Chapter 1: The Collision
The morning light streamed through the windows of Lily & Thorn, casting golden rays across walls lined with terracotta pots and hand-tied ribbons. It smelled like a dream in full bloom—jasmine, eucalyptus, and something warmer: hope.
But Elira Song wasn't feeling hopeful. Not when her fingers trembled around the crumpled invoice in her hand.
"Valen Corp." she hissed under her breath.
From behind the counter, Cassia, her best friend and resident gossip queen, peeked over her latte. "Again? Are they obsessed with you or just trying to kill your vibe?"
"This is the third order this week," Elira snapped, waving the paper. "Who the hell wants black dahlias for a corporate gala? Are they planning a funeral?"
Cassia snorted. "Maybe for the community garden they're bulldozing."
Elira's jaw tensed. That garden meant everything to this street — to her late father, to the neighborhood kids who grew sunflowers each spring. And now Valen Corp was buying everything around it like it was Monopoly. She knew exactly who was behind the destruction:
Ares Valen.
Cold. Cruel. Powerful. And unfortunately, gorgeous.
Cassia leaned in, eyes gleaming. "Maybe he wants to talk to you in person."
"Then I'll shove a cactus in his overpriced briefcase."
Just then, the bell above the door jingled. Cassia opened her mouth to joke — then froze.
Elira turned — and time stopped.
There he stood.
Ares Valen.
Tailored black coat. Crisp shirt. Eyes as sharp as obsidian. He moved like a man who controlled everything he touched — and was used to things bending to his will.
Elira's jaw tightened. "You have five seconds to leave before I call the cops."
Ares stepped forward, unbothered by the thorns in her voice. "Miss Song. I prefer to handle business directly."
"Is that what this is? Business? You destroy homes, and now you want flowers?"
He glanced around, unimpressed by the rustic charm. "Your work is the best in the city. I want it for Valen Corp. Exclusively."
She nearly laughed. "You want me to decorate the stage while you crush everything I care about?"
"I want you to profit from a world that's already changing. Isn't that what survival looks like?"
"No," she said coolly. "That's what selling out looks like."
A tense silence stretched between them.
Cassia slowly backed toward the door, whispering, "I'll just go... check inventory."
But Elira stood her ground. Her heart pounded. She could feel heat rising in her chest — anger, yes, but something else. Something dangerous.
"You bulldozed Greenview Park. My father planted trees there," she said, voice tight. "He watered them with his bare hands."
Ares tilted his head, studying her. "And what did those trees give you in return? Sentiment doesn't pay rent, Elira."
She reached for the rose water spray bottle behind her — and sprayed him right in the chest.
Cassia's scream from the back room was muffled by the pfffft of mist.
Ares didn't flinch. Just looked down at his soaked lapels, then back up at her.
"That was bold."
"That was mild."
The door behind them slammed open.
A teenage voice shouted, "Miss Elira!"
It was Noah, their 17-year-old part-time delivery boy. He was running from across the street — and he wasn't alone. A group of suited men were chasing him.
"They tried to grab me!" Noah yelled, panting.
Elira's heart stopped. She bolted from behind the counter just as Noah tripped and crashed into the front table, knocking over vases and scattering lilies across the floor.
The suited men halted at the door — security. Valen Corp's security.
"What the hell is this?!" Elira shouted, kneeling beside Noah. He was bleeding from a cut on his forehead.
One of the guards said, "He was trespassing on a construction site. Orders were to remove—"
"He's a kid!" she screamed. "And this is your idea of corporate justice?!"
Ares walked past her without a word and stared the guard down.
"You touched him?" His voice was low — and deadly. "You're fired."
The guards hesitated.
"I said get out."
They scattered.
Elira stared at him, stunned. "You just... fired your own men?"
He pulled out a monogrammed handkerchief and knelt beside Noah, gently pressing it to the wound. "He works for you. He's under my protection now."
Something shifted in her chest — just slightly.
Minutes later, Cassia had cleaned up the flowers, Noah was bandaged, and the tension had thinned — but only a little.
As Ares stood to leave, Elira said, "Why did you help?"
He paused at the door, glancing back.
"Because I don't like broken things. And I don't like people hurting what I... might value."
"Don't finish that sentence."
But it was too late. He had already left.
The door shut behind him, but the storm he brought lingered in the air.
Cassia returned, eyes wide. "Okay. So. You sprayed him, he rescued our boy, and now I'm starting to think this is either a mafia drama or a love story."
Elira didn't speak.
She just looked at the roses scattered across the floor, petals bruised but not destroyed.
"It's a war," she whispered.
"And I just declared it."