In the bustling heart of the city, where dreams were woven into the air through delicate fragrances, Lila found solace in her perfumery, "Elysian Essence." Her creations were more than just scents; they were memories, emotions, and promises bottled up with care and precision. Each fragrance she crafted told a story, each one a reflection of her soul.
But lately, something was off. An unfamiliar presence lingered in the corners of her shop, sending shivers down her spine, As she fumbled with her keys trying to lock up. The comforting scents of lavender and vanilla now seemed tainted with an unsettling mix of black leather and smoky oud, and a hint of fresh note that added a disquieting complex blend of fragrance. Occasionally, she caught glimpses of a silhouette, as if a figure stood just beyond her reach. The shape was indistinct, cloaked in shadows that seemed to ripple like dark water, radiating a chilling predatory energy that made the air thick and her heart race.
Unbeknownst to Lila, someone was drawn to her, captivated by the deep, midnight blue of her eyes, which concealed an innocent, tender light beneath her daring façade. He watched her from afar, mesmerized by the way her lips, like trembling petals, quivered with every breath of fear. It wasn't just her beauty that enthralled him; it was the delicate ballet of her movements, like a fragile dance of a leaf caught in a storm, revealing her hidden anxieties. To him, she was no longer just Lila-she was "Fiora," a name he whispered to himself, as if it held the essence of her enigmatic grace.
As the city lights flickered and the night deepened, Lila stood at the threshold of a mystery that was about to unravel. A tale of passion, intrigue, and the delicate balance between love and obsession. In a world where every scent told a story, Lila was on the verge of discovering one that would change her life forever.
(THIS IS THE ORIGINAL DRAFT, MISSING FUNDAMENTAL EDITS IN THE SOLD FINAL)
Des Flores can't hear people's thoughts if they take place presently. She can't predict what somebody is going to say or do seconds before they act. She can see memories and memories only. When she was thirteen, she discovered that it wasn't just her imagination answering questions about people. She could see what traumas manufactured shitty characteristics in everyone she met, which made leveling with people simpler. But it made all interactions exhausting. Her mind skipped to the three-month-mark where every ounce of childhood baggage was already known. She knew the middle-aged stranger in the minivan honked because an incomplete stop is what took his daughter from him, years before. She knew the cashier at the dollar store complimented her choice of nail polish because her wife wore it in high school.
And she knew that if people knew of her gift, they'd avoid her. Having secrets was hardly an option. Everything that once was would be invaded by her inexplicit key to anyone's mind.
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Dessie threw everything she owned into her chipped, blue SUV and moved to Port Angeles for the rain and for the peace of mind. For the space to ask questions, but instead, there were too many answers.