Chapter 74: Family Reunion

Fabian beamed and took Mysa’s arm, guiding her towards the nearest display of flowers. “This,” he said with a flourish, “is our pride and joy. Every bloom here has been handpicked and arranged by yours truly.”

Mysa chuckled softly, allowing herself to be led around. The vibrant colors and sweet fragrances enveloped her, creating a sensory tapestry that felt both new and familiar.

Draven followed a few steps behind, his eyes never straying far from Mysa.

Despite his irritation at Fabian's interruption, he couldn’t help but feel a swell of gratitude for his friend’s light-heartedness. It was a reminder that, despite the confusion and the missing memories, there was still joy to be found in the present moment.

Fabian stopped by a display of roses, turning to Mysa with a mischievous glint in his eye. “And these,” he said, plucking a single bloom and presenting it to her with a dramatic bow, “are the most romantic flowers in the shop. Perfect for wooing a certain someone.”

Mysa took the rose, her cheeks flushing slightly.

She glanced at Draven, who was watching her intently, a soft smile playing on his lips. The connection between them felt almost tangible, a thread of emotion that transcended the fog of her memories.

As they continued the tour, all of a sudden, Draven’s phone rang.

He took it out, only to find it was his mom, as usual. She would call in to see whether her son was smoking or drinking again in sorrow, and he would never answer the call at that hour, confirming her suspicions.

Draven stepped into a quiet corner of the shop, away from the colorful displays of flowers, and answered his buzzing phone.

As he swiped to accept the call, his mother’s face appeared on the screen, her expression a mix of worry and relief.

"Draven! You picked up, thank goodness," Zinnia exclaimed, her voice crackling through the FaceTime call. "How are you, honey?"

Draven's smile widened at the sight of his mother. "I have never been better, Mom," he replied, his voice laced with genuine happiness.

Zinnia's relief was palpable, but it quickly gave way to concern. "Wait. Why are you smiling like that? You won’t try to harm yourself or something again, right? And where's Fabian?"

Draven chuckled softly at his mother's typical worry. "Relax, Mom," he reassured her, his eyes flicking briefly to where Fabian was still giving Mysa a tour of the shop. "I just want to share some good news with you. I have found my reason to live again."

Zinnia’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Which is…?" she asked cautiously, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Draven turned the camera on his phone, focusing it on Mysa and Fabian as they stood together amidst the floral displays. "I have got my lifeline back," he said, his voice soft with emotion.

Zinnia gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at the screen. "Mysa?" she uttered, her voice trembling with a mixture of shock and joy. "Draven… am I dreaming? Is that really Mysa? How… when… Oh, my God, Clave, Diva!" she called out to them in excitement.

Draven couldn't help but laugh at his mother's reaction, her love and concern for him pouring through the screen. "Mom, breathe," he teased gently, his heart swelling with gratitude for her understanding and support. "I will explain everything. Just give me a moment."

Zinnia nodded eagerly, her eyes fixed on the screen as she waited for Draven to share the story of Mysa's return.

Draven shared the news to Zinnia, Diva, and Clave in detail, and they were over the moon, deciding they would come here on the next flight. And finally, Draven ended the call.

After the tour of the shop ended, Fabian noticed Mysa glancing curiously out of the large display windows. With a mischievous grin, he pointed across the street.

"Hey, Mysa, look! That's your place right there," Fabian exclaimed, nudging her gently.

Mysa's gaze shifted to the building across the street, her expression momentarily distant as she tried to process Fabian's words.

Suddenly, a rush of memories flooded her mind—fleeting images of laughter in a cozy living room, the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air, and a feeling of warmth and familiarity. But just as quickly as they came, they vanished, leaving her disoriented.

Her head spun, and she stumbled slightly, clutching at a nearby shelf for support. Draven, who had been silently observing from a distance, reacted swiftly.

In a heartbeat, he was by her side, his strong arms encircling her to steady her.

"Easy, Mysa," Draven murmured softly, concern etching lines on his face. "Take it slow. It's okay."

Fabian's excitement dimmed as he realized the impact of his casual remark. "I am sorry, Mysa," he said sheepishly, his voice tinged with guilt. "I didn't mean to overwhelm you."

