Freycrest
Flora Lane

Emily was glad that, aside from her job with Timothy, nothing had changed in her life. She still woke up early to open the flower shop, although now she had to be awake earlier to travel from Lunaria to Freycrest. She woke up at 4 AM every day and began preparing for her and Timothy's Day at 5:20 AM. By seven, she would be in a nondescript car, driven to Flora Lane at the corner of 17th and Hewlett Street.

Although she hated waking up early, she appreciated the quiet moments in the morning for herself. Emily also brought a change of clothes to the shop, in case Timothy sent for her like the time she had to bring him lunch in the middle of the day.

As she busied herself with a bouquet of peonies, a woman with short black hair in a simple black suit entered and approached the counter. "Hi, Emily. Got the hydrangeas ready? Madame was upset that she didn't have them the other day," said Mariko, Mrs. Cruz's assistant, who had come to pick up the flowers Emily was supposed to prepare the day before but couldn't be due to a stock shortage.

"Yup, I'll go get them," Emily replied. "Also, if she wants to plant azaleas, I have a young one at the back."

Emily went to the back of the shop, where she kept the bouquets for pick-up. She returned with the hydrangeas, feeling relieved that she had managed to persuade her supplier to give her the only purple and blue hydrangeas they had.

Mariko smiled brightly. "Mrs. Cruz will be pleased. She's very interested in the azaleas as well."

"That'll be 3,500 for you," Emily said with a smile as she handed the bouquet and a small pot. Mariko, as usual, gave her 5,000 and told her to keep the change. Emily bid the woman a good day as she left and Emily was left to her musings, once again.

The day progressed as usual with people trickling in now and then. She was glad it wasn't Lovers' Day or any holiday that celebrated loved ones, otherwise, she would be running around. It also meant she would have to ask for two days off from Timothy and she never wanted to do that. Asking permission for him always felt wrong for her, besides he was so unapproachable.

At 4:30, she would slowly start her pre-closing duties and by 5 PM, the open sign would be flipped to 'closed' and she would lock the door. She would then spend some time around Freycrest, buying additional things for Timothy's kitchen in case she missed something from her latest grocery run. Sometimes, she would quickly pop into her house or have a brief coffee date with Joshua.

Today, she went to the café across from her shop and Joshua was already there, sipping his regular cup of brewed coffee as he poured over his books.

"Hey, nerd," She greeted him with a grin as she placed a single-stemmed bouquet of gerbera daisy for him. Joshua picked up and smelled the flower, despite Emily's continued reminder that they're not known for having scents. He did it for the show.

"Thanks, dirt lover." He returned, mirroring her grin. Although it didn't do much to hide his weary face. He had known Joshua since high school and a bit in university, but she had to drop out and took over her grandpa's flower shop when he died. She was on the botany track until half of her first year when her focus quickly shifted.

"You know, you look just as tired as me," Joshua pointed out as he gave her a once-over. Emily only rolled her eyes, "paying your dad back does that to me." She poked at the cake that the man had ordered for her. "Oh yeah, I nearly forgot to mention, I probably won't be around next weekend since I'll be serving my overlord at a party," she added as she took a bite. 

"My, Emily Choi is flying high, attending fancy parties now, are we? You better bring me souvenirs." He teased.

"I'm not going there for a vacation, idiot. I'm a maid, remember?" she reminded him and Joshua hummed, telling her she could always grab a fancy bottle from her employer's pantry and take it home for him. Emily gave him a light punch, "I'm not gonna resort to thievery just to bring you a souvenir!" There was also that small fact she hadn't told Josh: Her employer was male. All she said was that she was working for one of the Angeles family members as a maid. It was a half-truth, and half-truths were all she could afford.

"Fine, fine. Do this for me then," Joshua firmly placed his cup down and met her gaze, "Take care of yourself. Have some fun, and if you ever need me I'm just a call away. Okay? I know you always keep your problems to yourself so call me any time of the day--or night." His sincerity made Emily's heartache. She wanted to tell him so many things, but telling him was against the rules.

"I know." She stood up and wrapped her arms around him. "I promise I will, Josh. Thank you."

Josh hugged her back—briefly—before pushing her away with a playful roll of his eyes. She laughed, settling back into her seat as they chatted for a little longer.

By the time 5:40 PM rolled around, it was time to return to Lunistra. Before heading back, she made a quick stop for takeout. Tonight, she wasn't in the mood for an elaborate supper—not when she could already hear Timothy's inevitable critiques echoing in her mind.

Honestly, she still hadn't gotten over how picky he was.

Then again, she should have expected as much.

He was Timothy Angeles, after all.