Anya nods in agreement. "Mama doesn't like smelly things."
We continue through the shop and I select a few stems of eucalyptus to add to the arrangements for texture, and I instruct the florist on exactly how I want the bouquets arranged with the roses as the focal point and the peonies and sunflowers as accents.
"Now the vases," I say. "I don't want cheap glass, I want ceramic in a soft cream color, different sizes for each delivery so she can display them throughout her office."
The florist leads us to a section with vases and I examine each one carefully before selecting a set that meets my standards.
"Send the invoice to my assistant and she will handle payment," I say. "The deliveries must arrive at her office by 9 AM each day without fail."
The florist nods. "9 AM sharp, understood."
"And if for any reason your delivery person has trouble getting the flowers to my wife, they call me directly." I hand her a card with my number. "I will handle it."
The florist takes the card and tucks it carefully into her apron pocket. "Of course, Mr. Ivanovich."
Anya extends her hand to the florist for a handshake and the woman takes it with a delighted laugh.
"Very professional," she says.
"Thank you," Anya replies. "Now we have to go buy Mama jewelry."
Viktor drives us to a jewelry store in the upscale part of the city where the windows display diamonds and gold under soft lights and security guards stand at the entrance in fitted suits.
I help Anya out of the car and she smooths down her dress before taking my hand, and we walk into the store together where a salesman in an expensive suit approaches us immediately.
"Mr. Ivanovich, it is an honor to have you in our store today, how may I assist you?"
"I'm looking for something special for my wife for Valentine's Day."
"Of course, please follow me to our private viewing room where I can show you our finest pieces."
He leads us to a room in the back with velvet chairs and glass cases filled with jewelry that sparkles under the warm lighting, and Anya climbs onto one of the chairs and sits with her legs dangling off the edge.
"What kind of piece are you looking for?" the salesman asks. "A necklace, bracelet, ring, earrings?"
"A necklace first, something with a teardrop pendant since my wife prefers that shape over round or square."
The salesman nods and pulls out a tray of teardrop pendants in various sizes and settings.
I examine each one carefully, picking them up and turning them in the light. "She doesn't like anything too heavy so it needs to sit light on her neck, and she prefers white gold over yellow."
"We have several pieces in white gold," the salesman says while pulling out another tray. "These are our lighter settings."
I pick up a teardrop diamond pendant surrounded by smaller diamonds and hold it up. "This one, the chain is delicate and the setting isn't bulky."
"Excellent choice, sir, that is a five-carat diamond pendant with a halo setting."
Anya leans forward to look. "It's sparkly, Papa."
"Mama likes sparkly things, doesn't she?"
Anya nods eagerly. "Very sparkly."
"We'll take this one," I tell the salesman. "Now earrings, she has sensitive ears so I need something lightweight with a secure backing, no heavy drops that will pull on her lobes."
The salesman pulls out a tray of earrings and I scan them quickly before pointing at a pair of teardrop studs that mirror the pendant.
"Those, they match the necklace and they won't irritate her ears."
