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“Thank you so much, Elara! I’m thrilled with the bouquet,” chirped another satisfied customer. “I’ll tell all my friends about your fabulous shop!”
“You and your friends are welcome any time,” I replied warmly as I tucked her flowers into one of my special airtight carrying cases, designed to keep the blossoms fresh. She admired the bouquet through the clear lid.
“These containers are so clever,” she remarked, clutching it in her mandible.
“It’ll help the flowers last as long as possible,” I explained.
“That’s exactly why people love your shop. No other florist around here offers anything close to what you do. I hope business is booming for you!”
I laughed softly. “Well, it could always be better, but I’m getting by just fine,” I hedged. For a human eking out a living on Thodos III, ‘fine’ meant not starving or being attacked on a daily basis. We were relegated to the shadows, either hiding to avoid notice or lacking funds to live anywhere better. Most of us bought passage here by signing indentured servitude contracts, sacrificing our freedom for the chance at a new life.
The fact that my particular contract entailed arranging flowers all day rather than performing as a stripper or sex worker made me one of the lucky ones. Celestia knew I had it far better than the majority of humans on Thodos III.
My elusive boss wasn’t completely heartless in his treatment of me. He even let me keep a tiny cut of any legitimate shop profits, paltry as they were. Between that and my meager living quarters tucked away upstairs, I really had little to complain about.
Especially considering the alternative fates that could have easily befallen a newly arrived human woman on Thodos III. I never met him, but I heard Alkard wasn’t known for his generosity. Yet for whatever reason, he showed me mercy. I dared not question his motives, however. Ignorance was bliss when it came to Vinduthi syndicate operations.
The chattering Nazok customer spun around to leave, jolting me from my thoughts. I logged the transaction in my holographic records, tidying up as the portal doors whisked shut behind her.
My gaze drifted over the shop’s simple inventory system. The meager sales I conducted were a far cry from my family’s sprawling greenhouse nurseries back on Earth. But carrying on the floristry tradition gave me purpose, even lightyears away on this cold metal outpost dangling in space.
When Alkard’s enforcers purchased my indenture contract, they came to outline the terms of my new shop’s operations. First rule: ask no questions. Easy enough, I complied without hesitation. Next, they emphasized the criticality of convincingly posing as the face of a legal retail business. For me, that obviously meant floristry.
At first, I thought it was some elaborate trap or scam to extort me. But Alkard upheld his end of the bargain as long as I held up mine. I could hardly protest or make demands in my position. Better to keep my head down and be thankful for each day that went by without incident.
The faint whisper of the front door whisking open snapped me from reminiscing. I glanced up from the counter, expecting to greet another customer. Instead, the imposing figure striding toward me stole the air from my lungs. I clutched the counter edge to keep my legs from buckling outright. Thank the stars my weak knees were hidden from view.
The alien man was tall and athletically built, devastatingly handsome in a crisp gray suit that matched his unique complexion. His bare arms bore raised scarlet tracings that reminded me of ancient tribal tattoos. Small horns crowned his temple, peeking out from his shortly cropped black hair. Everything about his commanding presence screamed that he was someone important.
He froze momentarily upon seeing me, seemingly surprised to encounter a human proprietor here. While not entirely unheard of, we were still a rarity running independent businesses on Thodos III.
Drawing himself up, he approached with steady, purposeful steps. I tried unsuccessfully to still my hammering heart.
“Good morning, sir,” I managed steadily despite the adrenaline flooding my veins. “How may I help you today?”
Full lips parted in a smile both captivating yet guarded, a man focused on business rather than idle niceties. Still, that restrained smile suited his angular features perfectly.
“I’m doing very well, thank you,” he replied politely. Even his voice was compelling, rich and smooth. “Might I inquire what sorts of services you offer here?”
I gestured broadly around the modest shop. “Anything related to flowers, really. Bouquets for special occasions, arrangements for events and parties. Just name it.”
He clasped his hands behind his back, keen gaze sweeping the inventory. “I see. And might you have a spray on hand that would be appropriate for, say, a lively social gathering?”
I tilted my head, sensing an intriguing opportunity. “Perhaps a centerpiece for a special occasion instead? Those are quite popular for parties these days.”
“A party it is, indeed.” He flashed a knowing grin that made my heart skip. “In fact, I’m interested in commissioning your services for an upcoming gala event at the Black Star Casino.”
My eyes widened in shock. The notorious Black Star, owned by the shadowy Vinduthi syndicate? And he expected me, a lowly human florist squatting in their territory, to decorate their exclusive venue?
“Oh, I’m not sure I could handle an event that large alone,” I blurted uncertainly. It might never have been said outright, but I wasn’t stupid. Alkard owned this shop as one of his fronts, but surely he didn’t want me doing anything to attract that much attention.
“Not to worry, Alkard holds a vested interest in the casino’s success,” the stranger said smoothly, reading my hesitation. “He’ll be pleased with your participation, I assure you.”
I bit my lip, tempted despite myself. It would be thrilling to tackle such a large event, an opportunity unlikely to ever arise again once I returned to the shadows after this odd encounter.
And catering the gala for the notorious casino? Even just getting a glimpse inside would be the most excitement I’d had in years. As a human, I was relegated to the underbelly of Thodos III, virtually barred from such lavish places.
“Well, decorating a big event does sound like it could be fun,” I admitted, unable to suppress a giddy grin.
