Louise Rose

I couldn't help but cry when I hugged Aunt Rosy. She's been living in a care clinic home for two weeks now and is now in a wheelchair. It's difficult for her to get around, and staying here temporarily for treatment will be much better for her than living alone at home.

"I am here now. I can look after you."

"No, Louise. I'm not going to do that to you. You have a life, dear. You can do many things while you are here. Look after the house and manage the flower stall while you are here."

She appears happy to finally see me, and I am thrilled to be back temporarily. I didn't resign from my job in Singapore, but I was on vacation for four months. My boss was supportive, providing me with plenty of medicinal oil and treatment for Aunt Rosy. She told me I could return whenever I wanted. She understands that my aunt is my only family member and is like a mother to me.

"You can always visit me every day. I'm okay here. They prepare my food and everything. I don't have to worry. I will stay here until I get better."

I nodded. After all, this is the best solution I could think of now. At least in the home clinic, she's got friends the same age as hers. There are plenty of activities for her each day with the group, and I'm sure she will never get bored.

"I called Canor this morning and told him that the flower stall might reopen in the next few days. He can't wait to see you and arrange the stall back as you want. You can give Canor a ring when you are ready. He's just waiting for you."

I pouted a little bit as I held her hand. I wanted her to be with me, but she was right. She will be better looked after here than living on her own when I am not around. I'm fine with whatever Aunt Rosy wants.

"Okay, I'll take care of everything while you are on treatment. I will do that," I beamed.

After two hours, I headed back to Stone Field St and realized nothing had changed in the place. Everything remained the same. The old house still stood tall, and its paint faded over time. The majestic one-hundred-year-old willow tree still stood proudly just a few meters from our house, its branches and leaves swaying in the wind as if welcoming me home at last.

A euphoric feeling has bloomed inside me, sending flashbacks of memories from my childhood growing up in this house.

Eden is a beautiful place surrounded by mountains. There aren't many people around this area, and life has never been easy for people like my Aunt Rosy and me. But despite all the hardships, we are happy.

Aunt Rosy is still paying the mortgage for this place. I wonder how much we owe now? I want to know. I might be able to pay it all from my savings.

"What?" The amount that we owe to the bank shocked me to the core.

"That's the outstanding balance, Miss Stewart. We understand what happened to your Aunt, and we gave her enough time to settle the amount. I understand that she can't do much because of her treatment, and we gave her another three months to settle the remaining balances."

It felt as if lightning had struck in front of me, with figures of unpayable amounts on the table. I was unaware of her situation. I thought she was financially stable, but she's not. We're on the verge of losing the property if I can't find a solution now.

Manager Tim is an old friend who considered my Aunt Rosy's situation. I don't have enough savings in the bank to cover the balance, but I have no other option. I need to negotiate with them and at least pay to keep the property.

"Okay, this will suffice. Don't worry. We'll continue the business as usual," Manager Tim smiled and confirmed everything.

I arrived home feeling exhausted from the whole situation. I managed to pay thirty thousand dollars, but we still owe a lot. The remaining amount will be paid in monthly installments. I still have ten thousand dollars in savings, which I will use to open the flower shop and start the business rolling.

The next day, I met Canor and organized everything. He was happy that the flower shop stall would open again, as everyone missed it in town. It's just a small stall displayed outside Canor's convenience store.

The days fly by, and time seems to be accelerating with no end in sight. I've regularly visited Aunt Rosy, bringing her flowers and favorite sweets. There's a lot to do at home, but the lack of funding makes it difficult. I need to start earning again to support everything.

"Is your Aunt still running the matchmaking business? She's really good at it," Mrs. Vilma asked. She's an old neighbor of ours for two decades.

I wrapped the two dozen roses she had ordered.

"I don't know. Aunt is focused on her treatment. Thank you," I smiled as I accepted the payment.

"What a shame. I want to find a match for my nephew and would like Rosy to do it."

"There's a lot of matchmakers around. Try them!" I suggested.

"No. Your Aunt is amazing. I might see her. How about you, Louise? Are you happily engaged?" Her eyes shifted to my fingers.

I slightly laughed. "Oh, no. I'm not."

"Why not? You're beautiful. Don't tell me no one has shown interest in you?" Her eyebrows raised.

"Uhm, no, no... I was busy with work. It's different in Singapore. Everyone there was busy working. No time for dating." I giggled. It's a lie, of course. I dated a few, but they only wanted one thing, like most of them want.

"Anyway, it's lovely to see you again, Louise," she trailed off.

I shook my head, remembering what Aunt Rosy used to do. She was famous, of course. Being a matchmaker was her expertise.

Clients came all over Castleburgh to see her, and most of them were from the wealthiest families around. The money she earned as a matchmaker played a vital role in our lives and helped shape me into who I am today.

"Flowers for you!" I hugged and kissed her cheek. She smelled pleasant, like baby powder, and her scent was still the same as I remembered.

"How is your day? How is the flower shop?" she looked excited, and her eyes adored the flowers I gave her.

"It was good." I took out the food I packed and arranged them on the table.

"Oh, before I forget, Mrs. Vilma bought a bundle of flowers and then asked me about your service. She's looking for a match for her nephew... I told her that you are no longer involved in matchmaking," I said, licking the icing from my finger as I looked at her.

Aunt Rosy's eyes widened slightly as she looked at me. It seemed like her world had stopped as if she had remembered something and forgotten to do it.

"Oh my..." she gasped slowly.

"What's wrong?" I walked toward her and wiped my fingers on the side of my pants.

"I made a mistake, Louise. Now I remember. Oh, dear..." She covered her mouth, and the horror in her eyes sent chills through me.

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c.m. louden