CHAPTER FOUR: COSMIC JOKE.

Dominique was in a rush to get home because he forgot about his parent's anniversary which was today. His driver was breaking every speed limit ever known to man to make up for lost time. On his way home, Dominique decided to stop at a flower shop to pick up a bouquet to pacify his already angry mother that has sworn profanities on him a few minute ago. And as fate always has a sick sense of humor - he ends up stopping at Kalina's flower shop!

Dominique bursts through the door of the flower shop, looking harried and out of breath.

In the midst of arranging delicate roses, Kalina's mind buzzed with apprehension, vividly recalling the night she clashed with that arrogant stranger at the club, she hasn't thought about that unpleasant incident until today. The memory of their heated exchange still stung. As she delicately tied a bouquet, her heart raced with each passing minute, dreading the possibility of him reappearing in her life.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she heard the familiar chime of the bell and the door slamming open making her heart almost jump out of her rib cage from the force announcing a customer's arrival, and when she looked up, her breath hitched as she saw him standing there, his presence casting a shadow over her tranquil sanctuary.

This has got to be a cosmic joke she thought.

His face was flushed, his hair was a mess, and his clothes were rumpled. It was obvious that he had been in a hurry. Kalina's first instinct was to ask if he was okay, but then she recognized who he was, and her surprise turned to anger. Why was Dominique here, in her flower shop, looking like a tornado had just blown through? Kalina opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Dominique was also shocked to see the girl who was stupid enough to spill her drink on his expensive Armani and also went as far as insulting him but he didn't have much time to ponder upon what she was doing here.

To think his private investigator hasn't given anything tangible about her but the universe was on his side because here she was like a special gift tied in a red bow all for him.

But now was not the time, he would get back to her later.

Kalina watched in disbelief as he stormed into her flower shop, his presence unsettling the peaceful ambiance she had cultivated. His eyes darted around the flower shop, and he quickly grabbed the first bouquet he saw, not even stopping to consider if it was the right one.Without a word, tossed a wad of cash onto the counter not even bothering to count out the right amount but he knew it was more than enough to cover the cost.

He threw a disdainful glance in her direction as he turned to leave, he caught Kalina's eye, and he could see the bewilderment on her face. But he had no time to explain or even banter words with her.

The air crackled with tension as he made a hasty exit, leaving her feeling shaken and unsettled by his abrupt intrusion into her sanctuary. As she stared at the scattered bills on the counter, a knot of unease tightened in her chest, wondering what his sudden reappearance could mean for her quiet existence.

Her hands started shaking, and she clasped them together to steady them. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she could feel the color draining from her face. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out what this all meant. Why did Dominique show up at her shop looking so disheveled? Why did he leave so abruptly? Was this some kind of cosmic joke, or was something terrible about to happen?

Kalina's fingers trembled as she dialed her best friend's number, her voice strained as she recounted the unsettling encounter with the arrogant stranger.

"Hey, Aiden it's me. You won't believe what just happened."she said as soon as her best friend answered, her voice trembling slightly.

"Hey, Lina! What's up? Everything okay?"Aiden's voice was calm and reassuring. "You sound upset. Is everything okay?"

"Not really. Remember that guy from the club? The one I told you about?" She asked hastily.

"Oh, yeah, the rude rich guy. What About him?" He inquired.

"He just stormed into my flower shop, grabbed a bouquet, and threw a wad of cash on the counter without even speaking to me.I'm really freaked out. It's like the universe is playing some kind of sick joke on me." She could hear her voice starting to shake again.

"Wow, that's… intense. But maybe it's just a coincidence?"

"I don't know, it felt so deliberate. I can't shake the feeling that it means something."

Aiden's 's voice was gentle but firm. "Okay, take a deep breath, Kalina. "First of all, I don't think the universe is out to get you," Aiden said, She knew there was a high chance that he rolled his eyes. She wouldn't put it past him, "Second, I think you're letting your imagination run away with you. He probably just had a bad day, and he was in a hurry. Judging from your last encounter with him, he looked like someone who is always angry and frustrated. I wouldn't read too much into it."

Kalina's voice was still shaky, but she forced herself to slow down and take a deep breath. "You're probably right,I just might be reading too much meaning into it. " she said. "But it's just so weird. I can't shake the feeling that something bad is about to happen." She added.

"Hey, don't stress over it too much. Maybe he's just clueless. You're probably overthinking it."

"I wish I could believe that, but I'm not so sure. It just doesn't feel right." She said still feeling unsettled

"I totally get why you'd feel that way," Aiden said, "but I want you to consider a different perspective. Maybe something good is about to happen. Maybe his visit was a sign that things are about to turn around for you. You've been having a tough time with your business lately, right?"

Kalina thought about what Aiden was saying. "Yeah, I have been struggling," she admitted.

Aiden's voice was gentle. "I know things have been tough lately," he said, "but I have a feeling that's all about to change. And you know what? Maybe Him showing up was a sign that things are going to turn around for you. Try to stay positive, okay? I know it's hard, but it'll be worth it. But, if he shows up again, just give him a piece of your mind like you did at the club. You've got this!"

With each word, her unease spilled out, her friend's comforting reassurances failing to soothe the turmoil churning within her. Despite his attempts to placate her fears, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that his sudden reappearance in her life was more than just a coincidence.

"Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll try not to worry too much. Anyway, how's your day going?" She tried to change the topic.

"It's been okay, nothing too exciting. But hey, if you need anything, you know I'm here for you." He told her.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Listen, I gotta go. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Sure thing. Take care, Flower." Aiden said. " Talk to you later"

As she hung up the phone, a knot of unease tightened in her chest. Despite her friend's attempts to reassure her, she couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous lurked beneath the surface. With a heavy sigh, she glanced around the flower shop, a sense of foreboding settling over her like a dark cloud,her mind racing with unanswered questions and doubts about what lay ahead.. Little did she know, this encounter was just the beginning of a series of unsettling events that would challenge her in ways she never imagined.