An ominous post-it note was pasted on Colson Kim's door in the wee hours of dawn, when the sun had yet to crest the horizon: AND WE WILL SING, ALL BY OURSELVES, TILL WE SWOON AWAY WITH DELIGHT... MEET ME WHERE YOU KEEP YOUR MASK. โ CHRISTINE. Of course, it wasn't an overly complicated cipher, though Nadine had assiduously considered writing something more covert in Morse Code, but after leaving Anchorage behind in pursuit of happiness elsewhere she didn't feel like she could string along anyone, even those she once held closest to her heart. So, a few succinct words referencing the hauntingly relatable Phantom of the Opera would suffice. The guilt of abandoning her loved ones permeated in her gut and she was determined to not make a self-pitying spectacle of herself as a result. Instead, she would take initiative; first by placing an order at Top Pot, then picking up said order posthaste before moving onto her second destination, The Flower Basket, where she'd inquired about a shipment of black baccaras that was due to arrive that day. And, as if the stars aligned perfectly at her will, the moment the bell chimed and announced her arrival she was greeted by a grandiose display of velvety, dark red roses in the shape of an elegant bouquet. She slammed the payment in cash on the counter and swiped the flowers, hurrying in her newly purchased Demonias across town so she could arrive at Sleepy Cat on time. She had meticulously arranged a pop-up in the back of the store after having bribed the clerk to change the sign from OPEN to CLOSED thirty minutes early. The day was crawling, anyway, with little to no customers frequenting the coziest spot in Anchorage.
At 9 P.M. sharp, Nadine had assembled the pop-up in its entirety: the box of warm Boston creme-filled donuts open and the smell intoxicating and inviting, overpowering the sweet scent of the roses that glimmered underneath the dim lighting of the bookstore, and beside the offerings lay a card with lovingly etched words of endearment and well wishes for another year orbiting the sun. Together. She couldn't deny how nervous she felt while waiting for Colson to arrive โ a thousand little insecurities nibbling at her brain. What if the note had fallen, swept away to never be seen again? Or he had seen it and simply discarded it without a second thought? She liked to think he wasn't so callous, not with her, at least, but it had been so long. She knew she had plenty to make up for. Hopefully taking the first step would inspire him to follow her lead, no matter where the path ended for them. And then there he was. A timid smile graced her lips as he appeared in front of her, like the bewitching prince of darkness he'd always favored in how he articulated himself. "... Long time, no see, Mr. Kim." she greeted, keeping a straight face all the while not denying that she was as open a book as she ever was before standing there in front of him. "Thought it was only befitting I throw you a celebration myself after leaving you waiting for so long."
