21. Gemma
The doorbell startles me from my sketching on the couch. I glance at the clock. Is it afternoon already? Since we came back from Elijah yesterday, I haven’t been able to keep track of time. Through the peephole, I spy a delivery man clutching an extravagant bouquet of flowers.
As I open the door, the vibrant colors and sweet fragrance invade my senses. “Yes?”
The delivery guy eyes me curiously, his grip on the flowers tightening. “Delivery for Gemma Barron.”
I nod, my pulse quickening as I catch sight of the card nestled among the petals.
I’m sorry. Please let us talk. Love, Elijah.
Love? Is that a joke?
The flowers are beautiful.
I fold my arms across my chest. “I don’t want them.”
Lil peeks over my shoulder, gasping. I’m too late to stop her as she swoops in and grabs the flowers from the delivery man’s hands. “Thank you! Have a nice day.”
“Seriously?” I slam the door shut.
Lil shrugs, walking around our living room and trying out different places. After the third one, she leaves them and turns to me. “Aren’t they lovely?”
Yes. “No.” I grit my teeth.
“But Gem—”
“I don’t want them.” I hate him.
A few hours later, the doorbell rings again. Another bouquet.
Lil lines the windowsill with bouquet after bouquet, creating an extravagant garden of remorse. Each delivery is like a nail sinking deeper into my resolve not to reach out.
My phone buzzes, the screen lighting up with another text from the former ‘Mr. Answer Me’ now named ‘Mr. Asshole’. Yes, I didn’t block his number.
My fingers curl into fists, nails biting into palms. I won’t give in. I can’t.
I hurl the phone onto the couch.
What if he keeps going with Esther and marries her?
“Maybe you should hear him out.” Lil accepts another bouquet at the door. I watch as she places it beside the others.
“This can’t be fixed with throwing flowers at me.”
“Is he texting you?”
I nod. “Yes, he wants to talk. Apologizes.” But there’s no mention of ‘I broke up with Esther’.
“Then shouldn’t you at least consider talking to him?”
“No. He made his choice, and it wasn’t me.”
Lil sighs, understanding the depth of my feelings, and takes one of the bouquets to the kitchen counter. “Alright, do you want me to get rid of them?”
“No. It’s fine.”
“Okay.” With that, she leaves me be, retreating to her room.
The apartment falls quiet as I stare at the bouquets that now decorate our whole apartment. Way to go, Elijah.
As the sun goes down, Lil and I sit in the living room, me sketching and her reading a book. I glance up as the door opens, Mary returning from work. Her gaze lands on the flowers lining the windowsill.
“Wow. Did you guys open a flower shop while I was gone?”
“Very funny.” I roll my eyes.
“Who are they from?” Mary fumbles with her keys.
“Elijah,” Lil says.
“They’re beautiful.” Mary gets closer to the flowers, letting her fingertips glide over the petals.
“These flowers are from the asshole who strung me along while engaged to another woman.” I sit up, putting my sketchbook down.
Mary turns to me, eyebrows raised. “I know you’re upset, but you should talk to him first before writing Elijah off completely.”
I scoff. “Absolutely not. He made it very clear I’m not his priority. I’m done being his side piece.”
“It seems like he cares about you a lot and is trying to make amends.”
“Well, it’s too little too late for grand gestures.” I gesture at the bouquets surrounding us. “He can shove his flowers up his ass for all I care.”
Lil nods in agreement. “She’s right. He hasn’t actually said he broke up with Esther or showed that he has any intention to.”
“I don’t know…” Mary still fixates on the bouquets. “But talking could provide the clarity you need.”
“Elijah and I are done.”
Lil glances between us. “How about we all take a breather? It’s been a long day.”
My phone starts buzzing again on the couch. I don’t even need to check to know who it is.
“Oh, for God’s sake.” I grab my phone and decline the call before switching it to silent mode.
Mary takes off her coat and shoes. “Why don’t we order some takeout, open a bottle of wine, and watch crappy reality TV to get our minds off things? We can figure out the flowers’ situation later with cooler heads.”
