ᴅʀᴏᴡɴɪɴɢ ɪɴ ʜɪꜱ ᴏᴡɴ ᴛᴇᴀʀꜱ

1. ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ

I want to know
Where I can go
When you're not around

And I'm feeling down
So won't you stay for a moment

So I can say
I, I need you so

- Sunflower, Rex Orange County

•••

"Shit shit shit" I say as I hurry and put my sandals on.

If I don't get to my maman flower shop any time soon she'll have my head.
|mother/mom|

I got my bike and put the fertilizer I've been testing on different plants for the past few years in the basket. It's a 5 minute ride but I'm somehow always late.

"Efi Dahlia Sai that better be you or so help me God" I heard my maman thick accent once I opened the door to the shop

"It's me, sorry for being late"
"You're always late. Now go put your miracle fertilizer on the daffodils I just planted" I held back the urge to roll my eyes but obviously complied

Having my maman as my boss isn't as bad was you would think, she's probably the best boss I've ever had.

My maman Jackie Elaine Sai is the owner of the flower shop Feels Like France. She was born and raised in Normandie France by her parents who are originally from South Sudan. She met my papa Daniel Jalen Sai while he was studying abroad and they kept in touch even after he went back to America. He later moved to France they got married, soon after they had me.

When I was 11 we moved from Normandie to the states, where she opened up her own floral shop. She's influenced flowers into my daily life ever since I was born so it's no surprise that I love flowers just as much as her.

My papa had always loved book and writing so he  influenced my love for books. He has his own publishing company J.D. Sai and has published some of the most popular books to ever hit the market. Only con is that I can only read romance novels, trust me my father tried to get me out of the habit but there's no use.

"Efi I don't pay you to sit around and stair into space " I slightly jumped from being startled out of my thoughts

"Sor-"
"Save your sorries" she said before tending to a customer. I have a bad habit of saying sorry for everything so she just shushes me at this point.

I went outside to the garden and sprayed the fertilizer on the daffodils and went back in.

I got the flowers ready for Darren Amos the man who's been coming every Saturday for the past few years to get the same order, peony's and daisy's. He always reeks of alcohol and cigarettes but he gives a hefty tip so I'm not complaining.

I've never actually seen his face, he always wears a pair of sunglasses and a hoodie that hides it. I always wanted to ask him why he gets the same two flowers every Saturday but maman banned me from asking customers personal question.

How was I supposed to know that some girl was getting flowers for her late dog and would burst into tears.

Anyways I was humming Girls Need Love by Summer Walker as I rearranged the seasonal display flowers when a customer came in.

I looked up from the flower display to see a shirtless man with very very very nice abs, he had black Nike shorts on and some Nike running shoes, his dirty blonde curls were in a bun but one strand fell onto his face. His blue eyes scanned the shop looking for someone to assist him as he took out an AirPod from his ear. He had to be at least 6'4.

I pinched myself, this man looked like he just walked out of a GQ magazine. Is this real life or am I fantasizing again?

"Hey Efi do you have the flowers ready?" the sound of my name from his mouth startled me causing me to drop one of the seasonal display flowers

"Shit" I tried to pick up the broken glass
"Be careful you might-" whatever he was saying was cut short by my now bloody hand
"cut yourself" he finished his sentence with a sigh

"I'm such a dumbass-" I said getting up but was cut off by his voice
"No you're not it was just an accident, let me see your hand" he examined my hand

"Looks like the glass didn't get in your hand so go rinse it off and I'll clean up" I tried to protest but he's so intimidating, so I did what he told me to do.

I rinsed off my bloody hand and the stranger soon joined me in the small bathroom we have in the shop
"Do you have a first aid kit?" I nodded trying to reach the high cabinet.

He chuckled at my efforts "I'll get it" he effortlessly got the first aid kit, he opened it up and got the rubbing alcohol

"This is going to burn a little" he said before putting a little on a cotton ball and gently putting it on my hand
"Shit"
"Sorry" he finished up and put spongebob bandaids on the few cuts

"Ok, good as new" an amazing smile graced his face showcasing his dimples, I thanked him

"Uh you know my name but I don't know yours"
"Efi I've been coming here for the past 3 years" that's when everything clicked

"Darren Amos?!" he flashed another pearly white smile
"The one and only"
"Where's the hoodie, the sunglasses, the awful smell of cigarettes and booze?" he rubbed the back of his neck
"Yea I probably didn't make the best first impression"

I smiled reassuringly "Not at all, but you redeemed yourself by helping me with my hand", we awkwardly stood there for a few moments. "Uh I'll go get your flowers" I exited the bathroom and practically ran to the front desk where I put his flowers.

He came soon after but he came with my maman. They were in a nice conversation by the look on their faces.
"What the hell?" I whispered to myself

"Efi look it's Darren Amos, isn't he so handsome" she had her mischievous smirk on
Kill me, kill me now! I simply smiled.

"You know Darren, Efi is very single. She does absolutely nothing fun with her life, she's probably still a v-" I cut her off immediately

"Ha ha ha mom, I think that's enough" I fake smiled
Darren looked amused

My mother completely ignored my previous statement

"Oh she's singing at open mic night at that bar next to the restaurant Esposito's, Friday night at 7 , you should come. I can't make it because her papa is taking me on a date"
Why aren't mass murderer just running around so one can just KILL ME NOW!

"You can sing?" he turned to me
I shrugged "I guess you can say that"
"Oh she's just being humble, our Efi sings like a heavenly Angel" I had a tight smile on my face

"I guess I'll have to check it out"

He smiled paying for the flowers (leaving a hefty tip as per usual) and leaving with a warm goodbye.

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