Chapter 1:
It was early morning, and the soft golden light crept into the narrow streets where a humble flower shop stood tucked between two old buildings. Inside, Lena Morisawa was already awake and at work, carefully wrapping a bouquet in brown paper. The television buzzed in the background, showing reports of yet another scandal involving the country's most powerful businessman, Will Shade. She didn't spare it more than a glance—those things never interested her.
The metal shutters clanked as she opened them for the day. Across the street, a merchant waved.
"Up early again, ein Lena?" he called with a tired smile.
"Hey Mister," Lena replied cheerfully, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "How are you doing today?"
"Not so great. I just hope more customers come in today."
Lena laughed gently. "Yeah, yesterday was pretty rough, right? But don't worry—today's Saturday. It's always packed."
"Less talking, more cleaning," came her mother's voice from inside, sharp and unforgiving.
"Yes, Chef," Lena said, already reaching for the broom with a grin.
"She's already cleaning, come on," her father chimed in from behind the counter. "Can't she have a little conversation?"
"Conversation?" her mother scoffed, stepping into view. "Is conversation going to put food on the table tonight? 'Let's open a flower shop, honey, it'll be fun.' Now look at me—treated like a slave."
Lena smiled to herself as she swept. Here we go again. Mom's not wrong, but she sure is dramatic.
Her father, Eliot, sighed and placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Come on, Paige. I'm doing my best here. It was working in the beginning. Just have a little faith—we can still turn this around."
"Faith, huh?" Paige shot back. "That's what you said before we got married. And after we had Lena—when we couldn't afford to send her to college. I think I've had more faith than both of you put together. Want me to keep going?"
Lena and her father replied at the same time. "No."
"Let's just smile, alright?" Eliot said gently. "Smiling brings in customers."
Next door, the fried chicken couple opened their stand, already commenting.
"What's going on with the Morisawas again?" the wife whispered.
"Wife's at it again," the husband replied. "Always complaining."
"Well," she giggled, "she did marry him for his looks."
Lena, unfazed by the noise, gently watered a row of daisies and said softly, "I'm just grateful I can help. My brother's going to be a doctor. I'll take care of this shop and them, like always." She looked up at the clear blue sky and smiled. "I just know it—it's going to be a great day."
She sang a few light notes as she worked, enjoying the feel of the sun on her skin.
Inside, the phone rang. Paige answered, and her entire tone shifted the moment she heard the voice on the other end.
"Yes? Yes, of course we can prepare that," she said, suddenly standing straighter. "A large event? At Lumina Corporation? Colors? Pink, red, white, yellow… Yes, we'll have it ready immediately!"
She slammed the phone down, practically beaming.
"Lena! Delivery's coming—help your mom!"
"Delivery? To where?" Lena asked, already rushing in with her hands still damp from the watering can.
"It doesn't matter," Paige said, eyes gleaming. "It's big. And it's today. Get the roses and lilies. Chop chop!"
Lena laughed, gathering flowers. "I told you! It is a good day."
Meanwhile at Lumina Corp
Will Shade sat in the backseat of his sleek black car, flipping through his digital planner as his assistant, Jin, briefed him.
"You have four meetings today, Sir. Two online, one with internal staff, and one at the Political House."
"And?" Will asked, eyes never leaving the screen.
"The press conference, Sir."
Will raised an eyebrow. "That thing? I told them I wasn't doing it."
"The strategy team insisted. Given the rumors, it's best the response come directly from you."
Will exhaled sharply, leaning back in his seat. "I'm making historic moves with the European market and I have to waste time addressing some nonsense about being single? Outrageous."
"Sir, the stocks have been affected," Jin replied carefully. "This is part of maintaining your image. It's about revenue."
Will's jaw tightened. "That's all I ever think about."
"That's why," Jin said with a slight nod, "we thought decorating the room might soften the atmosphere."
Will looked at him slowly. "I'm starting to think your idea was the stupidest thing I agreed to."
"Apologies, Sir. But the order was already placed, and the florist is likely arriving now."
Back at Lumina Corp — Outside the Building
As Will and Jin exited the car, staff bowed. Will didn't slow down. As they entered the sleek, mirrored lobby, his eyes caught on a girl at the front desk—Lena. She was speaking softly to the receptionist, wearing a plain white blouse tucked into a brown skirt, and carrying a basket of fresh flowers. A man beside her hadn't bothered to wear a tie.
In the elevator, Will muttered without looking at Jin. "Fire those two. No tie and farmer girl."
Jin glanced at him, already texting HR. "The farmer girl is the florist, Sir."
"Then pay her. Quickly. And never call her again."
Reception Area
Lena stood near the desk, still holding her basket. Her eyes drifted around the enormous space, wide with wonder.
"So this is what a company like this looks like," she whispered. "No wonder they needed flowers. It looks like a robot hospital in here." She paused. "Just like that man that walked past earlier… he looked like a statue. Scary."
The receptionist leaned in. "Flower girl—you need to go to the 15th floor to collect your payment. But please… make sure no one actually sees you. Your clothes don't match the building vibe, and if Mr. Shade sees you again, I might lose my job. Here—wear this hoodie."
Lena blinked. "You're that scared of a man in a suit?" She took the hoodie anyway. "Fine, fine—I'll be your undercover florist."
15th Floor
She was handed an envelope without a word.
"Wait—this is double what we charged," Lena said, confused.
"Those were the instructions. Do what you want with it," the payment officer said flatly.
"Well… thanks," she said, eyebrows raised. "Very generous."
As she turned to leave, she heard a loud clamor from down the hall—voices, cameras, energy. She followed the sound on impulse.
When she reached the source, her eyes widened. A full press conference was about to begin—rows of journalists, a raised stage, and at the front, her flowers.
She smiled softly. "So this is where they put them." But then she frowned. One red rose was leaning sadly to the side.
"Oh no," she whispered. "Rose isn't even breathing."
She stepped in quickly and crouched beside the arrangement.
"They gave me so much money… I can't let it go to waste now, can I?" she whispered. "No one will mind if I just… fix this one."
She gently adjusted the stem, completely unaware.
INT. SHADE ENTERPRISES – CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY
Lena continues arranging the flowers near the door, unnoticed. The room is buzzing with voices and camera flashes. A press conference meant to launch a world-changing project has turned into a circus.
Journalist 1:
"Mr. Shade, the rumors about actress Leeann—are they true?"
Will (coolly):
"You were invited to hear about Project Innovation. If you came for gossip, you're in the wrong room."
Journalist 2 (pressing):
"It's not gossip anymore, sir. We saw you with her. The pictures are everywhere."
The questions escalate:
"Will she become Madam Shade?"
"She already said she's interested!"
"Your silence is feeding the fire!"
Will's jaw clenches. He slams the table with enough force to rattle the microphones. The room falls dead silent. Even Jin, his loyal assistant, doesn't move.
Lena, still near the back, gently adjusts a petal.
Will (voice cold, unwavering):
"You think I need a public romance to validate my success?"
A pause. His eyes sweep across the stunned reporters.
Will:
"Let me make one thing clear: I don't need a woman with influence to strengthen my image. I am the image."
The room stirs, unsettled. But he isn't finished.
Will (with a slow nod toward Lena, who is still unaware she's about to be called out):
"You want a headline? Fine."
"That girl—there, by the door. The one arranging flowers like this circus doesn't exist?"
Gasps. All heads turn. Lena looks up, startled.
Will (calm, deadly certain):
"She's going to be Madam Shade. And she will accept."
Silence crashes into the room harder than his hand did on the table. Eyes dart between Lena and Will, not knowing if this is madness, genius, or both.