I take a deep breath. “Sounds good. I’m sorry, I can’t deal with this Elijah situation right now.”
“We understand. Why don’t you pick the takeout while Mary and I open the wine?” Lil asks.
I nod, glancing at the bouquets.
The next day, I sip my morning coffee, lost in the flowers aligned along the window. As I take another sip, the sound of the doorbell startles me, and I spill some on the counter.
Please, not again. No more flowers.
Lil rises from her spot on the couch, humming as she approaches the door, probably expecting the same as me.
Another delivery guy bringing flowers.
But as she squints through the peephole, her enthusiasm wanes. Her hand hovers over the doorknob, hesitation evident in her movements. No flowers.
“Lil?” She startles at my voice.
“It’s your brother.”
“I’ll take it.” I stand up, but before I can get even close, she pulls the handle.
The door opens to reveal none other than my brother. He and Lil exchange stiff smiles. Guess they didn’t make up either.
I fold my arms across my chest as Bash steps inside. Whatever he’s here for, I’m not in the mood.
“Hey, sis. Got a minute?” He glances around the apartment, no doubt taking in all the floral chaos.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Can we go to your room?” Bash glances back to Lil, who is settled on the couch reading her book.
I nod stiffly. “Yep.”
Once inside, I shut the door and wait.
“So Elijah sent you a lot of flowers, huh?” He shoves his hands in his pockets.
My eyes narrow. “If you’re here to talk about him, you can go.”
“Will you hear me out, please? He doesn’t know I’m here.”
“Three minutes.” I sit on my bed, looking up at him.
“He feels really shitty about what happened between you two. Honestly, it’s kinda pathetic seeing him mope around like some heartbroken schoolboy.”
I snort. “Right. I’m sure he’s real torn up in his penthouse while I’m here drowning in roses.”
“Gem, c’mon. The guy legit cares about you. I’ve never seen him like this over a woman before.” Bash levels me with an earnest look. “He ended things with Esther.”
That gives me pause. “He did?”
Bash nods. “Broke it off completely. He said you’re the only one he wants to be with. Elijah screwed up, but he’s trying to make it right. Just talk to him, okay? Hear him out.”
I chew my lip. As much as I want to cling to my anger, the vindictive part of me feels smug satisfaction at winning over Esther. Ugh, I hate this.
“I’ll think about it.” My eyes focus on the floor.
“He’s a good guy. Complicated, but if I was going to approve of someone for you, it would be him.” He pauses. “You shouldn’t cut ties with him completely.”
As much as I want to argue and reject the idea outright, he has a point, and I have already signed the contract. Everything is in the works. “No promises.”
He pulls me into a quick hug. “That’s my little sis. Knew you’d come around.”
I roll my eyes and shove him towards the door. “I said, no promises.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He taps my back.
“Now get out of here before I change my mind.”
He chuckles and heads out as I slump onto my bed.
A few minutes later, I receive a message from Amelia, my contact at the design department.
Amelia: Hey, Gem. Thanks again for sending us the finished drafts. We would like to feature you in a blog article and some magazines. Getting the ball rolling. Would you be able to meet with our PR tomorrow?
Gemma: Sure, when should I come by the office?
Amelia: Around 10.30 at Oakdale Avenue.
Wait. That’s Elijah’s address. Does he think I’m stupid?
Gemma: Why can’t we meet at the office?
Amelia: To put it simply, she won’t leave her home. But she also never did a personal interview. You’ll be meeting with Novalie Milton. So ask at the reception, and they’ll guide you. Does the time work?
The time is not the problem. It’s Elijah playing his tricks again, and it’s pretty obvious this time. Novalie Milton, of course. Convenient that she lives in the same building. Well, I’ll show him there’s nothing but business left between us.
Gemma: It’s perfect. I’ll be there. Thanks.
Amelia: Great, I’ll inform her. And don’t be shy about sending us other designs. Let’s meet in the next two weeks to discuss our next steps.
Gemma: Love to.
Business it is.