, acknowledging

he replied wit

and began checking her pulse. "How a

ation that Andrew had a crush on me and would make a perfect son-in-l

d with her usual humor. "Yo

and I couldn't h

ression serious. "Ash, can I speak with

in, a sly grin spreading across her face. I ro

whined,

Yeah, Lia, we just need some space. I'

n her eye. "Sure, why not?" she s

ol air a welcome respite from

?" I asked, my

ur mom's situation is getting dire. We need

led myself. "Don't worry, by the end of this month, I'l

the better of her. "So, what happened between you and

ned," I insisted, tr

ss her face. "Well, that's what I told my p

ghing. "Ewww, Mom, don't s

a revise

d, rolling her eyes

ng like I'm older t

with an intense gaze. "I love you, you know

lump form in my throa

y own tears fall. "If I don't survive this, just know you

"No, Mom, you're going to

ining with tears. "And you won'

art break. "Don't overstress y

placed a finger on my lips.

dn't refuse. "

g to relax. "Good.

the drips connected to her hands, her m

arms wrap around me. She stroked my hair,

oftly, "I lo

r tears slowly subsided, a

ing multiple jobs was exhausting, but I was determined to pay off the hospital bill

d around, I was taken aback by her stunning beauty. Her curves perfectly hugged her long white dress, and her subtle l

n I get you?" I asked, try

lied, her voice as

she said, and I nodded, leadi

" she exclaimed, and

e exchanged pleasantries, and I

, her weary voice carryi

e elderly lady approac

d onto mine. "There's an important customer at the back

rby chair. Her grayish hair fell loose around h

Rina," I said, conce

ern accent thick and soothing

kindness. After her husband's passing, Miss Rina had tak

e building, where the flowers and the important client awaited. As I

person who had left me restless since yesterday, sparkled with amusemen

e said, his tone humble, but his

a revise

professional tone. "What

y difficult for me to avoid staring back. I felt

his eyes. He tilted his head, and a stray strand of hair escaped his perfectly

ghts. "I'm just here to help you with your p

sighed. "Very well then. G

es. "Well, if you give me an idea,

ly. "I want to know yo

. "If the flower is for a gir

asked, his eyes spar

ting again. "Sir, I'm just here t

"That wasn't

His face was inches from mine as he leaned in, his

I gulped, my voice barely

lips abruptly, as if