"Sir?" he exclaimed, gaining the attention of passersby.

Fredrick who became the object for spectators cleared his throat, "Just call me Fredrick"

"I am sorry about your shirt sir" Sam apologized again.

Fredrick's lip twitched when he addressed him as sir, " You see Sam, I cannot accept your apology" he said with a serious face.

"I..I can pay for laundry" he said nervously, twisting the end of his sweatshirt.

Cute, Fredrick thought in mind.

"You know, I will give you an easy choice. Call me Fredrick and I will accept your apology" he smiled at him.

Sam hesitated for a second but he also didn't want to make things complicated.

"Fredrick" he called in a small voice.

"There we go. Simple isn't it?" He placed the flowers in the passenger's seat and faced him.

"So, What are you doing here?" he questioned him, curious to know more about him.

"Oh, I am on my way to the bar. I took an evening shift today" he answered, still fidgeting with his sweater.

"Mr. Fredrick, could you please share your number so that I can wire the laundry cost?" he asked hesitantly.

Fredrick, who has been immersed in observing the adorable small movements of the man before him, completely forgets about his ruined shirt. But not wanting to lose the chance to get his number he took out his mobile and gave him his contact details.

Realizing that he has been running out of time for his part time job, Sam quickly bowed to him and rushed along the way.

"Ah" remembering the hanky he had in his pocket, he took it out and saw the way Sam had rushed into.

"Look like we have to meet again" he smiled and put it inside his pocket.

He accelerated his car towards his home. On entering his home he saw his mother talking and laughing with someone on the phone whereas his father was nowhere to be seen. Seeing his son, Gloria ended the call and moved forward to hug his son.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"My dear sweet son, Have you just remembered your mother?" she patted her son and looked at him longingly.

"Come on mom we met two days ago" He handed her the flowers he bought, hugged her mother's neck and kissed her cheek.

"Where is dad?" he asked her who was engrossed in the pink clove flowers in her hand.

"Mom?"

"Oh, He is in his study. Go and meet him" she urged him.

Gloria with the pink clove flowers in her hands entered her room and walked into her walk in closet.

As she placed the pink clove flowers on the vanity table, she turned to face the full-length mirror, her eyes meeting her own reflection. There was a gentle reverence in her gaze as she spoke to the mirror as if it held the spirit of her beloved.

"Babe! See what I got for you," she murmured, her hand reaching out to touch the surface of the mirror with a delicate caress. Her fingers traced the edges of the mirror as if seeking a connection beyond the glass.

"Babe, it's a pink clove. Do you know what it represents?" she continued, her voice filled with a mixture of longing and affection. She picked up one of the flowers and placed it in her hair, her eyes never leaving the mirror's surface.

"It means…I will never forget you," she whispered, her gaze fixed on her reflection as if searching for a response.

A soft smile graced her lips as she leaned in to press a kiss against the mirror, her affectionate gesture a testament to the bond she shared with her unseen companion. The mirror, a silent observer to her gestures, reflected her every movement with clarity.

"Hey, what's up with the dark clouds above our boss's head?" the mechanic nudged his fellow worker, pointing discreetly towards Alex.

"Who knows? He's been like that for an entire week," the other mechanic shrugged, focusing back on his work.

Alex sighed heavily for the umpteenth time in a day, all thanks to Conan Grey.

Just then, the sound of tires screeching caught his attention, and he turned to see Siren parking her bike in front of the shed. His expression softened as he watched her, feeling a sense of relief at her arrival.

Siren lifted the small boy who was seated in front of her on the bike and set him down on the ground. The boy adjusted his backpack and then reached out to hold Siren's pinky finger, a gesture that never failed to melt Alex's heart.

"Grandpa" he addressed him and bowed to him.

Alex awed at his cuteness as he picked him up in his arms. Aiden who dislikes being sticky and sappy with others obediently lay in his arms.

"What happened? Did you pick him up from school?" Alex inquired, his curiosity piqued, as he settled onto the sofa beside Siren, who was engrossed in her phone.

"Hmm. His car broke down in the middle," Siren replied calmly, her attention still on her phone.

"How did you come to know this?" Alex asked, puzzled by how she managed to pick up the boy who was standing in the middle of the road somewhere.

Siren looked at him as if his brain cells were roasted by the sun, she closed her phone and waved it in front of him, "He called me."

"You... you exchanged contacts?" Alex asked, astounded by the revelation.

As a father himself, he had begged for two weeks to get his daughter's number.

The injustice!