"I will be waiting, Ren." Her voice, her smile on that small face, her short brown hair, and her big, curious eyes… that was what I had always been waiting to see again. Today was the day. I was finally returning from Germany after ten long years.
Clap clap—successful landing.
I stepped out of the airport with my suitcases, scanning the crowd for my father's manager.
"Mr. Ren, over here!" he waved from a short distance. I walked toward him; he helped me with my bags and guided me straight home.
After a long journey, I finally stood in front of my house, the same house I had left behind. The big garden was as vibrant as ever, bursting with flowers, because my mother had always loved them. The entrance was clean, welcoming. I opened the door.
"Brother is here!" My sister ran into my arms with a warm hug. She had just been born when I left, and now she was thirteen.
"Welcome back, son," my mother said, hugging me tightly. But I noticed my father was nowhere in sight.
"Where's Father?" I asked, stepping inside.
"He's preparing things for you at the office," Mom replied calmly, handing me a glass of water.
"For me?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes. He wants you to take over the position now. Times have been tough lately, especially with his health," she explained.
My father had always struggled with heart problems. Knowing everything, I couldn't refuse to take the position.
"He'll be home soon. You should freshen up," Mom said with a gentle smile.
I went to my room. Everything was just as I remembered. On the table lay a neat pile of files. I picked one up—it was all about the company I was supposed to take over, The Edge. I set it back down, took a long bath, and soon after, I heard my father's voice from downstairs.
I walked down and found him sitting on the couch, watching the news. I sat beside him. For a moment, silence hung between us.
"Want to grab some beer?" he asked.
"Shall we?" I replied.
He ordered, and we shared a few drinks. Then he said, "Leaving the company feels strange… but I have to now. I can't focus on it anymore. But it's you I'm handing it over to, so now I can finally relax."
His words were honest, and in that moment, the weight of responsibility hit me. I had been studying and working part-time at a restaurant in Germany, and now, returning home, everything felt so different.
"I'll rest now. Make sure to get to work on time from tomorrow," he said, and left.
I slept early last night, and the next morning, I went out for my usual jog. As I ran through the familiar streets, I realized just how much had changed over the years. Buildings were taller, streets busier… and then my eyes landed on a small flower shop with a golden sign that read: "Gold Lily."
On display was a beautiful flower, catching the morning light perfectly. I decided to take one home for Mom. I pushed open the door, and a small bell chimed pleasantly above me.
"Welcome to Gold Lily," a woman said as she turned around.
The moment she faced me, my heart skipped a beat. It was her—Aria. The same smile, the same short brown hair, the same big, expressive eyes, and the same sweet, melodic voice.
"Which flower do you want, sir?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. Did she remember me? I wasn't sure.
"Umm… can I get this flower?" I asked, my eyes refusing to leave hers.
"Yes, just this one, or would you like something else too?" she replied, her voice as soft as ever.
"I'll take three of these and five roses… make them into one bouquet," I said, trying to sound casual.
Her eyes lit up. "Nice choice! Well, this flower is called a Peony. It's mostly found in Asia, and—" she began, explaining its beauty as passionately as she herself seemed to glow.
I debated whether to say my name. But no… not yet. I wanted to watch her a little longer.
Just then, the doorbell chimed again.
"Aria, you're going to be late for work! Go get ready, I'll handle the shop," a younger girl called hurriedly. Aria left in a hurry.
Another girl started arranging flowers, glancing at me occasionally. I couldn't help but ask, "Where does she work?"
The girl shot me a sharp side-eye. "Poor Aria… always getting chased by people like you. Why do you want to know?"
"Just curious," I said with a shrug, earning a small smirk from her.
She finished the bouquet, hands delicate and precise. She handed it to me. "Here… your bouquet."
I took it, holding it carefully. And I couldn't help thinking—wow, she really does have a deadly friend.
After seeing her that morning, my heart felt lighter than it had in days. I went back home, got ready, and set off for my first day at the company, still carrying that faint warmth of her smile in my chest.
