4: Woman

n her favorite high-backed chair with an untouched cup of tea on the table beside her. Her perfectly manicured fingers drummed aga

er voice sharp enough to echo off the marble walls. She shot up from h

locking on Mr. Santiago, who remained com

ss. It seems that Master Adrian has long been in a relationship with a

repeated, the words dripping with disdain. She paced the room while her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor.

ady. "For some time now, ma'am. It appears Maste

nd now, I'm finding out about this wedding-" she spat the word as though it we

seems Master Adrian wanted to spare you the...

ing an octave. "How thoughtful of him," she added

ectful silence, letting

on't do. I need to meet this-" she waved her hand vaguely, "-Noelle McGrath. If my son

is head. "Shall I arran

know everything about this woman. Her background, her intentions, her family-e

lied, bowing slightly before retreating

, her jaw tightening. "A flower shop owner," she muttered to

~

ver the vibrant blooms that adorned every corner. The soft hum of quiet instrumental music played in the bac

with petals and bits of greenery. Despite the work, her face was calm, her k

Noelle suggested, holding up a bouquet of red

ively. "You have a great eye, Miss M

t paper before tying it with a satin ribbon. "I'm sure she will. It's

her cash. "Thank you. You'

ied warmly, handing him the cha

nce of a young woman who looked to be in her twenties. Her face was bright

s arrangement for my sister's engagement party

of dark hair behind her ear. "Oh, that's gorgeous. Hydrangeas and peonies w

rkled. "That's perfe

Noelle caught a glimpse of another customer browsing the sunflowers

ith a smile, noticing the woman holding a single st

"Just this one. It's for m

ing the stem with care. "That's so though

satisfied. She loved moments like this-helping people

g was about to be disrupted by someone w

nstinctively called out without looking

a cheerful bouquet when the sound of firm,

oth, unfamiliar

dressed man in a tailored suit. His neatly combed dark hair and sharp, assessi

ing a polite smile despite her

t was more formal than warm. "You must be Noell

confused. "I am.

and pulled out a sleek, embossed business card. He slid

ced himself with a slight nod. "I

demeanor made her stomach twist with unease. "I see..." she said

so slightly. "Mrs. Carol Blackwoo

beat as she froze in pl

n's m

oment. Adrian hadn't mentioned anythin

his eyes seemed to register her reaction carefully. "Mrs. Blackwood has rec

s spine. Meet her? Why now, and why

amily about us," she said carefully,

only recently reached Mrs. Blackwood. She is eager

idn't ease her nerves. Still, she knew she had no reason to refuse. Whether she liked

its edges as if the action would somehow ground her spinning thoughts. "

limousine parked just outside her shop. Noelle hesitated f

ely drawn to the woman seated elegantly at the far end. She wore a fitted black dress, her posture straight and commanding. Her features w

and moved to the driver's seat. Within moments, the car began to glide smoothly through

ssed her as a small, unreadable smi

rs. Black