Mysa blinked, trying to shake off the dizzy spell. Her eyes refocused on Draven's face, seeking reassurance.

"Where… where will I stay?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly as if the previous moment had slipped from her memory.

Draven gently guided her towards a quiet corner of the shop, away from the bustling floral displays. He looked into her eyes, his expression tender yet firm.

"We will find you a place, Mysa," he replied calmly. "For now, let's get you settled at a nearby hotel where you can rest."

Fabian nodded in agreement, understanding the need for Mysa to recuperate after the overwhelming day. "You are right, Draven. It's late," he chimed in, his concern evident. "Let's make sure Mysa gets some rest."

Mysa nodded weakly, grateful for their support. Despite the lingering confusion in her mind, she trusted Draven's words implicitly.

With his arm around her shoulders, she allowed him to lead her out of the shop, her steps unsteady.

Outside, the city was bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees.

Draven hailed a taxi, guiding Mysa inside with gentle insistence. As they settled into the backseat, he kept a reassuring hand on her arm, silently promising to protect her from whatever challenges lay ahead.

The taxi pulled away from the curb, leaving Fabian standing on the sidewalk, watching them depart with a mix of relief and concern. He knew that Mysa's return was a miracle, but it came with its own set of complications.

As he turned to head home, he hoped that Draven would find a way to help Mysa piece together the fragments of her lost memories, and that their reunion would bring them the happiness they both deserved.

###

The morning sun filtered through the windows of the flower shop, casting a soft, golden glow over the array of blooms and greenery. Mysa arrived, a sense of determination in her step as she greeted Draven with a warm smile.

"Hey," Draven greeted her, his eyes lighting up at her arrival. "Hope you had a nice sleep."

Mysa nodded, her smile widening. "Yes, thank you. By the way, why are you alone? Where is Fabian?"

Draven chuckled softly. "Still sleeping. He had a late night."

"Ah, I see," Mysa replied, glancing around the shop. "So, it's just gonna be us working today?"

Draven nodded. "Yep. Just the two of us."

As they started their tasks for the day, arranging flowers and preparing orders, a comfortable silence settled between them. The familiar routine of the shop seemed to soothe Mysa's nerves, and she found herself lost in the rhythm of their work.

However, as they worked side by side, Mysa began to notice subtle things that triggered fleeting memories. The way Draven handled the delicate petals with gentle precision, the way he smiled when arranging a particularly beautiful bouquet — it all felt strangely familiar, like echoes from a distant past.

Suddenly, a memory flashed before her eyes — a playful argument in the kitchen, laughter mingled with exasperation. She remembered calling Draven an "idiot" with affectionate annoyance, and his teasing grin in response. The memory was vivid yet fleeting, leaving her breathless with its intensity.

Her hand paused mid-motion, a bouquet half-arranged, as she stared at Draven with wide eyes. "Draven..." she murmured softly, her voice tinged with wonder.

Draven looked up from his own task, sensing the shift in her demeanor. "Mysa?" he asked gently, concern flickering in his eyes.

She blinked rapidly, trying to grasp onto the threads of memory slipping through her fingers. "I... I think I remembered something," she admitted quietly, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and confusion.

Draven set down his work, his expression softening as he moved closer to her. "What did you remember?" he asked, his voice low and reassuring.

Mysa bit her lip, trying to articulate the fleeting images and emotions swirling inside her. "It was... us," she began slowly, her eyes searching his for validation.

"It was in a kitchen, I think," she began slowly, her voice trembling with the intensity of her recollection. "We were... arguing, but it was... playful. I called you..." She paused, trying to grasp the exact words that had slipped through her memory."I called you an idiot."

A flicker of amusement danced in Draven's eyes, tinged with relief. "You did," he confirmed softly. "Many times."

Mysa laughed softly, the sound tinged with bittersweet nostalgia. "I don't know why, but it feels so real," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Like a piece of me that's been missing."

Draven reached out, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "Maybe it's coming back," he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. "Piece by piece."

Mysa leaned into his touch, a warmth spreading through her chest. Despite the uncertainty of her memories, she felt safe and understood in Draven's presence. He was more than a familiar face — he was a lifeline in the storm of confusion that surrounded her.

