Jongin switched off the ignition of his nifty little Kia Rio, and got out tiredly. The conversation with Luhan had drained him more than he had expected and all he wanted to do was have a quick shower, and crawl into bed with a good book. He'd just pressed the elevator button when he felt someone clap a large hand on his shoulder. Jongin turned to see the tall man's familiar spiky jet black hair, and hawk-nosed, handsome features. The overhead light bounced energetically off the multiple piercings in his elegant ears. 

 

"Hey Jongin, why do you look so down?" It was Tao, his next door neighbor.  Tao was a 26 year-old professional photographer who worked for a sports magazine, and he shared an apartment with his architect boyfriend, Kris, who was two years older. Two days after Jongin had first moved into their apartment block, Tao and Kris had rung his doorbell and invited him for a game of basketball and they'd just clicked and taken it from there. His neighbors were friendly and outgoing and didn't seem to mind that Jongin was really quiet. But after two years of friendship, Jongin was as comfortable with them as he could be with anyone and they often shared easy conversations about anything and everything. 

 

"Long, confusing day."

 

Tall, thin, dark blonde Kris climbed into the elevator at this point and stood beside Tao, placing his right hand on the small of Tao's back, "Why was it long and confusing? Although if I am reading Kim Jongin right ... It's not the day which is confusing so much as someone. Who is confusing you, Jongin?"

 

"Is it that obvious?!" Jongin groaned.

 

"Well, maybe not to most people but it is to us." Tao offered. "So, who is this guy who's got you all tied up in knots?"

 

"I had to deliver some flowers to the Meyer Building because the other two couldn't do it. And the guy who signed for the flowers - his name is Do Kyungsoo - well, he's really cute. But I was too much of a loser to ask him for his phone number and now I'll probably never see him again." Jongin looked and sounded dejected.

 

"Well, you met him because you were delivering flowers to his office, right? So if you want to see him again, send some more flowers. Just make sure you're the one delivering them and not Luhan or Sehun because that would kind of defeat the purpose." Kris made it all sound very logical - he always had this ability to make the most complicated things sound fixable.

 

"But I can't keep sending flowers to Gennifer Hynes!" 

 

"No, no. Send flowers to this Kyungsoo guy. Unsigned. Give it an air of mystery. And that way he has to come out and sign for the flowers and you get a chance to see him and you could, you know, ask him out? You can do it, Jongin. You're a florist, a one-man floral arsenal," Tao said reassuringly.

 

"But it seems like such a stalker-ish thing to do. And I am not a stalker - and I don't want Do Kyungsoo thinking I'm a stalker." Jongin was doubtful about his neighbors' strategy ... but at the same time, it sounded like a workable plan, "Maybe i could try it just the one time?"

 

"I'm sure just the one time should do it," Tao winked at him, grinning.

 

------

 

Over the years, Jongin had gradually memorized as much as he could of the language of flowers; and he had, after much angsty reflection in bed late the night before, decided to give Kyungsoo white gardenias, which symbolized secret admiration. Rather appropriate, all things considered. He doubted Kyungsoo would even think of checking out the symbolic meaning but what the hell, flowers had always been one of Jongin's unique ways of communicating with people around him. 

 

Gardenias were unfortunately really feminine looking flowers. So he'd decided to deliver a potted gardenia plant - hoping this would make the flowers seem more masculine somehow. What was he even doing sending flowers to a guy? This had bad idea written all over it but if it turned out to be an epic fail, at least he had one more shot at seeing Do Kyungsoo again. And he really did want to see him again. 

 

Jongin had arranged to pick up the potted gardenia plant from 'Bloomlicious', one of his favorite horticulture shops after lunch. There was no way he wanted Luhan to get a whiff of this so he had told him he had some personal stuff to take care of and would be taking an hour off after lunch. Now he was riding in the Meyer Building elevator for the second time in 3 days. He got off on the 10th floor ... Accounting Department. He was a buzzing mixture of anticipation and anxiety as he pressed the reception bell, the potted gardenia cradled against his left hip. 

 

"Yes, how can I help you?" To Jongin's disappointment, it wasn't Do Kyungsoo. It was a young man in his mid-20s with a wide, upturned mouth and intelligent eyes. 

 

"I have a delivery for a Do Kyungsoo." Jongin shuffled his feet self-consciously as he answered the man. The latter turned to face the office area and projected his phenomenally loud voice, "DO KYUNGSOO! Reception area. Now!" Jongin couldn't help but think that voice sounded familiar - like he might have heard it the first time he'd been here. 

 

"So what have you got there?" The man asked inquisitively. 

 

"Um ... a potted gardenia."

 

"For Kyungsoo? Someone's sending Kyungsoo flowers?" The man sounded almost ... gleeful. Just then, Kyungsoo strode round the corner, his concentration focused on some important looking documents. 

