing out of the shop.

She watches his retreating figure before resuming sweeping.
Kim Taehyung was the reason she met Seokjin. They were childhood friends and while Seokjin opened a successful bakery, Taehyung had a passion for photography and had his own studio. He was well known in his field leaving town often for gigs.
She remembers the day she first laid eyes on Seokjin.
Those captivating eyes locking with hers, his kind smile.
She should visit him today.
There are butterflies in her stomach at the thought.

🌸

Shoving open the bakery doors she's hit with the smell of freshly baked goods.
It was always so welcoming in here, like him.
Glancing around she doesn't see him, opting to sit in her usual seat she plops her purse on the table and leans on her elbows waiting.
She doesn't wait long as her usual iced vanilla cappuccino is placed in front of her.
Seokjin slips into the seat in front of her, a worried look marring his soft features.
"Are you okay Hye? I heard what happened from Hobi"
The nicknames make her heart flutter.
"I'm okay, it was a little scary but thankfully Hoseok was there".
He smiles seemingly satisfied, "I'm here for you if you ever need anything you know that right?"
"I know" she barely manages to reply too flustered to react.
"Good I'm glad, I'll be heading back now" he winks standing to leave.

Before she can stop herself she reaches out and grabs his wrist. He eyes her curiously "everything okay?"

"Y-yeah" shit that was too brash "I wanted to give you something, as a thank you for the pastries you always give me".

Reaching into her bag she pulls out the vibrant rose she picked from the shop yesterday and holds it out to him.
He's taken aback but smiles, accepting it.

"It's beautiful Da Hye, thank you"

Beautiful like you she wants to say.
Taking it from her hand he hisses dropping it just as quickly.

"Are you okay?" She stands taking his hand in hers. From the close proximity, she catches a whiff of his scent. Honey and something herbal, rosemary perhaps?

On his finger is a tiny cut, some blood seeps from it.

"I'm fine it was probably just a thorn"

She smiles, "beautiful things don't come without pain".

"You're right about that," he says picking the rose up again and placing it behind his ear.

Such beauty deserved to be admired in a museum or out in nature, how lucky she felt, to witness such art before her eyes.

"If you'd like, I can walk you home after work just to be safe"

Attempting to keep the butterflies in her stomach at bay she feels her cheeks burning up, "if it's not too much to ask, that would be nice".

His smile is brilliant, "I close up early today, I'll see you at five" he waves as he retreats into the kitchen.

Perhaps, maybe... he felt the same way too? she wonders.

All the while, the figure standing outside watches, anger evident in their eyes.