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The heavy, sweet fragrance of flowers in bloom practically hit her in the face as she stepped off.
Rhiannon walked slowly onto her floor, and the closer she walked to her office, the stronger the smell of flowers became.
She also could not miss the giggles and shrieks coming from her office.
“Hey,” she said slowly, rounding the corner to her office. “What’s going o …” Her words trailed away as she looked at the small room she called her office.
Ellyn stood near her desk along with Jackie, the office manager. They were both smiling and looking at her expectantly.
“What the hell …” Rhiannon rarely swore, but she thought the situation warranted it as she looked around her.
A variety of the most exquisite flowers she had ever seen covered every flat surface in her office. The dozens of flowers came in every color. Several bunches had been delivered in vases that were clearly expensive. There were pink peonies, lilies, and lots of roses.
Just then, Jackie sneezed loudly several times. When Rhiannon looked at her, the office manager’s eyes were watery and red.
“Where did all these come from?” Rhiannon demanded, though she already knew the answer.
Ellyn shrugged but continued smiling coyly.
“The only card that came with all these is from the florist. It’s a big outfit uptown. The kind of place that only caters to the rich and famous.”
“I need to make a call,” Rhiannon murmured, and Ellyn left, blowing her a kiss as she went.
Instead of calling Mars directly, she called his office.
“Mars Casey’s office, Lenard speaking.” She had spoken to Lenard before.
She couldn’t help but feel a tinge of annoyance as she looked around her office. The flowers were excessive and a waste.
Rhiannon understood Mars's motives; after all, she still hadn’t replied to his messages.
But she could barely move.
“Hello, is anyone there?” Lenard’s voice came, echoing down the line.
“Hi, yes. This is Rhiannon Foley speaking,” she spoke, clearing her throat.
“Ah, Ms. Foley. My boss was hoping to hear from you.” There was an obvious smile in Lenard’s voice.
He even sounded triumphant, as though her phone call was some kind of win for Mars.
She didn’t, however, stop herself from rolling her eyes. Then she decided to handle the matter of the flowers head-on. Mars and his assistant Lenard would never see it coming.
“I am calling because I’d like you to relay a message to your boss. These flowers are not welcome in my office. I didn’t give Mr. Casey any indication that I wanted flowers. And furthermore, sending a pro bono an excessive number of flowers is a slap in the face.”
Rhiannon only realized that she was pressing her nails into her palms too hard when she drew blood. Her chest was heaving, and heat had risen in her face.
Are you actually angry at Mars?
When Lenard spoke again, his voice was more subdued. More business-like.
“I am very sorry, Ms. Foley. Mr. Casey and I didn’t think you would mind.” He sounded almost forlorn.
“Well, I do mind,” she snapped the words at him.
She could almost see him flinching on the other end of the line.
“Your boss must have spent hundreds of dollars on flowers that are going to wither and die. I spend my days trying to raise that kind of money for the people who can’t afford my legal fees.”