It made her wonder, why her memories contained only Draven. Fabian said he was her best friend. Then why were there no memories with Fabian flashing in her mind yet? Even Flora said she was her good friend.

Then… why only Draven?

Before she could delve deeper into these thoughts, the entrance of Clave, Zinnia, and Diva disrupted her introspection. Their faces lit up with a mix of relief and joy upon seeing her, and they approached her eagerly.

Clave enveloped Mysa in a gentle embrace, his voice thick with emotion. "Mysa, my dear, we are so glad you are alive. I am so sorry that I dragged you into that mess in the first place."

Zinnia joined in, her eyes moist with tears as she held Mysa's hands. "You have been through so much, dear. We are just thankful you are safe. You have no idea how hard it has been without you in our lives."

Diva, hesitant yet sincere, stepped forward and hugged Mysa gently. "I am sorry, Mysa. I wish I could have protected you like you did."

Mysa felt an odd mix of comfort and discomfort at their heartfelt gestures. Their emotions were genuine, their love palpable, yet she couldn't reciprocate with the same familiarity.

"I... I'm sorry," she murmured softly, pulling back slightly. "I failed to recognize you all. I wish I could remember..."

Clave shook his head gently, a sad smile touching his lips. "It's okay, Mysa. You don't have to force yourself. What matters is that you are here now."

Diva's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "No, it's my fault. If I hadn't..."

Draven, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward, his presence anchoring. "Enough, everyone," he interjected softly yet firmly. "Mysa's back, and that's all that matters."

As Draven's voice settled the emotional atmosphere in the room, a timely distraction emerged in the form of a customer entering 'Zinnia's Heaven'.

Draven turned to Mysa with a gentle smile, his eyes conveying both reassurance and a hint of protectiveness.

"Mysa, why don't you attend to this customer?" Draven suggested softly, guiding her towards the counter. "I will handle things here."

Mysa nodded gratefully, sensing Draven's intention to shield her from further emotional overwhelm. She greeted the customer with a warm smile, her mind momentarily focused on the task at hand.

Meanwhile, Draven turned back to Clave, Zinnia, and Diva, his expression a blend of sincerity and regret. "I am sorry," he began, addressing them with a quiet intensity. "I have been distant, caught up in my own grief and anger. I know I shouldn't have, but I blamed all of you, including myself, in some way."

Clave shook his head gently, his voice filled with understanding. "We all blamed ourselves, Draven. It's natural in times like these."

Zinnia reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Draven's arm. "We are just grateful you are here with us now."

Diva nodded, her eyes softening with empathy. "We missed you, Aven."

Draven pulled Diva into a hug. “My annoying but dear sister, I just want to tell you, it was never your fault. Mysa would have done it for anyone. She is just selfless like that.”

Then he goes to hug Clave. “It wasn’t yours either, Dad. You did your best to ensure her safety. I am just happy that the Universe sent her back to me. So stop blaming yourself now. You both should forgive yourselves.”

“I am waiting for my hug,” Zinnia frowned, even though her eyes were teary, seeing the happiness back in her son’s life.

Draven chuckled and hugged his mom. “You are wonderful and the best mom in the world.”

“So… I assume your room’s not gonna smell of whiskey or cigarettes anymore?” she joked.

“I removed everything after seeing her, Mom,” he assured her and broke apart from the hug.

Zinnia caressed his cheek lovingly. “You passed the final test of love — separation. I did too, remember?”

He nodded, remembering how his mom and dad were apart for two whole years.

Draven's gaze shifted to Mysa, who was now conversing politely with the customer, her gestures calm and composed despite the lingering confusion in her eyes.

“So now you have no grudges against us, Aven?” Diva asked, to be sure.

His heart swelled with a mixture of relief and determination. "Seeing Mysa again," he admitted quietly, "made me realize I don't want to hold on to any grudges anymore. Life's too short for that. However, I still have a small grudge against her."

His grudge was why she didn’t tell him anything about it from the beginning. He had questions, which only she could answer now.

Zinnia smiled warmly at her son, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "She has a way of bringing us all together, doesn't she?"

Clave nodded in agreement. "She always did."