Accidentally Married

34. Bouquet

Sailom stood nervously, the bouquet in his hands trembling just a bit as he waited for Aum's final judgment. It was a beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers—roses, lilies, and baby's breath arranged elegantly in a cascade of colors and textures. 

Despite the short time he had been training at Aum's flower shop, Sailom had worked hard to master the art of floral arrangement. But that wasn't the only reason he had come to learn. His heart skipped as he watched Aum examine his work.

Aum was calm, as usual. He tilted his head slightly, assessing the bouquet with a practiced eye, his expression unreadable. 

Sailom swallowed, feeling the weight of his crush press harder on him. Every time he was around Aum, his heart would race. What had started as a simple infatuation had grown into something more. 

Sailom wasn't used to rejection; people flocked to him easily. But Aum was different, aloof, and that was part of what had drawn Sailom to him. 

Getting Aum's approval—both professionally and personally—had become an unexpected challenge.

Aum finally spoke. "You have exceeded my expectations."

Sailom's eyes widened, unsure if he had heard correctly.

Aum's gaze softened slightly. "For someone who has only trained for a short time, this is... impressive. It's really a work of art."

Sailom let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. A warm sense of pride welled up in him. Aum's praise meant everything. 

He had done it—not just for the flowers but for himself. It had taken everything in him not to let his feelings get in the way of his work, and hearing Aum acknowledge his effort made it all worthwhile.

But then Aum's next words sent an icy jolt through him. "You have mastered the basics now. There is no need for you to continue coming to the shop for training."

It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck Sailom. What? No need to come back?

"I am pretty sure that you will be able to make a bouquet for your mom yourself for her birthday, now," Aum added, sounding like a professor. 

For a second, Sailom stood frozen, staring at Aum in disbelief. He had expected a moment of triumph, maybe even an invitation to keep working together. 

Instead, Aum was dismissing him. 

Was this really the end? Sailom's heart raced, and before Aum could leave, he reached out, grabbing Aum's hand. His grip was firm but desperate.

"Aum, wait—" His voice trembled slightly, betraying the emotions he was trying to suppress.

Aum stopped and turned, glancing at Sailom's hand holding his. His eyes were calm, patient. "What is it?"

Sailom hesitated, his mouth dry. "Can we... date each other?"

That had been his motto behind taking 'the flower arrangement lessons' under Aum. He wasn't going to leave without making it to that point.

Aum's eyes flickered with something—surprise, maybe—but it was quickly masked. The surprise wasn't because he didn't know of Sailom's intentions previously but because of the pleading expression the Second Young master of the Wongsrisai family currently had on his face.

 He gently pulled his hand free, releasing Sailom's grip with a deliberate motion. The silence that followed felt like an eternity.

"I am not interested," Aum said flatly.

Sailom felt a sharp pang in his chest. He had expected Aum to reject him at some point, but hearing the words out loud still hurt. 

"You knew it all along, didn't you?" Sailom asked, his voice tight. "That this whole time, I have been sticking around because I like you. I have been trying to get close to you."

It was more of a confession now that a talk.

Aum's expression remained neutral, but there was a glint in his eyes that suggested otherwise. "I knew," he said simply. "That's why I agreed to let you be my apprentice."

Sailom blinked in surprise. Why? What did Aum mean?

Aum continued, his voice steady. "I thought a rich playboy like you would lose interest after a while. I figured you would get bored once you realized I wasn't going to give you what you wanted."

Sailom's heart sank. A playboy. That is what Aum thought of him?

"I am not just messing around," Sailom said, his voice firm now. "I have been serious about you this whole time."

Aum sighed softly, his eyes softening, though his stance remained firm. "I am sorry," he said quietly, but the sincerity in his tone was undeniable. "I am not interested in a relationship. I have goals, things I want to achieve, and I don't want to get distracted by dating someone."

Sailom stared at him, the rejection settling in like a heavy weight on his chest. He wasn't used to hearing no, and from anyone else, he might have walked away by now. But not from Aum. Not yet.

Forcing himself to smile, Sailom decided to shift tactics. "Alright," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I get it. You are focused on your goals, and I respect that."

Aum looked at him, a little surprised at how quickly Sailom seemed to accept his decision. 

But before he could respond, Sailom added, "But can I ask you for one last favor?"

Aum hesitated. He didn't owe Sailom anything, but something in the way Sailom asked made him pause. "What is it?"

"There is a birthday party next week—for my mom. It's a big deal, and she has been asking about you ever since she met you that day. She thought you were nice." Sailom grinned, as if he hadn't just been turned down moments ago. "Could you be my plus one? Just for the night."

Aum frowned, reluctant. He didn't want to lead Sailom on, but the request was simple enough, and he remembered how kind Sailom's mother had been when they met. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Alright. But just for the party."

Sailom's smile widened, and he gave a mock salute. "I will pick you up that day, then. Thanks, Aum."

With that, Sailom turned to leave, walking towards his car with an exaggerated bounce in his step. Aum watched him go, unsure what to make of Sailom's sudden shift in mood.

 Something about the way Sailom had accepted his rejection felt off, but Aum shook the feeling away. He had been clear. Sailom would understand eventually.

Inside his car, Sailom sat for a moment, staring ahead at the street, his fingers tapping the steering wheel. Then, slowly, a smirk spread across his face. A triumphant, mischievous smirk.

Aum thought he could push him away that easily? Not a chance. 

Sailom had set this up perfectly. He wasn't giving up. He had just gotten Aum to walk straight into his trap, and with the birthday party coming up, he had more than enough time to execute the next phase of his plan. 

He knew Aum was stubborn, but so was he. And once he had his heart set on something—or someone—he always found a way to win.

With renewed confidence, Sailom started the engine and drove off, a plan already forming in his mind. He wasn't done yet—not by a long shot.