She remembered him in their college biology cla.s.s. That John she knew was a man who made anything possible, whom the conventions could not touch, who was pleasant and intelligent. He was surrounded by girls but he was far fetched for a simple girl like her. For sure, he did not even know she existed in their cla.s.s, she thought.

Diane was not even sure with the way he looked at her earlier if he remembered she was one of his cla.s.smates. He seemed s.p.a.cing watching her as she recalled. What was he thinking at that time? His thoughts might be on a serious matter regarding his work, that's why he couldn't focus on the list.

Yes, those wonderful and sad days in college. She was filled with nostalgia meeting him today. Yet, sadness and anger took over her later. Woefully, another man became her lover and caused her years of endless pain. She exhaled and controlled her changed of mood. Forget that adulterer, she told herself.

This John was more handsome, still surrounded by women and was even more popular. He would totally be out of her reach. Better to remain in the business mode when we meet again, she thought. She'd learned her lesson and avoided those dynamic and charismatic men. Always so sharp and formal. Always in control.

Also, her other profession would be a hindrance for any romance for now.

Diane took a taxi and went to the back of her shop, her house, as soon as she could for her mother's medication. Her mother's health declined after her father died. She had to end her dream of becoming an architect and take over their flower shop. Business was not that bad but her mother's medical needs and other bills ate up most of her earnings. Then more compet.i.tors sprung in their area. Good thing, Beauty continued her patronage, her main source of income, and a wonderful friend.

Diane met Beauty during Cathy's debut party. Her shop was the one who provided the flowers at that time. Since then, they were constantly in contact. Diane confided her problems with Beauty. So the latter offered to lend her a helping hand, recommending her flower shop to her circle of friends.

As she went into her house at the back of the shop, she hastily pulled a gla.s.s from the rack near the sink and filled it with water. She ran to her mother's room, placed the gla.s.s on top of the side table, and took a pill from the medicine box in its first drawer.

"Ma, wake up. It's time for your medicine." She patted her mother's face. Daisy, her mother, woke and sat as Diane guided her. Daisy drank the medicine and lay back on the bed.

"Ma, did you do your morning walk?"

"Yes, I did."

Diane saw the daisies on the table. She shook her head and sighed. When her father was still alive, he had been gifting her mother daisies on a daily basis, fresh from a friend's flower garden. Now, to fill her lonely days, her mother would always bring a bunch of daisies from their shop to place it in her room.

"Ma, if you have the strength, come to the shop for a change."

Her mother nodded and closed her eyes.

In her shop…

"Diane, there's a call for you." Lydia, Diane's secretary, and shop keeper said when Diane stepped in the door.

Diane gazed at the phone, wis.h.i.+ng it was a call from John or from the other customers. She picked it up and placed the receiver on her ear.

"h.e.l.lo, Diane?" It's her Aunt Rose, Daisy's sister calling.

"h.e.l.lo, Auntie," she answered keeping her voice even and unemotional. She knew what was coming, had been expecting it, and dreaded the confrontation and all that was sure to follow.