“Wait, wait for me, Anthony!” Victoria's voice rang out, tinged with desperation as she struggled to keep up with his brisk pace.
Anthony was walking quickly and ignored her shout. But he turned to look at Victoria when he heard her fall.
“Ouch! I told you to wait, you deaf jerk,” she muttered, glaring at him through the pain.
“I heard you,” Anthony replied, his tone annoyingly soft. “I just chose to ignore it.”
“What did you say?” Victoria snapped, her annoyance rising.
“What?” he echoed, feigning innocence as he took a few steps closer.
“You’re doing it again,” she accused, her frustration evident in her voice.
Anthony’s eyes glinted with a mixture of amusement and sarcasm. “Are you planning to stay on the grass all day, or do you need help getting up?” he asked, his words dripping with mock concern.
Victoria rolled her eyes. She made an effort to stand, but as soon as she put weight on her ankle, a sharp pain shot through her leg, causing her to collapse back onto the ground. She bit her lip to stifle a cry, feeling a mix of embarrassment and anger.
Victoria and Anthony locked eyes, a heavy silence hanging between them like an unspoken secret. Minutes ticked by, neither of them willing to break the tension first. Finally, Anthony took a step closer to Victoria, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Hey, what are you going to do? Keep your distance from me," Victoria snapped
"Really? So, you want me to leave you here?" Anthony's tone was calm, almost teasing, but there was an edge to it that made Victoria's heart race.
"Tsk," she huffed, rolling her eyes but unable to hide the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
Without another word, Anthony carry her up effortlessly. Victoria's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. 
She hadn't expected him to do that, and the sudden closeness made her feel dizzy. As he carried her, Victoria couldn't help but notice how safe she felt in his arms. It was a strange, comforting sensation, one that both confused and thrilled her.
"Wait, where are you taking me?" she asked, trying to sound annoyed but failing to mask the curiosity in her voice.
Anthony remained silent, his focus solely on the path ahead. Her surroundings becoming more and more familiar with each step he took.
As they rounded a corner, Victoria's breath caught in her throat. The sight before her was like a scene from a forgotten dream. The Spring Meadow stretched out in front of them, a sea of vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze. Memories surged through her mind. Happiness, pain, and regret all mingling together.
"Beautiful, isn't it? I come here every spring day," Anthony began, his voice gentle yet filled with an unmistakable warmth as he gazed at the blossoming meadow before them.
Victoria was troubled by the many questions flooding her mind. Why does he come here? Does he have a reason? Have we met before? Her memories felt hazy, like a dream just out of reach.
"Why? Why do you come here?" she asked, the only question that managed to escape her lips.
He chuckled softly, the sound filled with a kind of nostalgia that only deepened her curiosity. "In the past, I didn't know how to answer when someone asked what my favorite flower was."
Victoria remained silent, her thoughts drifting back to the events at Spring Meadow, a place that seemed so distant and yet so near.
"But..." he continued, "Gladiolus."
Victoria was shocked by what she heard... her name, her real name, uttered by Anthony.
"Gladiolus flowers are my favorite. They symbolize strength, victory, and power," he explained, his gaze fixed firmly on the vibrant blooms, but there was something in his tone that suggested he was speaking of more than just flowers.
Anthony turned then, his eyes meeting hers, and noticed the tears that had begun to falling down her cheeks.
"Victoria? Are you okay? What's wrong?" Anthony asked with concern.
"My... my favorite flower..." she began, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. The tears flowed freely now, each one a testament to the turmoil within her.
Anthony remained silent, his gaze steady and patient, waiting for her to continue.
"My favorite flower... is... is the Yellow Spider Lily," she finally managed to say, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Anthony was taken aback, but he didn't show it. Victoria's favorite flower was the same as Mae's. Victoria's favorite flower was the same as Mae's. His mind wrestled with the possibility. Was it merely a coincidence, or was there something more to this shared preference?
Anthony gently lifted Victoria again and began walking towards Victoria's car. His thoughts were already on their next move: getting Victoria to the mansion without inciting the wrath of her father, Mr. Jaxon.
"We're going home. You must be exhausted after everything that's happened," Anthony said.
Victoria nodded, silently wiping the tears that streaked her cheeks. The sight of her crying struck a chord deep within Anthony, but he forced himself to push aside his emotions. His mission was more important, and personal feelings had no place in it.
He settled Victoria into the passenger seat, her sprained ankle making it clear that she wouldn't be driving tonight.
"I'll drive. You rest," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Victoria didn't protest. She remained silent, and within a few minutes of the drive, she fell asleep due to her exhaustion. Anthony glanced over at her, his eyes lingering on her peaceful face. She looked so serene, so beautiful, even in her sleep.
As he drove, Anthony's thoughts drifted, unbidden, back to Mae. Every glance at Victoria brought a flood of memories, each one more painful than the last. Not just in their choice of flowers but in their very essence. It tugged at his heartstrings, a constant reminder of what he had lost.
But he couldn't afford to dwell on the past. His mission demanded his full attention, there is a people that needed him now, to make this mission a success. Despite the ache in his heart, Anthony focused on the road ahead, determined to keep her posture and intentions, no matter the cost.