Aroma of Love: Lunch Date with a Passenger Princess - Based on a True Story

Pink Sinnamon - A Scented “Goodbye”

Leona hated the smell of her mini van. It was a stubborn mix of fast food and spilled coffee that no amount of scrubbing could erase. One Saturday in February, standing in the checkout line at a parts store, she couldn’t find any scented air freshener that suited her mood, so she ordered a new brand, SMEL-U-LATR “Pink Sinnamon” scented air freshener on impulse.

On Monday, she hung it from the rearview before work and cracked the windows. At lunch, her coworker Maurice asked for a ride to grab tacos. When he slid into the passenger seat, he paused, inhaled, and laughed. “Whoa, did you finally trade up? This smells like a brand‑new ride. Also, why do I feel like royalty?”

“It’s just this little moon,” she said, suddenly self‑conscious, touching the cardboard like it was something fragile. “Figured I deserved to pretend I upgraded my life a little.”

Maurice tilted his head, really looking at the dashboard clutter, the hair tie on the shifter, beads surrounding the Moon, all items dangle effortlessly from the rearview. The optimistic “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear” sticker on the side mirror. “Honestly?” he said. “It fits you. Kind of hopeful.” He tapped the dangling moon. “Smells like a fresh start.”

The words got stuck in her chest in a good way.

They enjoyed their tacos, laughed, and on the way back traffic crawled. Leona and Maurice they ended up talking about everything they wanted but were afraid to say out loud—moving out on their own, starting a side business, the fear of failing and having to move back home. But the biggest discussion that still loomed on the way back to the office, would we ever see each other again?

As he got out, Maurice lingered with the door open. “If you ever actually get that new car,” he said, “I call first ride. But until then… want to grab coffee sometime that isn’t on the clock?”

She watched him shut the door and walk away, then looked at the tiny moon swaying on its string. The car still had creaks and rattles, but with the windows cracked and the sweet “new” smell wrapping around her, it felt, for the first time, like the future wasn’t something far away.

It might start right there, near this old mini van that smelled like possibility.

“Maurice, this is my last day at the office. Why do you want to see me again?” Leona asked with a focused glare. She’s seen how he behaves with other women and notices the difference in care he handles her with. Leona knew she would break Maurice’s heart. They were destined for different directions. She steadfastly looked into his gaze, but Maurice looked away, nervous, frantic to say the truth but afraid of embarrassment and potential harassment since they now were back on company property. Maurice knew Leona only from work. They’ve passed each other at the coffee machine so many times, complaining about the burnt bean smell coming from

The break room. He gathered his thoughts as they walked towards the entrance. Braking the silence, under his breath he exclaimed, “Leona, I’d ride with you anywhere. I can’t get that Sinnamon scent out of my head, and forgive me, but there’s no where more comfortable than being with you in the minivan.”

Shocked and intrigued, Leona grabbed Maurice’s phone. “Here’s my Instagram, if you still want that coffee date.” She winked and took the next elevator back to her office. Maurice looked on, knowing he’s gotten a little further today.