Sealed with a Kiss

Chapter 3

(Back to Present)

Her phone beeped and she sighed while shutting her book. She turned off the alarm then placed her phone and book in her bag.

"Back to your little garden, Peanut?"

She looked up to see the red head smirking down at her. "Hello Knuckles, and yes I am." She slid her bag onto her shoulder, "I have a few custom orders I need to put together."

"Hey there's some man pacing outside your shop, Princess," Beethoven said as he walked into the bar. "Think he's in a hurry for some of your pretty little flowers."

"Oh boy," She shook her head, "alright, thanks Beethoven." She handed money to Knuckles and rushed out the door.

She started walking over to her shop and when she sees the man in the entrance of her shop she freezes. Ice races through her veins and she forces herself to breath. Her body starts to tremble as he grabs her wrist and smirks darkly. "Hello Everly."

"Please let go," She whimpered. "I don't know who you are, Sir, you're mistaken. My name isn't Everly."

"I know exactly who you are," He sneered. "You can change your hair and wear make up to try and change your appearance, but you will never lose your interest in weak things that die like your precious little flowers."

"Please let go," She whimpered as she shook.

"Baby." Both Eve and the man turned their heads to see the goth biker standing there glaring while holding a ring in his hand. "You forgot your ring when you were done washing your hands."

"I'm sorry," she said using the distraction to pull her wrist free and rushed to his side. "I was in such a hurry to get here I guess I didn't notice. Please forgive me?"

"Of course, Baby," He said sliding the ring onto her left ring finger. She smiled when she noticed it fit perfectly. She secretly had to admit she loved how it was a black rose. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes," The man glared at the biker as he wrapped his arm around Eve's shoulder.

"I'm off, why don't I help you out at the shop, Baby?" he said, and she nodded while relaxing under his touch. "Hand me your keys, I'll get the door for you."

"Thank you," She smiled gratefully up at him, "you spoil me."

"You're my Queen," he said as he unlocked the door after pulling her in front of him, so he was between her and the suspicious man. "I'm supposed to."

He unlocked the door and she walked in to turn on the lights. "What can I get for you, Sir?" she asked nervously as she walked behind the counter.

"What do you suggest that says I'm thinking of you?" He asked as he walked around the shop taking everything in.

"There's various flowers that say that" She said as Grumpy slid the apron over her and started tying the back while making sure she could feel his rings run along her back. They had noticed over the months of her visiting that she had taken interest in their rings and bracelets. She tended to play with them without realizing it and they seemed to help with her nerves. "There are carnations, dahlias, and red tulips for example. They all say you are thinking of someone."

"Good, mix those together so she clearly gets the message," he said leaning against the counter.

"Yes Sir," She nodded while walking to the back while Grumpy remained in the front watching the man.

Eve took a deep breath and blinked back tears while trying to control her emotions. She cleared her throat and once she was sure she was okay, she quickly grabbed the flowers and a few little others to help tie it together. She came back to the front with a fake smile on and began putting them together.

"Make sure it's in a vase, please," the man said never taking his eyes off her.

"Yes Sir," She said never looking up at him. She quickly looked at Grumpy, "will you hand me that soft pink ribbon please? It will contrast nicely against all this red."

"Here you go Baby," He said handing her the ribbon.

"Here you go Sir," She said sliding the vase over to him then rang up the price. He handed her his card and she completed the purchase. "Thank you Mr..." She glanced down at the card and forced herself to not react seeing the name, "Richard Lawson."

"Thank you," He smirked as he took the card from her and left.

"Shit Baby, your wrist," Grumpy said once the man was gone and he stepped closer to her. He ghosted his fingers over her fingertip shaped bruises that were darkening and growled, "Come on let's go see Doc, make sure you are okay."

"I'm fine," She shook her head. "Besides, I need to get these customs made."

"Who was that?" He asked turning her to face him. "You don't react to customers like that. You knew him. You're scared of him."

"I don't know him," She shook her head. "He just gave me the creeps." He gave her an 'are you serious' look and she turned away from him. "Please, I need to focus on these orders."

"Fine," He sighed, "but I'm not leaving until you are done."

"Are you serious?" she turned to him shocked then shook her head, "No, go away Grumpy I need to be alone. I need space. Go, shoo."

"Fine, then I'll just let Prez Diablo know what happened," He said shrugging. "Maybe he come over or send Gunner."

"No, he'll respect that I need to be alone and focus," She shook her head.

"You keep telling yourself that," He chuckled as he started to leave the store.

"Wait, here," She said sliding the ring off her finger.

"Keep it," He shook his head then walked out before she could argue more about it.