The Penitent's Rose

CHAPTER 4

Ambrosia’s Garden is one of the most popular restaurants in the city. Established almost three years ago, the open-garden-inspired restaurant still attracts people of all ages with its luxurious interiors and great-tasting cuisines. Not once did the place wasn’t full of its regular patrons ever since it opened its doors. And it’s one of the reasons why Adrian was so glad that he’s best friends with the owner.

Adrian was already seated on their usual reserved table. It was situated in the far corner of the restaurant, beside the big glass panel facing the busy city streets. The kind staff who ushered him there told him that the owner will be out as soon as she’s finished with her phone call. Once the staff left him, he busied himself taking pictures of the place. He wouldn’t get tired of Ambrosia’s interior. For a florist like himself, the restaurant was just like their own flower shop; an extension of his home. It gives the exact same aura as the entire flora that surrounds him.

He was checking the pictures that he just took on his phone gallery when someone suddenly puts a plate in front of him. A wide grin immediately appeared on his lips as he looked at the food in front of him.

“Is this the dish that you’ve told me weeks ago?” he asks the newcomer as he put his phone on the table. His eyes still locked on the plate and are glimmering with awe. “This looks awesome, Quelle! And it smells heavenly too!”

Quelle took a seat in front of him and gave him a snort and a raised eyebrow. “What the hell are you talking about? It’s just Mapo Dofu,” she told him. “And by the way, all foods that are notoriously spicy smell heavenly to you.”

Adrian’s grin widens at her friend’s comment. “Guilty as charged. Well, let’s see how this bad boy here tastes like.” He picked up the spoon and took a spoonful of the dish. He made sure to chew in slowly knowing that his friend, regardless of her straight face, is watching and anticipating his reaction

“Well?” Quelle asked, impatience slowly creeping out of her façade.

“Hmm…” Adrian put his spoon down. He then had his elbows on the table and rested his chin in his hands. He pulled out his most serious expression and looked straight at Quelle’s eyes. “It’s ridiculously delicious,” he said before winking at his friend.

He put both of his arms up to cover himself as soon as he saw Quelle grab the table napkin in front of her and throw it at him. Adrian’s loud and hearty laugh resonates in the whole restaurant, making some of the patrons turn their heads at them.  

“I seriously hate it when you do that,” Quelle complains as she folds the table napkin once again.

“I’m sorry. I just can’t help it. You’re so easy to tease,” It took a few moments to finally calm himself from too much laughing. “But seriously, this tastes awesome, Quelle.”

“Thank you. It’s nothing fancy, to be honest. I just made it Vegan. I don’t understand the hype but a lot of my regulars were asking if we serve Vegan foods here.  

“It’s probably because of the newly opened gym down the street. Its clients must be the ones whom you’re talking about since your restaurant is their nearest option for food. Their other options are those fast-food chains which is a big no-no to them.”

“I guess so. Anyways, I’ll just tone down the spiciness and then it will be available on the menu by tomorrow.”

“What?! No! You can’t do that!” he protested, eyes wide in disbelief. “The level of spiciness is already perfect, Quelle. Why do you need to tone it down?”

“Because you’re the only i***t I know that can eat something with that level of spiciness, you creep!” Quelle scolded. “Any normal human being will surely die if they try to eat this.”

“But Quelle…” Adrian brings out his best kicked-puppy look towards Quelle. He jutted his button lip more to exaggerate his pout when he noticed how his friend clenched her fist tightly; an indication that she’s losing to his charms.

“Argh! Fine!” Quelle throws both of her hands up. “I’ll tell my staff to serve this as is if it is for you. Satisfied?”

Adrian nods enthusiastically. “I love you too, Quelle!”

“Shut up! I’m just making sure that you’re eating something that’s why I’m doing this, you i***t!” Quelle suddenly looked straight at him; her expression became serious once again. “I haven’t heard from you for quite a while, Adrian. How are you doing? Are you eating well?”

His smile brought an immediate softening to his features. His heart swelled inside his chest after hearing those questions. And then all of a sudden he wondered when was the last time he felt like that? When was the last time someone asked him how was he?

Involuntarily, his mind wandered off somewhere; to a place he definitely knows. Where a beautiful woman laughs as she calls out to two young males running towards her. Where the two young males continue to bicker around the woman as they simultaneously tell her how their day was.

“Adrian? Are you okay?”  

 Adrian blinked twice. He noticed Quelle’s worried expression right away. He cursed at himself mentally. He shouldn’t let himself slip off like that in public; especially not in front of his friend. There’d be time for such thought later.

“I’m fine. Sorry about that,” he answered, smiling smoothly despite the turmoil inside him. “And I’m sorry for not contacting you. The flower shop keeps me occupied almost every day. And don’t worry about my eating habits. My assistant never fails to remind me about our breaks at the shop.”

