Chapter 31: The Garden Confrontation

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: The Garden Confrontation

Simon summoned all the courage he had left and went to meet Flora at the garden.

His heart was beating very fast. He kept thinking about what could be the outcome and how Flora would react. He knew he had to face her. Running away would only make things worse.

He walked down towards the staff hallway. To get to the garden faster ,he had to pass through the kitchen premises.

As soon as he passed the kitchen back yard, the chef saw him. She is a matured lady who should probably be in her thirties.

"Oh! Simon!" she shouted with a big smile. "Good morning! I noticed you didn’t eat your dinner ! Why? Don’t you like the taste? Tell me." I have other recipes, maybe I can fry the fish instead of roasting it". She said while adjusting her uniform.

Simon was in a hurry. His mind was only on the garden. He could not stop to talk.

He forced a small smile, waved his hand quickly, and said, "Good morning, chef. Yes, thank you."

He did not wait. He passed immediately and went out through the back door that led to the garden. He could still hear the chef saying something behind him, but he was already gone.

The morning air in the garden was cool and fresh. The flowers were blooming and the birds were singing. But Simon did not notice any of that. His eyes were searching for only one person.

Then he saw her.

Flora was in the middle of the garden, on her yoga mat. She wore a simple black yoga dress. Her hair was packed up, and her face looked calm and focused.

Simon felt his legs become weak. She looked so peaceful. So beautiful.

He swallowed hard and walked closer.

"Good morning, Madam," he said. His voice was a little shaky.

Flora did not stop her exercise. She just looked at him for a second and nodded her head. No smile. No words. Just a simple nod.

That nod pierced Simon’s chest. He mind skipped. He knew he was in big trouble.

But he remained composed. He told himself inside, "Whatever happens today, whatever she says, I will accept it. I made a mistake. I must face the outcome like a man."

Flora pointed to the garden chair not far from her. "Sit down," she said quietly.

Simon obeyed. He sat down at the garden chair. His hands were sweaty. He placed them on his knees and watched her.

Flora continued her exercise. She did not rush. She wanted him to wait, and he understood.

She took a very deep breath. Slowly, she raised her hands up toward the sky, then brought them down gently to her chest. She closed her eyes and breathed again.

After a few minutes, she stretched her legs and her back slowly, bending forward and back.

Then she finally finished. She stood up from her mat. As she stood, she adjusted her dress. In that moment, Simon could not help but see how beautiful she was. Her posture was elegant, her shape was graceful, and her presence commanded respect. She is truly an epitome of beauty. A woman any man would cry a bucket of tears to have, and still feel lucky.

Simon quickly looked away, feeling guilty for even thinking about her beauty when he was there to face her judgement.

Flora picked up a small towel, cleaned her face, and then walked towards Simon. Her steps were slow and confident. She came and sat on the next chair very close to him.

For a few seconds, there was silence. Only the sound of the birds could be heard.

She turned and looked at him directly. Her eyes were serious.

"So, Simon," she said softly but firmly. " I called the store this morning to investigate properly about the luxury items but....."

Simon looked down, then looked up at her. His heart was beating so fast, and his mouth was ready to finally speak the truth, but he stayed calm.

Flora continued sitting close to Simon. The morning was still quiet. She placed her water bottle on the small table between them and looked at him for a long time without saying anything. Simon could feel his heart beating loudly. He did not know what she will say next.

Finally, Flora took a deep breath and spoke.

"Simon," she said, "I need to tell you something. Before I started my yoga this morning, I called the store again."

Simon looked up quickly. He was still shocked.

"You called the store Ma? " he asked.

Flora nodded. "Yes. I called them. Yesterday, when you told me about the gifts, I did not feel at peace. Something was not complete. You told me a philanthropist gave you the luxury gifts. It sounded too fast, too strange to believe.I am a business woman, Simon. I know when something is missing in a story. So I decided to find out the truth before i jump into conclusion."

Simon’s mouth was slightly open. He was listening carefully. He felt ashamed that she had to call and confirm, but he also understood her.

"So this morning. As I spoke with the manager," Flora continued. What she told me made me so proud of you."

"What did they say, Ma?" Simon asked softly. His voice was shaking.

Flora smiled. "She said you deserved the gift. That you deserved even more than the gift for being kind to a customer."

