The Penitent's Rose

CHAPTER 2

The sound of soft chimes was heard as soon as Adrian opened the door of his flower shop. The sweet aroma and the vibrant colours of various plants and flowers immediately fill up his senses. And soon after, a simple but familiar greeting welcomes his arrival.

“Good morning! Welcome to Sprout!” a recognizable female voice greets him.

A smile appears on his lips as he walks towards the counter. “Good morning to you too, Lhai,” he greeted back.

A mass of black, wavy hair instantly pops out from behind the counter. “Boss!” she called in a loud voice. Her eyes twinkling as one corner of her lips slowly turns up into a knowing grin. 

Adrian shakes his head in amusement. “Yes, I know,” he admits sheepishly. “I arrived late today. Happy?” 

“You bet, I am,” the woman replied, trying to suppress her giggles. “Who wouldn’t be especially now that I’m guaranteed with a free snack for later.”

“Fine. What do you want me to buy for later?”

“Sausage and Cheese Stuffed-Crust Pepperoni Pizza and a large Chocolate Milkshake!” 

“Again?” he asked, eyebrows shooting upward in surprise. “Didn’t you have those just yesterday?”

Lhai held a finger up. “Sprout Flower Shop Staff Rule Number 9. Late comers must treat snacks as penalty. So, no questions. No arguments. No negotiations. Rules are rules,” she said in all seriousness.

Adrian’s eyes blinked for a minute before he threw back his head and let out a great peal of laughter. “I wish I recorded that, Lhai. You sounded like a police officer reciting the Miranda warning!”

“I’d do anything for my favorite foods in the whole wide world. And hey! You can’t complain. You created those rules and we both agreed to follow them.”

“Some of those rules we’re your ideas.”

“Well... yeah. But you still agree to it.”

The Sprout Flower Shop Staff Rules were created out of boredom. A few months after he hired Lhai, they talked about the shop having no rules for the staff to follow and how it weirded out his assistant because his shop is the only place where she had work without it. So while they’re both busy assembling each bouquet order one afternoon, they draw up the shop’s staff guidelines. 

At first, they’re just throwing in random, weird and hilarious protocols; enough to make their eyes teary and their stomach ache from too much laughing. Eventually, they started to build a proper one, complete with penalties for each rule if ever they violate it. Punishments include wearing an outfit that is too colorful to attract customers, buying snacks for everyone, and giving flowers to random people on the street. The punishments are simple, though it will still make one think twice in violating it. 

 “I’m just surprised, though. How come you’re late today?” Lhai asked him after. ”You can’t blame me for asking that. I’ve been here for almost a year now and this is the first time that you came in late.”

A frown appeared on Adrian’s forehead. “Is that so?” Now that he thinks about it, he had never arrived at work late until today. He usually comes an hour early or thirty minutes before when he sometimes decides to grab a cup of coffee in the bakery two blocks away from the shop. 

He shrugs his shoulders. “I met one of my neighbors earlier and had a chat with her. Didn’t notice the time.” He put his bag on his locker and took out his apron. 

“An early morning chat huh? Is it safe to assume that we’re closing early because you’ve got yourself a date later?” 

He grimaced in good humor. “Sorry to burst out your little bubble, but I’m talking about a middle-aged woman here. And take note, a happily married woman for exactly thirty-four years today.”

“Wow! That’s something.”

“Indeed. And mind you, they both acted as if they’re still in their courting stages. They’re really a very cute couple.” Adrian faced his assistant as he tied his apron around his back. "I was late because I offered to make a bouquet for her as a gift.”

“That’s so sweet of you."

"Anyways, let's start our day now. Are there any additional orders since last night?' He walk in front of the cash register and took out their shop's order lists. 

"I received a few calls before you came in," Lhai answered. "Sir Neil called and was looking for you. He wants to remind you of your lunch meetup later. He also ask if you could bring a bouquet of pink and stripped Carnations."

"Oh! I almost forget about that meetup. Noted on the bouquet. Anything else?" 

"Aside from two new orders, the manager from the Ascott Hotel calls in and ordered a bouquet. He asked if it is possible to be delivered by tomorrow morning."

"Did you explain to them that we are strictly following our purchase protocol? 3 working days upon purchase request." 

"I did, but he said that he is willing to pay extra. Apparently, the bouquet is for the owner's 70th birthday. I'm guessing the all hotel staffs pinch in so they can buy one as their gift."

Adrian hands stop browsing the lists and looked up at Lhai. "The Ascott Hotel's owner? Gosh! I knew her! I met her when she hired me to decorate the hotel's ballroom for a fund-raising event that she hosted." He smiled as he remembered the kind hotelier. "That event helped a lot of sick people back then especially kids who were undergoing dialysis. Ah! She also hired me for another event. I believe it was their hotel's Christmas Party. Or is it Thanksgiving? I'm not sure but she hosted it as a way to thank her employees for their work."

"Wow! No wonder her staff is willing to beg you for that bouquet. They love their boss so much."

"Do we still have some White Tulips? I know that we still have White Roses left since I saw them last night before I close the shop."

Lhai nodded. "We still have Tulips. Are you going to use it?"

"Yes. I remember when the owner mentioned that she loves Tulips. Can you get those for me? As well as some Orange Ranunculus and some other stuff that you think I might use? You can call the manager of the hotel to inform him that we're okay with their request." 

"No problem. I will get them all ready for you. Do you want me to call the courier and schedule delivery?"

"No need. I'll deliver this myself tomorrow. I do have a delivery tomorrow at Ms. Santos' boutique."

"Jeez... I see that that woman is still after you huh?" Lhai grins at him. 

"What are you talking about? She's just one of our regular customers, Lhai."

His assistant sighed. "Boss, believe me. That woman is the same as every woman that comes here. Those women visit us and buy random plants and bouquets just for a chance to get into you.” Lhai shakes her head in amusement. “Well, Not that I'm complaining. That’s good for us because we’re selling something.”

“Well, too bad for them.” Adrian  continued sorting their order slips, a playful smirk appearing on his lips. “Because I don’t date women.”