Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Did you even hear me talking?" Rafael had been rambling on for a while, but Flora didn't respond, her eyes seemingly drifting elsewhere, barely glancing at the screen. Flora was busy chatting with Connor on her computer. Hearing Rafael, she shot him a quick look. "Done talking? Then I'm hanging up."

Rafael, catching the occasional clatter of keyboard strokes from her side, asked, "What are you doing? Chatting with Connor?"

Flora nodded lazily.

Rafael's face scrunched up in accusation. "I'm talking to you, and you're not even paying attention, just chatting with him! Who's more important, him or me?"

The makeup artist nearly yanked out a chunk of Rafael's hair in surprise.

Was this the same wild and aloof Rafael they knew?

It was the first time seeing him act so childishly... like he was competing for attention.

"Hanging up."

Facing Rafael's sulky and accusing gaze, Flora calmly and indifferently ended the video call.

...

the Computer Science

into the classroom, clutching

responsible not only for the computer courses in the Medical Department but also for specialized courses in

Science department were

in the Computer Science department had their own high-performance laptop. Standing at the podium, Mr. Abbott announced softly, "I've reviewed your assignments, and none of them

left

freshman year, and it was the first time he'd

something happen to you?" asked Ivan,

in

something did happen," Mr. Abbott said sternly. "I've decided to hold you to stricter standards starting today!

the same web page he had asked Flora to create, and out of the whole class of more

as sophomores, they were already outperforming many seasoned professionals. In the past, Mr. Abbott would have given high marks, but now, with Flora setting such a

I understand you want to motivate us, but what you're

Department did better than them?

elaborate. He pulled up the source file Flora had worked on before and shared it in the

"See for yourselves."

the students opened the