Chapter 309 - 309: No Daffodils For Today

Two days before Marie's birthday, Allen did his best to manage everything. He arranged the venue, contacted their colleagues as he invited them, and even went to Marie's house to connive with her parents for this surprise birthday party.

Bryan, Rose, and April helped him in the preparation. The upcoming party also held great importance for Allen. That day he would step up to muster his courage and confess his feelings for her.

He was excited and nervous at the same time. No one knew how this event would end up but he just wished that Marie would give him a chance… a chance to love her with all his heart.

The two of them had been working together as part of Special Task Force Eagle for the past three years. He got to know her. He had been admiring her since then. He was even aware of Marie's failed relationsh.i.p.s in the past.

If Marie needed a drinking buddy, Allen was always there for her. He became her shoulders to cry on. She would always vent her frustration with him. They became closer as good friends but his feelings for her deepened as time went by.

He decided to confess to her once they solved Catseye's case. However, that mischief happened. Marie got injured and almost lost her life. And the saddest thing was Marie also lost her memories.

He regretted not telling her sooner. After that, he couldn't find the courage to confess since Marie couldn't remember anything. He needed to start from scratch and make new memories with her.

For the past two years, Allen always made sure to visit and stay closer to Marie. He knew how hard it was for her, having no recollection of her past. She couldn't recognize her friends and colleagues even her parents.

But Allen served as her time machine. He would always talk to her, telling her stories of what Marie was used to do in the past. He patiently introduced her to their former colleagues and her friends.

Sometimes he would bring photo albums, then Allen would start talking about the moments behind those photos. Just like that, they became good friends once again. Marie became comfortable with him. Allen had helped her adjust to her difficult situation.

After meeting Marie's parents, Allen decided to drop by her flower shop. When he entered the shop, he saw Marie arranging the flowers.

Her hair was tied in a bun. She was wearing a simple yellow dress. She was simply beautiful with her get-up. 

She was too immersed with what she was doing that she failed to notice Allen's presence. Allen remained quiet as he watched her. His eyes were following her every move. There was a wide grin on his face.

After a while, Allen decided to let her know about his presence. He went to her back and tried to tickle her on her waist.

"Oh my.. what the!" Marie gasped in surprise when she felt a hand on her waist trying to tickle her.

Thud!

"Aw!" Allen squealed in pain after Marie's elbow hit his abdomen.

"Allen!" Marie exclaimed after she saw his face.

"Are you stupid?! Frightening me like that!" Marie complained to him, putting her arms in her waist.

Allen chuckled seeing her annoyed expression.

"I am sorry. I just want to surprise and tease you. I've been here for several minutes now but still, you did not notice me." Allen explained.

"That was a hard hit…. You know!" Allen added as he rubbed his hurt abdomen.

Marie just shook her head helplessly.

"It's your fault!" Marie said as she pouted.

"I know." Allen chuckled once again, scratching his face.

"By the way, why are you here?" Marie asked him, putting the flowers away before she turned to face him again.

"I missed you, that's why I came to see you," Allen stated.

Marie was stunned for a moment after hearing that.

Allen let out another soft chuckle.

"Hey… I am just kidding! Why are you giving me a face like that?"

Marie shot him a glare. "I knew it! You are just here to piss me off!"

Allen pinched her cheeks. "Hey don't be mad. I brought you your favorite snacks!"

Marie's face brightened up as he mentioned her favorite snacks.

"Really?"

"[email protected] You are really easy to bribe. Tsk tsk tsk. Come… let's have some snacks first." Allen gently pulled her towards the bench inside the shop.

They sat down and started to dig in the food he brought. The favorite snack of Marie which Allen was referring to was a homemade coconut baked ch.i.p.s with chocolate fillings. It was baked by Allen, himself.

"Now, I forgive you!" Marie blurted out cheerfully.

"Hmmm. So delicious. I really really really like it!" 

'I hope you will like the one who baked this too.' Allen thought to himself as he watched Marie who was happily eating the coconut ch.i.p.s.

After a while, Allen got a call from the headquarters. As much as he wanted to stay and spend more time with Marie but he couldn't. Duty called! Soon, he bade her goodbye and left.

Marie was glad to see him today. She won't feel bored every time Allen would come around and accompany her.

Today was not a busy day in her flower shop. There were only a few customers dropping by. Marie checked her watch. She frowned, wondering why the delivery man of her daffodils flower was not yet around.

At this hour of the day, he would always come to deliver the flowers.

"Why is he taking so long to arrive? Does it mean Mr. B.S didn't send any flowers today? But why? Did something wrong happen to him? Is he busy?" Marie mumbled to herself as she pondered.

Several hours had passed but the delivery which Marie was expecting didn't arrive. Because of that, she felt sad and anxious at the same time. She was worried about the sender. 

'What if something bad happened to him? This is the first time he missed sending flowers. Should I call the delivery man's office to ask about him?'

"Oh gosh. What am I thinking? Forget it… maybe he is just busy today." Marie said, convincing herself but deep down, she felt bothered.

To push the thoughts away, Marie just occupied herself arranging flowers in her shop. She was busy cutting the thorns of the roses when a customer entered her shop.

Marie immediately stopped what she was doing as she faced the customer.

"Hello, welcome to our flower shop. How may I help you… s-sir?" 

Marie didn't know why but the moment she saw her customer's face her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

'Is it because the customer in front of her is a very gorgeous man?'

Badum! Badum! Badum!

Her heart began to pound rapidly in her chest when the man suddenly flashed his very charismatic smile that could melt any woman's heart.

'Sh!t! Don't just stand there like a fool Marie! Talk… talk to him!' Marie scolded herself inwardly as she didn't know what to do.

Why is she suddenly acting so foolish like this? This was not the first time she saw handsome men. But this person had a different effect on her.

"Hi!" The man greeted her with his cool voice.

'His voice… he sounded familiar. Do I know him?'

After what seemed like ages, finally, Marie had recovered her wits.

"Hmm, sir… what flowers do you want to order? We have so many fresh flowers here. You can choose the one that you like most. I will arrange it for you."

Marie sounded very calm but deep down she felt very nervous… and excited? Excited for what?

The man smiled once again at her before he spoke up.

"I am not here to buy some flowers. I came here to meet you. I got your message. Sorry… I forgot to buy daffodils flowers today. I rushed here as soon as I arrived today." 

Marie gasped in surprise after hearing his remarks.

'Got my message? Daffodils flowers?'

"A-Are you… are you Mr. B.S? The sender of daffodils flowers?" 

She was baffled. She didn't expect him to come today personally. She waited for this moment to finally meet him. But now he was here, she was still shocked.

'[email protected]! Mr. B.S… is so masculine… like a living Adonis!'

The man extended his hand as he introduced himself to her.

"Yes, I am that Mr. B.S. Brandon Stone… this is my name."