HIS FLOWER

CHAPTER TEN

FLORIA

"Lori! This just came in for you," Ivy informed, handing me a bouquet of white lilies - a mix of Casablanca, tiger, and Asiatic lilies.

"You might need to see this too before you take a look at that note," Ivy said, dragging me to the main entrance to see a huge ice cream van dispensing ice cream to interested people.

I picked up the notes dangling by the side:

__I'm not sure what you like, but they're my favorite, and they remind me of you.__

__I promise it's no show-off. Just hoping to put a smile on your face, Lily - cause happiness is contagious. Only yours remains contagious to me.__

At the bottom of the writing was a signature of his name.

A small blush climbed to my cheeks. Who would have thought he had such sweet words?

"I'll say he's trying to buy your forgiveness," Ivy said, "but that note and those lillies..."

"Purity, love, and beauty," I sighed, pointing out what these lilies mainly signify.

"I don't know, Ivy. It doesn't change the fact that it hurt."

I hastily returned inside, shoving the lillies in my locker.

Hour passed before another delivery arrived - with red roses, requesting to see me.

I sigh in exhaustion, hating how uncomfortable the glares and shocked stares from my colleagues made me.

The note was more encrypted this time:

__As many roses for my Rose.__

By the end of the day, I had received many roses, forming a bouquet, and enough hints to confirm my hunch - it wasn't Jayden or a secret admirer, but long-time childhood friend Ben.

He had sent a collection of pictures he took of me as a little girl while we played around the yard with the camera his dad bought him for his eleventh birthday, a few months before he had to leave.

"I can't believe he's so sweet and romantic." Ivy gushed when I told her what my hunch was and how it's confirmed.

I giggled and waved her off as we picked up our stuff, ready to head home.

A nicely dressed man in a tux handed me a card:

__I found the right spot, Roses. Come see for yourself.__

I smiled shyly at Ivy, waving her off as I got into the car, and the ride began. Nostalgia kicked in as we drove downtown, and I saw many unchanged structures. Completely losing my cool, when we drove into a park we once frequented, bringing back memories.

Roses petals littered the pathway, with cards serving as directives. One caught my attention:

_I found you. I found you, my Roses._

I chuckled, remembering how he'd sing that phrase during hide and seek.

All these hints led me to a dinner setting, with the man of the hour waiting there with a big grin.

"Roses," he beamed, rubbing his palms together, and his gaze fixed on me.

My mouth dropped in absolute shock. The last time I saw him, he wasn't this tall, this big, this grown. I guess that's what happens after thirteen years. He looked different in a good way. So handsome.

I shrieked, jumping into his arms from excitement. He chuckled, hugging me to his chest as he whispers the words.

"My beautiful Roses."