Love Began with the First Meeting

After being slapped by Vivi abruptly, Ximena was in a really bad mood. With no enthusiasm to work, she dismissed her staff, gave them the rest of the day off, grabbed her bag and turned to leave.

But her body became sluggish as she remembered the scene where Aaron had taken Vivi away from there. The corner of her lips curled into a pitiful smirk. Without her even realizing it, deep sadness crept into her eyes.

Back at the manor, the flowers were in full bloom because it was early spring, and the fragrance, mixed with the air, reached her in waves. She stood under a huge tree which was full of flowers and was lost in her thoughts. A light wind stirred up her long hair, and a shower of petals fell on her shoulders and head.

Another year had slipped by quietly. So many things had happened to her that year, but her memories were so vivid, like they had happened just yesterday.

Mixed emotions took over her as she remembered the things that she had gone through this past year-the pain, the injuries, and the tender, romantic feelings. If she just took a step back, gave up her indifference and pride, and trusted his love for her, could she get the warmth he had promised and also have what he called "home"? She asked herself the question as she stood silently.

Ximena picked up a petal from her shoulder and inadvertently smiled. She had no idea if her smile was full of bitterness from the acceptance of her destiny, knowing that she was just so helpless... Or was she really hoping to find something worth smiling in her future? The flowers would bloom again when the season changed. So, why did she have to cling to the past and never let it go? In any case, he wouldn't let her go, and... Deep inside, she didn't want to leave either.

"Miss Mo, you are off work early today," a servant greeted her with a smile. Although Ximena seemed arrogant and aloof, the servants at the villa knew that she was kind-hearted, so they all kind of loved her. Ximena came back to her senses, withdrew her gaze from the falling petals and said, "I was a bit tired."

The servant felt that something was off. She realized that Ximena was in a bad mood, but she had no way of finding out the reason. However, when she saw the red mark on Ximena's face, she was startled and said immediately, "Miss Mo, I'll call the doctor at once." "There's no need to call the doctor. Please find the medicine box for me. I'll just apply some gel to subside the swelling," Ximena said indifferently, thinking of it as no big deal. She was not in any pain, at least not physically.

"I am sorry, Miss Mo, but I insist," the servant said firmly. She turned around and quickly walked towards the villa to make the urgent call.

The doctor came immediately. Vivi was a weak little woman, and she wasn't strong enough to create much damage. So Ximena's injury was not serious. The doctor applied some medicine on her face and left soon after.

Since Ximena had returned to the villa early, she was bored out of her mind. She looked at the sea of multiflora roses opposite the glass door and smiled gently. She had once heard the servants' gossiping that every part of the manor was carefully designed and arranged by Aaron himself. The bookshelf in the flower room was also his design, and he had personally bought all the books about designing from the bookstore. These small things warmed her heart.

She opened the glass door and immediately felt a rush of fragrance engulfing her. Each flower was delicate, yet beautiful. They were very well cared for.

In the language of flowers, multiflora rose meant, "I miss you". She was fond of these flowers the most, even though the rugosa rose was more dignified and graceful.

Ximena walked amidst the bunch of flowers and picked a few of them to decorate the room. As soon as she touched the branch of the multiflora roses, her finger pricked on its thorn and blood oozed out, dripping down onto the flowers. Ximena frowned. The pain reminded her of a tale she had heard before-a story about the multiflora rose.

In the garden of a prince, before there was a rugosa rose, there was only one multiflora rose, which the prince took care of and cherished wholeheartedly. Later one day, a rugosa rose bloomed next to the multiflora rose. The prince affectionately took care of the little rugosa rose with its pretty buds; he watched its petals unfold gradually till it bloomed into beautiful flowers. Its shy pistils were embraced by the silky petals, as if it were smiling. It was so calm, so elegant, and its fragrance spread in the wind, its petals gently rippling the smell of happiness. The multiflora rose and the rugosa rose became good friends. The multiflora rose would gladly wait for the prince every day while the prince too, as always, would care for it deeply. But occasionally he would fix his gaze on the rugosa rose and cherish it for a long time, and he would gently sweep the weeds away for around it. As time went on, the prince's attention drifted increasingly to the delicate rugosa rose. He would be delighted to see its gorgeous bloom; he would heave a heavy sigh when it was surrounded by weeds; he would be gloomy when it was spiritless and withering. All his attention was given to the rugosa rose. Since then, his smile became exclusive to it. The multiflora rose could only discretely watch the prince, desperately looking forward to the time when he would give it some love too, until one day, the multiflora rose withered completely and died.

"Miss Mo, dinner is ready. Would you like to have it now?" the servant asked Ximena kindly, interrupting her thoughts. It was really late into the night.

"No, I'll wait and have it with him when he's back," Ximena said. She laughed at herself for being accustomed to having dinner with him. "You may get back to your work. I want to be alone for now."

The servant seemed to want to persuade her to have dinner, but when she looked at Ximena's indifferent face indicating her cold refusal, she zipped up her mouth and walked away.

The night turned increasingly dark, and Ximena was sitting in front of the designing desk. She felt a chill, but didn't want to go to bed. She slightly increased the temperature of the air-conditioner and started drawing lines for the dress which was to be specially made for Mrs. Zhao and Mrs. Li while she patiently waited for Aaron's return.

The ticking of the clock made it impossible for her to concentrate on her design. Her gaze uncontrollably went towards the clock frequently. Half past ten... Eleven... Half past eleven... Twelve. She waited for him hour after hour... 'He's not coming back tonight, is he?' Ximena asked herself with a sad smile. 0000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