Chapter 33- perfume
Janet stared dumbfounded at the blazing bouquet of roses on her desk — nine hundred and ninety-nine fiery red petals. The entire office had already caught wind of Manfred’s latest extravagant gesture the moment the courier delivered the massive arrangement to the eighty-eighth floor. Janet had heard the rumors earlier; she never imagined Manfred would be this persistent.
Just as she was about to toss the flowers again, her phone buzzed with an unknown number. A chill ran down her spine.
"Janet, you don’t like blue orchids or red roses. How about I send you some irises tomorrow?" Manfred’s deep, lazy voice came through the speaker, smooth like a purring cat — innocent on the surface, but with claws ready to strike.
"What exactly do you want, Manfred?" Janet glared at the drenched bouquet, assuming this was no passing whim. He was serious.
"No ulterior motive — I’ll keep sending until you accept them!" Manfred whistled cheerfully, his voice sharp through the line. Janet was annoyed — what was he, burning money just for fun? Those rare flowers must’ve cost a fortune.
And how on earth did he know she had thrown his flowers away?
"I’ll say it again — I’m a married woman. Stop this childish game and find someone else to bother!" Janet snapped, slamming the phone shut and dumping the bouquet straight into the trash.
As she turned toward the break room, Charles suddenly appeared behind her, eyes tracking her every move. Startled, she stepped back just as boiling water spilled on the back of her hand.
"Ouch!" she yelped in pain.
"What careless!" Charles’ handsome face softened as he stepped forward, gently removing the pink doll-decorated cup from her grasp and placing it on a nearby table. His long fingers lightly grasped her burning finger, bringing it to his lips.
Janet’s eyes widened in surprise — the sensation was electric, her pain fading as waves rippled through her heart.