" Whispers Among Flowers"
As I settled into the plush leather seat of Adrian's car and closed the door behind me,, I heard a soft,, unexpected murmur..
"Thank you..."
I turned to him,, puzzled. "Why??"
He glanced at me,, a small,, wistful smile curving on his lips. "Nothing," he said,, shaking his head. "Let's go."
His voice held something unspoken—like a secret he wasn't ready to share... Without another word,, he started the car,, and we merged into the shimmering river of New York City traffic. Outside the window,, the skyline came alive under the warm embrace of the setting sun. The city sparkled with life,, but tonight,, everything felt different—more alive,, more intimate. Maybe it was him. Maybe it was the way his presence wrapped around me like invisible threads...
"Are you afraid of love??" he asked suddenly,, shattering the silence with a question too raw to ignore.
I didn't respond. I focused on the glittering skyline outside,, pretending not to hear. But Adrian never let silence win for long...
"Or… are you still waiting for someone??"
His voice was low,, almost gentle,, like he didn't want to hurt me but couldn't resist knowing. I turned to face him,, narrowing my eyes.
"How do you know??" I whispered, my voice fragile.
He kept his gaze fixed on the road,, but I caught the hint of a smirk. "I don't know,. I just feel like you are."
The words stirred something inside me—a memory, a name,, a shadow I thought I'd buried. I panicked,, so I said the first thing I could.
"Well,, I'm not interested in love.."
He chuckled softly,, amused. "Not interested in love, or… not interested in me??"
I bit my lip,, trying hard not to let my blush betray me. "No,, Adrian… I'm not interested in love,," I repeated,, but my voice lacked conviction.
He leaned back in his seat,, teasing,, "That clearly means you're interested in me then."
I turned to argue,, ready to snap at his confidence,, but my eyes locked onto his. Those deep brown orbs seemed to know me in ways I didn't understand... There was warmth there—intense,, magnetic,, dangerous. I looked away quickly,, shutting my eyes for a brief second to gather my scattered heartbeats...
"Adrian,, first—watch the road. And second—I told you,, I'm not interested in anything," I muttered.
He didn't respond for a while. The city buzzed around us,, but the air inside the car felt heavier,, taut with unspoken emotions.
"Okay,," he said softly. "Then tell me , who are you waiting for??"
My defenses cracked. I inhaled sharply and murmured,, "Kai… my neighbor... My childhood crush..."
The moment his name escaped my lips,, I froze. I hadn't meant to say it out loud—definitely not in front of Adrian,. I turned to see his reaction.
His hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel,, his jaw clenched,, but he remained quiet.
"So… you are waiting for someone,," he finally said. His voice was unreadable. "I get it. But can you tell me… who is he??"
I eyed him carefully. Did he hear the name?? No, he couldn't have. He looked calm,, at least on the surface.
Before I could deflect,, Adrian pulled the car to a sudden stop. We had reached our destination—the flower shop. But instead of getting out,, he unbuckled his seatbelt,, gently placed our kitten in the backseat,, and then turned to me. His eyes searched mine as he took my hands in his...
"You don't remember me, do you??" he whispered.
I blinked. "What??"
"How could you forget??" he continued, his voice a mere breath. "You know me,, Rimi. You always have…"
His words echoed inside me,, stirring emotions I couldn't name. I scanned his face,, desperate for recognition,, but nothing surfaced.
"Adrian… what are you saying?? If I knew you before,, why can't I remember??"
His fingers slowly slipped from mine, and the light in his eyes dimmed. He turned away,, buckled his seatbelt,, and started the car again. "Forget it,," he said,, almost to himself.
I sat there stunned,, my heart thudding painfully. What was he hiding?? Could he really be Kai?? But Adrian was from a wealthy background—he was the CEO of Queen Group. Kai was a simple boy who lived next door,, not someone who came from wealth. Was my heart tricking me??
The florist shop came into view—luxurious,, elegant,, wrapped in the scent of fresh blooms. Adrian opened the door for me,, and as I stepped out,, I gasped.
It was magical...
