Chapter-09

To be honest, Sophia still didn't understand what Shaka was saying. What made that man dislike it when Sophia was with Shaka? It wasn't that she was overconfident or flowery but really, Sophia didn't know what Shaka meant. She wanted to ask further, but just seeing the look on Shaka's face immediately made Sophia lazy. Until this morning Sophia went to the flower shop to pick up some plants that she wanted to bring back home. Today Sophia intended to leave early and asked Sion to close the flower shop. Sophia wanted to do some gardening at home, so she bought some vegetable seeds to plant. Sophia also brought some compost and soil to make it fertile.

"Are you sure you want to take this much home?" Lala asked about marketing.

Sophia nodded, "Yes, I want to plant them at home. There's nothing in front of the house." Sophia said.

Lala could only nod, Sophia had always loved flowers and she couldn't see any empty land in front of her. Not only at the kiosk, but at home there are also a lot of plants that Sophia planted and grew well. Then she brings them to the kiosk to sell them at a high price.

"Can you see empty land?" Lala teased.

Sophia chuckled as she started stirring the fertilizer in front of her until it was well mixed. Then she put it into the polybags one by one until it was evenly distributed. "Really?"

Just one word out of Sophia's mouth made Lala laugh in Sophia's face. They said that almost every day, but somehow this time it made them laugh loudly and carefree. To the point that Sophia forgot what she had just thought.

Before she knew it, Sophia had spent fifty polybags filled with soil and compost. This time Sophia wanted to plant pompom dahlias and fuchsia, two plants that caught Sophia's attention. The flowers involved are very beautiful with many colors. Sophia especially likes the color white, which means purity and loyalty to Sophia.

"Did you realize that the car was there? I think the owner is watching us again," said Lala.

Sophia glanced across the street and saw what Lala had said. Sure enough, there was a shiny black car that didn't know who it belonged to. But Sophia remembered that the car was often around Sophia's kiosk. If Sophia approached, the car would immediately leave. Even if it was Alcand's car, it was certain that the owner would get out of his car.

Ah yes, speaking of Alcand. Sophia remembered the cooperation between them. Sophia thought Alcand wanted to open a flower stall where Alcand would take some flowers from his shop. But instead, Sophia was surprised by Alcand who invited Sophia to come to the abandoned center a few days ago. Alcand said he wanted to make a contemporary cafe, he wanted Sophia to organize the decorations and also what theme they would use for Alcand's cafe. This is the first time and Alcand is not familiar with the types of cafes. Meanwhile, the expensive clothes that Alcand wears indicate that he is honestly a leader, but somehow he believes that Sophia can do it.

Not only that, but Alcand also asked Sophia to arrange flowers for him once a week. Alcand wanted his cafe to have a different feel, especially since Sophia knew a lot about flowers. It's different from Alcand who loves flowers but doesn't know how many types of flowers there are in the world. Alcand wanted Sophia to change the flowers in the cafe every week. This is quite hard, Sophia had a headache thinking about what theme is suitable for Alcand's cafe.

"Let it go, maybe people park," Sophia said, trying to think positively.

"Does it have to be every day? He's just there to target our flower shop. I'm afraid of bad people, especially since she wasn't just there for one day."

Sophia knew that every time she opened, at lunchtime, and before closing, she would always see the car. But the strange thing was, if the owner of the car was doing something bad, why did he also go when Sophia went home? He followed wherever Sophia went, even to her new house, he knew. The next day, seeing a flower shop that was fine also made Sophia feel suspicious. It was a sign that the owner of the shiny car wasn't after her property, but what was he after?

"It's you he wants," Lala said again.

"No way he wants to be with me La, you know what kind of condition I'm in?" Sophia seemed to realize what Lala was saying. There was no way anyone would want Sophia, Shaka just kept insulting her let alone anyone else.

"What's impossible! You're beautiful, physically you're not perfect. But at heart, you're a champion. She's kind and understanding, what else is missing? The only ones who dare to leave you are stupid men with no brains!"

Sophia just shook her head and asked Lala to be quiet. This task wouldn't get done if they talked too much. When it came to physicality, Sophia was outmatched. Shaka would choose another woman over her, let alone someone else. That person would only use Sophia and not love her.

