Love Deferred

chapter 26: foods and bouquets

One morning, in Faith's working studio, she was deeply immersed in reviewing the latest designs for her fashion line. The hustle and bustle of her team filled the room as they prepared for the upcoming photoshoot. Suddenly, one of the staff members approached her, holding a stunning bouquet.

"Ms. Mondragon, these just arrived for you," the staff member said, handing her the bouquet.

Faith looked up, slightly surprised. She carefully took the bouquet and inspected it. The arrangement was beautiful, filled with her favorite flowers. Nestled among the blooms was a small card. She pulled it out and read the message: Good Morning... I love you... Take Care.

There was no sender's name on the card. Faith's heart skipped a beat as she reread the message. She couldn't help but think of Andrei. Could it be from him? She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought. It could be from anyone, she reasoned, perhaps a fan or an admirer.

She placed the bouquet on her desk, the fragrance of the flowers filling the room. For a moment, the hectic atmosphere of the studio seemed to fade away. She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions—curiosity, confusion, and a tiny spark of hope.

As she returned to her work, her mind kept wandering back to the bouquet. She tried to focus on the task at hand, but the message lingered in her thoughts. Who could have sent it? She decided to ask her assistant.

"Anna, do you know who sent these flowers?" Faith asked, calling over her assistant.

Anna shook her head. "I'm not sure, Ms. Mondragon. The delivery just arrived this morning with no information about the sender."

Faith nodded, still puzzled. "Alright, thank you, Anna."

As the day went on, Faith couldn't help but steal glances at the bouquet. She wondered if Andrei had sent them and if so, what his intentions were. She decided to focus on her work and let the mystery unfold in its own time.

Later that evening, as Faith was wrapping up for the day, she received a message on her phone. It was from an unknown number:

I hope you like the flowers. I meant every word. - D

Her heart raced as she read the message. It had to be Andrei. She bit her lip, torn between annoyance and a flutter of excitement. She knew she had to stay strong and focus on her life, but a part of her couldn't help but feel touched by the gesture.

She decided not to respond immediately. Instead, she placed her phone aside and took a moment to reflect. She knew she had to be careful with her emotions, but she couldn't deny that the gesture had stirred something within her.

As she prepared for bed that night, Faith found herself thinking about Andrei's words. She knew she had a long day ahead, but she allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, a moment to acknowledge the feelings she had tried so hard to suppress.

With a deep sigh, she turned off the lights and lay down, her mind a swirl of thoughts and emotions. She knew she had to stay focused on her career, but maybe, just maybe, there was room in her heart to give love another chance. For now, she would take things one step at a time, letting the future unfold as it may.

On the other hand, Andrei sat in his apartment, his phone in hand, waiting anxiously for a reply from Faith. He had sent the flowers and the message, hoping it would be a small step toward reconciliation. As the minutes turned into hours, his anticipation turned into disappointment. No reply came.

He stared at his phone, the screen dark and silent. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Had he been too forward? Was it too soon to reach out? He replayed the conversation they had at the dinner, remembering the pain and anger in her eyes. He knew he had hurt her deeply, and perhaps it was naive of him to expect an immediate response.