Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

Joanna Kennedy hadn’t expected him to try and poach her so openly. She glanced awkwardly at Howard Thorne’s dark expression, then back at the smiling young man, and said diplomatically, ”You’re joking, Mr. Crowe.”

Raphael Crowe looked like he was about to say more, but Howard Thorne kicked him. He walked reluctantly to the door, then turned around and added, ”Howard, seize the opportunity! Go get your girl!”

As he spoke, he made a fist and gave an encouraging pump.

Howard Thorne: ”...”

Joanna Kennedy: ”?”

Howard Thorne’s face went pale with anger. ”Get out!”

He threw the bouquet from the table toward the door. Raphael Crowe dodged quickly, and the flowers hit the private room door as it swung shut.

The white balloon flowers scattered across the floor with a soft rustle, plunging the room into silence. The atmosphere, thanks to Raphael Crowe’s parting words, became incredibly awkward.

Howard Thorne cleared his throat, feigning composure. ”Don’t mind him. The guy’s an idiot who speaks without thinking.”

His eyes darted about, and under the lights, the blush on his face was obvious. Joanna Kennedy pretended not to notice. She didn’t press the issue, simply smiling and saying, ”Okay.”

The food arrived, and Raphael Crowe had sent over several extra signature dishes, filling the entire round table.

Howard Thorne had little appetite. He seemed to be mulling something over, his expression conflicted. Across from him, Joanna Kennedy was completely unaffected, simply picking out her favorite dishes and taking a few more bites.

The soft clink of her utensils against the bowl was the only sound. Howard Thorne opened his mouth, then gritted his teeth. ”Jojo, I—”

”I’m finished. Do you want anything else?” Joanna’s tone was gentle, her interruption seeming completely unintentional. Only after cutting him off did she ask, ”By the way, what were you about to say?”

Howard, who had been struggling internally, had just worked up the courage to speak. After being interrupted like that, he lost his nerve completely. ”It’s nothing...” he said, deflated.

”I’ll go pay, then.” Joanna Kennedy smiled and pressed the service bell. A server waiting outside entered and said politely, ”Mr. Crowe said this table is on the house.”

Joanna Kennedy, who had been reaching for her phone, paused and looked at Howard Thorne.

Howard Thorne took a deep breath. ”If he wants to pay, let him.”

Since Raphael Crowe was Howard Thorne’s friend, and with Howard’s approval, Joanna Kennedy readily put her phone away and politely thanked the server.

As soon as they left the restaurant, Joanna would go straight home. At this thought, Howard Thorne started eating again, stalling. ”It’s a waste to leave so much,” he explained.

Joanna Kennedy accepted his reason and sat quietly, waiting for him. Feeling a little bored, she gazed out the floor-to-ceiling window.

Summer was truly over. It was only a little after six, but the sky was already growing dim. Lights began to flicker on in the buildings and shopping malls across the street, and not to be outdone, the storefronts and streetlights below began to glow.

There was a flower shop on the corner near the restaurant. Through its spotlessly clean glass windows, she could see a wide variety of flowers. It was beautifully decorated, like a glass conservatory.

A boy in a school uniform walked out, clutching a bouquet of sunflowers. A moment later, a man went inside and bought a bundle of vibrant red roses.

After a little while longer, no one else entered the shop. Then, across the street, the door of a black Maybach opened. A man stepped out, paused for a long moment, and then slowly began to walk.

The shop owner, a recent female college graduate, was trimming wilted flowers. Hearing the bell on the door jingle, she called out without turning around, ”Feel free to look around. Everything is priced!”

She set aside the withered lilies and red roses. Having nearly finished cleaning, she noticed the shop had fallen silent. Puzzled, she turned to look.

A man was standing by the door. He was very tall, dressed in a white t-shirt and light-colored, wide-leg jeans, giving him an air of refined elegance.

Yet, his features were exceedingly cold, his face devoid of emotion. His sharp, handsome looks were so intense they dispelled any sense of warmth, making him seem like a block of ice. One didn’t dare to stare for too long.

’Oh my god, where did this incredibly handsome guy come from? He’s even better-looking than a movie star...’

Being a young woman fresh out of college, the owner’s face flushed. She hastily averted her gaze and stammered, ”H-hello, sir. C-can I help you with something?”

”A-all our flowers are very fresh. Are you buying them for a friend or... a girlfriend?”

Simon Lockwood was silent for a moment, appearing to think it over seriously before finally confirming his answer. ”Girlfriend.”

When the man said that one word, his cold expression softened. One could only imagine how much he must like her. The owner was a little disappointed, though she had expected as much.

’Of course,’ she thought. ’All the handsome ones are taken.’

”If they’re for your girlfriend, any of these would work. Roses, sunflowers, balloon flowers, jasmine... they’re all very popular.”

Simon Lockwood’s gaze followed the owner’s recommendation, sweeping over the flowers. The emotion in his eyes was unreadable. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice a little tight. ”What kind of flowers should you give for an apology?”

”...”

”Huh?” The owner’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. But she was a professional and quickly recovered. ”Oh! An apology...”

The owner glanced around and her eyes landed on some orange-yellow flowers on a high shelf. They were a new arrival. She recommended, ”For an apology, you could give these Brilliant Roses.”

When the man didn’t respond, she explained, ”The meaning of the Brilliant Rose is ’an apology for love,’ ’waiting,’ ’breakup,’ ’deep friendship’...”

The owner dutifully read out the flower’s meanings. Only when she finished did she see the man’s stiff, dark expression. She froze, at a loss for what to do.

Simon Lockwood’s voice was hard. ”Not that one. Do you have anything else?”

”S-something else...”

The owner’s face went pale, frightened by the intimidating aura radiating from him. All thoughts of swooning over him vanished. She immediately found another type and stammered, ”How about the Elsa rose?”

’The Elsa rose,’ she thought, running through its meanings. ’A tumultuous love, you are the only one in my heart, we’re just fighting, it’s not that the love is gone...’

After hearing the owner explain the flower’s meaning, the rigid expression on Simon Lockwood’s face finally softened a bit. ”I’ll take these. Please wrap them up.”

”How many?”

”All of them.”

”...”

There were over nine hundred stems in total. After they were all wrapped and paid for, the owner watched the man walk out, still not quite back to her senses.

’What kind of huge mistake did he make to need so many flowers?’ she wondered. Then, seeing the black Maybach parked outside, she understood. ’Ah, he’s just rich with nothing better to spend his money on.’

Over nine hundred pink Elsa roses filled the trunk to the brim. The ones that didn’t fit had to be brought into the car itself.

Against the black car, the flowers looked even more delicate and pink. Simon Lockwood arranged them carefully, making sure none would be crushed before he closed the trunk.

Back in the restaurant, the lights were still on in the private room by the window. The young woman’s profile was clearly visible—beautiful and elegant. In response to something the person across from her said, she broke into a small smile.

On her pretty, fair face, there was no sign of aloofness or impatience.

He didn’t know how long he stood there watching. Simon Lockwood slowly moved his slightly dry eyes, then lowered his gaze, leaning silently against the black car door.