Third update of the week. Be careful not to skip any chapters so there's no confusion ❤️

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3k words

"The red rose symbolizes romance, beauty, love, and courage. And a single thornless red rose signifies love at first sight."

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The first thing I did when I walked into my apartment last night was grab my laptop and shatter it on the concrete balcony outside. Then I may have stomped on it a few times to ensure it had no chance of ever turning on again. Once it looked irredeemable, I glanced over the railing at the dumpster that was just under me, and dropped it in from my third floor height.

I had also phoned Obi-Wan afterwards and told him everything that happened. Although he was a little annoyed the bugging didn't work and it had to be disposed of so soon - he also agreed that my plans to get Skywalker to trust me could work just as well. Especially considering he wasn't doing much talking in his office anyway.

All in all, Obi-Wan is still happy with my work and is confident in my success.

And now, it was Saturday afternoon and I arrived to work just a few minutes ago. I was standing in the employees break room, removing my small bag from over my shoulder to place it inside of my locker, "Ready for tonight?" Ahsoka appeared next to me, opening her locker and sticking her expensive looking purse inside.

"Yes and no," I sighed, feeling exhausted over the lack of sleep I've been getting lately. My mind is constantly running through ideas and theories, so sleeping is nearly impossible, "I'm excited for the tips, but not excited for how busy it's going to get - Aaron told me Saturday's are the worst," I said, finally opening my locker.

I immediately tuned out everything Ahsoka began to say as my eyes landed on something that I know wasn't in there last night.

I reached inside and pulled out the long stemmed red rose. I noticed all the thorns had been delicately removed, making it safe for me to hold, "He must like you."

I turned my attention to Ahsoka with furrowed brows, "Who?"

She was smiling as her eyes scanned over the beautiful flower in my grasp, "My bother, he doesn't buy just anyone flowers. Well except me if I'm having a bad day." She shrugged as she tied her apron around her waist, "Maybe he has a crush on you."

I couldn't help but laugh, earning me a few raised brows from her, "I doubt that, he likes to give me things instead of apologizing because apparently those words are difficult for him," I gently placed the rose back, not wanting to ruin it in anyway. Roses happen to be my favorite flower and I don't get them very often so I like to cherish them when I do, no matter who they're from, "Besides I'm sure I'm not the only female employee here he gets a little flirty with." He is a man after all, a single one, objectively flirting is in their nature.

"That is true," She leaned her shoulder onto the lockers, her body facing me, "He can be one hell of a flirt, but I've never seen him buy anyone else anything - or talk to them as much as he talks to you." She smirked knowingly, a smirk that was similar to his.

I held in an eye roll so I wouldn't offend her, but I knew better. She was just trying to find her brother a woman to make him happy since I'm getting the feeling a relationship is not something he's ever had - probably from being too busy with his extracurricular activities as a criminal.

But I know he doesn't like me as she says he does. Does he find me attractive? Most likely, he's made that obvious on multiple occasions. But he hasn't known me long enough to justify a like.

"He's just being nice, he hardly knows me," I said closing my locker and tying my apron on just as she did.

She shrugged with a low hum, "It doesn't really take much to gain a crush (y/n)." She sung as she left the room.

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The moment I stepped out into the main area, I saw him. Skywalker was sitting at the bar with his head in his hands and a bottle of ginger ale next to him. I told him that hangover was going to eat him alive.

"How you feeling boss?" I asked with a smile as I walked behind the bar and earned a groan from him in response, "Do you need me to get you anything?" I offered as I eyed his clothing, which was different today. Usually he'd wear different shades of a gray suit, and this other time he wore navy with a baby blue under shirt - but today, it was black on black, even his tie was black.

And I probably shouldn't be thinking this, but it looked good.

He looked up and I could see it in his eyes that he was going through hell. Maybe that's the point of the black, his own funeral.

"Anything to make this feeling go away," He said with a sigh before dropping his head down onto the bar.

He's lucky I worked in the jails for years and learned from the drunks in the drunk tank what the best cure for a hangover is, "Lucky for you, I just might be able to help you." I turned around and grabbed a few things and made him a little concoction that was free of any alcohol. When I turned around to give it to him, his head was already back up and he was watching me curiously as I set the cup down in front of him, "Drink this."

He eyed it suspiciously, "But it's green and —fizzy."

