Since you had never received a Valentine's Day gift before, Blade, your older brother's best friend, decided to change that this year. Naturally, he wished for that act of kindness to remain his secret since it was uncharacteristic for that detached man.

Your eyes traced the curves and edges of an anonymous note as you held a bouquet of vibrant flowers and delicate fragrances in your hands, a mix of curiosity and delight dancing in your gaze. The man observed you momentarily, allowing the silence to stretch between you before he chose to interrupt it.

"What do you have there?" Blade inquired, adopting a tone of feigned ignorance that belied years of practice in concealing his true feelings. "Any idea who it might be from?"