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

Debra lowered her voice, clearly annoyed by Selene always sticking up for Flora.

Selene shot her a frosty glance. "Seriously, it's just a meal on the third floor. Not a big deal."

Like she cared.

"Mr. Tanner, you go ahead. I'm fine eating here," she said, her tone icy as she continued to queue, eyes downcast. The mere idea of looking at them again was irritating. Unbeknownst to them, Kruz was leaning against the staircase, eavesdropping on their entire conversation.

He had stepped out to make a call and ended up catching their exchange. It was almost laughable how angry it made him.

Flora had kindly invited them upstairs, and this was their response?

He hadn't even eaten yet, and he was already feeling queasy.

Picking up his phone, he called a staff member.

"Let's head upstairs," he said.

Joy smiled graciously at the staff member, basking in the admiring and envious glances from the crowd.

The staff member was about to nod when his phone rang. He excused himself with an apologetic gesture and stepped aside to take the call.

Afterwards, Joy and the others watched as the staff member's expression changed.

He came back and said, "I'm sorry, but you can't go upstairs anymore," his tone far less respectful.

Not allowed upstairs? Why? They had just been invited!

Joy's smile froze. "Wh-why?"

"You know why," the staff member replied, his tone even colder.

What did they know?

Joy clenched her teeth. "Did Ms. Abbey say something? Let me talk to her. Maybe I can explain..."

Moments ago, Debra and the others had been bragging about how they were going to eat upstairs, thanks to her. And now, they were barred, with people watching. It was utterly embarrassing...

"It wasn't Ms. Abbey. Mr. Kruz invited you upstairs," the staff member interrupted her.

Mr. Kruz? Who was that?

As Joy and the others grew more

the staff member

Coed, "To be precise, it wal

Miss Flora."

The smile vanished from Joy's face.

So, the invitation had come from Flora, not Abbey?

What was she then? She felt like a joke!Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Debra and the others fell silent, their faces marked by awkwardness.

They hadn't expected the invitation to come from Flora.

"Miss, Mr. Kruz has asked for you to come upstairs," said the staff

member, his gaze finally settling on Selene. He walked over and spoke respectfully.

Selene didn't refuse this time. If Flora was inviting her, why wouldn't she go? She held her head high, climbing the stairs under the envious gaze of the others.

"It's just the third floor. We're fine not going up."

"Yeah, who cares anyway," Debra and the others quickly tried to comfort Joy, but despite their words,

they couldn't hide the

Joy bit down hard, the taste of blood growing stronger in her mouth, as did her hatred for Flora.

The staff member led Selene directly to the private dining room where Flora was.

He left after showing her to the door. Selene pushed it open.

"The beautiful lady has arrived, come in, come in," Kruz and Adrian greeted her warmly.

She had been the only one to defend Flora when the others were mocking her.

That made her one of them.

Someone to be protected!