Page 93 of Unruly Obsession
LILY
It’s the first day I’ve been back to the shop, and I've been dreading it. Except when I open the door, it appears to have been perfectly managed in my absence. I flick the light on, shocked that the plants haven’t wilted.
Only half of them remain, which means someone’s been throwing them out. I look out the window, where Sky stands, casually smoking a cigarette. I don’t even have it in me to reprimand him because having him loitering there like that is bad for business.
When I come to a stop at the front counter, my heart drops as I notice a cup of my favorite iced tea, condensation dripping down the side, indicating it hasn't been there that long.
I gnaw at my bottom lip, knowing who's been maintaining the shop and left this tea.
Beside it is a small red box from Cartier. I place my handbag to the side and open the box, revealing a pair of pink pearl earrings. No name. No card.
My stomach flutters because, in truth, they’re beautiful, but it’s not the present itself that has my emotions twisting. It’s knowing that he’s still all around me, even when I cursed andshoved at him. He’s still here, as imposing as he was when I first asked him to stop shadowing me. Except now, as much as I hold on to the hate I have for him, I miss him.
Amidst everything, he’s still the one person I want to curl into just for a moment of peace.
I’m not the same woman I was six months ago, and as crazy as these few months have been, I’m grateful for that, and a huge part of that transformation is credited to the man I’ve forsaken.
The front bell jingles, and I snap the box shut. My heart races with anticipation, but I’m somewhat disappointed when I turn and find Ara standing there. Not because I don’t want to see her, but because I was expecting, almost hoping, for the giver of this present.
“Hey!” I hide the box behind my back. “Sorry, I haven’t stopped by. It’s been busy.”
“I’m sorry too. I’ve been busy, as well, but I needed to come see you to apologize.” It’s strange to see this woman, who struggles to make time for herself, let alone others, show up in my shop, wanting to apologize. Especially when this situation wasn't her fault.
“You don’t have to apologize, Ara.” I place the box on the counter. “I know what your husband asked Lorenzo to do,” I say, addressing the elephant in the room.
“My husband is an asshole. I just wish I’d known sooner. I don’t want you to think I’ve taken advantage of you in any of this. And if you do, I don’t blame you. I just want you to know, whatever you need, simply let me know what it is, and I’ll make it happen. I want to make it up to you.”
I’m listening as I glance around the shop, my oasis that kept me busy and passionate for years. It feels so small, almost nostalgic now. As Ara apologizes, I can’t help but notice the change in me. I’ve always admired Ara for her bluntness and ability to command a room.
Perhaps I was envious even. I don’t feel that any longer, understanding we’re still both just women in a man’s world. The difference is, I no longer feel weak because of it.
“If I’m being honest, Ara, I don’t really care about my father’s businesses. And as for my brother, he’s lucky I still care about him at all.” I do love my brother, but I won’t tolerate his bullshit anymore either. I let that slide for too long with my father, and I willnevermake that mistake again. Not for any man. Not for anyone. “In a way, I guess your husband is actually getting me out of a pickle, you know, with someone trying to kill me and all.”
Her brow wrinkles slightly, as if she's confused by my casual response. Silence fills the air, and her hand comes to rest on her stomach. I offer her the stool behind the counter, but she smiles and politely refuses.
“You’ve changed.”
“I have,” I admit. It’s strange to have it recognized by someone other than myself. Once, I might’ve sought that outside validation, and yet, I don’t feel the need anymore. “I’ve changed a lot.”
Ara smiles, deciding to take the seat as she looks at her watch. I know she’s a busy woman, and I can tell by the way Tony peers inside that he realizes they’re going to be longer than expected. His face drops as he looks at Sky, who is clearly antagonizing him about something.
I walk around the counter and bring some flowers from the back room to the front. Not one thing is out of place. It’s as if the shop wasn’t even closed for a day.
Ara seems curious about the red box on the counter, but doesn’t ask about it. “Apparently, Romi left the house today for the first time.”
“Good. I’ve been worried about her.” Still am, because I know she hasn’t been the same since her roommate's death. “I wantedto come in and do a bouquet for her.” Not that flowers ever replace those who have been lost, but it’s always been the place I’ve been able to express my condolences.
“I’ve been worried about her too,” Ara says quietly, tapping a manicured nail on the edge of the counter, seeming impatient. She’s not a woman who often stops, but when she speaks next, I realize it's more to do with the question on her mind.
“Have you spoken to Lorenzo?”
I’m sure she has some insight as to how our conversation went last night.
“Besides last night, telling my brother to sign the contract, and that I basically hated his guts… nope.”
Ara slowly nods, her hand rubbing her stomach. A small part of me wonders what it’s like to be pregnant, to be married, and start a family. Although I now know that Ara and Luca were far from a fairy-tale romance, I can’t help but be slightly envious.
“How did you know Luca was the one for you?” I ask curiously as I begin to put purple and black flowers together. “Knowing who he is and what he does for a living, why did you decide to remain with him?”
