Seven

Gaia was alone in her flower shop on an afternoon. She did her everyday routine of doing an inventory while she played her favorite genre of music, Bossa Nova. She maintains the cleanliness of the shop and constantly arrange the displays in her store. Her sweat drips from her forehead as she wipes the tables and threw the stems away from her workstation. She also threw away unused papers that are already bad in quality. Suddenly, the bell from the door rang.

She stopped cleaning and looked at the door. Gaia saw Harry come inside the shop once again. He was wearing a black long-sleeved sweater and grey slacks. Gaia became alive and her heart beats harder than ever. She can't help but stare at the young man who is standing in front of her and admire the god-like features that he was blessed with. He was handsome and a gentleman. Cleo is very lucky to have him as her boyfriend.

"Gaia, I'll take the usual bouquet," Harry said.

Gaia nodded and checked if there are is any more roses that were displayed at the store. She turned to the pots that have the red roses that Harry always order. However, there is one left. Most of them have been used already because of an order of eighteen roses were requested by a client for a debutante and placed them in a separate for her father to deliver them tomorrow. She was busy and thought that no one would come into the store this late afternoon. Now that he's here, she felt embarrassed as she looks back at Harry. She remembered suddenly that there were flowers that already bloomed in the greenhouse.

"Can you come with me to the greenhouse at the back? I need to get more flowers for your order," Gaia asked and grabbed a basket. She walked towards the back door of the shop.

-"Sure," Harry smiled and followed Gaia as she goes to the entrance of the greenhouse.

Gaia was flustered when she walked past him. She tries to calm herself and makes sure that she does not blush in front of him. This moment made her day complete. She waited for him to come to her shop every day. Her boring workday became brighter since he stepped foot in the store a few minutes ago. Seeing him and talking to him is enough for her already. However, Gaia knows that pain is the price of her happiness. The shop will be silent and Harry will see Cleo once again with the flowers in his hands. She stands at the shop and waits for Harry to come back and talk to her again.

Gaia went inside and Harry stopped at the doorway of the greenhouse. It was a house made of glass that was a home to many flowers that Gaia displayed in the store. He saw varieties of flowers that are nowhere to be found in Gwangju. From chrysanthemums, daffodils, sunflowers, and other flowers that only bloom in certain seasons. The place was filled with bright and vibrant colors from their petals that highlighted the beauty of the place. The sunlight gave the final touches that brought him to another world. He remembers the painting found in his mother's room and felt that he was drawn inside the masterpiece. He was amazed as he walks inside the greenhouse. He followed Gaia to the bushes that grew the red roses.

Gaia put down the basket and tied her hair to a messy bun. She grabbed a pair of scissors from the basket. Harry watches Gaia while she takes one flower after the other. He never imagined that she would be this beautiful. Her nape was exposed as he can't take his eyes off of her as her fair skin shows underneath the mid-afternoon sun. Gaia looked like a fairy who protects the forest or mother nature who cares about life. His heart was beating suddenly and butterflies entered and fluttered inside his stomach. Gaia finished picking the flowers and placed them inside the basket. She picked up the flowers and showed him fourteen flowers inside.

"Is this enough for you?" Gaia asked.

-"Yes," Harry replied.

They both went back inside the store and Gaia went immediately to her work station. Harry sat beside Gaia and watched her intently while she does her job. Gaia was trembling as she starts to make a bouquet. Harry watched her from his seat. She grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the thorns from the stems of each rose. She then grabbed a few leaves and some hint of baby's breath. She arranged them together and tied their stems together. She then took a pink crepe paper and wrapped its ends. She took a silky purple ribbon with gold glitter near the edges and tied it to secure the paper. Harry was in awe as he watches her. Her hands were very careful as she held the flowers with her utmost care. She gave Harry the bouquet. He smiled at its aesthetics because of its bold red petals that Cleo loves. He got excited to give it to the woman he loves.

"Thank you," Harry said.

-"You're welcome," Gaia replied. "Please come back again soon, Harry."

Harry then paid the florist for her hard work. He turned his back from the counter as his phone vibrated in his pocket. He slid his hand in and grabbed the phone. He lit up his phone and read the name on the contacts. He didn't notice that it is already 5:30 P.M. and Cleo is already calling him. He bade goodbye to Gaia and left the store quickly. Gaia watches Harry ran until he disappeared once again from the shop's window. Gaia felt the pain once again. She didn't want it but it won't leave her. She sighed and continued cleaning the shop, kept all the materials from her desk, and placed them in their respective bins. She turned off the lights from her workstation and closed the shop for the night for another day tomorrow.