Past Love's Expiry Date

As Hendrix exited the office, he saw Sabrina leaning against her black Cullinan, lost in thought.

He walked closer and finally saw what Nathan had meant by "surprise". The car was filled with fresh, red roses.

The front passenger seat was the only place not covered in roses. Both the back seat and the trunk were packed to the brim with them.

Behind him, Hendrix could hear the laughter of a few female colleagues, whom he usually got along with. Hiding behind the company sign at the entrance, they were secretly peeking over and giggling.

Sabrina had always brought him small surprises when she picked him up—figurines, game merch, or food he liked.

The colleagues had seen it all before, but they still always teased him about it. "Every time Sabrina comes, the whole office gets a treat. We're all just lucky to be around Hendrix."

Hendrix usually just laughed it off and divided up the treats Sabrina brought for everyone.

Now, it seemed like everyone was just waiting to get their share of roses from her car.

He called out, "Bri."

Sabrina lifted her head, but her face darkened. Her tone remained icy. "Don't address me so affectionately. Call me Sabrina from now on."

Hendrix froze for a moment.

He slowly nodded. "Got it, Sabrina."

"I was too harsh last night. Don't take it to heart," Sabrina said.

"I won't."

"But you're not a child anymore. Don't do something as dangerous as pushing someone down the stairs next time."

Hendrix looked up in disbelief and laughed in frustration. "So, you came all the way here to reprimand me?"

Sabrina's face darkened further. "You still don't think you were wrong?"

"Sabrina, you've known me for over 20 years. Even if I wanted to hurt him, I wouldn't be stupid enough to do it in my own house!" Hendrix yelled but immediately regretted it.

It didn't matter. He was leaving anyway. There was no point in explaining.

"Forget it. Go. Don't disturb me at work."

As Hendrix made his way back to the office, his colleagues, who had been joking around moments ago, suddenly sensed the tension. Their expressions changed to concern.

"Hendrix, did you and Sabrina have a fight?"

"Don't be mad. She brought so many roses to make up for it. Give her a chance."

"Yeah, Hendrix. You should be grateful. You're really lucky to find someone like her."

Hendrix kept a blank expression and softly said, "Stop standing here. Get back to work."

His reputation as an accomplished photographer gave him authority in the office. The younger staff followed his lead and walked back to their desks with their heads down.

Nathan, who was closest to him, pulled him aside. "Hendrix, can I ask Sabrina for a bouquet of roses? It's my girlfriend's birthday today, and I want to give them to her."

Hendrix felt a headache coming on. "I'll buy you some later."

Once back at his desk, Hendrix tried to focus on his work, but his mind was still a mess. After he had barely managed to edit a few photos from an earlier shoot, his phone buzzed.

Rowan had sent several pictures of different robes. "Which one of these do you like?" He ended the text with a blushing emoji.

But those weren't just ordinary robes. They were sheer, almost completely see-through.

Before long, those messages were deleted.

"Sorry, Hendrix. I sent that to the wrong person," Rowan wrote.

Hendrix turned off his phone and shoved it into his drawer.

They both knew Rowan hadn't made a mistake. He had meant to send it to him.

It wasn't until after work that Hendrix took his phone out again and turned it on.

There were no missed calls or messages—absolutely nothing.

In the past, if he couldn't be reached for even half an hour, Sabrina would bombard him with calls and messages or even show up at the office.

But now there was nothing.

However, he had received an Instagram notification.

He opened it and immediately saw a familiar scene—a black Cullinan filled with roses.

Rowan was holding a bouquet in one hand while his other arm was around Sabrina's waist. The two were very close.

The caption read, "Thank you, darling. This is the best birthday gift I've ever received."

Oh. So today was Rowan's birthday. All the flowers in Sabrina's car were for him.

After work, Hendrix didn't feel like going home.

But then his mother, Carley Schroeder, called. She sounded worried. "Hendrix, why have you been staying so late at work lately? Bri asked me if she should pick you up just now."

Hendrix didn't want to ride with her anymore. Neither the front seat nor the roses belonged to him.

"I'll take a cab home, Mom."

"Alright."

Hendrix ordered a cab. When he got home, he found both Sabrina and Rowan already there.

Rowan, carrying a large suitcase, was walking out of Hendrix's bedroom. "Welcome back, Hendrix."

Hendrix's temper flared instantly. "Who let you into my room?"