The front door swings open as you step inside. The bell attached to the door catches Gabrielle's attention. She appears to have finished sweeping and is now performing a check-up on the cash register.
GB Welcome! How can I...
GB Oh, Y/N! It's good to see you!
You make your way over to the counter. She smiles that polite smile, though she nods apologetically for having her hands full at the moment.
GB Just a moment. Let me finish up, okay?
GB I had to give change for a hundred, and now I have to refill all this.
GB Can you believe that? People walk around with hundred dollar bills!
GB He looked kind of rich, too, I'm not going to lie.
GB I feel like rich people have a certain kind of look, you know?
GB I don't get it myself. I don't know what made him come here, to be frank.
GB I just hope things work out well between them.
She closes the register with a firm metallic sound.
GB I just have to wash my hands, okay?
GB I'll be right back!
She hurries to the back room, behind those large curtains that drape against the wall behind the counter. You stand silently, left with nothing but the scent of flora and the sound of narration.
That reverie is interrupted as the door opens once more. The visitor glances around conspicuously then approaches you.
OS ♡ Psst.
OS ♡ Hey. Is Gabrielle here today?
OS ♡ I mean, obviously she is. They're open.
OS ♡ There's only two of them. That means there's a...
OS ♡ ...
OS ♡ F... fifty-percent chance? Of her being behind the counter?
OS ♡ Whatever.
OS ♡ Do you know where she is?
You point to the back room door. He releases a frustrated sigh.
OS ♡ Great time for her to take a break.
OS ♡ Doesn't she know I only come for urgent business?
OS ♡ And I'm probably her best customer!
The back door reopens, and Gabrielle arrives. Oswald immediately perks up.
OS ♡ Gabby! Hi!!
GB These walls are thinner than you think, Os.
GB You get off that high horse. I was just washing my hands for a second.
Gabrielle gives him a stern look, and he deflates.
OS ♡ S-sorry...
OS ♡ It's just... y'know.
OS ♡ I like getting it done the proper way.
GB I know.
GB So, what is it this time?
GB I think I got to choose last time, so if you brought one of those -
OS ♡ SHH-SHH-SHH! Not so LOUD!!
OS ♡ Don't you see we have company?!
GB Y/N?
She looks at you, then shrugs.
GB They're not going to tell anyone. I trust them.
OS ♡ What about MY trust?
OS ♡ Make them leave!
GB I'm not going to do that.
OS ♡ That is SO unfair.
OS ♡ This is a total breach of confidence... confidant...
OS ♡ Privacy!!
GB I'm sorry, I don't remember signing up under any guidelines.
GB In fact, mister, I was going out of my way to help you.
GB You're not going to be rude to my friend by forcing them outside.
GB They're allowed to be in here just as much as you.
Oswald huffs, then turns to look straight at you.
OS ♡ You didn't hear a THING. Got it?
You nod. Seemingly satisfied, he turns back to Gabrielle, who looks more than pleased at his ability to compromise.
OS ♡ This is the one, this time.
He takes out a rolled-up piece of paper from his coat pocket. As he gently spreads it out on the counter, Gabrielle glances over it.
GB What's the title?
OS ♡ They don't always NEED a title.
GB Aww, but it wraps them up so neatly.
OS ♡ Fine.
OS ♡ The feast.
OS ♡ Because today's a feast day. Or whatever.
GB Ooh.
OS ♡ Are you making fun of me?!
GB No, I'm not! Let me read it -
She uses both hands to flatten the paper as she reads, her lips moving silently with the words. Meanwhile, Oswald glances at you, as if remembering your presence.
OS ♡ YOU don't get to read it.
OS ♡ Got it?
You do not read it. You wait for Gabrielle to finish; when she does, she hums and nods.
GB Your vocabulary is getting better.
OS ♡ Thanks.
OS ♡ Even though it was already good. It just got WAY good.
GB Goodness, why do you never talk as humbly as you write?
OS ♡ Hmph. I'm just... hyping myself up.
OS ♡ It's a confidence thing.
OS ♡ She'd get that.
Gabrielle smiles warmly. Then, she looks around the store and clasps her hands together.
GB I know just the one.
She walks over to a shelf of tall potted plants, carefully plucking a few pink-purple ones. Then, she returns to the counter, wrapping them in plastic and tying them up in a delicate ribbon.
OS ♡ Huh? Aren't those...
GB It is your birthday, isn't it?
GB As long as you don't mind my choice being a bit on the nose...
GB I'll let you have it for free this time.
Oswald quietly watches Gabrielle fold the paper up and place it in a little envelope. Then, she tucks the envelope between the plastic sheets.
OS ♡ What if... she realizes it's ME?
OS ♡ Like, she thinks, oh, do I know anyone associated with orchids?
OS ♡ And she finds out? Just like that?
GB Would that be such a bad thing?
OS ♡ Th-the timing's totally off! I'm not READY yet!
GB Os, what would you even be getting ready for?
GB You like her. So what if she knows?
OS ♡ I-I don't think we should go with these. Maybe roses instead?
OS ♡ Yeah. That's a romantic flower. And it doesn't...
OS ♡ Oh, oh shit, what if that points them towards ROSALYN?!
OS ♡ That'd be even WORSE!!!
Gabrielle rushes from behind the counter as Oswald shrinks in on himself.
GB Oswald Anthemusa. Listen to me.
GB Please. Just breathe.
He forces himself to take big breaths as she firmly holds his shoulders.
GB It's going to be just like every other time.
GB Remember how well it's been going?
OS ♡ H-ho, ho, hoo...
OS ♡ She's still saying good things?
GB She says... interesting things.
GB I don't think she's used to this kind of approach.
GB She tries to play it off. But she's been coming here more, because of it.
GB Pretending like she's suddenly really interested in checking in on the flowers.
GB She lights up every time I give her one, Os.
GB Sooner or later, she's going to find out. Either from you, or from her own curiosity.
OS ♡ What if she... sees me, and...
OS ♡ Doesn't... believe it?
OS ♡ What if she gets mad that I tried to, like, hide it for so long?
OS ♡ It's not like I'm a complete stranger! Is it like I'm l-lying to her?
OS ♡ Or, or, I look at her, and I accidentally...!
He is sobbing at this point, tears hanging off of those thick eyelashes. Gabrielle rubs his back.
GB I'm sorry.
GB All this... it's going to be scary, no matter what.
GB It's up to you to make it worth it. Even when it's hard to face.
Gabrielle takes a handkerchief out of her apron pocket and hands it over. After a few more minutes, his face is still red, but his breathing has settled.
OS ♡ You can give her this one.
OS ♡ T-Tell me how it goes, okay? You'll tell me right away?
GB Of course I will.
GB And... you know that there's a good chance she still won't put it together?
GB I think she'll have to see you for herself, for it to happen.
OS ♡ I know.
GB She's got a good head on her shoulders, but. Umm.
OS ♡ That's okay. She's still w-way smarter than me, anyhow.
GB Oh, Os.
GB You're trying. That's all that matters.
He nods slowly.
OS ♡ Is it... still weird that I want to tell Rosalyn? Even now?
GB No, not at all. I know how much she means to you.
GB But we both know that if she finds out, she'll...
GB Just... let this be yours, okay? It's your life. And your heart.
GB You can have this one thing.
OS ♡ Yeah.
OS ♡ Thank you.
GB Anything. For my best customer.
THE END
(Ending 21/20: Hypocrite)
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