"Are you mad! These are not the flowers my master requested!"

"I'm sorry, the ones he likes so much are not in stock for today. They are also equally hard to find, but the daffodils have the same scent similar to..."

"This is the second time something like this has happened. I guarantee you that he will not be pleased."

"That is why I wish to apologise to him myself, as difficult as he is." I sighed in desperation. Yaw had warned me earlier he'd be off duty today, and I'd have to meet up with Norma, that man's butler, who has never liked me since I set foot here. Initially, my father was this man's martial arts teacher, and as a discipline, he would tender to their garden until that fateful day when he'd sacrificed his leg to save his student's life. I was vindictive for many years but let go of my anger, especially since I had to take after him and manage the flower shop despite still being in school. I'm guessing this shameless man was in his early teens or a single digit age to have appreciated my father's sacrifice, for he has never known how much that incident changed my life, nor the expensive monthly medications I had to give my father.

"Madam Norma, your master requests delivery at specific times, but my supplier delayed today, and I couldn't wait..."

"Excuses, excuses. My Hun would have preferred you skip a day but not mix up the orders. Whatever the reason, I wish you informed me of this earlier. Perhaps it was a mistake having you take over the delivery from your ailing father."

"Then tell that to your master. I wouldn't be here if he hadn't contacted my father to resume deliveries."

Norma grimaced. "You are quite an embodiment of disrespect. It is no wonder my master deems you unworthy of this role."

"I was wondering what the commotion was all about. Turns out I'm the subject of discussion." The man appeared, dressed in tennis attire. He seemed relatively calm as he continued to approach us, but the moment he set eyes on what was in my hands, his expression dropped. "What is this?"

"Good morning to you, sir." I gave him a courtesy bow and proceeded on. "I'm afraid today, there was a slight mix-up on the delivery; however, I shall compensate you in the coming days."

"Daffodils." His expression remained plain as he plucked one of the petals and sniffed onto it, something I hated when customers at the shop would do and then not make a purchase.  He must know it wasn't proper etiquette. 

"They have an almost similar scent to your preference..."

"Yet this is not my usual request." He cut me off, his eyes trailing up to look at me. "Mix-up, you said? Do you mind explaining more?"

I knew he was pulling my leg, but I wouldn't allow him to get the better side of me today. Even if I were to elucidate, he cared not of my explanation. "For the next delivery, there will be an ommision of payment as compensation."

"I specifically remember my accountant confirming everything was paid upfront up to the end of this month." 

Surprisingly, he still maintained his calmness, and that gave me relief. However, my joy was short-lived when he tilted his head to the side and told me I stunk. 

"I ran here. There was a delay from my first supplier; therefore, I had to wait for the next one to bring you the best daffodils."

He sneered and gestured for me to follow him to his study, leaving Norma behind.

"Your mishaps with your supplier are no concern of mine. I'm more interested in how you wish to compensate me for the inconvenience. For eight years, your father's shop supplied my family with flowers, and not a day has your he failed us. However, since you took over, I have grown disappointed by the day. You know I can bring down your business with just a single snap of my fingers if I so wish."

Screw it! I'm done. Not today, especially after exchanging nasty words with my suppliers. "Look, with all due respect, I am not my father and run my business as I deem fit. If it displeases you, terminate the contract, but I will not take any threats from you. I came here to do service recovery as I should to a customer and..."

"Customer?" He interrupted. "You consider me a mare customer?"

The cat was out of the bag, so I might as well go all the way. "I pity the person who is crazy enough to accept being tied up with you in marriage."

"Funny you say that when that person is you."

'What did he just say?' I looked at him, unsure if I may have misheard him.

"I merely endured your services because my family respected your father, but just like you, I can not take any more incompetent services. With that in mind, I propose a compensation satisfying to my palate. If you do not accept my marriage proposition, you must meet the terms and conditions of breaching the contract, especially today."

'What?' "Wait a minute... I-I meant to insult you when I changed the subject, not to..."

"Do you think I ask for daisies just because I like them?"

"I could care less why you ask for them," I spoke my thoughts aloud, which seemed to amuse him, for he laughed aloud, a rare sight I must say.

"Anyway, do not be flattered by my proposition. You'll stay hidden, and I'll allow you to carry on with your uncouth activities and a lousy failing florist business. You see, I was looking into my lawyer having a meeting with you. I seek to find a wife, and you fit the part well. You loath me, and I don't wish to have affiliations with anyone who may develop lingering feelings, and become cumbersome whenever I wish to dispose of them. The union is simply for appearance purposes. This generous offer should make for your little 'mix-up' as you have so put it with my butler, Norma."

I felt insulted by his words, and his look of haughty disdain unnerved me to the core. "Who do you think you are?" 

"Your only escape from being peniless. Look, the penalty for terminating the contract will be hefty, and I have no desire of going back and forth in a battle you have clearly lost and can't afford."

"Go swallow a cactus!" I yelled out of anger and was even more enraged when he laughed. Suddenly, I begun to perceive my pheromones, then felt them slowly leaving my body. Thankfully, I was recessive, and he seemed to be a Beta; otherwise, he would have mildly reacted or been repulsed were he an Alpha.

"Sadly, I can't do that. The good news is you may continue your..." He hesitated, a playful grin forming on his face. "Illegal little plays with those Betas fetishizing Alphas as long as you please. Pheromone Experience? Isn't that the name for it Mr Uta?"

I didn't confirm his statement but was surprised he knew about my venture. 'Has he been looking into me?'

"Once I get what I want, that will become the reason for our divorce, and then you and I can proceed separately. Discreetly, of course. If you understand, then we can begin..."

I hadn't realized my hand moved on its own until a light gasp escaped that wretched man's lips. He was sited, his table drenched as the daffodils I'd been holding earlier fell from his face slowly, one at a time.

I watched him shake his drenched hands on the side, stand up and let out a low laugh. "Adding onto things you'll have to pay for. Is that it? First, your little excuse of a mix-up, then your illegal brothel and now you assault me? How you shall pacify me, I wonder."

"If it weren't for the promise I'd made to my father, I'd have done much worse," I said, my shoulders rising in anger and my fists clenched to either side of my waist. "I'm poor, and I accept it, but so are you. Those whom you call elite would gladly abandon you the moment you lose the wealth you cling to so much." Walking towards his desk, I leaned forward just inches away from him and jabbed his chest, then asked, "I'm older than you for you to be talking to me like like your peer?"

He simply stared at me, unmoved by my act, which irritated me further. This was the first time I had come this close to him to realise I was taller than him by a few inches. "Report me to the authorities. At least I won't have to set eyes on your ugly mug ever again."

"Adding threats to the list of things you'll be paying for?" 

"Who the heck proposes marriage to someone they don't like?" I blurted out. I felt belittled by his calm demeanour. I knew I was making things worse the more I let my anger out, but I'd been pent up far too long to remain silent. "Huh?"

"Me."

'Unbelievable!' What in the world was up with this guy today? I took a step back and turned to leave. "Find another florist."

"You're breaching our contract. There is a huge penalty for that Mr. Uta, and I'm a very vindictive man."

"Oh yeah?" I turned to face him. "Then do your worst."