After the commotion, the two of them reconciled. Mio held Rebecca’s hand as they returned to his flower shop.
“Boss, you’re back?” A cheerful girl greeted them but froze when she noticed Mio holding someone’s hand. Her smile stiffened awkwardly.
“Boss, who is this?” Nora had always known there was a woman in Mio’s heart. She had asked him before-if he liked her so much, why not be with her?
Mio only said it was impossible between them. Yet every day, he would personally select white roses, carefully package them, and have them delivered to her.
The woman had never appeared, and Nora thought that one day Mio would let go. She believed she could wait.
But what greeted her now was the sight of their intertwined hands.
The woman before her was stunning, with deep, refined features and eyes as blue as gemstones.
Nora prided herself on her looks, but standing before this woman, the gap was undeniable.
Rebecca stood beside Mio, and the two of them looked like they were made for each other. Anyone would say they were a perfect match.
“She’s my girlfriend now,” Mio said, summing up Rebecca’s identity in five simple words. Nora’s heart completely sank.
Rebecca noticed the disappointment in the girl’s eyes but said nothing. Mio was a man of immense charm; it was no surprise that someone would fancy him.
“Mio, you left the company to open a flower shop?” Rebecca asked as she surveyed the romantic atmosphere of the shop, filled with flowers she loved.
“Yes,” Mio responded. “I was tired of it all. I just wanted to do something relaxing. You’ve always loved flowers, so I opened this shop. Come, I’ll make you some coffee.” He led her to the seating area by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Most days, Mio would sit there, basking in the sunlight, reading, and letting the day pass by.
There were no calculations, no schemes, no concern for profits or losses.
Hearing their conversation, Nora finally understood that Mio had opened the flower shop because of this woman. She realized she knew nothing about Mio’s past.
From the beginning, she had found him mysterious. His elegant demeanor was like that of a nobleman.
He had chosen such an inconspicuous location for the shop that sometimes not a single customer would come by all day. Yet Mio didn’t seem to mind, spending his time tending to the flowers and plants.
When she had asked him before about the losses, he merely smiled and said, “So what if I lose? So what if I gain?”
This unique personality had gradually drawn her in. She felt that Mio was a man with a story, and she stayed by his side, hoping one day he would share it with her.
But today, she learned that Mio’s story was only for that woman. She was the most important chapter in his life. Rebecca sat by the window. Behind the flower shop was the ocean. A place like this, selling flowers-it wasn’t about making money. It was simply a way to pass the time.
She had to admit the place was serene and tranquil. Opening the window, one could hear the sound of the waves. Rising with the sun, resting with its setting-this kind of life was appealing.
Rebecca glanced at Mio, who was preparing coffee. He wore a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and an apron tied around his waist. He looked radiant, like a man straight out of a comic book.
The sunlight fell warmly on him, adding a touch of softness to his presence.
Seeing this, Rebecca felt a surge of warmth in her heart. But when that girl, Nora, appeared beside him, the serene scene lost some of its charm.
“Boss, let me help you,” Nora said, washing her hands and reaching for the coffee beans.
“No need. I want to make this for her myself.” Mio’s tone turned noticeably colder. He had thought Nora understood when he introduced Rebecca earlier, but her persistence showed otherwise.
Earlier, she had nearly caused Rebecca to be hit by a car. Mio wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt Rebecca again.
Nora sensed the shift in Mio’s attitude-it was much colder than before. Was it because of that woman?
Silently, she went to tend to the flowers, while Mio focused on making coffee for Rebecca.
Suddenly, an untimely sound broke the quiet.
“Ah…” Nora cried out. She had “accidentally” pricked her finger on a rose thorn, leaving a deep cut that quickly bled.
Rebecca raised an eyebrow. This woman wasn’t easy to deal with. If she had come any later, Mio might have been ensnared by her.
Rebecca decided to observe how Mio would respond. To her surprise, he continued preparing the coffee, unfazed.
Nora, seeing no reaction, walked over to Mio. “Boss, I hurt my hand,” she said pitifully.
“Mm, I see. There are band-aids over there. Go get one yourself,” Mio replied without looking up.
“Boss, I don’t know where they are,” Nora said, her voice laced with feigned helplessness.
Mio glanced at her, then stepped away from the table. Nora shot a smug look at Rebecca, as if to say she had a place in his heart after all.
Rebecca didn’t react. It wasn’t that she trusted Mio completely, but compared to Nora’s petty tricks, Mio was a master of manipulation.
Having played so many games of power and deceit, Mio detested women like Nora the most. How could he ever have feelings for her?
Mio returned, holding a band-aid and an envelope. “Here’s your salary for the month. You don’t need to work here anymore.”
“Boss, are you firing me?” Nora asked in disbelief.
“Nora, I hired you because you were smart and hardworking. But now I see you’ve used your cunning for the wrong reasons.
Don’t even think about harming the woman I love. You can’t, and you’re not worthy,” Mio said coldly.
Nora’s facade shattered on the spot. Tears streamed down her face. “Boss, you’ve waited so long for her, but she doesn’t love you. I’m the one who loves you. From the moment I saw you, I loved you. Please, give me a chance.”
She desperately tried to grab Mio’s hand, but he stepped back.
“Many women love me. I’ve never lacked admirers. But the only one I love is her. You can leave now,” he said firmly.
Nora didn’t take the envelope. Crying, she turned and left.