When I arrived at the company building, a man stood at the gate, waiting. The moment he saw me, he stepped forward with a friendly smile.
"Mr. Ren, I'm your manager, Leo," he said, extending his hand. I shook it firmly. "Let's go. I'll take you to your office."
We walked together, and when the elevator opened on the 12th floor, I was greeted by a small group holding bouquets. A brief introduction later, I stepped into my office. The space was huge, calm, and somehow carried a sense of quiet power.
"Mr. Ren, we have to visit a building at noon," Leo said. And just like that, we headed out.
When we arrived, I saw the structure—a school, still half-built, unfinished. Inside, we met Mr. Fran, who gestured toward a couch.
"Welcome, Mr. Ren. Please wait here for a moment. She'll be here shortly," he said, then left.
"She?" I asked, curious.
"Yes," he replied. "It was her idea to build this school… I can't remember her name at the moment, but she's overseeing the project. Mr. Wane invested in it, so she reports directly if anything needs correction or attention."
Before I could respond, a familiar voice floated across the room.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
I turned—and there she was again. Aria. My heart skipped a beat.
"Oh… you're the flower guy," she said playfully, then quickly lowered her hand as if embarrassed. "Um… sorry. I mean… Hi, I'm Aria." She extended her hand toward me.
I smiled and took her hand gently. "I'm Ren, CEO of The Edge."
She returned my smile, soft and bright, like sunlight filtering through a window. "Well, please, this way," she said, leading us through the half-completed building.
As we walked, she gestured toward the walls and the floors. "So far, everything is going smoothly. According to Mr. Fran, it should be completed by the end of 2025. And it's all thanks to The Edge. Thank you very much." She bowed slightly, her eyes sparkling with genuine gratitude.
Leo, standing beside me, added, "If you need anything, please contact us anytime, Miss Aria."
She smiled again, a smile that seemed to linger just a fraction longer on me than necessary, and for a moment, I could swear the world had grown just a little warmer.
Ring, ring—"Mr. Ren, I need to take this call," Leo said, excusing himself. Suddenly, it was just Aria and me in that quiet place.
"Umm… well, the flower… did your girlfriend like it?" she asked softly.
"Girlfriend?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"No… I mean, um… usually people buy roses for their girlfriends. And, well, my shop is new, so I was just asking for a review. I didn't mean anything by it… I'm sorry if I said something wrong." She lowered her gaze, her cheeks faintly pink.
Her honesty made me smile, a small warmth spreading through my chest. She looked up at me cautiously, noticing my smile. "It was for my mother," I said gently. "And she loved it."
"That's… really nice," she breathed out, a small relief passing over her features.
Curiosity nudged me forward. "Are you… a teacher too?"
"Yes," she said, her eyes softening with a distant memory. "My mother was a teacher. She always cared for her students, even letting them come to our house to learn. Watching her, seeing the respect and love her students had for her. I wanted to be a teacher."
I felt a rush of nostalgia, her mother had been my teacher too, and I remembered those afternoons at her home, learning and laughing.
Her voice grew quieter, tinged with sorrow. "But… time passed, and one day, a car accident took my parents from me. I was just eighteen. After that… I lived alone, juggling part-time jobs and studies. It was hard… sometimes I felt so small, so lost." Her lips trembled, and she looked up at the sky, forcing a brave smile. "I searched for work everywhere. I worked at a bakery and grocery store. It was tough, but… somehow, I managed. And now… my dream… It's slowly coming true."
Hearing her story, I was stunned to learn that just two years after I left, a tragic accident had struck her family. The shock hit me hard, and for a moment, I couldn't find any words; only the heavy silence between us spoke.. I could see the unshed tears in her eyes, the pain she refused to release. I couldn't let her carry it alone. Without thinking, I stepped closer, wrapped my arms around her, and held her gently.
"You don't have to hold it in anymore," I whispered, my voice soft and steady. "It's okay to cry…"
I may not have been there before, but I am here. And I promise… I won't ever let her feel alone again.