 

"Someone sent you flowers, man." Jongdae teased and Kyungsoo's head snapped up at this - his gaze falling on the shy young man beyond the reception counter.

 

"Oh! It's you. Hi," he smiled openly at Jongin, whose cheeks immediately started heating up. Kyungsoo turned to his colleague, "Jongdae, I've got this. You can go now."

 

"Oh, but I don't want to go." 

 

Kyungsoo muttered something that sounded like "you have the worst timing ever" and practically shoved the other man towards the office area. 

 

"Please excuse Jongdae. He's terminally nosey." 

 

"That's ok." Jongin was reasonably sure he had just smiled at Kyungsoo but he couldn't be positive because he couldn't really believe it was actually Kyungsoo standing in front of him, and so his facial expressions and everything else were kind of a blur. 

 

"So hi, Jongin, right? It's nice to see you again. You've got something for me today? Not Gennifer?" He pointed at the flowerpot balanced on Jongin's hip. 

 

"Um, yeah. It's a potted gardenia." 

 

Real smooth, Jongin. 'It's a potted gardenia.' Oh God, he really needed to sign up for a basic conversation skills course. Desperately.

 

"Who's it from?" His voice was openly curious. 

 

"It's not signed, actually." 

 

"Not even a hint?" 

 

"Oh we can't disclose the client's name if they don't want us to. Company policy." Jongin wondered if Kyungsoo could tell that he was lying and doing a really bad job of it too. He forced himself not to look away (even though he was a bad liar and lying always made him jittery and crazy-eyed) because if this was the last time he was going to see Kyungsoo, he wanted to gather as much sense-memory as he could. And the possibility of it being his last time was high as Jongin was for all intents and purposes, a chicken. And when it came to asking someone out on a date, he was more like ten kinds of chicken.

 

The only occasion where he'd actually approached anyone was back in his senior year of high school. His name was Yoo Seung Ho and he'd said yes. They had been dating for three months when Seung Ho's dad was suddenly transferred to another city. Jongin had moped for weeks and only Luhan had managed to drag him out of his little blue cloud of angst. He had gotten over Seung Ho eventually, but at the same time, he hadn't met anyone since that had drawn him so much he would consider making the first move. Until now that is, because here he was, standing at the Accounting Department of the Meyer Building, with a potted gardenia in hand. But still, Jongin sighed, he was a chicken.

 

He inhaled deeply and caught the light scent of grapefruit and orange on Kyungsoo. His jet-black hair was just as neat as it had been the first time - every hair meticulously in place - and it made Jongin want to ruffle it, and mess it up, and make Kyungsoo relax. He didn't look like the kind of person who let go much. He took in Kyungsoo's rounded almond eyes, his high cheekbones, his strong eyebrows, and his full lips and tried to commit it all to memory.

 

"Who would send me flowers? Can I have a look at them?" He reached out for the terra cotta pot and Jongin carefully handed it over to him. Their fingers brushed lightly against each other's as the white-bloomed plant exchanged hands, and Jongin tried his best to act cool even though that quickest of touches had rattled him.

 

 "So these are gardenias. They're really beautiful ... Is it even ok for a guy to say flowers are beautiful?" Kyungsoo furrowed his brows.

 

Jongin chuckled softly at that because it was so unexpected. Kyungsoo grinned to hear him laugh, "So you do laugh!" And just like that Jongin's cheeks flamed red hot but he managed to reply, "Yeah, yeah I do."

 

"I've read somewhere that there's a language of flowers. You work for a florist, right, Jongin? So what does it mean when someone sends you gardenias?" Kyungsoo watched Jongin, an earnest look in his eyes.

 

"Um ... Gardenias symbolize secret admiration."

 

"So the person who sent me these is trying to tell me that they secretly like me?" Kyungsoo continued to gaze into Jongin's eyes and he had to struggle really hard not to break eye contact. 

 

"I guess so. It's possible." Jongin's feet started fidgeting: shuffle, shuffle.

 

"Are you sure you can't tell me who sent these?" Kyungsoo's voice was very persuasive and Jongin knew this was the perfect opportunity to ask him out - but his inner chicken made him shake his head, no. 

 

"Do you like tea?"

 

"Yes, yes I do."

 

"There's this place near Battery Park called the Organic Tea Cafe, and I was thinking if you have time this Saturday afternoon, maybe we could meet up for some tea?" Kyungsoo looked and sounded slightly nervous as he suggested this. And it made Jongin feel better to know that he wasn't the only self-conscious one here.

 

"I'd really like that." Jongin smiled and forced himself to say, "What time do you want to meet? We should probably exchange phone numbers too ... you know in case of emergencies."

