Hazel decided to explore the garden.
And by "explore," she meant run wildly through the rose maze like a five-year-old sugar gremlin.
"THIS PLACE IS HUGE!" she shouted to no one in particular, arms flailing. "HOW MANY GARDENERS DOES IT TAKE TO KEEP THIS ALIVE?!"
She stumbled into a greenhouse full of orchids, gasped at a turtle-shaped bush, and then—
Nearly tripped over a man in a white button-down crouching by a bonsai tree.
"Whoa!" she yelped.
The man stood up quickly. Tall, well-built, dark hair. Very K-drama second lead material.
"Sorry, Mrs. Blake," he said, startled. "Didn't expect anyone out here this early."
Hazel blinked. "And you are…?"
"Evan. I'm the assistant head gardener. I take care of Mr. Blake's bonsai."
"Wait… Adrian has bonsai?" she said in awe. "That's somehow… adorable."
Evan chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "He doesn't let anyone trim it but me."
"Oh-ho~ possessive over plants too?" Hazel teased.
From behind a row of rose bushes, someone else stood quietly… watching.
Adrian.
His expression unreadable.
His steps silent.
But his grip on the tablet in his hand? Just a little too tight.
⸻
Back in the house, Hazel flopped on the living room couch with a content sigh.
"Guess what?" she called toward the hallway. "I met your precious bonsai baby's nanny. Cute guy. Great arms."
No response.
She smirked.
"He said you're very serious about your tree. I didn't take you for a plant dad, Mr. Blake."
Still nothing.
She glanced toward the open door where Adrian stood. Silent. Staring. Definitely listening.
She sat up, head tilted.
"Are you jealous?" she asked sweetly.
He blinked.
Then turned to leave.
"Oh, you so are," she giggled, chasing after him.
He walked faster.
She jogged. "Wait, wait! You're not mad about Evan, right? He's like, a literal tree guy. I'm not gonna run away with a man who talks to bonsai for fun!"
He stopped at the top of the stairs.
She caught up, panting. "Okay… wow. This mansion has too many stairs. You rich people must have amazing calves."
Adrian looked at her.
For one glorious second, his lips curved.
Barely.
But it was real.
A smile.
Just the hint of one.
Hazel's heart skipped.
"Oh my God," she whispered. "You almost smiled. I saw it. Don't lie."
He turned away.
She leaned in, eyes wide. "Adrian Blake, the unshakable, unsmiling CEO, is jealous of his own gardener."
He walked away.
She followed, grinning.
"Admit it," she sang, "you were jelly~!"
⸻
That night, Adrian sat in his study, staring at the unfinished letter on his desk.
Erin,
Today, you—
He paused.
Then slowly scratched out the sentence.
Instead, he wrote:
You looked happy today.
It suits you.
He folded the letter, sealed it, and placed it beside the others.
⸻
Meanwhile, Hazel scribbled in her own notebook.
Day 3: I met Bonsai Boy.
Made CEO jealous.
Plan to make him laugh by Friday.
Operation "Melt the Ice Cube" is officially underway.
She hugged the pillow and grinned to herself.
"I'm gonna make you fall in love with me, Mr. Blake. And then…"
Her voice softened.
"…I'll catch you before you fall."