It was in the middle of the night. The moonlight shone through the windows, casting dark shadows. I looked down at the sleeping figure on the bed and smiled. I reached down and caressed his cheek. He stirred, frowning slightly, and opened his eyes. He looked at me and asked, "Rose? What are you doing?"

He looked at my attire and his frown deepened. I was wearing a white gown tonight. Everything was going to change soon and I wanted to look my best. I held out my hand and a silver ring appeared on my hand. I handed it to him and said, "My gift to you. Wear this and death will never touch you until I come back."

"What do you mean? Rose, what's going on?" he asked, sitting at the edge of his bed.

I smiled gently at him and replied, "I have to go somewhere. I promise I'll come back to you. Please stay safe until I come back."

He stood up abruptly and grabbed both of my arms. "Where are you going?" he asked. I felt his fear. I felt everything. It was so strong that it made my eyes swell up with tears. I looked at him and said, "I promise I'll come back."

The soft glow from the angel's body slowly dimmed as she faded away. In his hands were nothing but air and emptiness. Where had his angel gone? She left him her promise and a ring that would keep him safe. What had happened to his angel? A painful breath left him as he stood in his bedroom. He opened his hand and looked at the silver ring carefully. It had something engraved on it. It was the moonflower. Her flower.

I promise I'll come back.

Her promise rang in his head repeatedly and he promised to hold onto her promise. He believed her.

[ 3  Y E A R S   L A T E R]

Dimitri stood still, overlooking his grandmother Yeva's grave. His sister Viktoria was beside him, leaning on him for comfort. His grandmother had passed away six months ago, leaving behind a sad, empty feeling. That feeling often reminded him of his angel. She was still gone. She had not returned; Yet he still waited patiently.

"How long will you be here?" Viktoria asked, lifting her head to look up at him.

He sighed and said, "A week. Is there a flower shop around here? I want to get some flowers for grandmother."

She nodded and pointed farther down the road. "Yes, there is. Well, it is the only flower shop around here. They have the best flowers in my opinion."

He followed his sister's directions and found a small, simple flower shop. Its vintage style was unique and mesmerizing. The flowerly scent made the shop even more attractive and unforgettable. He was impressed. No wonder why Viktoria preferred this shop instead of the other ones closer to the city.

He walked in and looked at all the organized flowers. They were colorful and each had a meaning. Then, an elderly lady walked out of the storage room and greeted him warmly.

"How can I assist you?" she asked politely, wiping her hands on her brown floral apron.

He picked six sunflowers, four orange daisies, and three yellow daisies. He gave them to the florist and said, "A bouquet please." She nodded and set them down on the white wooden counter. As she prepared the materials, her phone rang. She called for someone from the storage room and answered the phone, walking into what looked like her office. A girl walked out, wiping her wet hands on her brown apron. Dimitri lifted his eyes to the girl and was taken back.

It was her.

His guardian angel.

She pulled out a pair of scissors and started to cut off the long stems. He was struck speechless. Three years he had waited for her. Here she was--standing in front of him. However, she didn't recognize him at all. She looked at him and gave a polite smile.

"Who is this for?" she asked in English. Everything about her was the same. She still had that same twinkle in her eyes that sparked every time he looked into them. Was she playing a game with him? For a moment there, he felt angry. She left him, completely disappeared out of his life. Now she was here as if nothing happened, as if it was their first time meeting.

He couldn't stop searching her face for an answer. Why was she doing this to him? He blinked a few times and answered, "My grandmother."

She smiled and said, "She must be a cheerful person. Flowers often reflect one's personality." She carefully added a few dark green leaves to the bouquet. 

"She loved bright colors."

"Loved? Oh, my apologies. I didn't know."

Her brown eyes were sincere. He couldn't understand how could a woman look exactly like his beloved angel and not know him. Once she was done, she handed the bouquet to him. She noticed the silver ring on his finger and said, "What a beautiful ring!"

He handed her the money and said, "Someone special gave it to me."

She smiled and replied, "That person must really be special. Have a good day, sir." She gave him the change and walked to the storage room. Before she went in, he asked, "What's your name?"

She turned around and answered, "Rose. Rosemarie Hathaway."

She went into the storage room, leaving him alone. He walked out of the flower shop and got into the car he had rented. He drove back to the cemetery and placed the bouquet at his grandmother's headstone.

He looked at his silver ring. Had he really found her? She promised she'd come back to him. Was this her keeping her promise? He had no intentions of letting her go. What was she up to this time? He was starting to wonder who really was the one that needed a guardian angel. He was no angel, but he could very well be protective.

"So you're staying longer?" Sonja asked, trying to hold her crying little daughter Katya.

Dimitri shrugged and said, "Exactly."

"Didn't you make it clear last time that you didn't want to come back for awhile?" 

"I have my reason."

"Let me guess; You don't plan on telling me."

"On my death bed," he replied, finishing up his breakfast that his mother had cooked.

Sonja rolled her eyes and carried little Katya into the back. He was going to get her back. He was going to make her keep her promise. He was going to make sure she stayed this time. 

Author's Note: A very short chapter, but I wanted our story to move forward. I promise the next chapter is going to be longer. Think of this one as a filler chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed it! Please leave your thoughts down below in the comment section. I would LOVE to know what you think is going to happen next. What happened to our Guardian Angel Rose? Leave a comment!

Much love from your friend and author,

Iris