Petals of every hue lined the walls. Elegant arrangements adorned the space,, and soft music floated through the air. It was like walking into a dream.
Adrian followed behind,, gently cradling our kitten like she was the most precious thing in the world.
Inside,, Lily and Mike were chatting with a stunning woman who radiated both style and warmth.
"Come,, Rimi!" Lily waved me over. "Meet Meira. She's making a floral tiara for you!!"
Meira turned around,, her eyes lighting up. "You're the CEO of Mirain Company??" she squealed. "I'm your biggest !!"
I laughed,, moved by her sincerity,, and embraced her. "That's so sweet of you."
"Could I… please have your autograph??" she asked shyly.
"Of course." I scribbled my name on her notepad and smiled. "And call me Rimi. No 'ma'am,,' please."
She giggled. "Okay,, Rimi ma'am!!"
Lily gave Meira her wedding decoration list,, and she asked us to wait in the garden while she prepared things.
The garden was a wonderland. Vines of pink and white roses twisted around a wooden swing. Red roses bloomed in rows,, swaying in the soft breeze.
As I settled onto the swing,, Adrian sat beside me,, unusually quiet.
"Do you still like black and white roses??" he asked suddenly.
I blinked. "How do you know that??"
He didn't answer. He just looked at me with that same knowing smile—the one that tugged at memories I couldn't touch. My heart stammered. I turned away,, afraid of what might happen if I kept looking...
Just then, Lily asked, "Where's Luka today??"
Adrian scoffed. "Why ask us?? Ask your big brother."
I glared at him. "Lily, let's call Luka."
She did, and he answered,, "Hey, Lil. Can't make it today. Big project,, See you tomorrow, okay??"
Lily looked disappointed. Adrian… looked satisfied...
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Who's a child now??"
"No one,," he muttered,, smirking as he plucked a rose petal and let it float to the ground..
Meira returned,, beaming. "Here!! A bouquet of red roses—for you."
"Thank you,," I said,, touched.
She spotted the kitten and squealed,, "Oh!! She's adorable. Is she yours??"
"Yes,," Adrian replied immediately. "She's ours.."
I looked at him,, stunned.
Meira's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Rimi ma'am, is he your boyfriend?? I won't tell anyone. Promise!!"
My cheeks caught fire. "No!! He's just a friend."
She tilted her head,, unconvinced. "He came all this way just for you… and the kitten. That's more than what most boyfriends do..."
My heart skipped a beat. Adrian didn't say anything. Instead,, he handed me the kitten gently. Together,, we placed the tiny tiara and floral bracelet on her,, and she batted at the petals with joy. We all laughed,, enchanted by her playful innocence.
I turned to Meira. "Could you make matching flower jewelry for my kitten for Lily's wedding??"
"I'd love to!!" she said,, clapping her hands.
Lily called for us to leave,, and I turned to find Adrian in deep conversation with Meira. They both paused the moment they noticed me...
"Adrian,, let's go,," I said quietly.
He looked at me and smiled—a soft,, unreadable smile. "Let's go."
As we walked to the car,, I couldn't shake the unease growing inside me. There was something haunting about Adrian—something familiar in the way he knew me, spoke to me,, even the way he looked at me. But no matter how hard I tried,, I couldn't place him.
Back in the car,, silence enveloped us once again,, but this time it wasn't awkward. It was heavy… filled with questions and feelings neither of us had the courage to name.
"Adrian,," I whispered as he drove,, "Why do you care so much??"
He looked over briefly,, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of streetlights. "Because you once cared about me… more than anyone else ever did."
I froze...
Before I could ask anything more,, his phone rang. The name Mr. Queen flashed on the screen. He ignored it.
I felt something tighten in my chest. Kai… could never afford this car,, or clothes like these. But still,, the way Adrian said you once cared about me…
Who was he??
The answer teased me like a half-remembered dream.
As the city lights shimmered past us and our kitten purred softly between us,, I found myself torn—between a past I couldn't remember and a present I was terrified to fall into.
But one thing was becoming painfully clear.
If Adrian wasn't Kai… then why did it feel like I was falling in love with him all over again??