The next day…
"Miss Aqua, someone sent flowers for you." The helper stepped into the entrance hall, pausing as she saw Aqua about to head out.
"Flowers?" Aqua furrowed her brows, eyeing the bouquet in the maid's arms.
The maid carefully handed it to her. "I think Sir Troy sent them."
"Troy?" Aqua's brows knitted further as she watched the maid giggle and walk away. She turned her attention to the fresh and lovely bouquet of peonies, looking confused.
There was a card, and a small jar tucked inside.
Pulling them out, she checked the letter.
[Speedy Recovery
—Grandma]
"Huh?" Deep lines formed between her brows, even more confused now. "I'm not sick, though."
Aqua blinked, staring at the card and the jar. "Who's Grandma? Is this a mistake?"
Tilting her head, she tried to recall who it could be from. Then she remembered a recent encounter—an elderly woman who had fainted near the gates of the Valentine Home.
"Could it be her?" she murmured. "But why would it say 'speedy recovery'? Shouldn't I be the one saying that to her?"
While Aqua puzzled over it, Gigi's voice echoed from the stairs.
"Aqua, you're still here?" Gigi jogged down, snapping Aqua out of her thoughts.
Seeing her, Aqua quickly rushed up the stairs. "Gigi, you have to be careful! I heard you hurt your feet last night."
"Oh, come on." Gigi waved dismissively. "It's just blisters. They're feeling better now."
She smacked her lips and then noticed the bouquet in Aqua's arms. "Flowers?"
"Ah…" Aqua chuckled awkwardly. "Yes. I think they were delivered to the wrong person."
Gigi smirked. "You don't have to lie. I know your boyfriend sent them."
"No, it's—"
"Don't be shy." Gigi waved her off. "Anyway, heading to school now?"
"Huh? Oh, mhm. You too?"
"Yep."
"Isn't it too soon for you to attend classes?" Aqua asked with concern. "You're still recovering. And Uncle already spoke with the school's dean."
Gigi shook her head. "Research says doing nothing won't help with memory loss. So it's better this way. Aside from the memory thing, I'm totally fine. I'd rather try catching up and refreshing my memory."
"Oh…"
"Should we go together?"
"Huh?"
"Aqua, do you have hearing problems?" Gigi tilted her head.
Aqua smiled awkwardly. It wasn't that she didn't hear—it was just that everything about Gigi was so unfamiliar. Her kindness, her warmth, her welcoming energy. It was all so foreign… and yet so comforting.
"What about Bubbles?" she asked.
"Bubbles doesn't have class today. She went to her family's house and won't be back until the weekend."
Ah. So she's inviting me because Bubbles isn't around.
Still, Aqua smiled and nodded. "Sure. If that's okay with you."
"I'm the one asking, of course it's okay." Gigi chuckled. "Let's go."
"Uh, wait, Gigi. I'll just put these flowers back in my room."
"Okay."
As Aqua jogged away, hugging the bouquet, Gigi tilted her head.
Why would Troy send peonies? It's not like she's sick.
She thought about it for a moment, then shrugged it off. Troy probably doesn't know their meaning. They were pretty flowers, after all.
Gigi walked out and got into the backseat of the car, waiting for Aqua. As she sat, her phone pinged.
DING!
"Hmm?" Her brows lifted slightly when she saw the sender's name. "What does he want now?"
[From: Grandson
Speedy recovery.]
"Speedy recovery?" she muttered, before recalling her complaints to Old Madam Marcelis last night. Her face twitched at the memory, especially knowing her grandson had been there, too.
Of course, he heard my nonsense…
[To: Grandson
Thanks ^_^ I'm fine now. ^_^]
DING!
[From: Grandson
My grandmother is worried about your feet. She asked me to send you some ointment. Have you received it?]
"Ointment? But it's fine now," she murmured, shrugging. Then she replied:
[To: Grandson
I haven't, but please let Grandma know I'm really grateful. ^_^]
After sending the message, she locked her phone just as Aqua opened the car door from outside.
"Sorry for making you wait," she said politely, sliding into the backseat. "I tried to hurry."
Gigi smiled. "It's alright. Don't worry. It's still early, and I only have two classes today."
"Thank you."
Gigi looked at the rearview mirror, meeting the driver's gaze. "Let's go, please."
"Yes, ma'am."
And just like that, Gigi and Aqua went to school together for the first time in a long while.
---
Meanwhile…
Inside the backseat of a sleek black sedan on the interstate highway, Lucian stared at his phone.
[From: Panda
I haven't, but please let Grandma know I'm really grateful. ^_^]
"..." He blinked at the screen, as if waiting for the message to change.
"That's strange," he murmured. "How has she not received it? It was already delivered…"
His brows furrowed as he considered the possibility of a mistake. He'd specifically asked for the best ointment, effective for wounds and preventing scarring. It should've eased her pain. But she hadn't received it?
"Did I mess up the address?" he muttered. "Or maybe… she wasn't home?"
Glancing at his wristwatch, it was still early—but not that early for students or working adults.
He looked toward the front passenger seat, where his assistant, Nico, sat.
"Nico."
"Yes, sir?" Nico immediately turned back.
"Didn't you say Miss Aqua is still in school?"
"Yes, sir. She's doing her master's degree."
"I see."
Nico smiled. "Would you like me to check her schedule?"
Lucian shook his head. "No, that won't be necessary." He had just needed an excuse—an explanation for why Gigi hadn't gotten the delivery.
"Let's just go," he said with a slight nod.
"Yes, sir."
Silence filled the car again. Lucian leaned back, staring out the window. Slowly, he lifted his phone and looked at the short message log with her.
His gaze paused on her contact name.
With a quiet smile, he changed it from Panda to Kitty.
I'm starting to look forward to what kind of mask she'll be wearing next time.
A light chuckle escaped him, only to catch himself smiling for such reasons. His smile quickly faded, shaking his head.
What was he doing? Smiling like this? As if he wasn't burdening someone else because his grandmother felt attached to them?
Not good, Lucian.