Page 10 of Flowers Near Me

Users can search, order, and sell flowers from anywhere…

Thanks to Underworld Unlimited’s recent acquisition, all users of their online market can add fresh flowers to their shopping lists…

Persephone looked at her sister’s concerned face, then reached for her own phone. With furious fingers, she punched in the words, “Flowers Near Me” and “Underworld Unlimited.”

The results made her body go cold. Recent posts all confirmed that Hades did indeed own theFlowers Near Meapp.

How?Was the contract she’d signed with Eurydice now void? What was going on?

“Is this a joke? Who did this? Did Peter design this? Because bravo… you’ve scared me shi?—”

Shaking her head, Laura cut her off. “Oh no, Sephy, it’s not a joke. I get search alerts anytime your name shows up online.”

Persephone couldn’t believe it. If he had already bought the app, then how did Eurydice sell it tohermere hours ago? And why was her name attached to his announcement?

She scrolled down the page and saw a photo of Hades and Eurydice shaking hands and smiling at the camera. Both were wearing the same clothing they’d worn at dinner. Based on the lighting in the background, it’d been taken outside of the restaurantaftershe’d met with Eurydice.

Persephone stopped breathing when she spotted another photo. One of Hades and her looking extra cozy on the bench together.Sheknew her polite smile was wary, but a reader wouldn’t. They could’ve been a couple enjoying a romantic dinner.

“Oh, Fates, kill me now.” What kind of ploy was this?

Persephone’s face flamed hot as she read:

“When asked about the app, Hades said, ‘It’s a joy to bring Flowers Near Me to our customers looking for an easier way to buy and sell flowers. Eurydice promises to be a force within emerging tech and e-commerce. If that wasn’t exciting enough, I’m also pleased to welcome the brilliant and incomparable Persephone Ioulo as our newest partner in bringing Flowers Near Me to the world. We’re elated to have her represent this new brand and I can’t wait to begin our partnership.’”

She finished reading the last sentence of his quote when an insistent notification covered her screen with one name.

Mom.

CHAPTER FIVE

MOM’S NOT HAPPY

PERSEPHONE

The device in Persephone’s hand burned with unleashed fury. She looked at her sister, hoping for some inspiration for what to do, some sign that this was all a dream, but for once her sister looked as gobsmacked as she felt. Persephone’s throat went dry.

Please don’t be real.

Her phone buzzed impatiently, and she sucked in a breath before answering the call. “Hi, Mom. Are you in on Laura and Peter’s joke, too?”Fates, let this be a nightmare that I wake up from.

“What?” Demeter screamed. “I swear on Zeus’ chariot… Is this a joke? Is this your surprise?”

Her mom sounded crazed. Now Persephone was hot despite her short sleeves and silk shorts. Could her mom’s power reach her over the phone? She didn’t think so, but the terror flooding her veins made her consider the possibility.

“What’s going on, Persephone? I have every god and goddess sending me messages with their condolences and surprise. What did you sign with Underworld Unlimited?”

Sweat beaded on Persephone’s brow and palms as she stood up from her chair and muted the call.

With as threatening a voice as she could muster, Persephone said, “Tell me the truth, Laura. Is this an elaborate joke?”

“Definitely not a joke.” Laura held Persephone’s gaze. A stone sat on her chest.

Persephone unmuted the call. “Mom, let me talk. I didn’t sign anything related to Underworld Unlimited. I signed a partner and rep agreement for a new app. Our lawyers checked into their funding, and I met with the developer tonight. There’s no way?—”

“You signed before consulting me? Why would you do that? What were you thinking? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Her mom’s seething tone made her dizzy.

Persephone closed her eyes and slowed her breath, waiting for her thumping pulse to quiet. “I just told you that the lawyers researched it. They gave me the go ahead. I don’t know how Hades finagled this. Underworld Unlimited was never a part of my agreement with Eurydice.” The last part sat like cotton in her mouth. How could she have made a mistake like this one?

---