Daisies and Daggers

1: Acacia

VALERIA

The sound of the metal gate rolling up startled the birds standing on the lighting pole above the brick building. The bell that hung on top of the glass door  from the store across the street rang and caught my attention. A man slammed the keys on top of the countertop; I unnoticeably started to fluff my dark brown hair and gently rubbed under my brown eyes in fear of mascara stain. My heart started racing as I lost focused on the count of the roses placed on the table beneath me. I winced as a small pain was felt in my fingertips, I sucked on my ring finger trying to ease the pain.

I couldn't get my eyes off the man from the armory, his tatted hands skimmed across the blade as he slowly pulled the dagger in front of his eyes looking for any imperfections. His finger lightly skimmed the blade checking the sharpness, approving and placing it back display case.  My gaze was soon snipped off when I hear my own bell ring and see a middle aged woman walk in.

"Welcome to Lombardi's Garden Shop, how may I help you" I chirped, looking at the woman with the brightest lip color smiling back at me.

"Have you happen to have Azalea saplings"

"We don't have them at hand, but we'll be receiving them next week"

"Perfect can you save me some for me; I'll pay a part in advance"

I nodded

"And a dozen roses please, these roses look lovely and will look beautiful in my dining table" She pick up the rose from the table.

"Yes ma'am" I quickly handed her a dozen of roses for her I grinned as she handed me her credit card.

She left and exits the already opened door held by a tall figure.

The man from the armory waltz  in after receiving a thank you from the woman.He had a all black attire with his business logo embroidered on the black shirt that hugged his muscular body. He had a hat also with his logo hiding his light brown locks and slightly blocking his brown eyes.His tall frame almost making him get hit by the chandelier in the middle of the room. My lungs are literally tossing and turning what it feels to be in my stomach and not my ribcage. I try to keep my cool but I can feel the heat rose up my skin.

"Hi" he boomed, his voice melting my insides like the candles placed on the counter next to me.

"Hi...um... Welcome to Lombardi's Garden Shop, how may I help you" I stuttered

"I know my shop is right in front of your's" He chuckled

"Oh yeah" I let out a nervous laugh

"I have a question and I guess you can help me with it since you look like you know all about plants and stuff" he grinned

"Yeah, I love plants" I spat, mentally slapping myself in the face

"I have this plant or flower, not really sure. Its yellow and I just want to see what it is" He showed me his phone and there was an image of a small, yellow with many stamens, giving the flower a fuzzy appearance.

"Oh it's Acacia" I responded

"Really"

"Yeah it's so pretty, did you know The Acacia flower heads are actually lots of little flowers bundled together. Also they do not produce any nectar. However, the leaf and phyllode glands secrete a nectar or sugary substance which attracts ants, bees, butterflies and other insects" I went on, realizing I was rambling

"Sorry" I blushed

"No, it's okay I like your voic- Violin" He cleared his voice pointing at the violin hung at the beige wall next to a picture of my dad.

"Thanks it's my dad's, he was a violin player when he lived in Italy"

"Nice, thank you for your help...I don't know your name "He clapped his hands together pointing his two fingers at me

"Valeria...Lombardi"

"Valeria Lombardi, I'm Alexander Romero. Thank you for your help I'm truly grateful" He introduced himself down shaking my hand

"Glad to help" I giggled feeling his strong hand against mine, His grip slowly fading as he slides his hand gently on my skin.

He left the shop and my lungs began to work again, but my heart kept on pounding and my smile never faded. I closed my shop as the sun began to drop; I locked the glass door and rolled down the metal gate. I hear a particular bell ring and metal gate; I turned and saw Alexander sharing his gaze with me as he waved.