The Zero Countdown

Chapter 18: Nothing to hide

Slightly touching the flower petals and appreciating its unwilted beauty, a kind and thoughtful approach like a man would do as he glimpses at the colorful blossoms surrounding him.

From there he harbor no hostility nor regrets, Elyon slowly had taken steps towards the counter where Saya is waiting for him. The two customers he thought were the targets he should eliminate had done their business eventually left; leaving the fool and the murderer in an enclosed space no one would disturb.

"Would you recommend the right flowers I'll offer for my deceased family? I'm down lately, I'll give them a visit later." Elyon's transparency showed his griefs.

The subtle melancholy in his voice contains no lies; for he really thought since he's in a flower shop, he might as well buy something that he can leave upon the grave of the family he cherished in the past.

"Oh, I offer my sincerest condolences to... hm, may I know your name? I'm Saya, it's okay if you're uncomfortable with my sudden intrusion, but I prefer addressing an individual personally when they lost someone they loved." Saya guided Elyon on a nearby shelf containing the budding variety of flowers to choose from.

"You're kind, Saya. I'm Elyon, your average unemployed individual who had lost everything for not realizing their value." He began mumbling to himself, never expecting the time when he'll share his past with a bloodthirsty murderer, truly he couldn't fathom how even the world works.

"Aw... Don't be harsh on yourself Elyon! Having my own flower shop means I could grow my garden while I'm working, but I never foresaw that my customers are mostly those who lost their special someone. It's true that the like of you coming here is common, but I still couldn't process the sadness they had to bear alone..."

Saya turned lightly next to the other corner, hiding the subtle tears she's wiping with her handkerchief.

Even though Elyon already is aware she's faking it, although, there was a part of him that tells him she's being honest at that very moment.

"Sorry that I made your day unhappier..." Elyon said as he brushes his index finger on the thorns of velvet rose at its peak.

"No, no, it's not your fault. By the way, about what you should pick... I have three suggestions exactly for your needs." Saya assured.

"I'll be your guest," Elyon replied.

Navigating through the myriad of greenery and budding sprouts, they stumbled upon a captivating color of pink mixing in the innocence of white growing in a large pot. Saya presents her first suggestion as they admire its ephemeral magnificence amongst the rest.

"What I have here is a flowering plant, peony, which is mostly popular due to its wide choices of color in the wild. But aside from its qualities, the reason why it sells the most around here is that it symbolizes the healing of the person who lost the reason to live after someone they care for passes away." Saya explained.

Elyon doesn't need to think of what she did nor how driving she must be, but he would consider himself blind if he doesn't acknowledge that Saya's enjoying the way of explaining the said flower established from her articulation and overworked gestures.

"Is that so? The people in this city must be desperate for salvation... But what about this one?" Elyon can't handle Saya getting emotional so he deviates a little bit and pushes their conversation further.

"You actually have a keen eye, aren't you? That's my second recommendation, calla lilies. People loved them because they can grow well in pots and containers. But aside from it, they are colorful as well and largely they grow in white. It initially signifies marriage and fidelity, now, they symbolize death, and thus, they are the second used for grievance and loss." Saya expounded, caressing its large growing petal so gently and free.

"Death... The opposite word of life yet holds deeper meaning than existence." Elyon mumbled on his own. Saya had thought she's making him remember his painful past so she guided him in front of her shop where various roses are blossoming than ever.

Since they are outside, Brina sits on the bench, silently observing the two of them from a distance. She can't interfere prematurely and chose not to intervene without Elyon's permission.

"Lastly, surely you've heard of this but as redundant as it may seem, roses are the top options in Hestia Flower Shop. They represent love and passion, be it dead or alive, their redness paints those who are lost the will of existence. Reminding them that pain is not there to hurt us and rather, it's a reminder that we are still alive and part of the living." Saya vehemently said.

Brina heard her loud and clear, she clenches her fists and lowered her head, reflecting on her decisions so far that led her to where she is now.

"Alive, huh? Either way, I thank you, Saya, for guiding and showing me around when I'm just a total stranger. I learned a lot today, but there is one thing that caught my eyes amongst what you offer." Elyon told, showing his gratitude by bowing down and emitting kind words.

"We are no longer strangers now! Well then, what is it that you had taken a liking to? I'll give you a fifty percent discount for sure." And so they back inside and Elyon went and pointed at the flower in a pot that has the strongest and assertive color of red even amongst the healthy roses outside.

"This one... I think I like this one." Elyon had decided what he's going to get.

