You, Me, and Her

Verse 07: Foolish

Wild Orchid seemingly lived up to the expectation of having such an inviting interior space without seeming cluttered. It wasn't Halwyn's first time to visit the shop since Cadi always asked if he could drop her off. And just like a good friend, he doesn't leave right away unless Cadi asks him to. The thing was, he could've left her and gone home but sometimes Megan's busy schedule wouldn't even allow her to spend lunch with Cadi, and he didn't want to see her looking all depressed heading back to the office all alone.

Halwyn ended up waiting in the guest room, admiring the other non-floral items the shop also sells which included specialty containers, stuffed animals, balloons, and chocolates. When he was already feeling bored, he stood up to browse the display area, and the sample flower arrangements on every shelving, when he suddenly noticed a portrait on the wall next to a tall table.

He didn't know much about Megan despite the fact that she had been dating Cadi for a year now. She went out with them occasionally but her reason for not joining was always because of her busy schedule. As far as Halwyn knew, Meg was from a rich family who disowned her after she came out. Cadi would always tell them how Megan struggled to work on her own, and she was only able to build her flower shop business when her grandmother passed away and she was given an inheritance.

Halwyn stared long and hard at the portrait of Megan and several other women until he stumbled upon the faces of two ladies he didn't think he would ever gaze at again.

He couldn't be mistaken...

Because these two ladies were related to Aidan Pryce at some point. The older one was his grandmother and the other with aristocratic features was his mother!

Halwyn was so shocked at what he had just seen that deliberately scratched both of his eyes to make sure that he wasn't hallucinating. How very small their world was and he wondered how long they have been loyal customers of the shop.

He was on the verge of asking the receptionist when a door to an adjacent room opened and out came Cadi with a deep scowl, exclaiming, "Fine!" The way she shut the door was so loud that even the guests at the check-in area quickly left the shop.

"What happened---"

"Don't ask!"

Halwyn zipped his mouth and was about to follow Cadi when the door of the same room opened again and this time Megan came out, running after the other girl. "Cadi!"

Halwyn stood there like he was watching a soap opera. It had been truly a while since he had last seen Megan Prowell. The first time they met her, Halwyn already admired her but not in a romantic sort of way because he wasn't attracted to girls. It was just the way she carried herself; she was independent, and strong but softened when it came to Cadi. It reminds him so much of Aidan back in high school. The young man back then was a rebel but he never failed to show up whenever Halwyn needed him.

"Would you please listen!" Meg begged, pulled her by the forearm, and whirled her back so they faced each other. "I didn't you say that can't come. I would appreciate it if you could just give me a heads-up first."

"A heads-up?" Cadi responded scathingly. "Every time I did that your answer was always a NO. What am I supposed to do? We haven't seen each other for over a week even my friends are starting to doubt if we're even in a relationship!"

Halwyn noticed that the receptionist quickly left her post and went to the backdoor. He would've followed but for some reason, his feet were rooted on the ground.

"Give me some time..." Meg's tone was lenient and pleading, "I can't afford to be seen by Mom's friends here with you. They're my clients, babe."

Cadi's face froze and for a moment she didn't say anything, and when she did, Hal could tell that was already done with the conversation. "Whatever. Hal, let's go!"