Diana

"You're not leaving for work today as well?" Stella asked Alex who just parked his car at the garage of the villa and was walking towards her.

She was at her favourite spot in the villa, which was the flower garden. The mixed fragrance of different flowers soothes her mind and she always finds herself coming each blessed  after she has regained herself.

The beautiful scenery alone is romantic, not to mention the feeling it brought her. It's either she sat on the bench facing the garden or be on her feet, closer to it and sometimes squat and rub her fingers on their delicate petals.

Alex has been ditching work and coming to spend time with her constantly. he usually visit once in a while, now it has become an everyday necessity.

Alex was dressed in a black suit, with his hair looking shiny from excessive applyment of oil.

His smile deepened as he stood beside her. "I'm the CEO of the company." he said, hoping that Stella will look at him, since the woman kept her gaze locked on the flowers.

"Are you showing off?" Stella asked.

"Are you smitten by the show off?" he asked in return.

"You smell nice." Stella complimented, "you changed your cologne?" she asked.

Alex's heart flutters, "you noticed." he said, a hint of happiness in his tone. He turned to look at the woman dressed in a long floral skirt and simple long sleeve top, not revealing any skin, yet her elegance is intact.

"I changed my hairstyle too." Alex said and Stella giggled.

"What do you want?" she asked, still laughing at his shamelessness.

"I want you to look at me and ignore those flowers for a few minutes." Alex replied.

It was then that Stella realize she hasn't looked at him. Why? because she was just down the memory lane of their past before the man showed up.

But she had no idea it has taken so long and Alex mind it. She turned her face towards him and saw him hold up a silver necklace with a flower petals pendant.

She could tell the quality from first glance, as it's the type on the VIP section in her mall, but who cares about quality? she just received a gift? Alex find her worthy of receiving gifts?

She looked up at him after glancing at the necklace and realize he's super handsome today. Is he kidding her? Didn't he realize he's old for all this?

He even apply a tiny amount of lip gloss, which made his lips eye catching, coupled with the fact that it was stretched into a smile.

Why is his hair so shiny? Stella's eyes traces his silhouette. Okay! It will be a lie if she said her heart isn't racing right now, but seriously???

Seeing her flushed face that's betraying the feelings she's trying to hide, Alex's smile blossom into a light laughter, before moving closer and putting the necklace around her neck.

They were so close that Stella body stiffened till he's done, but instead of pulling back, he wrapped his hands around her, hugging her tightly, "I can't stop thinking about you." he said.

Stella's expression turned serious, but to Alex's astonishment, she hugged him back, "I'm here." she said.

He felt happy and hugged her more tightly, "I want us to start filling the holes dug in our relationship." he said, not holding back his intentions.

He finds the time he had to come and keeping boundaries a waste. They could do so much, he could start building thier feelings back to how it used to be, forget Shane's existence and start working towards happiness.

When their daughter return, she won't meet them apart, she won't visit them separately and meet them in harmony.

"Let's do that." Stella said, making Alex doubted if this was a dream. He pulled back and looked into her eyes.

"You mean it?" he asked.

"Yes, let's do that. This is your house, you don't have to come visiting. Stay if you wish to and stopped coming like a visitor." Stella said.

Alex's expression sank, "it's because of that?" he asked, thinking Stella is feeling bad about staying in his home, while he had to leave.

Stella shook her head, "no Alex, I mean it. I want us to try being happy again." she said. Even though she's pretending to be cool, each time Alex left, she felt alone and could only feel at ease staring at these flower garden.

She felt like she's still caged by Shane. She had nightmares of him having his hands around her and dragging her back to his place. She's scared that this freedom is a dream and the nightmare is the reality.

If she didn't move on, she doubted she's ever going to forget Shane. She wanted her mind to be free of him, but it's hard. Whenever Alex is around, she felt good.

Aside from his shameless jokes, she only sees him even without staring at him and only have his thoughts in her head.

She wanted him near, she wished to heal, be strong till the day she meet her daughter again. Diana has asked her to be strong that the next time they meet, it won't be in the same situation as the last time.

She has been unable to sleep well and it's starting to affect her health. She constantly felt weak and didn't want it to get to the point where she would have to visit the hospital.

Since she also want Alex and Alex want her, why waste time when all she had to do was say yes. She has thought about this, but didn't know how to bring it up, but since such a golden opportunity presented himself, while not take it!

She really missed him.

Alex was the happiest, as he couldn't believe his ears, "thank you Stella, I will move in right away. In fact, there's no need moving in, I'm already in." he said in a rush.

Stella giggled, "stop acting like a kid." she said.

"Stop talking like a grandmother, our daughter hasn't produced us a baby yet." Alex said and they both laughed.

"Thanks for the gift." Stella said.

"Do you like it?"

"Very much." Stella said and touches the pendant.

"I meant the new cologne."

"...."