Esmeralda's Point of View 
Do  we live for the hopes of tomorrow, for the challenges of today, or for the unfilled dreams of the past? I guess it doesn't really matter, isn't it? Because we just live and live and live. Much like the notable live, love, laugh quote of this world.
As I stand up from my refreshing bath in this warm bathtub filled with a mixture of fresh flower scents it really makes you feel like in a majestic bed of flowers that thrived in paradise.
Though it makes me want to sleep in it forever, it's so addicting that I needed to set an alarm so I wouldn't be late for our work.
Today, I challenged Mr. Lucretius to a strategy duel. We will sell the harvested flowers in the town and whoever gets the biggest sale and the highest number of sales will be the winner. The price? Well, he or she would be the one to choose a place for dinner this evening. But, the real price of this would be the experience. I insisted on this activity for him only because I'd like him to deal with and work more with people. He might be able to learn something new on the way and that will give him a new perspective on life. His admittance last night made me shiver inwardly. He is a lonely soul, very lonely. A lonely soul who endeavored too much in solitary and is now too deep to be fetched, to be seen, to be heard, to be pulled and saved. How pitiful it is to catch a glimpse of such a lost soul. how I wish I could truly help this man before I go back home. To be honest, I am starting to feel homesick. I need mom and my sister.
“Miss Esmeralda, are you ready? ”came the voice with a couple of soft knocks on my door.
I thought it was nonno Alejandro but to my utter surprise, it was Mr. Lucretius.
“Yes, I'll just touch up a little bit. ” I responded as I fixed my hair.
I seldom style my hair like a Maria Clara because it's somewhat of a disturbance but I felt like doing a womanly updo today so I did it. I did my touch-up for about thirty minutes. So when I got out, I was beyond astonished to see Mr. Lucretius still standing and waiting patiently.
“Oh, you're still here? My God, how long have you waited? I think I fixed my outfit for about an hour. ”I asked with somewhat amused curiosity while I grabbed one basket of flowers from his hand.
“I don't have anything to do, ”was his only cheap response before gesturing me to enter his car.
I offered a smile since he gave me a princess treatment. The very notorious opening of a door car for a woman. Though he gave no reaction in return. It's as if he didn't even see me smile.
‘Such a cold robot. ’
“Where's Nonno Alejandro then? ”I inquired since we both were in the front. It looks like he's the one who's going to drive.
“He went there first. To set up our store. Are you fine? ”
My brows perked at his random question. “Um, yes I am. I think. Why? ”
“Nothing,” he murmured while starting up the engine. “Let's go then? ”
“Sure. ”I muttered as I wondered. ‘Isn't this the first time he made such a gesture? '
Upon arrival, I was astounded to see a colorful two-story building with many floundering people both inside and outside. When we were finally able to enter, which was an impossible turn possible since there were a lot of rattling people outside, because apparently, it was already February 14, and the infamous Valentine's Day was currently ongoing.
“Oh, you're here master, and miss Esmeralda” Nonno Alejandro greeted us with a fair smile while bowing at Mr. Lucretius.
Lucretius merely nodded and then started to look around. While I returned Nonno Alejandro's greet with an acknowledgment.
“Yes Nonno, so, it seems our challenge is going to be even more exciting since it is Valentine's Day. ”
“Indeed, please do start arranging those roses there. ”
I quickly grabbed Lucretius upon hearing Nonno Alejandro's direction. Afterward, we both started covering the roses with transparent, pink, white, blue, and even black plastics. We were being watched in front of the store so a lot of women and men were admiring Lucretius' solemn dedication to what he was doing. Even now, I'm still surprised that he is so focused on what he is doing. I can't even afford to talk to him, it feels like I'm going to ruin his one-in-a-lifetime moment of holding and arranging flowers. His movements and way of holding the flowers are so tender as well, it's as if he is holding a child.
‘Well, at least he learns also fast. ’I commented while noticing how adept he seemed in covering the flowers.
“What colors would you like to recommend miss? ” I was thwarted from my observation of Lucretius when a French-looking man, a blonde one, asked me such a question.
I returned his sweet smile while choosing the best in my head. “It depends perhaps on who you would like to give it to. We women have different tastes you know. But if you really have no idea of what color you'd get, mind telling me the characteristics of that special one you'd like to give it to? ” I answered politely, igniting my business-minded trait.
“Well, she seems to like fashion since she is so fashionable. ”
“I see, that's awesome. What color do you relevantly see in her outfits then? ”
He thinks for a moment. “I think it's black, ”then he paused. “Indeed it is! ”he gladly shouted as if only realizing what her favorite color was.“I think she loves black. I remember she never even went out without a hint of black in her outfits.”
I inwardly clapped. I feel proud like a mother with this young man trying to figure out his girlfriend's favorite color. “So you'll order a black rose? How many would you like? ”
“Isn't better if I get a bouquet? ”
That's it, I couldn't control my smile anymore. ‘He's so innocent yet thoughtful! He'll make a good husband for that woman someday. Salute to you woman, you found every girl's dream. ’
“Of course dear, it would be more than better to get her a bouquet. Here it is. ”
He got it politely and tipped me with a hundred US dollars.
“Thank you miss. ” he even added before saying goodbye. This caused me to wave him a parting goodbye.
‘What a sweet bo-’
“Such a sweet conversation. ” I instantly turned my sight at Lucretius. “How's he? ”
I inwardly sighed at his question. ‘Why do I feel like his voice is laced with mockery? ’
“Um, he's good? ” I replied, not knowing why he asked such an odd question.
“Good enough to distract you from selling? ”