KARMA: FALLING FOR MY ENEMY'S SON

13. FLOWER SHOP

She's the type of flower that can still grow after a forest fire…

“Order for Eva” putting my phone down, I got up when the cashier called my name and walked up to the check out point “...One caffè macchiato and one Lungo” she said when I stopped in front of her. Placing a paper tray on the counter between us before putting the cups in it and informed me with a smile “...that will be four euros” I nodded and looked inside my wallet for some change before giving it to her.

Mumbling a small thank you, I turned around to leave with the lattes in one hand and my bag in the other when all of a sudden my phone rang. Forcing me to take my eyes off where i was going and look down at my bag to get it. So I didn't notice someone coming straight at me.

“Oof” I groaned, as we bumped into each other. The lattes in my hand spilled over us as they fell and over my phone now on the ground.

“f**k, I'm sorry” the person apologized, making me scowl at how familiar their voice sounded. I looked up and immediately rolled my eyes when I saw Dino standing in front of me. He was already looking down at me, his lips pulled back in their signature smirk. I sometimes wonder if he could actually smile.

“... are you okay??” He asked, worriedly looking at my clothes. I looked down and cursed under my breath only then noticing the mocha wet patch slowly growing on my top. I rampaged through my bag for something to use to try and dry myself.

“Here” one of the coffee shop workers said, holding out a paper towel to me.

“Thank you” I mumbled, taking it and used it to dab on the wet patch that was covering almost all of my chest area and abdomen. An attempt to lessen the damage but only made it worse.

“I'll buy you another one” Dino said, following me to the cashier.

“What??” I frowned at him

“Your drinks, I'll replace them” he explained, pointing at the two cups now laying on the ceramic floor… empty.

I shook my head and said “There's no need, you've done enough already” crouching down to get my phone. Wiping it clean with the paper towel, I attempted to walk past him but he stopped me… getting in my way.

“I insist” he said, making me let out an exasperated sigh before nodding my head and walked to the table I was sitting in minutes ago as he approached the cashier. I turned my phone on to check of it was still working and sent a short text to Gia, letting her know that I was going to be a couple of minutes late before putting it away.

“So what?? you're stalking me now??” I asked when he sat down across from me.

He chuckled, shaking his head and leaned back in his seat before saying “No but I'll admit that I was driving by when I saw your car and stopped”

“Why??” I asked and he shrugged.

“I wanted to say hello I guess, we haven't talked in a while”

“We don't talk, Mr Magliolo” I stated.

“And I want to change that” he retsliated just as the cashier called his name “...I'll be right back” he got up and went to get the order. I got up too and left the shop to wait for him outside. He came out a minute later and gave my the lattes. Mumbling a small thank you, I opened the door and was about to get inside when he stopped me. I turned to him with a raised questioning brow.

“What is it that you don't like about me??” He asked, the question finding me off guard.

“I um… honestly I find you too irresponsible to date, I mean other than going around the island partying with your friends and girls, you have nothing going on with your life. You're 25 years old and still staying with your parents with no work… that's kind of a turn of for me, I'm sorry” I told him

“Just that??” I nodded, for a second there afraid that my words might cause him to give up but he surprised me.

“Okay then” he said with a smile, a look of determination in his eyes and walked around me to hold the door open for me before adding “...I'll see you soon miss Sanchez” I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering what he meant by that but said nothing. I lowered my body in the backseat and pulled the door close before telling Ivan to drive to the flower shop.

30 minutes later, Ivan pulled up outside Conan Florists and stepped out of the car to open my door for me.

“Thank you Ivan but you know you don't have to do this right??” I told him, getting out.

“It's my job, Miss Sanchez” he said. I nodded, having expected the answer and made my way into the shop.

“Gia” I called, stopping in front of their front desk when I could find her anywhere in the shop.

“Oh you're finally here” she walked in from the garden outside and took off her muddy gloves “...I was starting to think of just closing the shop and go” she said. I rolled my eyes at her dramaticness and checked the labeling on the lattes to give her hers. I frowned when to my surprise, Dino had got the flavors right.

How the heck did he know what I had ordered??

“What happened to your clothes by the way??” Gia asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head and said “I bumped into someone” leaving out the said someone's identity and held out her latte to her.

“I don't get how you can just drink that” she grimaced when I took a sip off my latte, looking at the cup in my hand in disgust before adding “... I mean it's just hot and pretty much bitter” like me, I wanted to add but instead shrugged, walking around the counter to put my bag away and reminded her

“Don't you have orders to deliver??”

“Oh yes, I'll see you later” she said, taking jer car keys. I nodded and watched her rush out of the shop before going out in the back to work on the garden while I waited for someone to ring the bell. Putting my hair up in a messy bun, I put on one of the leather aprons to protect my clothes from the dirt and slipped on a pair of gardening gloves. I approached the empty flower pots on the ground and filled it eith soil before taking it wooden table with samplings. I took a small garden fork and was busy planting a flower in the pot when I felt a presence behind me. I slowly turned around to see whom it was and a scream caught up in my throat when I saw Nico standing at the door, silently watching me with his arms crossed.

“Mr Magliolo‽‽ you here?? How can I help you??” I asked, composing myself and took off the gloves along with the apron before walking up to him.

“What are you doing here?? And where is Georgia??” He asked, frowning at me. The way he said her name made it clear to me that she knew her as more than just her customer but how?? That's what I wanted to know but didn't want to pry just yet, I'd rather ask Gia later.

“She went to deliver some flowers and asked me to look after the shop for her…” I explained before adding “but you don't have to worry… I'm sure I can help you get what you want” and walked past him back into the shop, he followed.

“I want white orchids, Georgia said she'd keep them safe for me” he said, I looked around the counter were she kept her orders and saw them, carefully wrapped in a black paper cover and plastic.

“You going on a date??” I asked, giving them to him. Basically trying to start a conversation like any sales person would.

He looked at me like I was crazy before saying “No, I'll have my assistant transfer the money to Georgia” and turned to leave. I sighed, watching his car drive off.

This was going to be harder than I thought.