When Fighters Fall In Love

Chapter 19

Ayesha Rakki's POV

Tinaasan ko agad ng kilay si Zayden dahil sa sinabi ng mother niya.

"You can call me—Tita Klare." Sabi niya na tinanguan ko nalang dahil hindi ko rin naman alam kung ano ang sasabihin. "Do you like the flowers?"

"Yes, Tita. I do." Wala na akong pakialam kung anong makita ni Zayden. I really love flowers. "Actually, I have my own shop in Paris. I'm selling flowers—especially in weddings."

Well, it looks opposite to my personality, I know—but I do love flowers. And aside naman sa Aurevia, being a doctor and Le Couronne, wala na akong ibang pinagkakaabalahan that's why I decided to have a shop.

I own three shops located in different areas of Paris.

"Oh my god. Really?" Namamanghang tanong niya.

"Yes, Tita."

Kahit nung bata pa ako, my dream is to live a simple life in province while having her own garden with full of flowers. Ang peaceful kasi kapag ganon yung buhay mo.

"If you ever have some free time, feel free to stop by my shop—I'd love to give you some flowers." Parang may band na tumugtog sa paligid ko dahil sa sinabi ni Tita.

"Thank you so much, Tita."

"I will give you anything you want." Tumango ako sa sinabi niya pero napunta rin ang atensiyon namin nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone niya. "Oh wait, I need to answer this call. Ayesha, pick anything you want here. It's a gift from me."

"Yes, Tita. Thank you so much." Excited na sabi ko at tumingin na kay Zayden na pinapanood pa ata ako kanina pa.

"Interesting."

"What?" Masungit na tanong ko kaya napamaang agad siya. "Even your mom is trying to play matchmaker for us."

"Yeah... sorry about that. She was just really eager to meet you." Nahihiyang sabi niya na ikinakunot ng noo ko.

"Really? Why?"

"Because of the chairman. He's had nothing but good things to say about you." And I know that.

Thankful din talaga ako kay chairman because he trust me so much. I don't even trust myself sometimes.

"What's your favorite flower, Ayesha?"

"Gladiolus." I missed Paris.

"Why?"

"Simply because gladiolus symbolizes strength of character. It's unspoken reminder that true resilience and integrity often stand tall and unwavering, even when everything around them shifts." Diretsong sagot ko na bahagya niyang ikinangiti.

Namangha din ako nung nalaman ko ang ibig sabihin.

That flower just remind me of.... me.

"How about you? What's your favorite flower?" Tanong ko naman sa kaniya. Bahagya naman siyang napaisip kaya hindi ko maiwasang mapatitig sa kaniya.

He is really handsome. Hindi ko naman maitatanggi yun.

Zayden was handsome in a way that didn't demand attention, yet made it hard not to notice him. There was a quiet confidence in the way he carried himself—unhurried, composed, as if he had nothing to prove.