The floweriest heart-- Chapter 1
11
WARNING: The following content is purely fictional. I do not condone or in any way agree with this kind of thing in real life!
In a sleepyere area small flower shop. It was run by its only employee, a blacqk-furred, brown-eyed labrador named Lorelei. For her, life in this place is boring, as she inherited her father's flower shop, life was empty and colorless, even though she was surrounded by perfume (ironically).
The dog's father had a natural talent for this job; just by looking at a customer's face, he already knew exactly which flower or bouquet the customer needed. While her father was so empathetic and knew everything about every plant, Lorelei, or Lory, is nowhere near as committed.
Despite being 25 years old, she has never done or had much in her life. She has always had average grades, never wanted to go to university, was never interested in wondering for love, and her circle of friends is very narrow. As a teenager, her justification for this was that she hadn't had her moment to shine. But after she graduated, she decided to stop trying to fool herself and admit that she just doesn't take the initiative for anything.
It was a normal Monday morning, Lory got out of bed, showered, had her breakfast, dressed in a magenta shirt with gray pants and a pair of sandals; she tied her hair in a ponytail and left for work.
Today was less crowded than usual. On the one hand, that was good, because that way she didn't have to feign receptivity all the time, which she feels forced to do, given the type of job she has. The flower shop was much more popular when Lory's father was alive, but because his daughter couldn't convey the same charisma and sense of intimacy, she gradually lost customers.
At around 4pm, the labrador was sitting at the counter with a faraway gaze, wondering if her life could have been different. Suddenly, her daydreams are interrupted by a feminine voice, a new customer.
-Excuse me, miss?- Said the customer with a soft voice.
Lory looked around, then down to see her. She was a white kitty with blue eyes, who wore a light pink bow and a small lilac dress and blue shoes. She doesn't looks like be more then 7 years oold.
old.
-Yes, what can I help you with?- Lory answered the little girl, without the need for false enthusiasm, since children don't easily understand the feelings of the elders.
-You know, I've been saving money to buy flowers for my mother.-Said the cat
-Is it for her birthday?
-It's not that. She works all day, and when she comes home, she goes out again. So if I give my mother a flower, she will want to spend more time with me!- The cub replied with excitement and innocence.
and innocence.
-Okay, so let's see...here, take this.- Take any flower and give it to her.
-Hm, are you sure that mommy will like this flower?- Asked the smaller one with a lot of doubt.
- But of course she will. It's pretty and... fragrant... it's a great flower.- Lory fails to disguise her ignorance of the subject.
-That's not what I want! I want a flower that my mother likes; and until you decide to give it to me, I'll not get out from here!- Says the cub, dissatisfied with the disdain of the atendent.
-Tsk, so stay, it's not my problem.-Lory replied to the tantrum.
Lorelei wasn't worried at first, as she thought the Kitty would get tired of sitting there in the doorway of the shop. However, when she noticed that the sky was already turning dark, still seeing the cub in the same place, she realized that she had to take it seriously.
-Okay, kid, you won. Stay there while I assemble your order. It's dangerous to be out there overnight.
-So you're going to get a better flower?
-Yes I will. But first you will have to enter.- The labrador answered firmly.
Lory took the little cat to the second floor of the flower shop, which was the canine's home. Leaving her on the couch, Lorelei made a sandwich with what she had in the fridge.
-Eat, you must be hungry after waiting so long.- Said Lorelei, handing the food to the cub.- Your mother must be crazy looking for you at this hour.
-No, she hasn't even left work yet.- The smaller one adjusted to the sofa and started to eat.
-So, little girl...
-Chloe.
-So, Chloe, -grabs her father's old botany book- what do you want your mother to feel with that flower?
-I want mommy to feel that I love her very much, even though I can't stay with her all the time. And I also want her to feel that I want to get closer to her.- Chloe replied.
-Affection, closeness, love...-The dog searched for half a minute before speaking again.-Wait sitting there and I'll be right back, ok?
Lory went down to the flower shop to look for what she needed. She took 3 types of flowers and climbed up again.
- See if it's good now. - Lorelei hands the plants into Chloe's hands.
-And these, what are they?
-Well, the one with a stronger bluish tone is called Baloon Flower; gifting someone with her means that you will never stop loving that person, also symbolizing a friendship you want to return. This other one is Pink Azalea, which represents family ties. And the one with a more citrus scent is freesia; it carries the meaning of friendship, purity, innocence and trust. -Explained the florist.
-This is perfect! But I don't think I can take all three, I only have 30 dollars.
-Did you save it?
-Um-rum. I skipped lunch all last week for this. So when you gave me that sandwich, I was so happy, lady! -Kitty said.
- _So she went hungry just to please her mother? This is so...cute!- _ thought Lory. - No problem, you can stay. The freesia is on the house. Until she suits you.
-Serious?! Thank you so much, lady!- Chloe thanked him with a smile that went from ear to ear.
-No need to thank. And only Lory is fine. - He replied with reciprocity.
The eldest followed the cub to the florist's door. Chloe insisted that she could walk home, but Lory said she would only let her out after calling the white cat an Uber. When the car arrived, they fell apart.
-Come back anytime, Chloe. But next time, remember to eat right at meals, do you hear me?
--Yes, miss, or rather, yes Lory. I really enjoyed staying with you today. It's a lot better than being alone waiting for Mom to come back. Goodbye! -The smaller one closed the door, and the car started to move.
Feeling a flutter in her chest, remembering the afternoon she had, Lorelei replied, as if to herself,
-I liked too.