The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 208

Sasha was visibly annoyed. She stepped closer to Joanna and said, emphasizing each word, "I love flowers, and someone sent me flowers. Isn't that good enough?

"Why does it have to be from a man? Do flowers from men smell better? Or are they more valuable?"

Sasha couldn't wrap her head around Joanna's mindset.

Unable to hide her coy smile, Joanna replied, "Because if a man is willing to send you flowers, it means he loves you."

Sasha was rendered speechless.

She nearly rolled her eyes but stopped herself. Instead, she forced a smile and said in a calm tone, "My friend sent me flowers because she loves me, too. Otherwise, why would she bother spending the money?" With that, Sasha hugged her bouquet and returned to her desk.

...

At lunchtime, just as I was tidying up my desk, Sasha burst into my office.

She glanced stealthily at Zane to confirm he was still engrossed in work before leaning close to me and whispering about some gossip she had just overheard.

I stared at her, incredulous. She had only been at Game Department for a few hours, yet she already knew so much.

was impressed. "You're

really."

up his tasks and approached us, saying,

Sasha nodded and grabbed my arm. "Anna, I haven't had the chance to ask. What do you like?" She put on

seriously for a long time

to become the kind of daughter Mom wanted. Later, as a wife and mother, I strived to be what others considered "perfect". I'd never stopped to think about what I wanted or liked. Sasha didn't seem surprised. "No worries. Life's long.

agreed

we could leave the office, there

Zane

delivery man stepped

at him, puzzled. I hadn't ordered anything. "That's

a bouquet

many people in this city, and those close enough to

sent them?" I

man replied honestly,

his work,

Zane, mouthing, "Was

"Yeah," Zane mouthed back.