Chapter One

Elaine.

It was a warm afternoon and the sunshine covered the fallen autumn leaves with a beautiful gold hue. I was on my way to get seedlings for my flowers and took this moment to enjoy my Saturday after a busy week. I slowed my steps when I approached the large greenhouse before going in.

“Hello, Elaine. It’s been a while,” Mr. Fisher, the owner of the greenhouse, said as I walked towards him. He was currently slightly bended over as he pruned some plants and he glanced at me briefly before getting back to work.

“It really has,” I replied with a small smile.

“What have you been up to?” He put down the pruning shears before taking off his black gloves. “I almost thought that you gave up on your shop.”

I laughed nervously. “Just because I’m not an expert, doesn’t mean that I’ll quit at every problem.”

“I know. That’s why I agreed to you getting some flowers in the first place.”

Mr. Fisher was an old man who was friends with my late parents. After I started taking care of my little sister, Audrey, I decided to open a flower shop. Being someone who never really owned plants, it was tough but I soon got the hang of it. I even did arrangements for small functions. Mr. Fisher was the only person I knew who was a supplier and would give me flowers on credit.

“I always do my best.”

“And you never disappoint,” he chuckled. I handed him a list of the flowers I needed and he nodded at me. “The tulips aren’t ready yet but I’ve got everything else. Wait a bit.”

I nodded as he gathered all the plants and seeds I needed. I busied myself by naming all the plants that met my eyes, seeing if I still remembered them. Being in the business I was in, I had to study about flowers and how to take care of them.

I didn’t wait long before he arrived with everything I ordered and after giving him his money, I made my way to my car. In the parking lot, I noticed a blonde woman walking in my direction and the zipper of her purse was open. I quickened my steps and purposely bumped into her. Despite my arms being occupied with a box of goods, I quickly slipped my hand in her purse and pulled out what I guessed, and hoped, was money.

Hiding my hand under the box, I looked over my shoulder at her and apologised. Arriving at my car, I unlocked it and put the box at the backseat. I closed the back door and settled into the driver seat before taking a look at my prize. Lucky for me, I scored two hundred dollars. Smiling, I started my car - my radio coming alive with the Harry Styles playlist I had on earlier – and made my way home.

~

Reaching my small flower shop, I parked my car and got my stuff before heading inside. Balancing the box on one arm, I opened the door and the sight of the flowers around brightened my mood. I put the box on a table and made my way to the counter before putting the money in the tip jar. I looked up and saw the poster my nineteen years old sister drew when she was fifteen and stuck on the wall. I had bought the place a few days prior and she wanted to encourage me.

“To New Beginnings,” it read in dark blue marker and a lousy attempt at a drawing of a flower in red marker was next to it.

My smile slowly faded and my throat felt tight as I thought about what I just did.

I promised myself that I wouldn’t do that anymore for the sake of my sister, but there was only so much money a flower shop could give. Trying to shake the guilt off, I convinced myself that since I was using the money for a good thing, that woman just helped out. That I was almost reaching my goal so I shouldn’t think about it too much.

“Ah, hello,” a man greeted as he entered the shop. “Long time no see.”

I turned around and froze at the sight of him. “David.”

He grinned. “You don’t look happy to see me.”

“I didn’t expect you here. Didn’t we agree not to meddle in each other’s business after we disbanded?”

He sighed. “I heard that your sister’s in the hospital.”

“If you’ve come to threaten me-“

“No." He shook his head. "Not even a little bit. I need your help actually.”

“Well, that’s rich. Coming from someone who never helped.”

“I’m here to help you too. We’re gonna make a lot of money when this works out.”

In the past, David was more of a “business partner” than a friend. Hell, we weren’t partners either. We made plans to make money together with two other people then shared whatever we got. Even though we leaned on each other a lot, we didn’t trust each other much. But David knew the best places and people to strike and him coming here while talking about money probably meant doing something illegal.

“I told you, I’m out of that life,” I said as I leaned against the table and examined him from his sandy blonde hair to his black leather boots. “We all are. Well, most of us by the looks of it.”

“What are you being so hesitant about? It’s just this one time. Seeing that Audrey is still in the hospital, I bet that you don’t have the money to pay the bills.“

“Don’t involve my sister in this,” I interrupted.

“Come on, Elaine. Do you seriously think that this little shop will support you for long? It’s just one night. We’ll make money and go our separate ways.”

I sighed. “Why me?”

“A large company is throwing a party. The people they hired cancelled and I heard that they’re looking for a replacement who is good at flower arranging and decorating.”

My eyes widened and I shook my head. “No, nope. If anything goes wrong, they’ll suspect my shop and I already have enough trouble. The last thing I need is a prison sentence.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll only stand out in the beginning then we’ll blend in as the staff as the night progresses. Other people will obviously be hired for other things so, they’ll be suspects too. All we have to do is avoid suspicion.”

“And if we get caught?”

“We won’t. We just have to be extra careful then we’re done.”

I thought about it for a while, carefully drawing out my options before settling on a decision. “What’s the plan? Going to steal from a company party will be difficult. If they showcase their merchandise, it’ll obviously be guarded and closely watched.”

“We’re not aiming at the company.” He smiled. “We’re aiming at the guests.”

David looked so sure of himself as he began to explain in detail and I listened carefully. Given the situation I was in, this would help me financially and I’d really be done with it for good. I sighed as I gave in to him. This was the last time anyway, what could possibly go wrong?