 

"That's a good idea. Give me your phone, ok?" and Kyungsoo deftly keyed in his phone number and name before calling his own phone. It had a conservative subdued ringtone which seemed very appropriate for an accountant. 

 

"Can you key in your name for me?" Kyungsoo handed his phone to Jongin, who typed the letters with fingers which shook slightly, but fortunately he managed to do it in one shot. He would have died of embarrassment if he'd taken 5 minutes to key in what were essentially three syllables. 

 

"Shall we meet at 2.30 on Saturday afternoon? Whoever gets there first can grab a table." Kyungsoo picked up the potted plant from the reception counter. "I'm sorry, I have to get back to work. I'd um ... better go before Jongdae starts hollering. And he will holler, believe me."

 

"Sure, sure. I guess I'll see you on Saturday afternoon." Jongin gave an awkward little wave. 

 

"I'm looking forward to it." Kyungsoo gave him a breathtaking smile just before he walked away. 

 

"DO KYUNGSOO! SOMEONE ON THE LINE FOR YOU!"

 

Kyungsoo turned around to grin at Jongin, "See? Every single time. That's Kim Jongdae for you. See you on Saturday, Kim Jongin," this time Kyungsoo really disappeared behind the cubicles.

 

"Yeah," Jongin uttered softly, "See you."

 

Jongin turned so his back leant against the reception desk and he sank to the floor slowly. He buried his face in his arms in a mixture of rapture and anxiety, with only one thought going through his head: what was he going to say to Kyungsoo on Saturday?

 

-----

 

"So? The gardenias - who were they from? You must be the first guy in this building to have ever had flowers delivered to them. It's actually kinda cool." Jongdae made himself comfortable on Kyungsoo's desk.

"Go away. I'm reviewing the Wayfarer Inc. financial report and it's due at 4 pm."

"Did they say who it was?" Jongdae could be really persistent but he was mostly a decent guy - good enough company that Kyungsoo and him often hung out together socially, with some other friends. 

"It wasn't signed, actually."

"Who could it be, though? Have you met anyone new recently?"

"No. I really have no idea, Jongdae. Report. Due at 4. Go. Away." Kyungsoo kept his gaze focused on the paperwork, studiously ignoring Jongdae - other than to make jerky shooing motions.

"You're totally dying of curiosity. Just admit it."

"Doesn't make any difference. Meyer will have my if this isn't reviewed and on his desk at 4pm. Shoo now!"

"Is there even a Wayfarer Inc. Report?" Jongdae complained and Kyungsoo held up the bound report draft as evidence. Faced with undeniable physical proof, Jongdae snorted in annoyance - but he did make himself scarce. Not, however, before wondering in mock bitterness, "How come no one ever sends me flowers?" 

"It's not like anyone's ever sent me any before now." Kyungsoo pointed out reasonably. Jongdae's middle finger appeared from behind the cubicle, making it very clear what he thought about Kyungsoo's remark. Kyungsoo had to laugh at that. You could always count on Kim Jongdae to liven up the workplace. 

"I guess you know that white gardenias symbolize secret admiration?" Byun Baekhyun appeared on the heels of Jongdae's departure - leaning over Kyungsoo's cubicle, speaking in hushed tones.

"Hey, Baek. You heard too? About the flowers I mean, not what they mean." Kyungsoo was surprised. Baekhyun was the kind of guy who usually observed everything but never said much. Although he would occasionally make a remark which indicated he'd been paying attention all along and just chosen to not get involved. So the fact that he was getting involved kind of surprised Kyungsoo. But not in a bad way. He sometimes confided in Baekhyun - as much as a guy is likely to confide in another guy anyway. He was a good listener and he gave practical, sound advice and kept your secrets. They'd been workmates and friends for three years now. 

"I heard? Just about the entire floor heard about your erm ... 'floral gift' after you ejected Jongdae from the reception area. They just don't dare ask you about it," Baekhyun chuckled, continuing to speak softly so as not to attract attention, "So do you have any idea who he is? This secret admirer? I'm assuming the person sent white gardenias with a very clear purpose. And before you ask, no I do not have an intimate knowledge of the symbolic meanings of flowers. I googled it," he grinned, his eyes crinkling up in that signature smile which drove the secretarial pool girls wild. 

"I have this suspicion ... I think he could be this cute guy who blushes a lot. But I can't be sure and I don't want to jinx myself by giving you any more details than what I just gave you."

"Jinx, huh? Sounds like it's not a one sided thing then, Soo."

"You could say that, I guess." Kyungsoo admitted  a little sheepishly.

"Well, good luck, dude. I hope it works out for you. Now what did I need from you again? That's right, the financials for McConnell & Leigh, LLC." And just like that, Baekhyun switched seamlessly from social to professional mode. It could be quite unnerving sometimes. 

