Chapter 22 : Three stems of roses

Bryan came to a halt when he saw who was calling him. His blossoming feelings withered instantly. The smile on his face vanished in an instant as he looked at Angeline who was waiting for him with hope. Bryan snapped back to reality and felt guilty. He couldn't continue his approach to Angeline. He answered the phone and turned away from her. Angeline was clearly surprised, especially when Bryan dropped the bouquet of roses without any emotion. Once again Angeline was disappointed. She hung her head and cursed under her breath. How could she continue to hope for a man who never had any feelings for her in the first place? Angeline's steps were weak, and she continued walking until she reached the spot where Bryan had dropped his bouquet. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at the flowers, some of which had been crushed by passersby. "Why would they step on the flowers?" Angeline exclaimed angrily as she picked up the damaged bouquet. "Oh my, do they have no heart? The flowers were still so beautiful and they trampled them heartlessly." Unable to contain her grief, Angeline wept as she cradled the shapeless flowers in her hands. She could save only three intact rose stems. Overwhelmed with grief, devastation, and pain, Angeline knelt in the middle of the street and wept. Her sobs were heartbreaking and drew the attention of those around her. Bryan returned to his car and answered the phone with irritation. "What did you do to Lucy?" Mrs. Rose asked, the person on the other end of the line. "What do I care?" "Don't pretend to be clueless. I know Lucy was there yesterday, but how could she suddenly go to Japan and plan to stay there forever!" Mrs. Rose sounded furious. She was very curious about what had happened to Lucy, since Lucy had left without saying a word to her and had gone to Japan last night. "Why don't you ask her directly? Why bother me when I'm on my honeymoon?" "Honeymoon," you say? I know you work there! There's a branch there, right? Are you interested in the branch's business now?" "Stay out of my life, whether it's my marriage or my work. Madam, do whatever you want. Don't make a single mistake, because I can smell the rot in your mind. I know your intentions, that you want the position of Finance Director. Do you think I'll let you ruin everything?" "What do you mean?" "Next week I will have a board meeting with all the reports to be presented. We'll see what you've done to my father's company." Bryan ended the call in frustration. He even shouted in anger and kicked his car until the alarm went off. People around him stared at him, and Bryan quickly silenced the car alarm and got in. He slammed the car door shut. Bryan calmed down and took several deep breaths. After a few minutes he regained his composure and called John. "John, we're going back to New York right now!" Bryan ordered and ended the call. John, who was still in the office, was confused. He thought Bryan was leaving early to spend time with Angeline. But why suddenly ask him to return to New York? John went to the hotel where Angeline was lost in thought with a sad expression on her face. He couldn't find Bryan there. "Did the President come here?" John asked and Angeline shook her head. "Get ready; we're going back to New York now." "What? Why all of a sudden?" Angeline asked, confused. "I don't know either. Just pack your things quickly. These are all the President's things, right?" Angeline fell silent as she remembered Bryan coming toward her. The man who rarely smiled was exceptionally handsome today. But why did he ask for everything to be packed and returned home? Angeline had no choice but to follow John's orders. The three of them were at the airport and John called their pilot to fly Bryan's private plane as soon as possible. Their plane would take off in half an hour. Why did he leave her and throw away the roses? And why didn't Bryan say anything when they met earlier? John brought coffee for Bryan and orange juice for Angeline. He looked at the three rose stems Angeline had brought and placed in a small vase. "Why did you buy roses? We can get them when we get back to New York," John commented. "These roses are different from the ones in New York, so don't ask me to throw them away," Angeline replied wearily. Bryan heard this and looked at the roses Angeline was holding. His gaze was filled with sadness, but he tried to refocus and took a sip of his still hot coffee. "It's hot!" Bryan spilled the hot coffee he was drinking and soaked his clothes. "Oh my God! I thought you had your focus back. Why have you been making mistakes since this morning?" John asked in surprise, handing him a napkin. "I have to go to the bathroom," Bryan said and left. Angeline was lost in thought when she heard John say that Bryan had been making mistakes since this morning. What did that mean? Were those roses a mistake? Angeline felt even more hurt and disappointed. Her disappointment made Angeline reluctant to take the roses, so she left them behind. Bryan returned from the bathroom and didn't see Angeline. "Where is she?" Bryan asked John. "Who? Oh, Mrs. Angeline? She's already on the plane; it lands in ten minutes. Are you ready? All your things have been taken care of by the helper." "Let's go now," Bryan said. John led the way and Bryan looked at the roses Angeline had left behind. Before he left, Bryan picked up the roses and put them in his work bag. They arrived in New York four hours later. Angeline went home to Bryan's house with the private driver Bryan had arranged. Meanwhile, Bryan and John returned to headquarters. "I thought you'd rest at home; it's late. Aren't you tired?" John asked as he walked Bryan into the office. "Why don't you go home? Your girlfriend must be waiting for you. I'll rest at the office," Bryan replied. "All right then, good night." John went home while Bryan went into his office. He sat down in his chair and closed his eyes. Bryan remembered Angeline, who was silent and didn't say a word. Bryan opened his work bag and took out the roses that Angeline had left behind. There was a feeling of regret in his heart. But there was nothing Bryan could do about it. He just stared at the roses with a sad expression on his face.