Chapter 4

Eli straightened slightly.

“Right. This is Daniel. My classmate. He said your flower shop looked nice, so obviously I had to prove that my sister is also cool.”

Daniel looked like he wanted the ground to open and take him. “I did not say that exactly.”

“You implied it.”

“I absolutely did not.”

Ajin smiled despite herself. Poor boy. “You have my condolences,” she told Daniel.

He nodded immediately. “Thank you.”

“Excuse me?” Eli scoffed.

She laughed softly—an easy, quiet sound that rarely existed anywhere outside moments like this.

It still surprised her sometimes, how natural it felt.

Eli leaned over the counter, eyeing the flowers. “So, are we getting free snacks for being your favorite customers?”

“You are not customers.”

“Exactly. Family discount.”

“That’s not how discounts work.”

“It should be.”

Ajin reached over and lightly flicked his forehead.

“Ow! Violence!”

“Drama queen.”

Daniel, unfortunately, was trying very hard not to laugh. But failed.

For a moment, everything felt painfully ordinary. Just siblings teasing each other in the middle of a flower shop on a warm afternoon.

And maybe that was why Ajin held onto it so tightly. Because peace was never loud. It lived in small things. In stupid arguments. In the sound of Eli laughing too loudly and pretending not to notice when she worried.

She looked at him for a second longer than necessary. Then, she turned away first, pretending to adjust a vase.

“So,” she said lightly, “since you’re already here, you might as well help.”

Eli froze. “…I suddenly remembered I have homework.”

“You said lunch break.”

“Future homework.”

“Mm.” Ajin smiled without looking at him. “Start with sweeping the front.”

His dramatic sigh echoed through the entire shop.

Daniel laughed.

And for once, Ajin let herself believe that maybe this ordinary life could last a little longer.

Moments later, the shop settled again. Eli and Daniel had stayed just long enough to turn lunch into noise—half-eaten sandwiches, complaints about school, a quick sweep that Eli tried to escape twice before finally giving in. It didn’t take much convincing for Ajin to send them back, reminding them that “lunch break” had an actual time limit.

Eli lingered at the door for a second longer than necessary, waving once before stepping out into the street, Daniel following close behind. The bell rang as they left.

For a brief moment, Ajin stood there, watching through the glass as the two boys disappeared into the flow of people.

Then the door opened again. The bell rang a second time as two men stepped inside.

One was tall—lean build, sharp features, the kind of presence that didn’t demand attention but naturally drew it anyway. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes moved quickly, taking in the space with quiet precision. Meanwhile, the other one was shorter, broader, with a heavier step and a face that carried a permanent look of mild impatience. He glanced around more openly, less subtle but just as observant in his own way.

Ajin turned toward them, her usual gentle smile already in place.

“Welcome. Are you looking for something specific? We have fresh bouquets—”

She stopped for a moment, because the taller man had stopped as well. His gaze had landed on her the moment he stepped inside—and for a fraction of a second, something in his expression shifted.

Like he had forgotten what he was about to say.

He blinked once, composure returning just as fast as it had slipped. Whatever had crossed his mind, he buried it neatly, replacing it with something more professional.

“Sorry,” he said, voice steady. “We’re not here to buy flowers.” The shorter man stepped forward, reaching into his jacket. And then he flashed a badge.

“Detective Marcus Hale,” he said, tone direct. “Major Crimes Unit.”

The taller one followed a second later. “Detective Adrian Cross,” he added more calmly. “Same unit.”

Ajin’s expression shifted just enough to show polite surprise.

“Detectives?”

Marcus nodded. “We’re investigating a case,” he said. “There was an incident recently—outside the city. A… violent one.” He didn’t go into detail.

Adrian continued, his voice was smooth and measured. “We received information that the suspect may have passed through this area. It’s not confirmed, but we’re checking nearby establishments for anything that might help.”

Ajin listened quietly. Like anyone would when speaking to the police.