"It'll make you feel better," I nudged it closer to him with my knuckle.

He slowly picked it up and sniffed it before his face twisted into a disgusted grimace, "Hell no, it smells like ass that hasn't been washed in a week."

I rolled my eyes at his comparison, "Either you drink it or suffer — so stop complaining and take it like a woman."

He raised his brows as he straightened his posture, a look of amusement flashing across his features, "Don't you mean, take it like a man?"

I shook my head as I leaned onto the bar with both hands, sort of like the way I was leaning on the vanity the day of my wedding. The only difference is that I'm now looking at him instead of myself, "No, you men can be so weak and I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain as much as a man does." I smirked after I lightly laughed.

(Little side note; just because I'm not sure if anyone noticed this, but think of the way y/n is leaning and the way she was leaning on her wedding day when she had uncertainty in her heart. It's exactly the same, but now she's in a different setting — looking at the very reason she felt that uncertainty, she just didn't know it then, and she doesn't know it now, yet.)

He scoffed, "That is not even close to being true."

"Oh yeah?" I tilted my head and shifted my gaze to the drink then back to his eyes, "Then stop complaining and drink it."

To prove his point to me, he brought the glass to his lips without anymore hesitation and jugged the drink. He did it all in one go, but squinted his eyes at the taste. I know it tastes horrible, I've had it before, but it works better than bacon grease.

He set the empty cup down and gagged as he covered his mouth with his sleeve, "That was absolutely disgusting."

I grabbed and chuckle low, "Is that a complaint I hear?" I turned around and placed the empty cup in the dirty bin.

"No, it's a fact." He said and I could hear him digging his hands into his pocket. He's going to try and give me money again. I'm starting to think that is the only way he's used to solving problems.

I turned to face him and just as I suspected, he had his wallet out, "Put that away, it was a favor, you don't owe me anything," I folded my arms over my chest and waited for him to argue, but he didn't. He simply shrugged and placed his wallet back into his pocket, "And yes I know it tastes horrible, but how do you feel?" I asked knowing it was already working it's magic.

He knitted his brows as if he just realized that my little potion works wonders, "Not one hundred percent, but better than a few minutes ago," The corner of his lips tugged into a grateful smile, "And I guess since you won't take my money you're expecting a thank you."

I shrugged, "Well it's the courteous thing to do don't you think?"

He hummed with a slow nod, "I suppose so. Thank you Winnie, I appreciate it."

Immediately, I cringed, "Please don't call me that." I get that it's a nickname for Winters and some may find it adorable, but I don't, it repels me, "Just call me by my actual name."

Judging by his widening smirk, he knew I hated it and also didn't care, "Have you opened your locker today?" He asked, changing the subject.

I nodded my head with a small sigh, "Yes and although it's beautiful and I appreciate it, what is it for?" I asked, confused, "You already apologized to me last night after I turned down the money."

"It's not an apology," He grabbed his ginger ale from next to him and took a few small sips before continuing, "It's a thank you for looking after me last night. Everything is a bit of a blur, but I do remember most of it, including you."

"Well you still didn't have to get me something, but thank you anyway," I gave him a smile as I worked to set everything up for our long night. Which includes cutting limes to save time, making sure the salt is full to limit the amount of times we may have to refill it, and a few other things not worth listing.

"You're welcome gorgeous," He subtly wet his lips as he checked me out, but didn't make any uncomfortable remarks as most men would, "And speaking of apologies, Ahsoka!" He yelled for his sister and after only a few seconds, she appeared from the back.

That was a pretty quick response time, even for her. I was starting to think she was eavesdropping on us to gain more intel on her working crush theory.

"What do you want?" She eyed him with disdain, clearly still upset over how he treated her yesterday.

"Here," He went inside of his coat and pulled something out before tossing it in her direction - which she caught with a curious look in her eyes, "Consider this my amends for how I spoke to you yesterday, I was rude and I'm sorry."

As soon she had a second to scan what was in her hands, her eyes widened, "You got me a Range Rover?" She asked in a loud, high pitched tone.

My jaw dropped.

He nodded with a prideful grin. I can see that gifts really are his love language, he seems genuinely happy that she's happy, "Yes, now you can stop asking to use my car. But you have to make me a promise that you will be using it to go to school too or I'll take it away."

