FIORA

Chapter 3 (A Deadly Chase)

LILA's POV

The morning air felt cool against my skin as I stepped out of Nora's car, the unease from last night still clinging to me like a shadow. "You sure you're okay?" Nora's voice was soft, laced with concern.

I forced a smile, hoping it reached my eyes. "I'm fine, Nora. There's nothing to worry about." As I watched her drive away, I turned towards my shop, hoping the familiarity of my routine would push away the remaining tension.

The moment I walked inside, the comforting scent of jasmine and sandalwood enveloped me, grounding me. I spotted Sam already at the counter, his usual spot. Relief washed over me as our eyes met—at least I wouldn't have to face the customers alone today.

"Morning, Sam," I greeted him, trying to sound more relaxed than I felt. "How are you feeling today? You look better."

"Morning, boss," he replied with a grin that instantly lifted my mood. "Feeling much better, thanks. A bit of rest and I'm good as new."

"Good to hear," I said, the weight on my shoulders easing slightly. Sam's presence was always reassuring, and knowing him that he is healthy now was a relief.

The shop buzzed with customers, the steady rhythm of transactions offering a welcome distraction. But in the quiet moments, when the door's chime fell silent, my mind kept drifting back to last night. To shake it off, I found myself drawn to the computer, almost on autopilot as I typed in the familiar URL—The Global Fragrance Gala.

My heart skipped a beat as the page loaded, revealing all the details of the competition. The preliminary round is the initial screening of entries based on written submissions and samples of the perfume. Excitement and nerves tangled together inside me, sparking a rush of ideas that I couldn't contain.

"Sam, come look at this." I called him over, my voice barely masking the thrill running through me. "The preliminary round—it's a fragrance submission. I have to create something completely new."

Sam's eyes widened, his enthusiasm contagious. "Lila, that's incredible! This is your chance to really show the world what you've got. You're going to crush this."

His excitement fueled mine, and I couldn't help but smile. "It's a big opportunity, but it's also a huge challenge. I need to create something that stands out."

"You've got this," Sam said with so much confidence it was impossible not to believe him. "Whatever you come up with, it's going to be amazing. I just know it."

The rest of the day flew by in a blur. Customers came and went, but my mind kept circling back to the competition. Ideas for new scents danced in my head, mingling with the anticipation of what was to come.

My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was a message from Nora.

Nora: Hey, babe, I'm taking you out tonight. We need to shake off whatever that is stressing you out and yes you can't say NO. Blue Orchid, 7 PM. Be ready to dance your heart out.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Nora's concern and her dragging me out to a club, but she was right—I needed this. After everything that had happened, a night of dancing and forgetting seemed like the perfect remedy.

Lila: You're on. I'll be ready.

I texted back, already feeling lighter at the thought of losing myself in music and laughter.

As 6 PM approached, I wrapped up my work and turned to Sam. "I've got to head out early tonight. You can close up at 8, and make sure you get home safe, okay?"