by Yume
* * *
Carefully, she folded the newspaper into a small square pile and tossed it onto the desk. As expected, Mr. Johnson killed himself after having an affair with her. He jumped off the cliff and landed with his head cut off by a pointy rock.
“Poor man.” Janice shook her head in disgust. “Brainless when he died.”
Just then, the bells rang. Janice turned for the door. Ever since she learnt that magic from the old witch, the shop had a tremendous change. People kept coming for these dazzling flowers. Things were turning in a good way.
“Hello, may I help…” Before she could finish her line, she froze.
It was him.
The man she had waited for so long.
The man she despised most in this world and couldn’t wait to kill.
“Excuse me, I’ve come here for some flowers to give my wife.” The man said, looking around casually at the room.
“Janice! That’s him!” The Lily waved vigorously.
“Yes, I know.” Janice replied.
“Huh?” The man turned to her, bewildered.
“Sorry, sir.” Janice smiled. “What do you want again?”
“Um… I was wondering if…” The man grinned back. “There’s something that resembles love.”
“Oh, love.” Janice nodded and walked to the shelf, coming back with a vase of roses. “Everyone wants that and asks for it. Roses are the most common I give.”
“Roses?” The man asked doubtfully.
“But sir, I can recommend you something rarer.” Janice said. “Roses are not really the best. They have prickles. If love is meant, it burns with passion. But if love is too strong…”
Janice paused for a moment and grinned. “Someone will get hurt.”
“Em…so, what do you recommend?”
“Aster, sir.” Janice answered. “A dainty symbol of love.”
“Good.” The man said. “Pack me some.”
“Alright.”
Leaving the man, Janice walked back to another room.
“Kill him, Janice!” The Lily was waving strongly by now.
“Janice!” The pot was jumping to and fro on the shelf.
“Wait, bro.” Janice said. “Didn’t you remember our plan?”
“But…”
“Trust me, bro.” Janice winked.
She took a few Asters from the shelf and put them neatly into a pink vase. Then, she tore open a pack of powder and poured it onto the flowers. The room was instantly filled with amazing and intoxicating odor.
“Here, sir.” Janice placed the little vase in front of the man. The man took it from her and slipped a few banknotes into her hands. “No change, please.”
Then, he left.
“Janice…you let him leave!”
“He’ll come back, bro!” Janice cried. “He will!”
“Okay...”
“I’m sorry.” Realizing she had been too rude, she went to embrace the pot.
“It’s alright, Janice.” The Lily muttered, curling its stem to lean on her shoulder.
“He’ll come back tomorrow and when he does…” Janice sniggered.
“He’ll be dead.”