The End of the Littlest One [Completed]

35. You're awful

'He knows this is my town,' Alex said.

Olivia stood on the other side of his flower stall. They faced the same way and eyed the new stall on the other side of the street. There had been rumor going around a new flower stall would open soon, and at today's market it finally happened.

The man behind the new stall was visibly excited and couldn't seem to stop smiling.

'Yet he dares to sell flowers here.'

'I don't think more flowers is a bad thing,' Olivia said. 'Definitely in winter. The world could use more colors other than white.'

'I'm not saying I don't like his flowers; I just don't like him.'

Olivia turned back around to face Alex. He was almost done with the bouquet she had requested.

'He steals my customers with is fancy purple and blue flowers. Where did he even get those?'

'Well, I'm still here,' Olivia said to cheer him up. 'I love your common, slightly overpriced red flowers.'

Olivia smiled at him, and Alex glared back to her. He didn't succeed in fully hiding his smile.

'Four coins, please,' Alex said when he was done with the bouquet.

Olivia put the bag in her hand down on the ground and dug in various pockets to find coins. She happened to have only three left after doing groceries. Alex noticed the lack of one coin in her hand.

'Don't worry about it,' he said. 'You'll get it for three.'

'Really? Thank you,' Olivia said while handing over the three coins in her hand. 'You're the best.'

'I know, I know. Promise me one thing, though.'

'What is it?'

'When he,' he eyed his new rival, 'comes to the inn, make sure you give him less than what he paid for, alright?'

'What?'

'If he orders a beer, only fill his glass up halfway. That type of thing.'

'You're awful.'

'I thought I was the best,' Alex smiled. 'Three coins and a secret between the two of us or no flowers.'

'Fine,' she took the flowers from Alex' hands.

'See you later, secret accomplice,' he said with a not-so-subtle wink.

Olivia rolled her eyes and smiled at him.

'See you later.'

She picked up the bag from the ground and left the stall. The snow under her feet crunched as she walked on a less frequented road where the fresh snow wasn't compact and turned into ice yet.

She looked at the flowers in her hand.

If Sheppard finds out what I promised to get my mother some flowers...

Olivia shook her head to get the ending of that thought out of her head. Her mother would like some color in her house, and that's all that should matter.

While walking, her mind wondered from topic to topic. Out of the blue, Jamie and Danny came to mind. It wasn't the first time after their departure she thought of them.

She hadn't forgotten their request either.

She wondered how the two men were connected to the Laurier family. They had to be somehow. Or were they just tricking her? Joking around to make her confused. They didn't seem like people who'd do that, but that could be part of the plan. Also, how well could she possibly know them, having met them only a few days before?

One thing was for sure; they were the strangest guests they had had at the inn in a while.

Thinking of their requests moved her mind to the dinner at the Laurier mansion. The date was approaching faster than she thought. The preparations would start the day after today.

Olivia was excited to possibly see Nicole. Unfortunately, a lot of work needed to be done before the inn could even think of going there.

She turned the last corner and faced a familiar house for the first time that week. The front yard was still covered in snow, and the roof was the same. It matched the surroundings just like last time.

When Olivia walked to the front door, she saw it wasn't closed.

Her forgetfulness is getting worse she thought. Maybe it's time mom moves to the inn with me.

Olivia made a mental note to bring it up with Sheppard. She stood still and listened to her surroundings. When she didn't hear anything, she decided her mother must have been inside.

She pushed the door and stepped into the hallway.

'Mom?' Olivia shouted. 'Where are you?'

She put down her bag and the bouquet in the hallway. She then closed the door behind her and walked into the living room of the house.

'Mom?'

She checked her and her mother's bedroom and bathroom on the second floor. Since she wasn't there either, she went down to the first floor again.

Perhaps she's taking a walk she told herself. She must be.

In the hallway, she picked up her groceries and flowers, and walked into the kitchen. She put the bag on the kitchen table. She pushed a chair closer to the table and sat down to think for a little.

As soon as she did, she noticed a piece of paper on the ground.

Must've blown off the table with the door open.

She picked it up and inspected it. It seemed to be a letter, directed to her, in an unknown handwriting. It definitely wasn't her mother's.

Olivia Ellis

Reunite the Laurier with the rest of them, together with the traitor. I'm sure you'd like the reward.