Chapter 34
“Ive been trying to buy Rafael’s album for ages, but despite camping out for it for weeks, I haven’t been able to snag one”
Whenever Kaylee talked about Rafael, she, who was usually so reserved, became much more talkative. It was as if that shining. passionate young man was a beacon of light in her otherwise dull youth.
Kaylee’s disappointment was palpable whenever she mentioned the album. Whenever Rafael released an album or held a concert, tickets and copies would sell out in minutes.
Ordinary people stood no chance of getting them.
Flora listened without much expression, leaning boredly on the table.
Noticing that Flora wasn’t interested, Kaylee fell silent and returned to her seat
Flora lay on the table and texted Connor [Sleepy]
The weather was muggy and hot, making her feel more and mom drowsy
I’m craving some rose sorbet. Would you come with me to get some?)
[Lunchtime? Connor replied
Yeah are you busy?
[I’ve got time. I’ll pick you up at noon.]
[Great]
Around noon, Ray came by at the Stonnell residence and didn’t see Connor, He asked, “Where’s Connor?”
A servant replied respectfully, “He and Ms. Flora went out for lunch.”
Ray was taken aback. Didn’t we agree to have lunch together? Chapter 33
Dane was not convinced, “If all the girls are going, what about Flor?”
Jennifer didn’t even want to ask Flore, but Dane and his friends had quite an influence in the class, and she felt obligated to ask, to clear it with the teacher later.
With a sigh, she asked in a perfunctory manner, “Flora, are you joining?”
Leaning back in her chair and twirling her pen, Flora seemed indifferent, “Not Interested”
“Alright, got IL”
It was a clear case of exclusion.
Dane’s face darkened immediately.
“Who cares.” Dane snorted coldly, “Flora, dont be sad, if she doesn’t want to play with you, we will.”
Flora said dryly. “That’s not necessary.”
Im not going either I can’t dance. I want to save
e some time to focus on my study” Kaylee’s voice was very s
soft
She was always invisible in class. Jennifer unemotionally acknowledged her with a “Hmm” and crossed her name off the list.
Flora didn’t take the matter to heart. After school in the afternoon, she went to see Connor
She had to spend more time with him. He was quite the jealous type, very insecure. If she didn’t spend enough time with him, he would start overthinking again.
She had told Connor about her visit, so as si
she got out of the car, she saw him waiting at the doorstep of his house.
She smiled gently and quickened her steps, “Connor”
She ran straight into his arms. Connor, his heart melting, took her backpack and slung it over his shoulder, “What do you feel like eating tonight?”
“Hmm, there are quite a few options.” Flora, hooking her arm in his, listed, “Grilled shrimp, grilled pork ribs, duck a l’orange…”
She had a feast in mind.
The next day, when Flora arrived in the classroom, she saw the girls huddled together, passionately discussing on their phones about which dance to perform.
“The hottest thing right now is Rafael. Every dance he performs sets off a craze. Why don’t we do his latest, Dance of Love?”
“Ah! That would be amazing! Having the chance to perform my idol’s dance on stage, I could die happy.”
Flora initially had no interest, but the mention of Rafael made her stop in her tracks.
lanced at Jennifer’s phone unconsciously. On stage, the man wore a simple white shirt and black trousers, with an earring
ng his ear. Eluminated by the lights, he seemed to glow entirely.
His eyes closed, he lost himself in the world of dance, moving with the melody.
After watching, Flora commented lightly. “This dance isn’t suitable for you.”
Her tone was mild, merely stating a fact.
The girls were unhappy. “Why do you say this dance isn’t suitable for us?”
One mocked, “Yeah, do you know anything about dance? You’re top of the grade, but it doesn’t mean you know everything.”
“Jennifer has been dancing for over five years. She nearly made it into the specialized class. She didn’t say this dance is not good, so why do you?”
“His dance style is melancholic and slightly sinister, filled with a sharpness born of despair, something you can’t possibly convey.”
The girls grew impatient, Tve been a fan of Rafael for four years. How would I not know his style? If you’re not performing, don’t mess with us.”