Simon smiled a little. "Me? I didn’t do anything special."

Flora shook her head. "No, you did. You did something very special. It takes a kind heart to be good to people."

Flora shifted in her chair to face Simon properly. She wanted him to understand every word.

"The manager said a woman came to the store to purchase some things. She is their regular customer, but that day she came alone. According to the manager, she was very friendly to you. She asked you to assist her because she was buying so many things.."

Simon was now trying to play along. He nodded slowly.

"Yes Ma, she is the one that gave me all those gifts.. Very kind soul."

Flora continued, "and she struggled with breathing that day,she had asthma. A severe one. Everyone in the store were shocked and stepped back. But you held her from breaking out."

Simon looked down at his hands. He was lost for a moment.

"I didn’t know what to do at first," Simon confessed. "My brain went blank. But I remembered the first aid training I did last year. The trainer said, if someone cannot breathe, make them sit, support their back, and call for help fast."

Flora looked at Simon and said softly,

"Please, can I have the woman’s number? I want to invite her to join my charity foundation."

Simon became nervous immediately. His face changed. He quickly composed himself and forced a smile.

"No Ma, I asked the store manager for the woman’s number, but he said she prefers to remain anonymous. That she prefers to gift people quietly ".

Flora paused, then nodded gently.

"Oh, it’s okay then," she said. "I understand. If she wants to remain anonymous, we should respect it."

Simon faked emotions but he held them back. He had never heard such a well composed story. The store girl went all out for him.

Flora reached out and gently touched his hand for a second. Then she withdrew her hand.

"Simon, may the universe replenish your efforts in thousand ways.

He shook his head. Amen, Thank you,Ma

"Oh my God ," Simon whispered. I thought she was just...I didn’t know it was that serious ..I just did what anyone would do ".

The garden was silent for a moment. Simon could not speak. He finally understood how ￡5000 can motivate an average girl trying to earn a living by all means.

"No, Simon," Flora said firmly. "Not anyone would do it. Many people would run. Many people would be scared and do nothing.

She looked at him with deep respect.

"Simon, that was so kind of you,If you continue like this, your good heart will take you to places you never imagined. It pays to be good. Goodness never dies. People may forget many things, but they will never forget how you made them feel when they were helpless."

Simon’s heart was full. He felt emotional destabilize.

He bowed his head slightly and said, "Thank you so much, Madam.Thank you for this appreciation. It means a lot to me. Coming from you, it means everything. I will never forget your words."

Flora smiled. She was happy that he understood her message.

Then Flora’s face became softer. She looked towards the flowers and spoke almost to herself.

"You know, Simon, when you help people, God helps you. I have tried in my own small way. I have supported so many charity homes in London and in other countries. In America, in Canada, even in Nigeria. I just do it to give back to the society"

Simon looked at her with new admiration.

"I know, Ma" Simon said. "I googled your name one day. What I saw shocked me. I found out you feed thousands of children in orphanage homes every month. You pay for their food, school fees and clothes. You support patients with deadly diseases, both online and offline. Madam, you are doing what many top leaders in the society cannot do."

Flora looked down, a little shy. She waved her hand as if to say it was nothing.

"Please, Simon, don’t say that," she said. "It is not for people to praise me. I was once in need too. God helped me. So I promised God that if He ever blesses me, I will be a blessing to others. That is all I am doing."

Simon shook his head. " I pray you get more blessings. I pray God gives you long life, good health, and abundant wealth, so you can continue to do more. You deserve the best of this world."

Flora did not answer immediately. She just smiled. It was a deep, peaceful, genuine smile.

As she smiled, Simon knew that at least for that moment, he has been saved, and their closeness was stronger than before.

Simon was still lost in his thoughts when Flora stood up.

She looked at him calmly and said, "Simon, you can take your gifts from the boot and please get the black car ready before 2:00 pm "

"Okay Ma, Thank you.

Then she turned and walked inside.

Simon watched her like a man completely finished. She walked like a goddess. With every step, her hips swayed gently from side to side. It was like watching two oceans move. The Atlantic and the Pacific meant nothing compared to what he was seeing, because no ocean has this kind of beauty and gravity moving behind it.

He stood there, unable to move, until she disappeared..