Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

The cleaning lady responded, and Lizetta turned off the water, dried her hands, and stepped out.

Days flew by in a blink, and on the eve of Lizetta's departure to Summer City, Remington's car once again stopped at the dance company's entrance.

Tall and distinguished, Remington stood by his car, cradling a bouquet of flowers in his arms.

They were roses, a refreshing shade of green, unique, understated, and elegant. They matched his demeanor perfectly. Lizetta recognized them instantly as the rare matcha forest roses.

She froze in place until Remington approached, offering her the roses with a voice as soft as the breeze.

"Here's your bouquet. Still mad at me?"

Taking the flowers, Lizetta felt a lump in her throat and a sting in her eyes. She lowered her head to smell them and then looked up at him, smiling gently.

"They're beautiful. The first flowers you've ever given me."

Remington saw she was happy, his lips relaxing into a relieved smile as he playfully tapped her head.

"Nonsense, I've given you flowers before, about twelve or thirteen years ago."

Lizetta paused, and then remembered.

was talking about his high school days. Mr. Dashiell was the golden boy, talented and handsome, naturally attracting

and many girls only dared

would slip through to his bag, and sometimes, flowers would be secretly left at

aloud to Remington. And those secretly placed flowers, which he

Remington started giving all those flowers to her, more than

back, her smile grew more playful; shaking her head, she said, "That's not the

flowers. What's the difference?"

of course, it was different. Did he give her those flowers

voice her thoughts, afraid to delve deeper. Instead, she clutched the bouquet tighter

visit,

Lizetta settled

е

but ask him, "These flowers are quite special. Did you pick them out

flower's meaning was eternal love, a love for

"Cedric recommended them."

her evident joy and thought to himself that

have the florist deliver a bunch to our house

stroked the petals, shaking her head, "You really don't understand women. Getting them too often would take away the surprise." Remington, with a non-committal furrow of his brow, replied, "As