Withering Flowers
[ Chapter 27 ]
The soft sound of knocking door echoed through the extensive and elegant decorated office room, interrupting Cassandra's rhythm of work.
"Come in," Cassandra consented, her hand didn't stop flipping the document.
In the next second, Amanda, a higher floor receptionist stepped inside her room with a polite smile plastered on her young face. On her hands was a bouquet of carnations. Fresh and beautifully arranged. There were different kinds of flowers each day but they all are equally beautiful and fragrant.
Cassandra craned her neck lightly, giving the banquet of flowers a side-glance and trailed off, "Place them there," she pointed at the well arranged flower vases around the bookcases. "Please look for the withered flowers and take them out." She added.
Amanda nodded her head and walked towards the classic western styled bookshelves, she placed the banquet atop of the small table. Looking at the beautiful arranged flowers in the vases, she sorted them out and took the withered flowers out the vases.
"Is there anything else Ms. Qin?" Amanda asked, once she finished gathering the withered flowers in her hands.
Cassandra pulled up a light smile and waved her hand, "You may leave."
Amanda gave a light bow, excused herself and soon enough, Cassandra found herself alone with the flowers of different colours in her room, florals and fresh scent of flowers wafted off gently around the room, giving her a pleasant and relaxing sensation.
Another hours went by, it's long till Cassandra stopped her work and outstretched her hands, flexing each of the tensed muscles on her body. She glanced at the clock and found it's almost lunch time. Downing the last sip of her already cold espresso, she pushed back her opulent chair and stood up.
Cassandra dragged her legs towards the left side of her room and halted in front of the bookshelves. The pleasant fragrance of flowers hit her senses. She looked around, twelve vases filled with different kinds of aesthetic flowers were arranged with taste around the room while two other vases were empty.
Her face devoid any expression but if one takes a closer look, they would see her eyes softened looking at the flowers. Cassandra picked the newly arrived bouquet and found it's the carnations of white Gardenia, one of her most favourite flowers.
Not bad. She approved with her lips slightly curving upward.
The always composed and sophisticated beauty before was now melting and glowing radiantly. If any of her business acquaintances saw her now, they would surely hold their breaths as they stare at her in amazement, finding that the noblest lady they know was capable of having such a lovely side.
Cassandra brought the bouquet close to her face, closing her eyes she breathed in the freshness of fragrant floral scent, losing herself in the intoxicating scent.
What she liked most about Gardenia was its scent reminded her of the blooming flowers in late spring. Sultry as a summer evening and as intoxicating as an exotic perfume, the scent of gardenias settled like a memory onto her soul. The blossoms are just as enticing.
It's only when a minute went by had she stopped breathing in the flower scent. With the bouquet in her hands, Cassandra took her time precisely taking out the flowers from its confines, turning around she placed them on the empty vase.
Having grown up as a proud daughter of elites herself, she learnt a lot about flowers and knew how well to take care of them since she had finished an advance floral course in her teens.
The flowers were beautifully arranged around the room. As for the reason why did she keep these flowers around, knowing from whom all these flowers came from, there's no special reason behind it actually.
Three weeks had already passed since she received the first bouquet of flowers and not a single day missed where she didn't receive a bouquet of carnations early in the morning. Her office room was filled by the fragrance of these flowers. Aside from what the bouquet she received, so far the man did nothing else to which she's glad.
Although Cassandra knew well that she's being pursued, persistent one at that, she had no intention of reciprocating the advance. This man wasn't the first man who did so as she had a lot of the likes of him in the past. She knew well how to keep them at bay.
Different from that night, now knowing who he really was, she's now completely sure that she didn't want to get any attachment with him. Don't be ridiculous, for her personally, he's just an infatuated young man. She had experienced a lot in life and she's no longer at the age where she desired to play in such a flame of passion.
With that being said, contrasting with the fact she had no desire to get any entanglement with him, she wouldn't reject any of these aesthetic flowers.
