A.N—I don't own Ranma 1/2.

This chapter is dedicated to you Teresa! See I update! Sorry for not updating 'love story' I'm blank on it...--;

Cyclamens

Earlier chapter

Two more hours past 'til Mikado decided that they worked enough for the day. He released the extra workers and as he closed the cash box he turned to Akane, "do you mind closing? I have to run."

"No problem", Akane smiled. Mikado's question was rhetorical. Almost every evening she locked the shop. All the others ran to their nightly business, only to her nothing waited, except for her books and plants and Mrs. Ono, of course.

On his way out Mikado glanced at the Cyclamens. "You can take the Cyclamens home" He said and left.

Now continuing

When Akane finished sweeping the floor and cleaning the work surface her gaze fell on the Cyclamens again. She will take them to Mrs. Ono, she decided. Yes, that was a good idea. She saw in her imagination the ninety year old lady sitting alone in her humble apartment in front of her a glass of tea, sitting ho so lonely with only a little lamp to light the room. Then she will come with the bouquet. What joy she'll bring what happiness! Mrs. Ono will grab her two hands in hers and despite the fact that Akane will be embarrassed and reject she will hug her. "Akane-chan", she'll say, "there's nobody in the world like you".

Akane got down to her knees in front of the bucket and touched the flowers. With a sudden impulse she lowered her head and rubbed her cheeks at the soft petals, breathing in the flowers fresh and sweet smell.

"Sorry to intrude", suddenly a men's voice sounded, "but I need flowers".

Akane raised her head and her gaze met a pair of jeans that hugged long muscled legs, a dark polo shirt that covered a hard abdomen, a wide torso... A warm feeling spread out inside her even before she saw his face. She knew he would be handsome, it couldn't be another way. When her eyes met his the heat turned into a flame. He was more then just a handsome man. He was amazing! She couldn't define herself the color of his eyes. In the faint light of the shop they shined to her in a shade of purple-blue. Like a field of Purple Dream Irises poured in light of sunset. His lashes were long and black, his nose straight and his mouth full and lush. His cheek bones in his thin face made him look even sexier and his braided black hair aroused in her a desire to pass her fingers through it. She didn't even notice she held her breath and stayed looking at him from her sit on the floor next to the flowers.

"Are you ok?" his voice softened.

She hurried to get up. "Yes. But..." She didn't want to turn him down but the cash-register was already closed. "The shop is closed for today. Only tomorrow..."

"I'll pay twice of usual the price".

"I'm sorry..."

"More".

"It's not the money..."

And then he smiled. "Please help me." Even though she was aware that this was exactly his purpose – to charm her, she knew she couldn't resist him. There was no woman in the world that could say to this man 'no', not even the prettiest most sophisticated and with the biggest self-control. Not to say a modest girl like her. He probably got out from a romance or something. There is no man like that in reality. His eyes shined when he smiled. A thousand little speck of light that shined only for her. She was regretful that her appearance wasn't more appealing. Her height was short and her body slender. Her skin tone was pale and her face, though there were people who thought of them as lovely, were far from impressing, dark eyebrows and lashes over a brown, ordinary eyes. Only in her pink lips there was some sweetness that attracted attention from man. Her hair was long and dark blue, and now it lied wild and shapeless on her back and shoulders. An old corduroy pants and an aged t-shirt were her work clothes.

"There are the Cyclamens". Her voice was not more then a whisper. She dropped her eyes to the bucket. "You can take the Cyclamens"
"Fantastic", the stranger said, and the relief that he felt was sensed clearly in his voice. Akane looked out side, and noticed the gray sports car that parked right in front of the flower shop. For a split second she felt a prick of jealousy. There's no justice in the world. "I'll take them all", he added. "All of the Cyclamens".

Akane pushed the thought on Mrs. Ono to the side, gathered all of the Cyclamens and turned to the working platform. When the bouquet was ready, tied in a purple velvet ribbon, she held it out to the men who stood all that time behind her leaning on one of the counters, his gaze was on a bunch of flowers with long stems and red petals shaped like heart.

"Anthodium", Akane blurted.

"What?" The man shook him self from his daze and stared at her with his gorgeous eyes.

Only now she realized he wasn't really interested in the flowers that he was just starring. Even so she determinedly explained. "Anthodium, flowers of love".

He scanned the flowers again; his lips lift in a heart taking smile. "Actually, I thought they are made of plastic".

She laughed. "I'm not crazy about them either. I prefer the Cyclamens much more".

For along moment he didn't speak, only looked at her. Weakness attacked her knees. "How much do I pay?"

She tried to hold herself together and said, "It's for free".

"No way, no huh". He pulled a few bills from his wallet.

"Please", Akane resolutely refused. "I was going to... throw them anyway".

"Can I know what the hell is going on here?" Inpatient feminine voice cut through the talk. "I started to think something happened to you". The beauty of this woman was breath taking, and Akane remembered immediately her sister's words: money stick to money and beauty stick to beauty. Her chestnut hair was pulled back and on her neck was a thin diamond necklace. Akane didn't miss the wedding ring that was on one of her well cared fingers.

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There is the second chapter for you! R&R!

Lili Boom