Chapter 6 (Part 1)

CHAPTER 6 

Elizabeth adjusted her cap as the car pulled up in front of the client’s villa. Carrie had asked her to come along to an event hosted by her flower shop’s Southshire branch because they are short-staffed.

The villa was in the city center, so Liz made sure to keep her face hidden. The city center was home to the headquarters of major companies, including Channing Empire and Benzone Telco.

“Marlon, Erica, you two handle the front yard. Liz, I’ll assign you to the pavilion,” said Anne, the shop’s manager.

Liz overheard that a party was to be held at the villa later that night.

She was trimming the flower stems when she suddenly sensed a presence behind her. The first thing she saw when she turned around was a pair of hairy legs. Liz quickly stood and with bowed head, she greeted.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

The man didn’t respond right away. He cleared his throat before speaking, “Good afternoon.”

 Liz lifted her head, and her eyes widened in shock when she recognized Nikolaus Wulfric.

“We meet again.”

“W-What are you doing here?” She took a step back, glancing around nervously.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Why? Surprised that a construction worker like me can afford this property?"

“No.”

“Flower shop worker,” he said in an amused tone. “You wouldn’t date a construction worker, huh? Well, I don’t date flower shop workers either.”

Liz felt her nostrils flare in irritation. “Why are you belittling my job?”

“You belittled my job as a construction worker,” he retorted, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

“I did not! I only said that because—”

Nikolaus casually slipped his hands into the pockets of his khaki shorts. Elizabeth felt like hitting herself because somehow, he seemed even more attractive in his casual loungewear, a simple white t-shirt and shorts.

“You lied then. You also lied when you said you wouldn’t date a construction worker?”

“Y-Yes. Wait a minute. Why are we even discussing this? You’re not really a construction worker.”

“So, would you date me then?”

“No.”

He tilted his head slightly as if saying he wouldn’t take a simple ‘no’ for an answer.

“Because—I’m not obligated to answer those questions, Sir. I’m here to work. And if you’re waiting for an apology for slapping you, you’ll be waiting until your hair turns white. Excuse me, I have work to finish.”

She turned her back on him to continue her task. To her dismay, he didn’t leave. Instead, Nikolaus Wulfric settled himself comfortably on a couch nearby.

Elizabeth busied herself with arranging the flowers, despite feeling his gaze on her back. If he’s living in Southshire, it wasn’t impossible that he was the man the twins had seen.

But why hadn’t he mentioned the children? Didn’t he recognize them? Especially Earl, who looked so much like Nikolaus Wulfric.

Or maybe he was waiting for her to confess!

After finishing the floral decorations, she set down the scissors and was ready to fetch lights from Anne when get startled to see that Wulfric was still watching her. Though he had an iPad in his hand, his eyes remained fixed on her.

She averted her gaze and cleared her throat. "I just need to grab something, Sir."

When Wulfric stood up, she instinctively took a step back. His height and broad frame were intimidating. Elizabeth barely reached his chest, and her entire body seemed half the size of his. His muscles were firm, his arms were veiny…

"Are you afraid of me?"

“No, Sir,” she answered hesitantly, shaking her head and lowering her gaze.

 Then, Elizabeth froze when her eyes landed on his ring finger.

It was only now that she noticed the ring on it.

 He’s married!

A cold chill swept through Elizabeth. Now more than ever, she couldn’t let him find out about the kids. She knew the feeling of growing up without a complete family, and she didn’t want to disrupt whatever life he had now.

"You act like a scaredy-cat."

She took another step back. “I’m not, Sir.”

“Look at me,” he ordered, his tone sharp like a military command.

Liz fidgeted with her nails, shaking her head. "I just need to get something, Sir. I’ll be leaving now—"

She couldn’t finish her sentence because he suddenly lifted her chin using his two fingers.

Found herself staring into his gray eyes up close once again. She gasped!

Those eyes... the same eyes filled with lust that night... those pupils dilating every time he reached orgasm— Oh, no! Stop!

“Sir?”

“My name is Wulfric,” he said, barely moving his lips. His voice was like that of a strict general, and she felt like a helpless cadet. “You already know my name. You’ve just forgotten.”

How could she ever forget the name she had moaned over and over that night? Even after the five years she’d tried to erase him from her memory, there were moments when his face still haunted her.

She blinked rapidly and took a step back. Wetting her lips, she tried to compose herself and be as formal as possible.

“Let’s just forget what happened, Sir.”

His face darkened.

She felt a surge of fear, but it quickly passed as she realized it was just his bruised ego. For men like Nikolaus Wulfric, rejection from a woman was a grave insult.

Surely, women lined up for a chance to be with him. It wouldn't surprise her if he had a string of mistresses. Like the woman with him in Louisiana. From the way that woman's breasts pressed against Wulfric's arm, it was clear they were more than just coworkers.

“I don’t forget, Elizabeth,” he said, sending a shiver down her spine at the sound of her name.

“We’ve both moved on with our lives, sir—”

“My name is Nikolaus Wulfric. Call me Wulfric!” he snapped. “You didn’t call me ‘sir’ that night. Damn it!”

“You’re our customer,” she said softly, trying to maintain her composure.

His brow furrowed, and his gaze hardened even more. His lips pressed into a thin, angry line, but he didn’t say anything further. He was clearly upset.

“I-I have to go, sir,” she stammered, excusing herself and walking away as quickly as she could.

She nearly ran out of the pavilion. Once she entered the house, she slumped against the wall, feeling weak.