9 Back on Track

Despite Angela wanting her to stay longer, Lyra decided it was time to return back home. She had been gone for almost two whole weeks and the flowers would surely miss her.

Kurtis offered to at least accompany her back on the boat ride back to the main island, but Lyra politely declined, advising him to spend the time catching up with her sister. She also didn't accept any of his fancy arrangements to stop by a few popular spots and have his friends take her around, saying that it was already too much that he covered all her travel expenses.

He had already shown her utmost hospitality, and she shouldn't expect any more just because her sister's fiancé happened to be well to do.

But despite telling Kurtis that she would be fine on her own, a personal chauffeur was already awaiting her arrival the minute the yacht landed on the main islands. From there, he drove the VIP guest to the airport where instead of lounging at the main facilities, she was instructed to head for the FBO where the captain personally greeted her pre and post flight.

And when she finally returned home after being dropped off by another one of Kurtis's drivers, Lyra was surprised by a tomboyish girl donning brilliant short hair standing in her shop tending to her flowers.

Rose was her name. It fit and didn't fit her at the same time. She was gorgeous, but definitely not fragile.

For the first few days, Lyra was shy around the new hire who also happened to be her new roomie in place of Angela, but immediately fell in love with her relaxed personality and genuine passion for floristry. Rose was the kind of friend she wished to find in college but never had the chance of meeting. Lucky for her, Rose quite liked her back so it didn't take long for them to become comfortable.

"Where're you going?" Lyra asked, seeing Rose walking out the shop with a glorious vase of flowers that she didn't remember receiving an order for.

"Just dropping this off and making sure the rest of the order has been filled," Rose called back, inches from the door.

"Do you need the keys?" Lyra dashed behind the counter for the car keys but her colleague was already gone.

[I hope wherever she is delivering isn't far…and when did we start doing deliveries year-round?]

Maybe Angela suggested it now that there were two people. Lyra only hoped Rose didn't leave the shop unattended to do deliveries when she was away.

But there was really no need for Lyra's concerns for Rose never delivered anything before this or planned on doing so in the future. She was only dropping by the luxurious hotel across the street.

No one questioned the young lady with the pretty plant as she walked in the lobby, passed the staff, and took the VIP elevator straight up to the third top floor, the management headquarters.

"Ms. Rose!" the staff on duty stood up in respect and saluted, some with nervousness written all over their faces at the unexpected visit. "It's an honor to have you drop by this branch also."

She casually waved her hand to tell them to ease up.

"Louis in?"

They nodded and pointed in at the closed door. Rose gave a quick double knock and opened the door to see the older man on the phone. Seeing him occupied, she put the flowers on the guest table, plopped herself onto the sofa and picked up a magazine when she recognized the guy on the cover.

"NASCAR Fan Favorite Kurtis Wellington Spotted Back on Track in Sydney" the headlines read.

"Kurt's getting back into racing huh?" Rose wondered aloud and flipped to the page of the article.

"Seems like it," Louis said, getting up from his chair and walking to the guest area of his large office.

"Mr. Hotelman. Ow ya goin' mate?" Rose said coming in for a bro hug.

Louis gave her a good fatherly pat instead, insisting that her gesture was much too hip for a man his age.

"Very good Rose. By the way, the new flowers are lovely, the guests and staff all love it. But just curious, why the sudden change of suppliers?"

Rose's expression beckoned the old man to voice out his questions.

"I mean, it's not just this branch, but also our two other branches are switching over to a small localized store?"

The young lady lifted her shoulders. "Dunno. Gotta ask Big Boss," she said, pointing at the man on the magazine.

Louis poured a glass for himself and the guest. "Haven't heard from the lad since the bingle. No news for a whole year. Thought he decided to retire and take over the family business full-time."

"At twenty-six? Nah pops!" Rose finished the cup in one downing. "Kurt has room for a few more trophies."

"And we have room for a little more pocket change," the old man caught Rose, knowing her gambler's soul. That's why they got along quite well despite him being double her age.

"Say, heard the playboy's settling down. Know anything 'bout the gal?"

Rose beckoned him closer and the hotelman leaned forward in overflowing curiosity. When he got close enough, she cleared her throat and whispered. "None of ya bizzo."

The senior sent her a faked angry expression but couldn't manage it for long. "Ah. She one of those bombshells he usually brings home?" When his junior only smirked, he continued. "Take it from this old man who divorced three times, don't marry someone you think you love. Marry the one you know you need."

"That's actually pretty good," Rose said while getting up to leave. "But sometimes you just don't know who you need until you really need her. And you gotta make the right mistakes to get there."

There was something more in her words, but Louis didn't dare explore it at the moment. She didn't expect him to either. "I'm taking this," Rose grabbed the magazine swiftly as she stood.

Like the gentleman he was, Louis got up and opened the door for the miss who looked even more beautiful from the last time he saw her. "Just pass on the message to your cousin. Don't say I didn't warn him."

She grinned her stunning smile as the elevator doors closed and Louis felt himself falling in love with it one more time. He didn't expect to see her again like this, but was sure thrilled he did.

After the nice little chat, Rose responsibly headed back for work. She was a street away from the flower shop when she recognized the tall and broad-shouldered silhouette of her lucky racer.

Quickly, Rose flipped out her phone and dialed Leonard's number.

"Leonard, heard Kurt's back in town? He not supposed to be in Straya 'til next week?"

"Mr. Wellington had an impromptu meeting this morning. He may be tired from the flight and normally doesn't seek company until after he's settled down. So best look for him a little later. Also, he doesn't want anyone to know he's back so bite ya bum ay," the family butler added with the Aussie slang he learned before hanging up.

[Kurt hates going anywhere except home or wherever he's staying after a flight. What's he doing here?] Rose pondered, walking back to the shop. [He checkin' up on me? I doubt it.]

The younger cousin was only five feet away from the entrance when she halted, scaring the other pedestrians behind her.

[Can't be me so then...he checkin' up on Lyra?]

Yeah. That sounded more like it. Rose couldn't stop a grin from surfacing as she decided to enter from the back door.