Gardenias

The following day, the squad decided to do a little strolling around the island. "It would be best if you go to the farmers market," Jose recommended.

"They have a great selection of fresh produce and varieties of flowers. They should also have stalls that offer snacks native to the Island".

"That sounds lovely, Jose" Amy thanked their extremely attentive butler.

"I just want to inform you that since cars are not allowed on the island, you can walk, skate, ride a horse carriage, or bike around.

Although biking around town is more convenient, since there would be uphills and downhills, especially up the fort".

"Then we'd prefer bikes, Jose" Jim said.

"I'll get four bikes ready right away. Enjoy" Jose left the living room and went to the office to avail four bikes.

True to Jose's description, the farmers' market was filled with colorful fresh produce and flowers.

There were more people than they expected as well. "Do you think Jim needs to wear a mask?"

Amy asked Manager Wang. Amy looked at Jim, who was casually dressed in an oversized white tee, a sweatshirt, and a black hat. He covered his long legs with a straight ankle-cut denim.

"He should be fine with just a hat right now. I don't think people recognize him here. But if people start to recognize him, then I suggest putting on a mask and moving to a different location". Manager Wang explained and signaled Jake to be on the lookout.

After walking down the alley to buy fresh fruits, Amy stopped at a flower shop. Amy was lost for words as gorgeous, colorful, huge flowers welcomed her.

"Hello," the lady who seemed to be overlooking the shop said. "Are you looking for something specific? The lady continued, "If none, please allow me to show you around."

Jim and Amy followed the lady while Manager Wang and Jake stayed outside eating ice cream by the bench.

"This is a bouquet of camellias; they generally symbolize gratitude and affection. But the different colors of camellias have different meanings; red symbolizes the feeling of flame in your heart, white communicates 'you're adorable," and pink conveys longing.

"Next to it is carnation; they kind of look somewhat similar, don't they?" Jim and Amy both nodded. "Carnations are generally bigger and fluffier than camellias. White carnations symbolize pure love and adoration, while the pink carnations one says, "I will never forget you."

"What's your favorite flower, young lady?" The lady asked Amy, who couldn't keep her eyes off all the beautiful flowers around the shop.

"Peonies and Tulips," Amy replied.

The lady cheered, clapped her hand, and guided them to the isle where bouquets of lush peonies were beautifully displayed.

"Peonies represent happiness, prosperity, and bashfulness in marriage while red tulip declares love, white tulip represents worthiness of love, and yellow tulip conveys warmth." The lady warmly explained.

"How long have you two been married?"

Before Amy and Jim could tell the lady she was mistaken, the door bell rang, indicating a new customer. "That must be my client here to pick up flowers. I'll be right back".

On cue, Manager Wang showed up and asked to have a word with Jim. Unbothered, Amy shooed Jim away to Manager Wang and continued to admire the ocean of beautiful flowers in front of her.

'How lovely would it be to own and run a plant shop?' Amy thought, remembering her love for plants and flowers.

Meanwhile, Jim approached the lady who had been very accommodating to them after talking to Manager Wang.

"Hi," Jim asked shyly. "Do you perhaps have a flower that says, "you're lovely?" Jim's ears turned red.

"Oh dear," the lady exclaimed giddily. "I just have the perfect flowers for that" The lady smiled warmly and started arranging a bouquet of flowers.

"These are gardenias- they symbolize purity, sweet love and communicate 'you're lovely, and these are white stocks, they represent the sentiment 'you'll always be beautiful to me.' The lady swiftly made the perfect bouquet.

'It was magnificent.' Jim thought it was the most beautiful bouquet he had ever seen.

"How much for the bouquet?" Jim asked.

"It's on the house," the lady said.

"I can't do that; please take my payment," Jim begged.

"Young man," the lady spoke to Jim sincerely, "it's been so long since I felt a love so warm and pure. You're lucky to have her and she, you. Please make this old lady happy and accept this bouquet." She reached Jim's hand and gave him the bouquet.

"Now go and tell her she's beautiful" Jim thanked the lady for being so kind and marched towards Amy, who is still looking at all the flowers longingly.

"For you" Jim gave Amy the bouquet. "I asked the lady to make me a bouquet of flowers but ended up giving it to me for free," Jim said shyly, his cheeks flushed.

"Why, thank you" Amy smelled the flowers. "I can smell the scent of gardenias. Are there gardenias in here?"

"Yes, gardenias and white stocks," Jim replied. "It means you will always be beautiful to me," Jim whispered.

Amy blushed and impulsively kissed Jim's red cheeks.