Blossom Again

Emily couldn't believe her eyes the moment she stepped into the Andrews mansion. The entire place was sleek and polished, and every single detail spoke of immense wealth. She had only ever seen glimpses of the Andrews family on television and in the news. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine walking through their grand home.

"Wow! This place is like paradise!" Emily exclaimed, unable to hold back her awe.

Ryan chuckled beside her. "Wait till you see the garden."

"Garden? There's a garden?" Emily's eyes lit up with excitement.

Ryan smiled warmly, clearly enjoying her enthusiasm. "It's like something out of a fairytale."

Before Emily could reply, a deep voice interrupted them. "Hey, lovebirds!"

Startled, both Emily and Ryan turned to see Peter Andrews, Ryan's father, standing nearby. He had been quietly observing their conversation without them noticing.

"Dad! Don't tell me you've been eavesdropping on us," Ryan said, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.

Peter groaned. "I wasn't eavesdropping! I just happened to walk in. Besides, it's my house, isn't it?"

Emily stood silently, watching the playful exchange between father and son. A small smile formed on her lips as she took in Peter Andrews' appearance. He was an older version of Ryan—same eye colour, same complexion, and even the same way of speaking. The only real difference was his grey hair, a testament to his age.

"Oh, forgive my manners, my dear," Peter said suddenly, taking Emily's hand and bowing slightly. "Welcome to our home." He kissed her hand with the charm of an old-fashioned gentleman.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Andrews," Emily replied politely, smiling.

"The pleasure is all mine, young lady," Peter said with a gracious nod.

They soon settled at the dining table, where a five-course meal was served by the head chef. Over dinner, Peter asked Emily about herself. Each answer she gave seemed to please him. He nodded approvingly, clearly satisfied with his son's choice of partner. If only he knew it was all just an act.

"I have a gift for you, Emily," Peter said with a smile, midway through his grilled fish.

"A gift? For me?" Emily asked, genuinely surprised.

"Yes," Peter said. "I've heard wonderful things about your hard work and intelligence. You're nothing like the... let's just say, the less impressive women Ryan used to take around."

"Thank you for the kind words, Sir," Emily replied with a shy smile.

"Uh, what about me, Dad?" Ryan chimed in, pretending to be offended. "Don't I deserve a gift too?"

"You're too old for gifts," Peter teased, laughing heartily.

After the meal, Peter invited Emily to see a special part of the house. She followed him eagerly, feeling touched by how kind and respectful he was being.

"This is our automobile garage," Peter announced, pressing a button on the wall. A section of the wall slid open, revealing a vast space filled with luxury cars.

Emily's jaw dropped. "Wow... this is incredible."

Peter walked over to a sleek, pink car and gestured toward it. "This is the latest Porsche Taycan, in Frozen Berry Metallic."

"It's beautiful," Emily said, her voice full of wonder.

"It's yours," Peter said with a proud smile.

Emily's eyes widened. "No, no, I can't accept this! It's far too much."

"Nothing is too much for my future daughter-in-law," Peter said firmly. "I'll have my chauffeur deliver it to your place."

Overwhelmed, Emily hugged him. "Thank you, Sir Andrews. This means so much to me."

Ryan's voice suddenly echoed through the garage. "Alright, that's enough. You're going to make me jealous."

Peter chuckled. "Jealous boyfriend alert."

Emily laughed, enjoying the easy banter between the two. She admired the close bond Ryan shared with his father.

"I hope Dad didn't overwhelm you with his questions," Ryan said, glancing at Emily.

"Not at all. Your father is a very sweet man," Emily said with a smile.

Ryan leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Don't let him fool you. He can be sweet, but he's also tough when he needs to be."

Emily nodded thoughtfully. She liked seeing this side of Ryan's family.

"So, would you still like to see the garden?" Ryan asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, of course!" Emily said eagerly.

With that, the two headed toward the end of the mansion, where Ryan opened a wooden door.

Emily's breath caught the moment she stepped into the garden. It was like stepping into a dream—a paradise straight out of a storybook. The air was fragrant with the sweet scent of blooming flowers in every colour imaginable, their petals glistening under the golden rays of the setting sun. A stone pathway wound through the vibrant greenery, leading to a magnificent fountain in the centre. Water cascaded gently from its tiers, creating a soothing melody that filled the space.

