Chapter 2 2 [Charlotte Pov]

The next morning, I watered some plants in front of the store, trimmed damaged leaves, and neatly arranged flower pots.

"Hello, Miss Charlotte?"

I was surprised, looking back. A man with blond hair smiled and greeted me.

"You're here again?"

"Do you remember me?"

"Yes, because you're not a stranger."

"Wow... I didn't expect to hear compliments from a strange person like you."

"What kind of flowers do you want today?"

I was shocked as he pointed his gun at me.

"Do you know who I am, Miss Charlotte?"

My body froze in place as I saw him giving me a sinister look with the gun pointed at my head.

***

I was still frozen in place; he aimed the gun and gave me a sinister look.

"Do you know who I am?"

I chuckled and moved to avoid the gun's aim.

"You're quite famous, Felix Felice. I saw you in the newspaper."

He holstered his gun and smiled, "You know? I'm not entirely sure about that."

He approached his assistant, "Pal, I'll never lose in this bet."

"That's because you don't know anything when I get into these things, Boss."

"I thought I was normal. You just pay attention to those things."

The conversation between the Boss and the assistant in front of me made me curious about what they were talking about.

I observed the handsome blond man. He was Felix Felice, and his way of speaking and behaving was very different from what I expected. Felix Felice, an American-Italian in his mid-30s, was a notorious illegal weapons dealer. He pretended to act legally but secretly engaged in the development and sale of illegal weapons. He was a man with wealth and great potential.

His practices were dangerous and brutal, much like a criminal organization. There were even rumors that his grandfather was a high-ranking member of the Cosa Nostra Mafia in Sicily.

Because of that, many were after him. So, why could he roam freely during the day? Did he make a deal with that organization?

Felix folded his hands in front of his chest, "I want to know the articles about me."

"Four years ago, there was news that your secret base on a South American island was discovered. The CIA immediately searched the place but found nothing. And you were initially arrested, only to be released from charges," I explained in detail to him.

He grinned, "You managed to get information that the CIA struggled because of me? But again, that incident gave me a headache too."

He stared at me closely, giving me a suspicious look, "So... is that all?"

He continued, gazing at me closely as if searching for something, "Is that all you know about me?"

"Just that."

"So, did you know who I was from the beginning?" he grinned.

I froze again. His hand gripped my cheekbone tightly, his cold gaze seemed to kill me.

"But you still act indifferent in front of me,"

I pushed his hand away, "Customers are just customers."

His hand touched my soft cheek; his cold gaze came even closer to my eyes.

"You're strange. I don't know if you're brave or just foolish."

The cold gaze lingered in front of my eyes; his eyebrows dipped inward.

"Have we met before?"

Tremors and anxiety made me silent. But, it didn't last long; I immediately answered him.

"Last week, you came here in the middle of the night to buy a bouquet,"

He sighed, not pleased with my response, "That's correct. Make me another bouquet."

"Is that all you're asking?"

"Ah... yes. I apologize if I was rude to you. I was just surprised because it's very rare for someone to know about me."

I arranged some flower stems in the bouquet, "Do you think I'm from the CIA or FBI?"

"Well, or maybe another organization. Because you're terrible at wrapping bouquets for a florist. That makes me suspicious of you."

"I'm just an ordinary flower seller who's bad at making bouquets."

"We'll see about that," he smirked.

He took a stack of books from my desk. He took a letter from inside.

"Dear Xavier?"

I was inflamed with emotion, snatched the letter roughly, and stored it in the drawer.

"For whom are all these love letters?" he asked curiously.

He continued, "Are you in a long-distance relationship or something else? Xavier is he... Is he your lover?"

I didn't clearly understand Felix's reasons for being curious about my life. I wasn't happy about it.

"Do you want pink or cream-colored flowers?"

"Is he a good guy? So, you're not a slut."

After hearing him use a derogatory term, it reminded me of four years ago, the derogatory term the stranger gave me back then.

"That's good if you're not a slut. Because I hate sluts."

"Lucky for you, Calla Lilies are fresh and beautiful today. I'll make a bouquet with them as the main flowers."

After they departed from my flower shop, it felt like it drained all my energy until I was breathless.

"He gave me more money than it's worth. I hope I never see him again. He's too curious about my life, damn it."

The next morning, being in the flower shop, it was quiet. Just as I hoped. On the cashier's table, I wrote a letter.

"Dear Xavier, I miss you so much."

"Who do you mean? Is it me you're talking about?"

I had just achieved my hope for tranquility today when his presence made me lose it completely. I hoped he never came back, but it's been two weeks since he started showing up at the flower shop.

I don't know when he came in; it's annoying. I had to handle it professionally.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"The letter you put in the drawer. Did you finish and send it?"

"Of course. I sent everything."

"Hmm, is that so?"

I was annoyed; I turned my gaze angrily away from him.

He continued, "Do you miss your boyfriend, that Xavier guy?"

"Well, I miss him a lot."

"Hmm. Is that true?" he looked displeased.

"What bouquet do you want today?"

He took some flowers and examined them.

"Do you like these flowers? Cymbidium Orchids. They just bloomed recently, their bright-colored petals are very beautiful."

"Flowers symbolize beauty, and its name is perfect for a beautiful woman."

"Yes, I think so."

He gave me three stems of Cymbidium Orchids, "I'll take some of these as well."

"Alright."

What was he thinking? Every time I make a bouquet, he always pays close attention.

"Your flowers are ready."