Marcus gestured lightly toward the street outside. “Do you have CCTV cameras facing the road?”

Ajin followed his gaze briefly, then nodded. “Yes. The shop has one outside.”

Adrian’s eyes returned to her. “Would it be possible for us to review the footage?” he asked. “It’s routine. Just to see if anything stands out.”

Ajin didn’t hesitate. “If it helps keep the neighborhood safe,” she said softly, “of course.”

She stepped out from behind the counter, already moving toward the back where the system was kept. When she stepped in, the two men followed.

The small office behind the shop was neat and simple, just enough space for a desk, a monitor, and a few neatly stacked records. Ajin pulled out the chair and powered on the screen, the quiet hum of the system filling the room.

“Give me a moment,” she said.

Adrian nodded. Marcus folded his arms, eyes already on the screen.

Ajin pulled up the recordings, scrolling through the dates until she reached the one they had mentioned. The footage loaded—grainy, slightly washed-out, but clear enough to show the street outside.

Just people passing by. Cars came and went. Nothing unusual.

They watched in silence.

Minutes stretched, the only sound the faint hum of the monitor and the occasional click as Ajin adjusted the timeline. Morning turned to afternoon on the screen, shadows shifting, the street filling and emptying in its usual rhythm. No one stood out, one that matched whatever they were looking for.

Marcus exhaled quietly. “Doesn’t look like anything,” he muttered.

Adrian leaned slightly closer to the screen, eyes scanning once more before straightening.

“…Yeah. Nothing here.”

Ajin paused the footage. Then, they stepped out of the room together, returning to the front of the shop. The soft scent of flowers greeted them again, replacing the sterile quiet of the back.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I wish I could help more.”

“You already did,” Adrian replied, stepping back. “This is part of the process.”

Marcus gave a small nod.

“If anything comes up—anything unusual, even if it feels small—please contact us.” Adrian stated as he reached into his pocket and placed a small card on the desk.

Ajin picked it up lightly. “I will.”

Marcus moved toward the door first. “Thank you for your cooperation,” he said.

Ajin smiled politely. “It’s no problem.”

Adrian followed—then stopped, just at the threshold. He turned back.

For a moment, he seemed to hesitate, as if deciding something on the spot. Then he smiled. Slightly softer than before.

“By the way,” he said, almost casually, “...your name?”

Ajin blinked once.

“…My name?”

Adrian nodded lightly, as if it were nothing more than a routine formality.

“It’s just part of the report,” he added, tone steady and casual. “We usually note down anyone who assists us during an investigation. Helps if we need to follow up later.” or so he said. It wasn’t really necessary. But it sounded official enough.

Ajin relaxed almost immediately, her expression softening again. “I see.”

The question was simple. She answered just as easily.

“Ajin... Ajin Laurent."

The name settled in the space between them for a brief moment. Adrian repeated it quietly, like testing how it sounded. “Ajin…” Then he nodded once, as if confirming something in his mind. “Right. Thank you.”

He stepped back, professionalism returning smoothly, like nothing had shifted at all. But as he turned toward the door, his pace slowed for a fraction of a second—just enough for his gaze to linger on her once more, then he left. But just before they disappeared fully into the street, he glanced over his shoulder one more time. And the bell above the shop rang softly as the world outside continued on, unchanged.

Ajin found herself smiling, amused by the man who had just asked her name.

Outside, the noise of the street returned around them.

Marcus looked at him the moment they stepped onto the street. “What was that?”

Adrian kept walking. “What was what?”

Marcus scoffed. “Don’t play dumb. Asking for her name? ‘Part of the investigation’?”

Adrian shrugged lightly, hands slipping into his pockets.

“It is.”

“No, it’s not.”

“It could be.”

Marcus quickened his pace to walk beside him. “Hey. Hey—what do you mean ‘it could be’?”

Adrian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he looked ahead.

“We should keep moving,” he said. “We still have other places to check.”