The Penitent's Rose

CHAPTER 7

“Excuse me?”

Adrian tore his eyes away from the dance floor and turned his attention to the one who called him. An elegant-looking woman whom he presumed to be in her mid to late thirties was standing in front of him. Must be one of the VIPs of the event, he guessed as his keen artist's eyes immediately noticed the luxurious silk, lace, and the intricate beadings of her dress. A younger woman was behind her, standing silently and waiting for her employer’s order as she carried what seemed to be the former’s bag. 

“You’re Adrian Agravante, am I correct? I was informed by the woman named Quelle that you’re the one responsible for the hall’s decoration,” the woman said, red-painted lips stretched into a smile. 

“Yes, madam,” Adrian answered politely, willing himself to focus on the topic and not on the woman’s face which is heavily covered with makeup. Do women really need that much foundation? “What can I do for you?”

The woman’s face lightened. Her smile widened as she clapped twice.  “I would like to ask if you’re interested in designing the venue for my daughter’s upcoming debut. You see, she was fascinated with fairies and whimsical themes and other stuff. And as soon as I stepped in here and saw how you transformed this place, I am totally sure that I found the right person for the party.”

“Thank you for appreciating my work, madam. I only add a few things though. The venue was already grand and beautiful in the first place,” he said, a blush adorning his cheeks because of the woman’s praises. 

The woman shakes her head in disagreement. “I’ve attended a lot of events that were held in this place. And frankly speaking, this is the first time that I appreciate this hall’s beauty. Your design truly gives justice to this place.”

The beginning of a smile tipped the corners of Adrian’s mouth the moment the woman started to praise his work. Heat radiates throughout his entire body as continuous words of compliments pass through his ear. 

“As you may know, I myself am knowledgeable in floral arrangement as well,” the woman continued. “In fact, I just showed my niece a venue design I made yesterday. Purple Geraniums and White Lilies are perfect to use in such themes, am I right? ”

Adrian willed himself not to wince and shake his head hard upon hearing that. It was both hilarious and unfathomable for him why people tend to use unusual flowers just to match or catch the “fairytale” theme. He immediately feels bad for the debutant. Imagine when someone knowledgeable shows up to her party and tells her the meaning of those flowers. I’m totally betting that she will be horrified that mourning flowers were used for her event.

Yeah, just like what your patrons will be when they learn what you’re doing with their orders.

Adrian mentally shakes that thought away. “Those were beautiful flowers indeed. And I’m sure that we can still come up with more appropriate options, given that we have a lot of time to prepare,” he commented smiling, hinting that he’s accepting her job offer and indirectly telling the other that the design was a bad idea.

The woman beamed upon hearing his answer. “Wonderful! Is it okay if I set a meeting with you this coming Saturday? Wait, let me just get my calling card.” She turned to her companion, who had already opened her bag for her and immediately handed her her card case. “Here. May I ask for your card as well?”

“Yes, of course.”

“The kind organizer told me earlier that she ran out of your card because a lot of guests already asked for it. Good thing that I approached you. ”

It's a good thing that he always has his card case on his pocket every time he’s attending an event. He learned from past experience that it is a must to bring a few, especially if there are a lot of potential clients around. “Here you go,” he said as he handed her his card. “And Saturday’s fine. Just let me know the time and place so I can reserve it for you.”

“Will do. Expect a call from me a day or two.” The woman extended a hand towards him. “Thank you and I'm looking forward to doing business with you.”

After shaking his hand, the woman was politely informed by her companion that some other guest was asking for her presence. She kindly excused herself and with one final reminder of their meeting, they left.

Adrian can still feel her heart beating inside his chest as he continues to watch the woman walk away. He was so elated about what happened that he failed to notice a newcomer’s presence beside him.

 “Looks like someone’s business is fully-booked for the rest of the year,” the newcomer said teasingly. 

Adrian nodded. “Correction. I am fully-booked up until summer next year,” he proudly said. He faced the newcomer and then grins. “That being said, After this gig, you can’t hire me to be your decorator until those events are done, Quelle.”

Quelle’s face immediately scrunched up. “Oh really?” she asked with an arch eyebrow. She fished out a few calling cards out of her trousers and held it in front of his face. “Then I’ll just throw these so you won’t get any more job offers. Now that I think about it, I should have asked those people that talked to you for a referral fee.”

He immediately snatched the cards from her hands. “I’m just kidding you,” he said. “And what referral fee are you talking about? I’m not even a professional designer. I’m just a simple florist, remember?”

“Nope. I hate to break it on you, but you’re not a simple florist anymore, Adrian. And I feel that this is only the beginning. I’m sure that you’re going to be famous in the event business in no time.” Quelle reached out a hand and gently touched his cheek. “Seriously, I’m so proud and happy for you, Adrian,” she said then smiled at him.

