The Coveted Rose of Manhattan

ey tea. The usually noisy Manhattan seemed quieter at this altitude, mixed with the sweet, intoxicating scent of the

e tips of its petals. Some of its leaves looked a little yellow. Izzy carefully

er too dry nor too wet. Izzy took a spray bottle filled with organic fertilizer solution and

the stairs. Lila de la Cruz, with her bright smile,

he replied, smiling in

es started to turn yellow last

d and examined

hange in weather yesterday. But it's okay, I've

her movements agile and attentive. They worked in comfortable silence, enj

"Dad" was displayed on the screen. Izzy to

"Just wanted to make sure you were okay. There's an important charity event

ght red 'Ingrid Bergman' rose. The charity event was

the details. I'm in a meeting. See y

went downstairs to her photography studio. The morning light pouring in th

al's detail, the soft textures, and the stunning gradations of color. Photography was Izzy's way of re

, her phone rang again. This tim

ood for some fresh gossip. How about we me

d, glancing at the clock

See you la

ttle more energized. Meeting Chloe always promised some light c

her frown. It showed a 'Moonstone' rose that looked wilted and blackened at the edges, as if something had touched it strangely.

r photography studio. It was past eleven o'clock, giving her about

ght and feminine, fitting for th

several options. Finally, she settled on a pale cream blouse wit

ly flared at the shoulders and the cu

l silhouette that moved beautifully as she walked. As a finishing touch, Izzy chose a sm

rned her ears, and she let her

ed out the window. The tall buildings, The hustle and bustle of city traffic

h satisfactory grades, her dream of working

zy should become one of the faces of Moreau G

entions, deep down, the longing to create som

, far different from the freedom of exp

"Café des Fleurs." As the name suggests, the

arisian atmosphere in the middle of Manhattan. The aroma of coffee, swee

afe was dominated by soft pastel colors, with flower paintings decorating the walls and v

waves, her face bright with energy that always radiated. Chloe, Izzy's best friend since high school, waved enthu

I can't wait to hear a

heerful voice, typical o

hloe had an aura that was always fresh and full of ent

o see you," Izzy repli

es haunted her. Their conversation would be filled with the latest gossip about Manhattan socialites

ss partner, a grown man, of course, but a super hot one! His name is Ca

he problem is, he's indifferent to me! I've tried everything to get his attention, but he j

rious, smart, cool..

's colorful crush stories that often ended in temporary disappointment. As Chloe was busy telling he

at covered most of his face stepped in. His movements were quick and men

gun straight at Chloe who was still in shock from her unfortunate

the glint of cold metal and the look of fear tha