***

Following what Sophia said, if she came home early today to plant the flowers brought from the kiosk. This time Sophia used the empty land in front of the house and also the side of the house. It didn't matter if she couldn't make the selection today, there was still tomorrow for Sophia to plant and ask Sion to open the flower shop first. The types of flowers she brought were quite a lot as well as the soil and compost that had become one.

This time Sophia wanted to plant roses and other flowers. As for vegetables, Sophia wanted to sign spinach, cabbage, and several other types of vegetables including chili. She wants to garden, and have vegetables that we pick when it's time. It's a dream that Sophia has wanted for a long time.

Too busy planting flowers in front of the house, Sophia was surprised by the arrival of someone who kept calling Sophia's name.

"What's wrong, sir?" asked Sophia in surprise, dragging her feet towards the man.

Don't ask how the man reacted, but he was surprised to see Sophia approaching him. Then, he handed Sophia a thick white plastic bag.

"I have a package for you, Sophia," he said again.

"But I didn't order anything, sir. Wrong address, sir."

"Sophia Eleanor, Candra housing number twelve?"

The address was correct, the name was correct even though there was another Sophia in the neighborhood. But it seemed like this person didn't send the wrong food.

"Who is this from, sir?" Sophia said, flipping through the food.

"From mom's kitchen, sis."

That's a sign that the delivery person is keeping his identity a secret from Sophia, right? But who could it be that sent this food to Sophia?

Bringing the food in, Sophia peeked at what was inside. It turned out to be just a pudding and also a few packets of Sophia's favorite cheesecake. If this was from Shaka, it was impossible, Shaka didn't know what Sophia liked and what she didn't. If this was from Petra it was also impossible, her in-laws did pay attention to her and liked her but if it was this deep just because they were proud to have her waiting it was also impossible. If this was from Sion, why would her father send this when they often met at the store? This was not his father's type, no matter how dear a father was to his son he would never do this without informing him first.

Then who sent Sophia this pudding?

Too engrossed in her thoughts, someone unknowingly walked into Sophia's house and tapped her on the shoulder. Sophia jumped in surprise, she immediately turned her body quickly and saw who had come.

"Papi, Mami." Sophia squealed in shock.

"Why are you so surprised? Why is the front of the house so messy? Why isn't the door closed and locked?" Petra asked.

Sophia shook her head quickly, and she looked anxiously at the door. Shaka said he wasn't coming home today because his girlfriend was fussy and asked for company. That's why before going home Shaka told her first, but if this is the case Shaka will be angry with Sophia again.

"Where is Shaka?" Petra asked again.

"Shaka, Pi?" Sophia was suddenly nervous about the question because she didn't know what to answer. "Hmm, Shaka-"

"Shaka doesn't want to be at home, Pi. Do you still want to ask Papi why?" said Mia, who seemed to know the reason why Shaka was not at home.

Petra rolled her eyes lazily, took out her cell phone, and tried to call Shaka several times. And there was no answer at all from Shaka, even though she knew her father who called Shaka was the fastest to receive her father's call. But this time...

Sophia herself also squeezed her hands, knowing that Shaka would be angry with her after Petra's arrival. But what else could she do, Sophia was also helpless in this situation.

Seeing Petra's departure, Sophia also looked for the whereabouts of her cell phone. She wanted to try to contact Shaka but Mia held her back.

"Leave my son alone, cripple!" she said with her eyes bulging.

"I'm just-"

"Just what, will my son feel at home with a handicapped wife like you? I know my son is depressed because he's married to you, that's why he'd rather be out of the house than come home to see you. What's in it for a handicapped woman like you? It's not wrong that my son would rather be outside than at home!!!" Mia cut in angrily.

Only able to bow her head, Sophia apologized to Mia. She was indeed inappropriate for Shaka, marriage was also because of Shaka's responsibility to Sophia. Even if she could choose, Sophia didn't want this to happen to her. Mia's words were heartbreaking this time.

"Sophia, please call Shaka to come home immediately. Tell him that Papi is home for dinner with you." Petra said suddenly.

To be Continued