"Oh my goodness, Ryan!" Emily exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder. "This is... this is magical. I've never seen anything like this."

Ryan watched her with a soft smile, his heart warming at her reaction. "I told you it's like a fairytale, didn't I?"

Emily turned to face him, her eyes wide with amazement. "You weren't exaggerating. It's perfect. The flowers, the fountain... everything feels so alive."

They strolled down the stone path, Emily pausing every few steps to admire a cluster of flowers or trace her fingers along the petals. "These roses are stunning. And look at those lilies! I didn't even know flowers could be this vibrant."

Ryan chuckled, walking beside her with his hands in his pockets. "Dad hired some of the best landscapers in the world to design this place. He wanted it to be a retreat—a little escape from the chaos of life."

"Well, it worked," Emily said, spinning slowly to take in the entire view. "I feel like I've stepped into another world."

They reached the fountain, and Emily knelt beside it, watching the water flow smoothly over the stone. Tiny droplets sparkled like diamonds in the light. "This fountain is so beautiful. The sound... it's so calming."

Ryan sat on the edge of the fountain, watching her with a contented expression. "You look happy," he said softly.

Emily glanced at him, her smile lighting up her face. "How could I not be? This place is incredible. I feel like a princess in a story."

Ryan chuckled. "You're more than a princess, Emily."

Did he just compliment me? Her heart raced. Keep your cool Emily. He is a playboy, and he's got a sweet tongue, she warned herself.

Emily laughed and sat beside him, dipping her fingers into the cool water. "You're really lucky to have grown up with this. Did you spend a lot of time out here?"

Ryan nodded. "Yeah, especially when I needed to clear my head. It's always been my favourite spot. It used to be Mum's favourite place. You remind me of her so much. She was so much like you, beautiful, amazing, brilliant ".

Emily looked at him, her heart skipping a beat at the sincerity in his tone. "Well, thank you for sharing it with me. It's unforgettable."

Ryan smiled, reaching out to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm glad you like it. I wanted to see you smile like this."

She blushed slightly, looking back at the fountain. "Mission accomplished, Ryan. This is the happiest I've felt in a long time."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, listening to the gentle splash of the water and the soft rustle of the breeze through the trees. Emily couldn't help but feel a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in years. Ryan, watching her quiet joy, felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest.

As they stood to continue exploring, Emily reached out and lightly touched his arm. "Thank you, Ryan. For bringing me here. For everything."

Ryan met her gaze, his smile growing. "No Emily, I should be the one to say thank you to you. My dad would have killed me if you had failed to show up

They wandered deeper into the garden, the sound of their laughter mingling with the music of the fountain as if the garden itself was rejoicing in their happiness.

Ryan took Emily back home. "Thanks for today", Emily said as they stood on her porch.

Ryan nodded. "Although goodnight Emily".

"Good night Ryan, Emily said.

Emily fumbled with her keys at the door, the hem of her long dress caught beneath her heel as she moved. With a startled gasp, she felt herself tipping backwards, her balance lost. Bracing for the inevitable fall, she squeezed her eyes shut, heart pounding. But instead of hitting the ground, she felt strong hands steady her, firm.

Her breath hitched as she opened her eyes, finding Ryan's face inches from hers. His dark, soulful gaze locked onto her blue eyes as though he could see straight into her very soul. The world seemed to hold its breath, the moment suspended in perfect stillness.

Then, without a word, Ryan leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a kiss so slow and gentle it sent shivers down her spine. His touch was tender, yet it ignited something deep within her, a spark that flared into a flame.

Emily froze, her mind racing, scattered like autumn leaves caught in a breeze. What am I doing? she thought, a whisper of doubt flickering through her. But the pull of the moment was too powerful to resist. His kiss stirred something wild and unspoken within her, a passion that demanded release.

Before she could think twice, she kissed him back, her lips moving against his with a hunger that matched the fire in her soul. The world around them disappeared, leaving only the two of them.