Feeling a rivulet of sweat running down his back, Adrian was praying to all the Gods that Quelle wouldn’t come up with a follow-up question as he held her inquiring gaze. He heaved a sigh of relief discretely when she let out one herself and her expression softened.

“Fine, if you say so,” she said. Quelle then reaches for his hand. “But be sure to contact me if anything happens. And I mean anything, alright? Promise me, Adrian.”

He felt how his friend’s hand tightens its hold onto him. “I will. I promise, Quelle.” The warmth of his smile echoed in his voice.

Quelle’s smile slowly widened with his response. “You’re lucky with that assistant of yours, by the way,” she said. “I’m so glad to hear that you have someone that will remind you about that. That’s one less problem for me. What’s her name again? I’ll send something for her as a thank you gift.”

“Hey! What do you think of me? A three-year-old kid?”

“Based on your eating habits? Yeah. I guess you are.”

They both laugh at their banter, casting the bad mood that suddenly occurs between moments ago entirely off. Their rollicking laughter was starting to calm down when they both noticed a man walking towards them.

“Sorry, I’m late.” The newcomer, Neil, said as he took his seat beside Quelle. “Seriously, the traffic situation in our country is getting worse much faster than the times I need to charge my phone.”

“Well, what do you expect? It’s fun in the Philippines!” Adrian joked, mimicking the famous tagline.

“Thanks, sis,” Neil said as he received the glass of water from Quelle. He downed the content straight up before continuing. “Hey, have you brought it? The one that I requested? I’m so sorry about the short notice.”

“No worries. I got it here.” Adrian picked up the bouquet sitting on the chair beside him and handed it over to Neil.

“Thank you,” he said, his eyes were fixed on the bouquet. “Wow. I saw the bouquets that my boss ordered from other shops, but this is the first time that I actually saw something like this.”

  “Why is that?” He asked curiously.

“Well, most of those bouquets don’t have other stuff on it, unlike this one that you made.”

Adrian frowned. “But did you say that you wanted a Pink and Striped Carnation bouquet?”

“That’s exactly why! Those bouquets have ribbons and random leaves and stuff that I don’t know what they were called. That makes the bouquet not a Pink and Striped Carnation bouquet. Did you get what I mean? But this,” Neil gestured at the bouquet that he’s holding. “Sure, it’s smaller but this makes more sense to me compared to all those bouquets.”

Adrian looked at the bouquet that he made. It is smaller compared to the usual ones that they make every day at his shop. But he admits that it’s one of the prettiest that he had created; even though it was only composed of Pink and Striped Carnations wrapped in their signature brown paper and tied with a gold satin ribbon.

Although it is quite a peculiar bouquet, Adrian thought. But he decided to keep his opinion about it. Not everyone is a flower junkie like himself.

“You know, my friend,” he said, his face split into a wide grin. “It just proves that I’m much more talented than any other florist out there.”

Both men turned towards Quelle when they heard the latter snort. “Such a blowhard,” she said. Instead of getting offended, Adrian’s grin grew much wider. He knows that her friend was only teasing him affectionately. “Since you’ve declared that you’re the most talented florist around here, then I would like to hire you.”

“Oh?” The siblings share a quick glance at each other before looking at him. “What are you guys up to huh?”

“Our company will celebrate its 50th year next month,” Neil started. “I referred Quelle and her event management company to handle it.”

“And I would like to hire your services with regards to the venue’s decoration,” Quelle seconded.

“Wait, are you both serious?” Adrian’s eyes were wide in bewilderment. “Neil, your company is one of the largest in the country. It only means that your upcoming event is as important as the President’s SONA. And Quelle, please do tell me that you’re not doing this just because we’re friends.”

“Of course not,” Quelle answered in a rush of words. “You just said that you’re the best florist. And I totally agree with that. You know me, Adrian. When it comes to my business, I only work with those who are competent in their jobs. I only work with the best.”

“You know that I was just teasing your brother when I said that.”

“I know. But I still believe that you’re the best when it comes to floral arrangements.” Quelle let out a sigh. “I’m serious, Adrian. I want you on my team for this event. You said it yourself. Spectre Realty Corporation is one of the top companies in the country. I don’t want to mess this up. And I need your help with these. I can only trust you and your expertise.”

Hearing all those words from Quelle makes Adrian dumbstruck. He’s been friends with these two for so many years that he already knows their personalities like the back of his hand. And hearing Quelle say those words really mean that he actually means them. He took a glance at Neil, who just offered him one of his shy smiles. He sighed.

“Fine, I’ll do it. But don’t blame if you hear anything against my work alright?” he surrendered with a smile.

Neil shakes his head. “Don’t worry. I assure you that we won’t be hearing anything, right sis?” Quelle nods in approval.

He chuckled. “What did I do to gain such confidence from you guys?”

Neil simply raised the bouquet that he made. “This, among other things, is our proof.  After my boss sees this, I’m sure that he’ll agree with us one hundred percent.