She was jumping with excitement as she rushed to his side and pulled him into a hug, "I promise I'll show up to every class from now on, you have my word."

Since my attention was on them and I was no longer paying attention to what I was doing. I accidentally nicked my finger with the knife I was using and pierced through the skin. Thankfully I didn't chop anything off and it was just a cut, but the blood that poured from the wound made it look worse than it was.

I hissed in pain as I dropped the knife and backed away. The lime juice entered the cut and made it burn more as the blood trickled down my finger.

Before I knew it, my wrist was gripped and my finger was placed under cold running water from the sink we used to empty the glasses. I looked to my right at the person helping me, expecting Ahsoka, but it wasn't.

"Are you okay?" Skywalker asked in a soft tone as he used his thumb to rub over the cut, cleansing it of blood and lime.

I nodded, never taking my eyes off of him, "I-Uh yeah, I just wasn't paying attention." I answered quietly.

I don't think I've ever been this close to him before, not even last night. His front was touching my back and he had me slightly pushed up against the sink. And he was peering down over my shoulder as he held my hand under the water.

He breathed a low chuckle, his eyes meeting mine and I swear - i felt his chest stop moving for a split second as his smile fell, but only for a moment before he cleared his throat, "Clearly," He mumbled and we both glanced away to watch the red tinted water spin and go down the drain, "Do you need me to get you something, a-a band-aid or a-" He stuttered as he removed his hold on me, since I'm sure he realized I can hold my own hand under the water now that the initial shock had worn off.

"I got it!" Ahsoka came next to us and handed me a medium sized band-aid, "Your first day off your probation period and you're already after that workers comp." She joked, causing me to laugh as I reached with my other hand to grab the band-aid from her.

"No I'm just a klutz, but I'll be fine," I took it and removed my hand from under the soothing water and proceeded to dry the wound with a paper towel.

Skywalker, who was once standing so close to me that I could feel the rising and falling of his chest with every breath he took, has now created some distance after his sister appeared, "Do you need me to get you anything else?" He asked kindly, "Like medicine, so it won't get an infection."

I looked at him and nodded, "Actually that would be great, please." He was being so... nice. I wasn't even getting any narcissism from him or snarky remarks about my clumsiness, just genuine kindness.

He turned and walked out from behind the bar to go to the back, but he halted his movements when the door to the club opened. In walked a blonde man that I haven't seen before, "It's good to see you An," He strutted to Skywalker before pulling him into a friendly hug.

"You too Rex," My boss smiled as he backed away from the embrace, "And thank you for coming on short notice."

The blonde I now know is named Rex nodded, "Of course, anytime I hear about a bug problem, I definitely make it my priority - especially for you old friend."

My ears perked and my interest was peaked, this had to have been the buddy he mentioned yesterday after I handed him the bug.

"Ew please don't tell me we have bugs," Ahsoka grimaced and she immediately looked at the floor, as if she was expecting to see something crawling.

Skywalker looked at us and shook his head, "No there are no bugs, it's just a routine check-up to make sure everything is good," He then looked at Rex and widened his eyes slightly, signaling for him to watch what he says, "Someone must have misheard me over the phone."

Rex put his arms up in defense, "My bad I must have, sorry to scare you snippy." He winked at her and then his eyes shifted to me, "Oh and who are you?" His smiled widened as he flirtatiously looked me up and down.

"Don't even think about," Skywalker placed hands on Rex's shoulder and guided him away from us, "Snips get the medicine for her please, I have to give this my attention and (y/n)," He shifted his gaze to me, "Don't leave tonight without coming to me, there's something I want to talk to you about."

I nodded, tightening the grip I had around my bleeding finger with worry, "Yes sir."

He turned away as he led Rex up the stairs, "And call me Anakin, my actual name." He mocked me from earlier before giving Rex his full attention, "Did you bring it?" He mumbled, probably thinking I wouldn't hear. But with this place empty, voices echo easier.

"Yes," Rex said as they reached top of the steps, "If there are anymore planted around, I'll find them."

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Inspiration for this story has been spiking and I'm so sorry for neglecting my other stories. It's just that when I get an idea in my head, I itch to write it and it's hard focusing on anything else until I do. Hence why I have such a bad habit of starting new stories despite having like five active ones 🥲 I love all of my stories though hehe and I'm always excited to give you new ones, I just hope I'm not overwhelming you all with them 💕
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