"So you liked the poppy too? To be honest, I placed this one in the furthest corner because I like it too much that I wanted to continue taking care of it, after all, it represents a good heart, the overcoming of a hard trial, and consolation. It's the reason why I—"

And just as Elyon had expected, all this time while keeping Saya stalled in their conversation, what he awaits is none other than the appearance of her daughter carrying her favorite toy doll named Dionsy who came from the same room where he thrice died.

"Mom! I wanna play outside, pwease let me out." The little girl bothers her mother, grabbing her apron and keeping her nags so Saya would let her play just as she wanted.

Elyon chuckled at how adorable he remembers Madela's childish articulation. Saya's cheeks turned red, embarrassed how her daughter's still having a hard time on pronunciation.

"Is she your daughter perchance?" Elyon asked. He obviously knows them well.

"Ah, yes! She's my daughter, Madela. I apologize for her behavior, she's usually pestering customers so I keep her grounded in her room." Saya reasoned out.

"But you won't let me have my playtime! That's why I'll bother those who enter here because Dionsy said so!" Like an adorable child who had nothing to do with her free time, she let go of her mother and attached herself to Elyon's leg, tickling him trying her best to upset a dear customer as she declared.

"No! Don't trouble Elyon! Come here or I'll keep Dionsy grounded as well." Saya scolds her child but to no avail. Her daughter's desperate for her playtime and she'd do anything to get it.

As things went according to his plan so far, Elyon just needed a few remarks and his task shall be complete.

"Hm... Not to meddle or anything, I can take your daughter out for a walk and while we're at it, she can play outside under my watch. You went your way and taught me a lot of things today, it's a simple p*****t I could give for your kindness. It's also fine if you decline and don't trust me since the crime rate exponentially increased these past few days..." Elyon sounded genuine and true, though behind his kind gesture is a goal he dare not so say.

"Really?! You're willing to take my daughter out for a stroll? I can never refuse your compassion, Elyon. I should be the one looking out for her but I'm the only one who can oversee the place." Saya was more than glad that Elyon was helping her out by taking a few weight from her problems.

"Mister Elyon will play with me? Dionsy says she's happy! I'm happy now as well." Saya hugs Elyon's leg instead as she can't reach his arm, delighted she gets to go outside scotfree.

"I promise I'll keep her safe no matter what! I won't let you down, Saya." He wavered and resulted in a slight second of his crooked smile, for he can't take that he's lying in the pretense of assurance just for his own benefit.

"I'll water the poppy flower and pack it later once you two come back. Please be careful when crossing the road!" Saya hollered up, Elyon and Madela waves their hand energetically while they are walking on the opposite sidewalk, and of course, Brina secretly tails the two, keeping her distance so they wouldn't mistake her for a stalker.

As part of the agreement, Elyon lets Madela have fun to her heart's content. She's inherently quite reserved and modest, bearing a tad of confidence like a child until she eventually opens up once he exhibited kindness to her.

They strolled around the neighborhood, Madela met a few youngsters who are out with their parents. Most of the kids approached her because of her glistening long blonde hair, although, having the advantage of charms she inherited from her mother, she easily befriended most of them.

They are having a blast running around the grasses, but she tripped and fell that her knee landed on a rock, and started crying getting a bruise from her carelessness.

"Madela! Are you alright?" Obviously, Elyon knows she isn't yet he asked anyways.

"Huhuhu... A bruise-like this doesn't hurt, mom's belt does." Madela acted tough when she's actually in pain.

Elyon could breathe easier now that he looked at her bruise and it isn't that big, she didn't bleed either, or else her mother would scold him too.

"Ah... Is that an ice cream truck around there? Let's get you there shall we." Elyon carries Madela like a princess. Her long hair freely gets caught along with the cold wind elegantly and the parents of the children around the park assume she is his daughter.

"Ice cream?! Dionsy said she wanted as well so buy us two!" Madela can't help herself but be excited as they approach the ice cream truck along the park beside the road. She's taking her doll as an excuse to get two ice creams while she's at it.

"Dionsy said that is. What flavor does she want then?" Elyon played along with her games.

"Hm... We both want chocolate!" She said. Her puffing red cheeks and beaming smile dazzlingly spotlight how adorable she is.

"Then we'll have 3 chocolate ice creams in cone please." Elyon handed a few bucks ahead, the vendor took it and prepared their cold sweets as fast as he could.

"Thank you and come again!" The vendor nicely expressed, little Madela waves at him and that puts a smile on his face.

Nevertheless, walking in the park while she's relishing her ice cream cones she's l*****g left and right in her hands, she said something that completely froze Elyon in place.

"So, aren't you going to do it? You can stop the act now, Mister Elyon. All this time, whatever hardship you experienced... I'm the Time Keeper, there is nothing to hide anymore."