Black Roses

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Maybe I was overreacting, maybe he was just
casually coming in here to look for some flowers.
Yeah most likely.
But thinking about it, he looked so suspicious all by himself, he shouldn't be here and I can guarantee he knows who I am. Never underestimate Straykids because that's the last mistake you'll ever make. When I was, let's just say 'active' a few years ago Straykids were only a small group who sold a few drugs here and there — nothing too serious or big. But while doing my own research for me and my grandparents' safety, I found that Straykids had gotten bigger from when one of the members disappeared. They were definitely stronger than any group I had seen before, up to the point that even the name makes you shudder.
I moved out to this secluded village for a reason, and made sure no mafias could find me, to them I'm supposed to be dead to the world. Spectre died years ago, there is no possible way he could know who I really am. Or does he? Could he be here to kill me or worse my grandma and grandpa?

Oh I hope he's just here for me, anything to get him far away from my grandparents.
No. Stop.

Calm down and help him then maybe he'll go away there is nothing to panic about.
Regaining my false smile and hoping he didn't notice the panic wavering past my eyes I casually responded with:

"We don't have any red roses"

"Oh, okay well do you have any red tulips?" He asked smiling in a unnatural way, almost looking as if it was forced, maybe he was being sarcastic. He's so hard to read, and probably for a good reason, I wouldn't expect anything less from Straykids' second in command. I can feel my anxiety heightening every second, it's creeping up on me like a dark hooded creature. But I shrug it away and had to go back to pretending he's a 'ordinary' customer.

He still wore the seemingly sarcastic smile which at the time lead me on to think he was trying to wind me up in some way,

"No sorry we don't do those either"
I continued to smile at him mirroring his sarcastic or forced smile. I hope this was his sign to leave, god I hope so. My thoughts brought me to only focusing on going home and checking any leads I may of left, to try and discover why he's here.

"Oh so do you not have any red plants?"
"No but we have pink flowers I assume your shopping for your girlfriend or loved one if your thinking of red flowers but pink can also be an option"

"Mhm right, is that your way of asking me if I have a girlfriend?" He curiously tilted his head almost to belittle me in some way, making me feel uncomfortable but equally pissed off. This lead to him receiving a disgusted look,

Wow where did he get that idea from

"No I'm just assuming that, because red is a romantic colour it would be weird if it were for anything else, or do you just know nothing about flowers"
He scoffed.
"Well fair enough but you mustn't always just assume things it doesn't always end well and you do know that not everyone who walks through this door is a floral genius as you've kindly just displayed there for me-"

I abruptly held my hand up interrupting his 'smart ass' back chat,

"Look sir enough with the back chat just let me know if you need help I'm not here to be lectured by my customers this is my goddamn shop"

"Hmm"
He stepped back slightly, but held a strong full on eye contact with me. I was glaring but he was analysing my eyes.

I've been noticing him trying to read my thoughts through my eyes the minute he started talking to me. As if he couldn't piss me off any further this notion didn't help his case any more than he had tried to help it.
Although at the same time half my brain remained frantically flicking through every memory to find what could have lead him to me, to which I could recall absolutely none. While the other half had to deal with this idiot that I don't really want to deal with.