Cassandra reached the stage where she would appreciate all things around her. These flowers are beautiful and they deserve to be appreciated. They were born to be loved, blooming beautifully, and then withering with time.
Just like her.
As for what the man would be thinking, he could think of anything and she could care less to any of it. If he really thinks that with her accepting his flowers is same as her accepting his advance. That would be too bad for him.
Searching around, Cassandra then opened the bottom cabinet and took out a water spray filled with fresh infused water from it. With the water spray on her right hand, she sprayed watering the flowers in the vases, each spray was well thought and precise, to prolong their blossoming beauty.
Times clocked and the sunset found its way down on the horizon, soon after the day shifted to night. Seven at evening around the lobby of Almandine International.
Cassandra who had just bathed and dressed in white formal yet stylish business attire, was seen just stepping out from the elevator and walking her way out of the lobby.
With her phone pressing on her left ear, Cassandra was in call as she made a walk on the marble floor. "I would not be coming home tonight," she informed.
Being an understanding daughter that Aveline was, her voice sounded from the other line, "Alright mom. But you should put more attention to your health, you're being awfully busy these past few days."
The line of smile formed on Cassandra's face, "Thank you dear but you know it yourself that I'm a very fit woman. I promise I will take care well of my health. This event is very important to me."
Aveline pouted, knowing well how stubborn her mother was when it comes to business. "I know. Hm.. maybe it's time for me to help you in business? What do you think mom? I'm doing very well with my grade and my small company. I think I'm capable enough to help you at least as an assistant," Aveline sounded in a suggestive tone.
"That's sweet of you," Cassandra responded, her heart warmed. "I would love to have you as an assistant really. But honestly, I would prefer you to manage your own company rather than you becoming my assistant."
"That way you will grow better as a businesswoman." Cassandra advised. "Try to catch my achievements first," her voice sounded challenging.
Cassandra remarked, "Just so you remember. I was already a billionaire when I was quite young as I got my first billion worth in my 25."
Aveline bit out from the other line, "Alright then. Don't be surprised mom when I become so successful sooner than you could expect."
"Prove me." Cassandra smiled, as she had that kind of competitive relationship with her daughter. Cassandra has always loved to encourage and challenge her daughter to be a better woman than she was.
"I will," Aveline responded. "Alright, it's time for me to go. Best luck to you mom. Love you."
"Make sure you will be coming home before midnight. Love you too dear." Cassandra trailed off before she ended the call.
She then placed her phone back in her medium sized, expensive black Gucci purse. Heading towards the entrance where her personal chauffeur, Anna was waiting for her, she could see a limited edition black Bentley parked on the cobblestone tiled pavement while the engine was on.
When the passenger door was opened, Cassandra got inside and settled herself comfortably on the back seat. Soon after the luxurious black sedan pulled up to the bustling road speeding its way towards the designated location.
Cassandra looked out the window, although he eyes seem to be watching the passing spark of road, her mind was all over the meeting which she's about to attend. It's a limited meeting which only handful people would attend discussing about the upcoming business conference.
After almost half an hour of silence, Cassandra finally arrived at the destination and the black sedan rounded around the front of an elegant styled building which was famously known as a prestigious high end restaurant. Cassandra got out of the black sedan once the car was stopped.
Heading on the marble floor of the entrance, what welcomed her was an attendant donned in a black suit. "Mrs. Qin. Please." He gestured her to follow him politely.
Cassandra nodded lightly. The man turned and walked inside while she just silently followed him.
Once they ascended up the third floor, she's immediately greeted with a soft melody played in a piano. However, as they got deeper into the restaurant, she caught something familiar, and sure enough, in the next second, Cassandra found herself dazed staring at a certain direction, her eyes slightly widened for a fraction of seconds before it morphed to her normal expression.
"What is he doing here?"
Cassandra mumbled under her breath as the corner of her eyes looking at the sight of a striking and dapper silhouette.