THE BOUQUET.

"Tell me everything is perfect!" Tiffany said, her voice sharp but fragile as she glanced around the boutique. Her eyes flitted over every detail—the pristine white walls, the golden racks adorned with designer clothing, and the faint scent of vanilla lingering in the air. 

"You worry too much." Noami leaned against the counter, her tone light but laced with reassurance. "I'm sure everything went off without a hitch today. The sales target was over a hundred million dollars. I'd say that's a roaring success!" She smirked, adding playfully, "I guess being a trophy wife does have its perks."

A slight smile tugged at Tiffany’s lips. Noami softened her tone, exhaling a small sigh of relief. "But, uh... why a boutique, though? I mean, after everything that happened with Kai—" Noami froze mid-sentence, her hand flying to cover her mouth.

Tiffany’s expression shifted instantly, her face turning stony. Her dark eyes closed off like shutters. The uncomfortable silence stretched between them.

 Tiffany smiled, a small, brittle thing. "It's fine," she said, her voice so calm. "I just needed a source of income. Something independent. I’ll hire someone to manage it eventually."

Noami nodded quickly. "Well, I guess that’s it for today. We should close up and head home." She hummed a cheerful tune as she turned and exited the room, leaving Tiffany alone with her thoughts.

Tiffany reached for her phone on the counter. She finally allowed herself a moment to breathe, her chest rising and falling. Just as her fingers closed around the device, the door swung open with a bang, slamming against the wall. She jumped as her heart thudded wildly. 

Her head whipped around to see Noami barging back into the room, her face flushed and her breathing heavy.

"You won’t believe who’s here," Noami gasped.

"Who?" Tiffany demanded, her pulse quickening as fear crept up her spine. "And why are you breathing like that? What happened?"

Noami didn’t answer. Instead, she darted back toward the entrance. Tiffany barely had time to process the moment before Kai appeared.

Tiffany’s breath hitched as he walked in with a bouquet of blood-red roses in his hand. The sight of him in the sharp suit, his perfectly tousled dark hair, and those piercing blue eyes holding hers. 

The sight of him stirred a storm of emotions.

"Your ex-husband," Noami murmured under her breath.

Tiffany stiffened. "Noami."

"Oh! Right, I, uh—" Noami’s eyes darted around the room before she grabbed two large trash bags from behind the counter. "I’ll just… clear up the back office. You two… talk." She said, leaving Tiffany alone with Kai.

As soon as the door closed behind Noami, Tiffany felt her composure shatter. Her hands trembled as she clutched the counter for support, her breaths coming in short with shallow gasps. Panic clawed at her chest, but she forced herself to stand tall.

"Tiffany?" His voice was soft.

She inhaled sharply, steadying herself before turning to face him. Her dark eyes met his, her gaze icy. 

"Why are you here, Kai? The contract ended. We were supposed to go our separate ways. You have no reason to be here." Her voice was calm but there was an unmistakable edge to it, a sharp warning.

"I—I miss you," he said, his tone hoarse.

Her blood pounded in her ears. Her muscles tensed, and a soft laugh escaped her lips. "Mr. Winson, we had an agreement," she said.

Kai’s expression faltered and he flashed a small sheepish smile. He stepped forward and placed the bouquet on a wooden table. 

"Why don’t we talk over dinner?" he suggested, his voice softening. "I think it’d be better that way."

Tiffany’s gaze flicked to the roses, then back to him. Her jaw tightened. "I'm already having dinner with my staff and Noami." 

"Then I’ll join you," he interrupted, his blue eyes locking onto hers. 

His gaze shifted slightly at the glass reflection behind her. Someone was eavesdropping.

"No, there's no need to," she said with a scoff, forcing a low chuckle to escape her lips. 

Kai took another step closer, his expression softening. "Tiffany," he said, his voice raw and pleading. "I want you back. I know I messed up—"

Her jaw clenched. "Then leave," she said coldly, her voice cutting through the tension. "That’s the only way you can make this right."

"That… that I can’t do." He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. "You don’t have to answer me now. Just… give me two dinners."

Tiffany stared at him, her nails digging into the counter. Her mind raced as her emotions swirled within her. However, she didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Instead, she turned away. 

"Go, please."

 The door closed behind him, making a sound that filled the quiet space. Tiffany finally let out a breath, her shoulders dropping and she turned around, Kai was gone. 

The next morning, Tiffany lay in bed, her gaze fixed on the window as sunlight filtered through the curtains. Her mind replayed every moment from last night. How could she have ever known Kai would come back for her? 

The soft creak of the door broke her silence and Naomi walked in, still dressed in her white floral pyjamas, her hair slightly mussed from sleep. Without a word, she flopped onto the bed, wrapping her arms around Tiffany. 

Tiffany exhaled, the weight of her thoughts slowly easing as she leaned into her comfort.

"What are you thinking about this morning?" She asked, but Tiffany remained speechless, staring blankly. 

Noami tapped her, gasping. Tiffany hadn't said a word about Kai’s visit. "Oh, what happened? Why did he come around?" 

Suddenly, Tiffany groaned, shaking her head, "I can't believe this. Did he really fly from Mayfair here? I mean why, he was the one who asked me to leave. I can't believe this, does he think he could just come into my life as he pleases? This is why I distaste relationship," Tiffany said, rolling her eyes at the thoughts of last night. 

"Well. He did look sorry. Ah, what about the rose?" Noami jumped from the bed, but Tiffany ignored her, picking up her phone and, scrolling through it. 

"Don't tell me you threw it out," Noami asked. Seeing Tiffany swallowed in her thoughts. She sighed. "Let's go clubbing tonight. It's a good way for you to forget about all these. Beside, I have someone for you." 

Tiffany stared at her, the doorbell rang interrupting their piercing gazes. Noami turned away abruptly, walking out of Tiffany's bedroom. 

A few seconds later, Tiffany walked into the living. Her feet froze, staring at the bouquet of white lilies. Her eyes shifted to Noami who accessed it carefully. 

"Oh my! Are you seeing someone?" Tiffany asked, her tone filled with joy. 

Noami reached towards the lily and pulled out a card. "I wish for you to unblock me. Yours, K.W." 

Tiffany's phone chimed. She quickly unlocked it, and it was from an unsaved number. "Did you get the flowers?" 

"Ohhhhhh, he's serious. You know what, have dinner with him and hear what he has to say, Tiffany. I think the flowers would keep coming if you don't." 

"How did he know my address?" Tiffany asked, her heart racing at the sight of it. 

"I have no idea, why?" Noami asked, looking at her. Tiffany glanced around, her chest rising and falling as her mind raced. 

"I never told him, besides, we moved."  

Naomi's eyes darted around the room before finally landing on Tiffany's. "Why don't you unblock him and ask?" 

Tiffany scoffed. "Why should I? It's basically a waste of time. I'm going shopping," she said, rolling her eyes and heading inside her bedroom.