The Red Cosmos

Daisies

Time couldn't move any slower she whines, groaning as she glances at the clock for the hundredth time that day and finding there was still twenty minutes until closing. Seokjin's words from earlier replay in her head over and over. He actually offered to walk her home!

"Just Seokjin and I, alone" she mumbles excitedly.

She's so preoccupied with her excitement she fails to notices the vase she left haphazardously sitting at the edge of the counter tipping over and falling. The sound of the glass smashing to bits against the floor startles her. She eyes the glasses pieces, reminded of the events earlier.

The serial killer still on the loose, the mysterious note along with her smashed flower pot.

"No, there's no way it's connected, I'm just being paranoid" she tries to laugh it off while she grabs the broom to clean the mess.

It was a rather quiet day, with not many customers in need of flowers. Mr. Kim did show up later that day but left just as quickly to tend to his wife who had fallen ill. She had reassured him she could handle the shop alone.

How romantic, she thinks as she gathers up the last of the glass admiring the way each piece shimmered under the fluorescent lights, she hoped she too would find her forever person that would tend to her in her old age. Perhaps she did, thinking back to broad shoulders and soft eyes.

Tossing the shards into the dustbin she glances at the clock once more finding she only had fifteen minutes before closing.

Rushing to the backroom, where Mr. Park kept the larger flower arrangements, she stands in front of the mirror hanging by the back wall. Looking over herself she runs her hands through her blue dress flattening the invisible wrinkles. Peering closely at herself she inspects her face for any flaws. Anxiously she brushes her hair back, should she tie it up or leave it down?

Shaking her head frustrated she sighs, why is she overthinking things!! It's not like it's a date, he's just walking her home.

As she turns on her heels to head back to the front, the slightest sound of shuffling comes from the far corner of the room. Freezing mid-step, a chill runs through her body.

She's being watched.

Her nerves are on edge as she looks over her shoulder, the only thing in sight is flower arrangements and a few discarded cardboard boxes near the elevator that lead to the basement of the shop.

The basement. She hated it down there, it was dark and cold. She avoided it as much as possible.

Mr. Kim never used it, said it was extra space he didn't need so it was empty.

She hears another shuffle, this time it sounds closer to the stairs leading down to the basement.

"W-who's there!?" she says internally cringing when her voice cracks.

The silence is deafening and she can't take it anymore, should she check it out?

Hell no! She was not about to pull some dumb main character of a movie move and get herself murdered.

With the feeling of eyes piercing into her back she doesn't wait for a second longer before rushing through the doorway with the full intention of calling Hoseok once she felt safe enough.

As she skids through the doorway, panic rising in her stomach, she slams into a solid figure, screaming as it happens and they both topple to the floor in a heap of limbs.

"Da Hye!"

Throwing herself off of the being and slamming into the opposite wall she could almost cry out in relief at the person in front of her.

Tears form in her eyes as he regards her worriedly.

"Jin" she whimpers as he stands, holding his hand out to help her up.

"What happened? Are you okay?" his eyes are wide with panic.

Taking a deep breath she shakily points to the back room, "there was someone in there, they were watching me".

"What!?" he says tugging her behind him he inches towards the doorway.

She panics pulling the back of his shirt "no! what if they're dangerous! We should call the cops!".

He faces her with a determined look on his face, "wait here, I'm just going to look around okay?"

What! "No! don't pull the dumb main character move!!"

"The what?" he huffs amused.

"I'm coming with you!" she says despite the anxiety in her gut.

"Are you sure? I'll be quick, just wait here-"

"No!" she nearly shouts stubbornly, hand gripping the hem of his shirt tightly.

"Fine, here hold my hand"

Without a second thought, she slips her hand into his and her heart flutters nervously. His hand was huge and warm, she wonders if she could hold it like this forever.

Walking back into the room, the feeling of being watched is gone, replaced by emptiness.

"There were sounds coming from over there" she points to the basement stairs.

He walks over cautiously, tugging her along and despite her anxiety, the warmth radiating from his hand comforts her.

Kicking a few cardboard boxes aside they find nothing, the door to the basement is shut. When he twists the doorknob it doesn't budge, it was locked. The only way to get in was with the only key Mr. Park kept with him at all times. Which meant there couldn't have been someone here unless they escaped through the back door.

Her shoulders deflate in relief and Seokjin faces her with a reassuring smile, "maybe you were imagining things".

"I hope so" she smiles aware of his thumb rubbing soothing circles onto the back of her hand as a means to calm her.

"I feel ridiculous now" she huffs.

"I don't blame you for being paranoid especially after what happened".

"Yeah I guess, thank you for being here" she mumbles shyly.

"I'm always here for you, now c'mon let get you home".

She hums in agreement, regretfully letting go of his hand to close up shop before they leave.