Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Eden's lips quivered, her eyes blazing at Clara with a look that could burn through steel. It was like she wanted to swallow her whole, like some vengeful spirit on the warpath. Clara glanced down at the mess of petals scattered everywhere and felt her anger bubbling up.

Eden pressed her lips into a thin line and spoke in a voice that cut through the tension. "Just you wait."

With that, she spun around and marched off to pay, making sure the cherry blossoms would be sent to Palm Bay.

Clara just stood there, feeling like someone had switched off all her emotions. Scarlette gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "Keep an eye out. Something's off with her."

Clara forced a smile. "Off" was putting it lightly. It felt like she was being stalked by a rabid dog. She took a deep breath, decided against buying any more flowers, and headed home with her small bag of groceries.

Meanwhile, Eden showed up at Palm Bay, arms full of cherry blossoms, practically bouncing as she handed them over to the staff. "Make sure these go into something nice."

One of the staff piped up, "Mr. Dylan took the best vase. Went through tons before Aiden found one he liked."

Eden was surprised-Dylan really had a thing for cherry blossoms now? She saw Aiden nearby and hurried over. "Hey, Aiden, can you help me get these to Dylan?"

Since the time she'd barged into Dylan's room and ticked him off, she hadn't dared to go back. Aiden looked at the mountain of flowers and sighed. "Get these out of here. Don't overwhelm the boss."

Eden was confused. "But everyone said he likes them now. You're his assistant, didn't you know? He even has them in his bedroom tonight."

Aiden glanced at the staff, who quickly looked away, knowing they'd said too much. He turned back to Eden with a smile. "Trust me, Eden, take them away."

Eden's heart sank, and she told the staff to toss the flowers. She'd studied Dylan for ages, trying to figure out what he liked, only to discover he didn't seem to care about anything. Just when she thought she'd found something, Aiden's words struck her down again.noveldrama

But the staff wouldn't lie. Dylan was definitely into those cherry blossoms tonight. If it wasn't about the flowers, then...

Her eyes widened in realization, and she snapped the stems in her hand, nearly cutting herself. A staff member rushed to help, but Eden forced a smile. "Could you tidy this up? I need to run out for a bit."

She left, driving straight to Clara's place. Clara was cooking when she heard a furious pounding at the door. She opened it to find Eden, looking like a storm ready to unleash.

Eden's eyes were bloodshot, fists clenched and bleeding. She looked at Clara, her voice rough and strained. "Clara, those cherry blossoms Dylan got-did you send them?"

Clara frowned and started to shut the door, but Eden wedged her hand in, not even flinching as the door pressed hard against it. Clara wondered if her fingers were broken.

"Clara, just tell me, did you?"

"Yes, is there a problem? Mr. Dylan asked for them himself."

Eden's face went pale, and she staggered back, eyes flashing with a mix of anger and hurt. Clara slammed the door, done with the drama.

Eden felt like the world had just collapsed. Her gut feeling was right, but why did it have to be Clara? Of all people, why her?

She drifted out, dazed, and bumped into Simon outside the building. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to his arm. "Brother..."

She sobbed for a bit, but the tears soon dried up. Underneath the heartbreak, she felt a numbness taking over. The hatred inside her roared, demanding action.

She wiped her eyes, a fierce determination taking hold. No more hesitating. She had to make Clara disappear-completely.