I head home before the next day to unravel.
Chapter Seven
Violet
Wide awake well before I needed to, I turned the alarm off early knowing I had no chance of being able to drift back asleep as the day’s tasks disturbed my mind. Adam was right, thankful of his logic and understanding of my ‘kick-off’ attitude. I’ve never been someone to think a situation through. I always let my mouth go into overdrive before any reasonable thought could take hold. That’s one of the reasons I always felt so close to Adam, the way in which he was able to spot my discrepancies way before me, like he was so tuned in to my every movement. He was totally right, why would Bea spend her time focused on me when her shop needed it too.
Another explanation had to exist but the one I had considered in the back of my mind drew uncertainty and doubts at the moment, but a reason would come forward eventually.
Annie spotted the necklace wrapped up and I was honest, why lie to her? She’s always been not just a trusted employee but a loyal friend, someone I had learned to trust, I didn’t have many people I relied on being a very secluded person who liked their own company. Adam had cracked his way through my tough exterior, and I had let Annie in too. I wasn’t a total bitch to others though and would pass conversation just I struggled to find a bond and keep it. I was just more of a loner that was all. My only exception was I did enjoy my nightlife and of course previously other men and the talent in their trousers.
Annie was a true romantic at heart, she truly believed that everyone has someone out there for them, each person had another already picked for them. I knew the moment she discovered what had happened, her eyes would turn into big cupid arrows at the possibility of becoming a matchmaker service.
Confidence soared to a new level and the necklace’s heat felt like it was burning a hole in my coat pocket, enough was enough. I had decided to wear a white and blue wrap around coordinated dress which finished just below the knee, teamed with a cornflower blue cardigan and my wedged sandals. I left my loose curls half tumbled down my back with the rest pinned up in a messy style for a boho beach vibe. Annie smiled as she saw me walk up the street, perfectly timed after yesterday’s craziness and rush I needed the time more than ever, customers packed into the shop like sardines and it was suffocating at times. I just went onto autopilot mode.
The light seeped in as we stepped in, we turned all the lights on and made a start on basic safety daily checks together. “Vi, I will collect yesterday’s last few orders off the online server and process if you want?” As she made her way for the online deliveries to prepare for collection. “That would be a great help, I’m going to prepare the window before Adam gets here?” As I leave Annie to her devices.
My body tenses as I feel an overwhelming surge of change, my sense of smell heightened by tangs of violets and lavender tones as I gaze at the back of the glasses the centre’s reflection has morphed from earlier and now purple spheres appear in my vision. My heart beats faster as I grab the edge of the table and slide my legs round, edging step by step closer, as my eyes drop to six bath bombs. My heart drops into my mouth as I lift one up to inspect, the smell definitely radiated here, the delicate little violets though mixed into the purple bomb made my breath hitch especially as the red envelope with a distinctive letter catches my view.
Hands trembling as I lift the corner and take the card out.
6 days of love.
Love takes time to feel
A gift from the heart
Don’t disregard the violets, Violet.
I pull the card to my chest as the tears gather about to roll, my whimpered shout for Annie as the bell goes and two people come running. “Violet, are you okay?” I can’t control the sobs as Adam marches to me, as he engulfs me in his arms hard against his chest, with Annie’s eyes pierced on the pair of us. My voice uncontrollable I gaze into Adam’s light brown hazel eyes silently begging him. “Annie, can you