------

Kyungsoo  was admiring the pretty gardenias sitting on his desk when he abruptly realized that Jongin had never asked him to sign for them. He pondered for all of three seconds before taking out his phone.

To: Kim Jongin
Hey, I didn't sign for the flowers. Will you get into trouble with your boss? ~DK

He waited restlessly - trying his utmost to concentrate on reviewing the Wayfarer Inc. report, which was unfortunately not a fictitious one. Within 40 seconds, his phone buzzed. 

From: Kim Jongin
It's ok. My boss trusts me. I won't get into trouble. Thanks though, for thinking of me. Do you like the gardenias? Don't forget to water them. Not too much though cos they don't like too much water. Keep them where they can get some sunlight. Good luck! Just ask me if you need more info. Oh and don't over fertilize them!

Interesting. Texting Jongin seemed less shy and more expressive than real-life Jongin. He was also really knowledgable about plant care for a delivery guy. Kyungsoo thought for a bit before his fingers flew across the screen.

To: Kim Jongin
Thanks for the tips! I really had no idea where to start. I've never kept a plant before. Are you sure you don't need me to sign for the flowers? You can come by anytime this week - I should be in the office. Just text me first to make sure I'm here. I really don't want you to get into trouble.

Kyungsoo didn't click 'send' immediately. He read through the text three times. Did he sound too desperate? Would Jongin be able to tell that it was just a flimsy excuse to see him again? Maybe he should rewrite it - make it shorter and less please-come-see-me-quick ...

Just then, his office extension rang loudly - discordantly interrupting his dilemma. It was his boss asking Kyungsoo to see him ASAP. Kyungsoo sighed. He supposed he really ought to take more risks in his overly planned, overly organized life. Shutting one eye, he gingerly pressed 'send'.

As he was on his way to his boss' office, feet padding noiselessly on the short pile charcoal grey carpet, his phone buzzed.

From: Kim Jongin
Could I come by on Thursday afternoon? After lunch? 

Kyungsoo couldn't stop grinning as he replied: Yes! Thursday after lunch would be great. See you soon.

From: Kim Jongin
See you on Thursday. Looking forward to it.

Very simple words that people used all the time so why did he feel so much anxious anticipation simmering in his body? Calm down, Kyungsoo. He's just coming to get your signature - which you practically cornered him into doing, anyway. Just like you practically cornered him into having tea with you on Saturday.

He came to a sudden stop when he realized he'd reached the end of the corridor. He'd overshot his boss's office by two doors! Kyungsoo shook his head in disbelief - apparently Kim Jongin had messed up his equilibrium a lot more than he'd expected. Thursday after lunch. Three more days. He could wait that long. 

No. problem. 

----------

To say that Kyungsoo's apartment was spartan was putting things mildly. Everything was either white or black, with occasional relief in the form of a gray cushion here and a gray rug there. And everything was neatly in its place because Kyungsoo liked having order in close to every aspect of his life. If things were in their rightful place, everything else would follow. Less risk, less stress. 

He had decided to place the potted gardenia on his coffee table - the potted gardenia that he suspected was a gift from Kim Jongin. But as he had told Baekhyun earlier, he didn't want to jinx himself so he tried not to contemplate too much on the identity of the sender. His lounge was right beside a large plate glass window, which let in golden streams of sunlight in the morning, and Jongin had said that light was essential.

The densely petalled white blooms blended in almost seamlessly with the stark, monochromatic scheme of Kyungsoo's studio apartment.  However, the plant's green stems and leaves did not fit in quite as well, forcing a vibrant splash of color onto the almost forbidding palette around it. Kyungsoo wasn't sure how he felt yet about seeing the vivid green and terra cotta in the middle of his living room, but it wasn't exactly causing him any kind of distress so he reckoned he could live with it - for now at least.

He supposed that the gardenia plant was a bit like grunge music. The neat, organized life he led would probably have been more logically enhanced by classical music, or perhaps some grown up adult oriented rock, or even generic pop songs. Grunge music with its heavy guitar riffs, angst-filled anti-establishment lyrics and unkempt musicians did not gel in any way with Kyungsoo's ordered, conservative life. But he loved it anyway and willingly embraced its disorder. He was just a little wistful that he had never found anyone else who shared his passion for grunge music other than his former neighbor Ethan Jameson, who had introduced him to Nirvana and Pearl Jam all those years ago.

Unbidden, images of light mocha skin, shy smiles, and warm dark brown eyes flooded Kyungsoo's senses. He didn't try to fight them and just let them wash over him, and found himself wondering what kind of music Kim Jongin liked.

Kyungsoo's hand curled around his phone and he hesitated for a few seconds before accessing his inbox. 

From: Kim Jongin
See you on Thursday. Looking forward to it.

He stared at the potted gardenia. Two and a half more days.