"Are you mad? These are not the flowers my master requested!"

"I beg your pardon; the blooms your master favours are not available today. They are also quite difficult to procure, but the daffodils possess a scent similar to—"

"This is the second instance of such an error! I assure you, my master will not be pleased."

"That is why I wish to apologise to him personally, as difficult as he may be." I sighed in exasperation. Yaw had warned me earlier that he would be off duty today, and I would have to deal with Norma, the butler, who has never taken kindly to me since my arrival here. My father had been that man’s martial arts tutor, tending to their gardens as part of his discipline until that fateful day when he sacrificed his leg to save his pupil's life. I bore resentment for years but relinquished it, especially as I had to manage the flower shop while still a student. The client was but a child when he witnessed my father's sacrifice; he has no idea how that incident altered the course of my life, nor the costly medicines I must buy for my father every month.

"Madam Norma, your master requests deliveries at precise times, but my supplier was delayed, and I could not—"

"Excuses, excuses. My Hun would have preferred you skip a day but not mix up the orders. Whatever the reason, I wish you had informed me of this earlier. Perhaps it was a mistake having you take over the delivery from your ailing father."

"Then convey that to your master! I would not be here had he not contacted my father to resume the deliveries."

Norma grimaced. "You are the embodiment of disrespect. It is no wonder the master deems you unworthy of this position."

"I was wondering what the fuss was about. It seems I am the topic of conversation." The client appeared, dressed in tennis attire, approaching us with an unhurried grace. Yet, upon seeing the blooms in my hands, his expression soured. "What is this?"

"Good morning, sir." I curtsied respectfully and continued, "It appears there has been a slight mix-up with today's delivery; however, I shall make amends in the coming days."

"Daffodils." He plucked a petal and sniffed it, a gesture that irritated me. As a florist, whenever any of my patrons would engage in such act and then leave without making a purchase was considered utterly rude. Surely, this client must know such behaviour is unseemly.

"They possess a scent quite akin to your preference..."

"Yet these are not my usual request." He cut me off, his eyes now fixed upon me. "Mix-up, you say? Please, elaborate."

I recognised that he was toying with me, but I refused to let him gain the upper hand today. Even if I explained, it would fall on deaf ears. "For the next delivery, there will be an omission of payment as compensation."

"I distinctly recall my accountant informing me that all payments were made in advance through the end of this month."

Surprisingly, the client still remained composed, granting me a fleeting moment of relief. However, the calm was short-lived, for he tilted his head slightly and remarked that I stank.

"I ran here. My first supplier was delayed, so I had no choice but to wait for the next one to bring you the finest daffodils."

He smirked and motioned for me to follow him into his study, leaving Norma behind.

"Your mishaps with your supplier are no concern of mine. I'm more interested in how you wish to compensate me for the inconvenience. For eight years, your parents have supplied my family with flowers, and not a day has your father failed us. However, since you took over, I have grown disappointed by the day. You know I can bring down your business with just a single snap of my fingers if I so wish."

Enough! I was done. Not today, not after the struggles with my suppliers. "With all due respect, I am not my father, and I manage my affairs as I see fit. If this displeases you, terminate our contract; however, I will not be threatened. I came here to rectify the mistake, as I would for any client—"

"Client?" The man interrupted, a wry smile crossing his lips. "You think of me as a mere client?"

The truth spilled forth, so I might as well continue. "I pity the poor soul who would bind themselves to you in marriage."

"How amusing, when that soul happens to be you."

What madness was this? I stared at him, uncertain if I had heard correctly.

"I have tolerated your services out of respect for your father. However, like you, I can bear it no longer. Hence, I present to you a proposal of compensation that should satisfy even you. If you do not accept my offer of marriage, you shall face the penalties for breaching this contract."

"What?" I gasped, stuttered. "Wait… I intended to insult you, not…"

"Do you think I request daisies simply because I like them?"

"I could care less why you ask for them," I retorted, astonished when he laughed, a rare occurrence indeed.

"Do not flatter yourself. This offer is purely for convenience. You shall remain out of sight, free to pursue your 'unseemly' florist business. My solicitor was prepared to discuss a contract with you, but instead, I offer you marriage, though I seek a wife who despises me. I desire no affections, no burdensome ties. Our union will be for appearances only, and it shall suffice to settle this 'mix-up,' as you call it, with Norma."

I felt deeply insulted by his words, and his casual disdain unsettled me. "Who do you think you are?"

"Your only escape from destitution. The penalty for breaking our contract would be crippling, and I have no desire to engage in a battle you cannot win."

"Go swallow a cactus!" I shouted, further enraged when he chuckled. Suddenly, I sensed my own pheromones, feeling them slowly fade. Thankfully, I was Recessive, and he appeared to be a Beta, or else he would have reacted or recoiled had he been an Alpha.

"Sadly, I cannot. But you may continue your..." He paused, a mocking grin forming. "Illicit little adventures with Betas who fetishise Alphas. Is that not the term, Mr. Uta?"

I did not confirm his statement, but I was stunned he knew about my side business. Has he been investigating me?

"Once I get what I desire, it shall serve as the reason for our divorce, and then we may part ways discreetly. If you understand, we may begin."

I hadn't realised my hand had moved of its own accord until I saw the light gasp escape his lips. He sat there, drenched as the daffodils I had been holding fell one by one onto his desk.

He shook his wet hands and rose, letting out a low laugh. "Adding more to the list of things you owe me? First, the mix-up, then your illegal side business, and now you assault me? How shall you appease me, I wonder?"

"If it weren't for the promise I made to my father, I would have done much worse," I declared, my fists clenched, anger coursing through me. "I am poor, and I accept it, but so are you. Those you call elite would abandon you the moment you lose the wealth you so desperately cling to." I stepped closer, jabbing his chest with my finger. "Am I to be spoken to as though I were your equal when I am older than you?"

He simply stared at me, unfazed, which only served to fuel my irritation. I realised, standing so close, that I was slightly taller than him. "Report me to the authorities, then. At least I'll be rid of your hideous face."

"Adding threat to the list now?"

"Who proposes marriage to someone they despise?" I blurted out, feeling utterly humiliated by his composed demeanour. I knew I was making things worse by expressing my anger, but I had been suppressing it for far too long.

"Me."

Unbelievable! What was wrong with this man today? I took a step back and turned to leave. "Find another florist."

"You are breaching our contract. The penalty is substantial, and I am a very vindictive man."

"Oh, indeed?" I spun around. "Then do your worst."