🌸 Chapter 5:
Inside the flower shop, morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting soft light over wrapped bouquets and scattered petals. Paige arranged a bouquet of lilies, her hands moving automatically, though her mind was elsewhere.
Lena had just left for a delivery. Eliot sat quietly behind the cash box, flipping through receipts.
A customer beamed as Paige handed over the finished bouquet. Eliot took the cash and watched them leave with a cheerful goodbye.
Paige's gaze lingered on the empty doorway.
"I can't stop thinking about that man," she murmured.
Eliot looked up. "What man?"
"The one who came here… the rich one. The one Lena won't talk about." She pulled a sleek, dark card from her apron pocket and handed it to him. "His business card. I kept it."
Eliot frowned at the name embossed in gold. "Paige… maybe we should stay out of it. If she doesn't want to speak to him, maybe he's no good for her."
Paige shot him a sharp look. "You think I don't know that? But with someone like him, we need to verify who he is ourselves. We still have a say in her life."
He hesitated. "I… guess you're right."
"I am right," Paige said briskly, already pulling out her phone. "Let's call while she's out."
At the Shade Mansion
In Will Shade's mansion, final preparations for his departure were underway.
"This is the last day, Jin," Will said sharply, adjusting the tailored coat around his shoulders.
Jin followed him out of the foyer, clipboard in hand. "I'll head there after your airport run, sir."
Will paused. "When I return, I want everything settled."
"Understood. Everything for the trip is in the car. And Madam Tiana confirmed that all arrangements are ready."
"Tell the financial team that tomorrow's meeting will be virtual. And don't come to the airport."
"Yes, sir," Jin replied.
As Will stepped into the sleek black car waiting outside, Jin's phone buzzed. Unknown number.
He answered calmly, "Jin speaking."
A woman's voice came through, polite but cautious.
"Hello, Mr. Jin? From Lumina Corp?"
"Yes. Who is this?"
"It's Paige Morisawa—Lena's mother."
Jin's posture straightened slightly.
"Thank you for calling, Mrs. Morisawa."
"I'm sorry to disturb you," Paige said, her tone warming. "But… we were hoping to meet and talk about the situation."
A small smile touched Jin's lips. So they finally reached back.
"I'm on my way now," he said smoothly.
A Deal is Struck
An hour later, Jin sat across from Paige and Eliot in their modest living room. As impeccable as ever, he opened the sleek folder and placed it gently on the table.
"I'll be brief," he began. "The contract outlines a one-year marriage arrangement. Strictly formal. Miss Lena will retain her independence. No obligations beyond public appearances."
Eliot frowned. "Marriage… without love? Without her even knowing?"
Jin's expression didn't flicker. "Nothing will harm her. In fact, it's designed to benefit her—and you. I understand you have debts. Tuition fees for your son. If this contract is signed, all of that disappears."
Paige leaned forward, eyes glinting. "She'll live with him?"
"Yes. In comfort. Surrounded by security. She'll be provided for, and so will your family. You may even set your own conditions."
Eliot rubbed his jaw. "Feels wrong… signing something like this for her."
"She'll never be mistreated," Jin said evenly. "We simply need her agreement to finalize the arrangement. But this"—he tapped the contract—"opens the door."
Paige's hand tightened around the pen. "Think about it. Kyle's internship. His future. Lena may not understand now, but later she'll thank us."
Eliot hesitated. Then signed.
So did Paige.
Jin stood, slipping the documents into his briefcase. "Thank you. I'll handle the rest."
Meanwhile – Lena
On her way home, Lena sat by the bus window, a paper bag of food resting on her lap as the city blurred past.
She scrolled absently through her phone. Trending tags flooded every app:
#WhoIsTheFlowerGirl
#WillShadeEngaged?
#ShadeScandal
Three days. It had been three days since that ridiculous press conference, and the internet still hadn't moved on. Speculation videos, blurry photos, and even body language analysis filled her feed.
She sighed and locked her screen.
"This isn't my life," she muttered. "And I'm not playing into it."
As the bus slowed to her stop, she slung her backpack over her shoulder and hopped off, starting the short walk home.
A sleek black car rolled down the street, its windows tinted.
"Huh," she murmured, watching it disappear. "That's the second time I've seen that car…"
The driver's profile seemed… oddly familiar.
She frowned, shaking it off.
"Hello! I'm home—and guess what I brought?" she called as she stepped inside.
Before she could take off her shoes, Paige rushed in, her face beaming like sunlight.
"My angel! My sweet, sweet daughter!"
Lena blinked. "What's going on?"
"Just sit down! I'll cook anything you want tonight. Chicken? Steak? You name it!"
"Are you okay?"
"I've never been better! You've changed our lives. You—you're the best daughter in the world!"
Lena stared at her, dumbfounded.
"What… is going on?"
Meanwhile, in the back room, Eliot sat stiffly at the table, the signed contract still in front of him.
The pen rested beside it like a guilty secret.
Lena looked between them.
Something was off.