Chapter 292 - 292: Mysterious Sender

*** XXX Crime Investigation Headquarters ***

It was a long time since Erick had experienced a good night's sleep. Last night, he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow while listening to Elle's singing. This time, no nightmares, only sweet dreams with Elle.

Because of that, Erick woke up very late today. And when he went to work, Erick felt refreshed. It seemed that one night was able to compensate him after experiencing a lot of sleepless nights for these past two years.

He thanked Elle and apologized to her at the same time after waking up this morning. He tried to call her but it looked like she was still asleep. So he just sent her a text message.

[ Erick: Good morning! How's your sleep? Thanks for the lullaby last night. Because of that, I had good sleep and I also dreamed of you. By the way, I am sorry, I was not able to say good night. ]

This was the message he sent this morning but until now Erick didn't receive any reply from her yet. He was now at his office, just staring at his phone and waiting for her response.

A knocking sound outside the door pulled him out of his daydream.

"Chief Lee, this is Allen. May I enter?"

"Please come in."

Allen greeted Erick with a bright smile while Erick nodded at him as a response. Other members of Alpha Cinco also went inside Erick's office.

Erick looked at his team confusedly.

"Do you also need something?" He asked them.

Allen laughed when he saw Erick's questioning gaze.

"Chief Lee, I dropped by here since I want to talk to you and your team," Allen said as he scratched his face, feeling a little bit shy.

"Oh, alright." Erick simply said as he signaled them to find their comfortable place and sit down.

After they settled down, Allen told them the reason for his sudden visit.

"Agent Marie will be celebrating her 28th Birthday one week from now. I am planning to hold a party for her and invite all her former colleagues when she was still working as an agent here. I hope you can also attend this small gathering." 

"Wow, that's so nice. You are so thoughtful, Allen!" Rose said cheerfully.

"I like that. We will make sure to come. We miss her already!" April said as she assured Allen that they would make time to attend the party.

"I smell something fishy. Be honest with us Allen. Are you dating Marie?" June asked him.

"Of course not!" Allen replied promptly, but his face was blushing.

"Maybe you mean Not Yet! I know you like her!" Bryan also commented as he teased Allen.

"Huh? Am I that obvious?"

"You move like a turtle. Very slow. Don't tell us you didn't confess to her yet." June said that made Allen becomes more flushed.

"Well. I haven't. You know… I am still waiting for the right time. Besides, she lost her memory so I don't have the courage to confess to her." Allen admitted to them.

Since their team joined forces because of Catseye's case, each member became close to one another like friends. That's why Allen could openly share his feelings with them right now.

The girls just shook their heads while Bryan and June had the urge to hit Allen in the head. On the other hand, Erick looked at Allen helplessly.

"It's been two years but you haven't made a move yet? Tsk tsk tsk. Be a man, Allen!" Rose ranted at him.

Allen felt like he was put in a hot seat as of this moment.

"Hey, don't look at me like that. Alright! Alright! I will try to confess during her birthday. Can you help me out with the preparation?" Allen shamelessly requested them.

Erick: "Sure, why not!" 

Bryan: "Count me in!" 

April: "Me too!"

Rose: "Of course, me also!"

June: "I am so excited! This gathering will also serve as our reunion! Then we never know another couple will be formed at the end of the party."

"Thank you, guys! I love you all!" Allen said as he felt grateful to them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, the girl whom they were talking about was currently entertaining a customer in her flower shop.

Marie had not yet recovered her memory. Because of that incident two years ago, her parents became afraid of almost losing their daughter. So they decided not to let their daughter work again as a policewoman. That's the main reason they put up a flower shop for her to manage.

Though she recovered well some of her ability like shooting skill was affected by her injury. She even underwent physical therapy as the left part of her body was paralyzed for more than three months.

Fortunately, her body function on her left side went back to normal after completing her six-month therapy.

Now, Marie was living well away from the dangerous jobs she had used to do in the past. However, aside from her lost memory, she felt that something was missing.

On the positive side, managing the flower shop gave her another hope and had helped her cope up with the anxiety she felt before because of losing her memories.

Even though it was hard in the beginning, Marie didn't give up and had moved on. She didn't want to waste this second chance that God had given to her. She tried her best to live simply and happily together with her family.

However, she couldn't deny the fact that deep inside, she was still hoping that one day she would recover her lost memories.

"Thank you. Come again, Ma'am." Marie politely said to her customer after she finished accommodating her.

Her customer had just left when a delivery man arrived at her shop. Marie was not surprised as she saw the delivery man who was holding a bouquet of daffodils flowers.

"Good morning, Ma'am. This is your golden daffodils for today. I wonder what color will it be tomorrow." The delivery man said to her comfortably. They were now familiar with each other.

Marie let out a soft chuckle as she accepted the flower.

What an irony, she was managing a flower shop, and yet someone was sending her flowers every day. For these past two years, she had been receiving different colors of daffodils flowers from a mysterious man.

"I wish he will show me his face and personally deliver these flowers to me," Marie mumbled as she watched the flowers with a gentle smile on her face.

"You still have no idea, who is he?" the delivery man asked her curiously.

Marie just shook her head and said. "I only knew him by his initials. B.S"

Along with the flowers was a card. Sometimes the card contained simple messages such as:

"You're so lovely when you smile."

"Wishing you good health and happy life."

"I will be guarding and watching you from a distance."

"I always remember you."

There were also times that the card didn't contain any message, only initials of the sender written as [ From B.S. ]

"Maybe he is your close friend who is secretly in love with you or someone who wants to have a fresh start with you." The delivery man shared his thoughts with her.

"Why do you think so?" Marie asked him curiously.

"I felt like I became your regular delivery man because of this flower." The man scratched his head shyly. 

"The truth is I am also curious about this mysterious sender. He is very consistent, sending you flowers for these past two years. So one time I researched what is the meaning of the daffodil flower. I found out that it symbolizes rebirth or a new beginning. It can also mean unrequited love."

Marie couldn't help letting out a soft giggle.

"Me too. I did that. That's why I become so intrigued by this person. Hmm. Anyway, do you think he also received my messages?"

"Yes. Someone was picking it up in our office every time he would send this daffodil." The delivery man answered with certainty.

For the past six months, Marie also started sending the person a flower and a message. Replying to him and asking him to meet her personally. But to her disappointment, he never came nor visited her.

Marie put the flowers in the base then she also picked up a bouquet of Aster flowers and put the card where she had written her message beforehand. She handed it over to the delivery man.

"Have you seen his face?"

"Sad to say, no, Ma'am. Different persons are coming to our office on his behalf."

"I hope this time he will show up after he read my message," Marie said with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"Don't worry Ma'am. I am positive that the two of you will meet soon."