Flora stopped talking and returned to her seat.
“Flora…” Kaylee, with a soft voice, wad holding her books. She came to consult again.
Kaylee was very diligent, something Flora admired, but her grades never seemed to improve
Kaylee couldn’t find the right method, only knew to memorize blindly
With Flora’s patient guidance, Kaylee’s grades had already improved significantly.
Chapter 33
Flora checked the problems Kaylee got wrong and explained patiently. After the explanation, Kaylee had an epiphany and quickly
thanked her.
Just as Kaylee was about to return to her sent, Flora spoke up, “Don’t worry about me. If you want to join the performance, go ahead. I don’t mind.”
Kaylee had always been focused, but just now, she had glanced over at Jennifer’s group several times. She seemed really interested in participating.
Flora continued, “If you’re embarrassed, I go talk to them for you.”
Kaylee’s eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently, “No, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to join… it’s just, I really like Rafael.”
At the mention of Rafael, her eyes lit up.
He stomped up to Connor’s room on the second floor without anyone stopping him. Connor had ordered that Ray could freely enter any
Including his
C
Ray didn’t even bother to take off his shoes before collapsing onto the bed and rolling around a bit. His somewhat greasy face rubbed against the pillow
As the previously tidy bed became now a mess, he grinned, satisfied. This would definitely annoy Connor, who was a neat freak.
Glancing around, he noticed a sachet on the bedside table.
He remembered the fragrance from the car ride the other day. He picked up the sachet between two fingers and examined it.
The fabric was a bit w wom, with Flora embroidered in the bottom right comer. The scent wasn’t as strong as it had been in the car, but it
till pleasant and refreshing.
ised an eyebrow, tucked the sachet into his pocket, and left as if nothing had happened.
In the cafe
Flors was eagerly devouring her bowl of sorbet, the subtle rose fragrance bringing a cool relief that spread throughout her body. She squinted her eyes in comfort.
Connor, watching her content expression, couldn’t help but smile
Suddenly, she stretched her hand toward him “Try some.”
Holding a spoonful of sorbet toward him, she was beaming with excitement.
Connor stared at the bowl, filled with various toppings that made it somewhat unappealing to him, and then back at Flora. He hesitated for a moment before slowly taking a bite
He wasn’t fond of desserts loaded with too many extras, and found the mix of flavors odd.
Flora seemed to love it.
“How is it?”
“It’s not bad.” After swallowing, he commented.
Flora, thrilled, pushed the half–finished bowl of sorbet toward him, “Then you can have it.”
Chapter 34
After saying that, she went to order an ice cream.
Connor stared at the sorbet she pushed toward him and the milkshake she hadn’t finished.
Flora wanted to try everything but would only have a little of each. He felt a headache coming on.
After the meal, Connor drove Flom back to school.
tting out of hand
As the car stopped by the curb, Flora noticed a flyer stuck in the door. “Ugh, these ads are getting
The flyer was for some loan service, Flora remembered, in her previous life, how rampant loan scams and predatory lending had been, causing many to suffer
She crumpled the flyer and tossed it into a trash can.
After Flora entered the school, Connor headed home.
Upon his return, he noticed the sachet was missing. The servants wouldn’t touch his things, so there was only one suspect.
He took out his phone and made a call.
“Yo, had a nice meal with your Flora?” The call connected, and a cheeky voice answered.
Connor replied coldly. “Give it back to me.”
Ray admitted outright, “You ditched me, so I took one of your things. What about it?”
“There are things you can’t take. I’ll send you something else.”
“Didn’t Flora give you a new one? What’s it to you if I take the old one?”
Connor, looking at the messy bed, was exasperated, “I’ll give you the SUV you wanted, just return the sachet.”
Ray laughed triumphantly, “Talk is cheap. Let’s see if you actually buy it. As for the rest, fill think about it.”
Connor knew Ray was a lost cause and didn’t bother continuing the topic, “Hows Aisha?”
At the mention of Aisha, Ray’s tone darkened, “Same as always. I’ve asked Night Veil to look for Séraphine, but no word yet.”