Adrian stood still for a few moments before returning Quelle’s smile with his own proud one. If it was possible, hearing Quelle’s words of praise makes him feel even more elated. He felt content, seeing that he didn’t disappoint his friend for trusting him with this event.

And besides, a word from a person very close and dear to you is ten times more fulfilling in Adrian’s opinion.

“You should be proud, too. I wouldn't have done any of this without your help. You made this possible for me, Quelle. Thank you,” Adrian thanked sincerely. 

“I just gave you an opportunity. Speaking of opportunity, I need to talk to you about your floral business. I want to make you my exclusive partner.”

He c****d an eyebrow. “Exclusive? Can I say no if someone offered the same thing?”

“No! I swear, I’m going to forget our friendship if you ever do that!”

Adrian let out a loud laugh at his friend’s outburst; startling a few people close to them. “Alright, alright. Calm down,” he said.

Quelle hit him on his arm and let out a huff. She was about to say something when one of her staff called. “Let’s talk about this after the event, okay? Promise that you won’t accept anything similar to my proposal, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“I’m serious, Adrian.”

He chuckled. “I promise. Happy?”

Quelle nodded. “Very. See you later.”

When Quelle’s image disappeared on the crowd, Adrian turned around and resumed his earlier activity. The melody being played by the hired jazz band echoes throughout the hall, a lighthearted tune that gives both classic and modern vibe which is perfect for this kind of event. A few, younger guests were dancing at the center stage, taking advantage of the band’s music. Older guests, mostly men, were scattered in some areas discussing their business while their women also had their own little group, chatting about who knows what. He walked slowly, silently watching the crowd as they all enjoyed the scenery, the music, and the food that Quelle and her team put up for this event. Seeing the happy faces and hearing laughter and occasional praises from each guest makes Adrian so proud of his friend.

“Care for a glass of champagne, sir?” a passing waiter said, smiling as he offered him his tray full of flutes containing the sparkling clear liquid.

“Yes, thank you.” He picked up one and returned the smile. He was about to drink when his eyes landed on a group of people not far from where he was standing. A man was laughing as he tapped a boy’s shoulder a few times. The man and woman was standing behind the boy, smiling proudly as the latter said something that makes the other laugh even more.

All positive emotions from earlier suddenly left him. His heart which was swelling in delight previously was now heavy with despair as another wave of painful memories flooded his brain.

“Sons? Correct me if I’m wrong, Fernan, but isn’t that you only have one?”

Adrian's smile slowly fades as the man in front of him, whom he assumed to be one of his uncle’s friend and long-time business associates, looks at him questioningly. He stood very still beside his younger brother whose hand immediately held his the moment the man asked that question. The warm hand that was on his shoulder suddenly tightened its hold on him. When he looked up, he saw how his uncle’s jaw clenched; a gesture that Adrian often sees whenever he walked out of the study room after a heated argument with Aunt Yu.

“Adrian is the newest member of our family. He was officially ours for almost a year now,” he heard his uncle said, voice steady despite the suppressed tension.

“Officially— Wait, you adopted a child?”

Instead of answering his colleague, Uncle Fernan turned his attention to him. And Adrian knew that his life changes the moment he hears what his uncle said in reply.

“Adrian is my son. Regardless of our circumstances, he is now one of us. He’s one of my children. He belongs to our family.”

The short moment of nostalgia brought tears to Adrian’s eyes. He swallowed hard as he immediately wiped a tear that managed to escape. What the heck? You’re in public, Adrian. Quit being a cry baby and be professional, he scolded himself. He took a deep breath and decided to walk outside, away from everything that will further remind him of his past.

The giant tree somewhat similar to a Weeping Willow greets him the moment he steps out of the hall. A smile slowly appeared on his lips, the heavy feeling on his chest being overturned by the satisfaction brought by one of his best designs ever. With branches that almost reach the high ceiling and standing tall at the center of the hall’s foyer, the tree quickly became the hot topic of everyone; hosts, guests, and even the helpers included.

People were instantly charmed the moment their eyes laid on it. They were awed by the mystical yet elegant vibes it gives. They wouldn’t stop chattering about the thick, gnarled blue Wisteria as well as the fluffy, soft-pastel colored May Queen that climbs among the tree’s branches. Adrian looks down. Lush, green Ryegrass surrounds the tree below. As well as stones and other flowering plants of different sizes and shapes. 

When his eye was caught by one of the flowers, his mind and heart started to wander again. He smiled, thinking about his conversation with the woman earlier. Your designs wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t put something like those, right, Adrian? It wouldn’t belong to you without those flowers, right? He stood in lonely silence as he focused on it’s soft blue petals, to what those plants meant. 

Too focused that he was unable to detect a new presence standing near him.

“They really did a great job on this.”