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

"Get lost," Youth snapped, feeling his annoyance rise. He hadn't even had a chance to get Flora's guidance yet, and now someone was trying to jump the line. Even if it was Flora's brother, it wasn't going to fly.

"Busy," Flora replied nonchalantly, meeting Adrian's hopeful eyes with a single word.

Adrian let out a defeated, "Ouch."

Ignoring him, Flora handed Youth a cup. "Hop in the car."

"Sure thing, Flora!" Youth chirped, eager to follow her lead.

...

After wrapping up with Youth, Flora headed out from the Reyes family home. She had plans - a trip to the mall was in order. Raul needed a little gift, or so she thought.

Over at the coffee shop on the mall's second floor, a cluster of high-society ladies were gathered, buzzing with conversation.

"This perfume, personally crafted by Féraphine, is just divine," one of them marveled, inhaling the scent with delight.

"Cost me a cool hundred grand," another chimed in, "but Féraphine's perfumes are legendary."

"All thanks to Camille here," a third lady added, nodding towards her. "Without you, how could we have snagged something directly from Féraphine? Who knew you two were such pals?"

Camille basked in the praise, a smug smile firmly planted on her face. Coming from a modest background, she had always struggled to find her footing in elite social circles, acutely aware of the condescension from others. But finally, she had her moment in the sun.

A thought struck her, and with a sly

glint in her eyes, she turned to Liana

and Mrs. Lee. "Oh, I'm sorry, since you didn'task, I didn't pick up any for you. Didn't Mrs. Falcone mention her daughter-in-law is a whiz with perfumes? Why don't you show us her creations?"

Her gaze settled on Amanda, seated at the edge of the group. The implication was clear: Camille was looking to see Amanda squirm. Everyone knew Féraphine's

own, and Amanda's daught

perfumes were in a league of their

couldn't possibly measure up. Any comparison would be humiliating.

Amanda, taken aback by the sudden shift in conversation, simply smiled. "My daughter-in-law has been quite busy lately, so she hasn't finished it yet."

"Still not done after all this time?" Camille feigned surprise, eyes widening. "Is she busier than Féraphine? What's she up to, sleeping in? I heard she didn't get up till noon last time."

Amanda took a calm sip of her tea, unfazed by Camille's jabs. "We're not in a rush."

"Indeed, that Flora girl," another lady chimed in "she's been wrapped up with racing trials. Young folks these days are something else. She's got skills in medicine, perfume, racing... quite the all-rounder."

Camille's smile faded as the conversation turned to Flora. Both she and Flora hailed from humble beginnings, yet Flora was the one being celebrated, while her own accomplishments were dismissed. It stung.

"Why does a girl need to know so much? In the end, isn't she just going to settle down and have kids?" Camille scoffed. "Is she really busy, or just avoiding what she doesn't want to do?"

The teacup hit the table with a thud, silencing Camille. Amanda's stare, imbued with a natural grace and authority, was enough to quell any further remarks from Camille.

"Camille, if you can't speak kindly, perhaps it's best you don't speak at all."

An awkward silence settled over the group, Camille's face flushed with embarrassment.

The tension was broken by a voice from across the room. "Hey, Mrs. Falcone, isn't that your daughter-in-law over there?"