Chapter Text
You listen to the soft music that drifts through the speakers as you read your course. The mesmerizing smell of the flowers surrounding you makes you smile as your eyes scan the pages and you are glad you managed to find this part-time job to get the extra money for your sibling’s Braille books.
The bell above the door rings as a customer comes inside.
"Hello. Welcome to 'A New Leaf'. How can I help you?" You utter as you lift your gaze.
You pause when you see the tall and broad man. Not because of how he looks, but because he seems, dare you say, awkward as he stands there, his brown eyes darting from bloom to bloom.
He takes a deep breath and in a few long strides, he comes to the counter. You crane your neck to gaze at him properly.
"Good evening. I wish... to buy flowers."
Your eyebrow goes up and you bite your tongue to stop the quip from escaping your lips. It's unexpected to see a man like him with such a deep voice sound so shy and you aren't about to make fun of his phrasing.
"Anything in particular, sir?"
"I... um... I'm afraid that flowers... aren't my area of expertise."
You smile, surprised that he acknowledges his misgivings "Very well. May I ask for whom you wish to buy flowers?"
"My mother."
Your heart melts at that declaration since it's rare for men to come to buy flowers for their mothers and even rarer for males of his age to do so.
You stand up "Do you know what flowers she likes?"
His mouth twitches slightly up as he seems to reminisce "Sunflowers. I... want something more... special."
"I can add some red roses, sweet yellow begonias, and pansies. Make it Autumn looking."
He nods slowly "Yes. My mother always liked Autumn."
"Very well, sir." You pick up the flowers and come back to arrange them.
"You are studying architecture."
You stop working and lift your gaze as a shiver goes down your back at his statement. How does he know?
Something from your reaction must tip him off since he tilts his head toward your papers "I saw the title" he informs you as he plays with his cufflinks "It was rude of me to poke my nose in your business."
You relax "It's all right. My course was on full display. Yes, I study architecture."
"And you work here as well? Do you manage to have some time for yourself between the two?"
You can detect from his tone that he is genuinely curious and not trying to stir the conversation to a point where he can ask you out.
"I have little free time and that is usually spent with my twin."
His eyebrows go up "You have a twin? Does she study architecture as well?"
"He actually. Matt studies law."
His cheeks gain a pink hue "My apologies. It was out of line for me to assume that you have a sister."
You finish the bouquet "You needn't worry. You aren't the first one to do so." You show him the arrangement "Is this to your liking, sir?"
He nods "Yes. It looks magnificent."
"I'm glad that it is to your liking. This will be 50 dollars."
Money is exchanged for the blooms, but he hesitates to leave.
He taps the tip jar "Do you get the money or does your employer get a cut as well?"
"I get all the tips from my shift."
He nods and you stare in shock when he puts a 100 dollar bill in the jar like it's nothing but if you take into account his expensive suit it probably is.
"I... thank you, sir. You didn't have to."
"I wanted to." He bows his head slightly at you "Have a nice day."
"Thank you, sir. You as well!" You intone as he leaves the shop, still astonished by the strange man you just encountered.
You take a deep breath as you stare at yourself in the bathroom mirror. You genuinely don’t want to be here at this fancy Italian restaurant. Especially since your date is basically flaunting his wealth. You really don’t like your colleague, but you agreed on one date after he pestered you non-stop when you did a project together for Uni.
You leave the sanctuary the lady’s room offered and make your way back to the table. The view of the skyline is breathtaking, but the sight is swiftly soured by your date’s smile. You feel shivers of discomfort go through your body at his grin. You don’t wish to judge it, but you can’t help but feel like a hyena is staring at you.
You take your seat and see that the waiter brought your cocktail. Perfect timing since you really need a little buzz to take you through this date. You raise your hand and move to take it only for a large hand to come over your cocktail. You freeze and slowly lift your gaze up the arm to see who it is. Your eyebrows go up when you see the tall bald man. You remember him from when he came by the flower shop and ordered a bouquet of flowers for his mother.
“Hey! What gives?!” Your date raises his voice, and you see the people from the other tables turn to see what the commotion is about.
The heavyset man throws him an ire-filled look before focusing back on you “I think… you would be more comfortable if you joined me… at my table” he utters softly.
You always thought after you first heard him speak at the flower shop that he was nervous. Now you understand that the pauses he makes when he speaks aren’t due to shyness but to the fact that he chooses his words carefully.
You frown slightly “Why?” You inquire because even in the fleeting moment you talked to him, he was polite to a fault and courteous, not once demanding anything.
“Because he roofied your drink.”
Your eyebrows shoot up and you hear ringing in your ears, drowning out completely your date’s shouts of calumny. You faintly notice that two muscular men take the young man away as the bald male pulls a chair next to you and signals the waiter to bring you some water.
Even through your nauseous state, you see that the man ordered an unopened bottle of water. Opening it in front of you before pouring you a glass and offering it to you.
“Drink,” he says quietly, helping your trembling hands to hold the glass “Small sips” he instructs as you drink little by little.
Your ears stop ringing gradually “T-thank you.”
He gives you a reassuring smile “You’re welcome. Do you… want me to take you home?” he observes when you stiffen, and he rephrases “I will… call a cab for you.”
You nod and he stands up, offering you, his hand. His breathing falters slightly when you place your hand in his but like a true gentleman, he guides you toward the exit and hails a cab once outside. The yellow car pulls in and he helps you inside before instructing the driver to take you to the address you will provide while also giving the cabbie a hundred-dollar bill, despite your protest.
“I insist. You had… an eventful night.”
“Thank you for everything, sir.” You say sincerely.
He smiles timidly “Wilson.”
“Thank you, Wilson.”
The car pulls away and he looks after it until it takes a left “You’re welcome, Y/n.” he breathes out quietly.