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3 “The Stranger”
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Three
The stranger could detect the strong scent of alcohol on Florence’s breath despite the scent of rain hitting the dry ground, but he refrained from making any judgmental comments. He observed her distress, her tears flowing freely, and he understood very well that she was going through a difficult time and everyone did go through something somewhere. Even earlier, from the safety of his car, he had witnessed her collapse onto the sidewalk, her cries echoing through the rain. He knew that she was not the only person in her suffering, that everyone, in their own way, was battling their own demons. He was battling his own demons as well.
Humans, he believed and he knew well, were inherently flawed and imperfect. They were driven by a constant desire for more, fueled by envy and dissatisfaction. People were designed to be like that. He recognized his own shortcomings, his own imperfections, after all he was a human himself, but he strived to maintain a sense of decency and respect in his interactions with others whoever they were. He believed that even in the darkest of times, it was important to treat others with kindness and compassion.
The stranger offered a helping hand, his smile a faint flicker of warmth amidst the gloom. “Come on, let me help you stand,” he told her, his voice was gentle and reassuring. Florence hesitated, her hand trembling slightly as she reached out to accept his offer. He did not pressure her, but he was glad that she could actually hear him. Her hand, small and delicate, seemed almost insignificant compared to his larger, stronger one. As she took his hand, she felt a surge of gratitude and a glimmer of hope while he helped her stand on her two feet.
The stranger continued to hold the umbrella with one hand, his gaze scanning the surroundings. “Can you walk?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. Florence nodded slowly, her movements deliberate and cautious. The rain was falling heavily, and she was completely drenched. Her clothes clung to her body, heavy and uncomfortable.
The stranger looked around for a nearby shelter, a place where they could escape the relentless downpour. His eyes landed on a cozy coffee shop, its warm glow a beacon of hope in the midst of the storm. “There,” he chimed loudly over the loud and heavy pouring rain, pointing with his free hand. “A coffee shop. Let me buy you something hot to drink, to warm you up. You look like you need it,” he added, his voice filled with sincerity.
The offer was a gesture of kindness, a small act of compassion in a world that often seemed cold and uncaring. Florence was touched by his thoughtfulness, his willingness to go out of his way to help her but she knew for a fact that she was not going to remember him tomorrow because she was under the influence. As they walked towards the coffee shop, he helped her and held her, but not sexually. He was just helping her so she would not stumble forward or trip, and she felt a sense of gratitude and relief towards him. She was no longer alone…for now.
At least there was someone temporary.
As they entered the coffee shop, the stranger gently guided Florence towards an empty table, away from the chilly draft of the air conditioner. He removed his black jacket, a thick and insulating garment, and offered it to her. “Here, put this on,” he said, his voice filled with concern. “You are soaked. You must be freezing.”
Florence hesitated, her hands trembling slightly from the cold and from everything that was inside her head. She stared down at her damp clothes, her mind racing with thoughts of her own vulnerability. The stranger, sensing her hesitation, gently placed the jacket around her shoulders. The warmth of the fabric was a comforting contrast to the cold she had been feeling. The oversized jacket enveloped her, providing a sense of security and protection.
The thin shirt he was wearing did not really bother him, but Florence’s reaction to the stranger’s gesture was one of surprise and confusion, and it surprised him a little bit. He realized that she seemed lost in her own thoughts, perhaps unable to hear him clearly. Although she wore a hearing aid, he was understanding and patient. As she finally looked up at him, her face illuminated by the warm glow of the coffee shop, he was completely and utterly struck by her beauty.
Despite her damp hair, he noticed the stunning shade of honey blonde that cascaded down her shoulders. Her large, round eyes, a captivating shade of gray, were filled with an innocent charm. The stranger could not help but stare at her, his gaze fixed on her flushed cheeks and her eyes, which held a hint of drunkenness.
But her eyes were so innocent.
Florence’s gray eyes, large and round, held a depth of innocence that seemed almost ethereal. They were windows into a soul touched by the harsh realities of the world. In her gaze, one could glimpse a purity that was both captivating and heartbreaking. He could see from the way the innocence her eyes looked, she was going through something.
It was as if the world’s sorrows had reached her, as if she needed to be shielded from the cynicism and despair that often clouded the hearts of others which had already clouded hers. Her eyes reflected a childlike wonder, a curiosity about the world that was both endearing and inspiring despite looking drunk and lost.
The stranger found himself drawn to the innocence that radiated from her eyes. It was a very stark contrast to the turmoil he had witnessed in her earlier. In her gaze, he saw that she needed a glimmer of hope to spark, a reminder that despite the darkness that often surrounded us, there was still light to be found.
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The Tale Not Old As Time 4 “The Fragility Of Innocence”
Four As the stranger continued to observe her, he was reminded of the fragility of innocence, how easily it could be lost. He felt a protective instinct, a desire to shield her from the harsh realities of life, to preserve the purity that shone so brightly in her eyes. At that moment, the stranger realized that he had stumbled upon something truly special. He had encountered a soul untouched by the cynicism and despair that often characterized the world. Maybe he was right, or maybe he was wrong. But one thing was for sure, he saw innocence in her eyes. Her innocence was a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still beauty and goodness to be found.The stranger cleared his throat, his voice breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. “Would you like some hot tea?” he asked, his tone polite and considerate. “I do not think coffee would be a good choice at this late hour. Perhaps a decaf would be better?” he suggested, his words a r
The Tale Not Old As Time 5 “Unforgiving Winter”
FiveFlorence remembered it very well. It was December 2019 the snow fell gently, little by little, a soft blanket of white that draped the city in a serene tranquility. The air was intensely crisp and biting, a stark contrast to the warmth of the indoors. The streets, once bustling with life and cars, were now deserted due to the cold temperature and the surfaces slick with a thin layer of ice.A lone figure emerged from a nearby building, their breath visible in the frigid air. They bundled up in a thick coat and scarf, their hands tucked deep into their pockets for warmth. As they stepped onto the icy pavement, their feet slipped slightly, sending a jolt of surprise through their body. With cautious steps, they navigated the treacherous terrain, their eyes scanning the ground for any hidden patches of black ice.“Jesus Christ, Flo, hurry up!” Frederick exclaimed impatiently from downstairs. He was actually home for the winter break from his college and he was enjoying a temporary r
The Tale Not Old As Time 6 “So Cruel”
Six“Snowflakes dance in the winter air,A magical sight, beyond compare.Christmas lights, a twinkling gleam,Filling hearts with a festive dream.”In the distance, the sound of a choir singing hymns from the nearby church wafted in an echoing manner through the air. The choir's voices blended together into a soft, otherworldly hum that seemed to float through the air. The music was like a gentle breeze carrying the voices of angels, a comforting and uplifting sound."Jolly old Santa, with a sleigh so bright, Delivers gifts with all his might.Children gather, eyes aglow,As presents under the Christmas tree grow."As Florence's gaze adjusted to the darkness, she could see nothing but the inky blackness that enveloped her surroundings. Suddenly, the world seemed to freeze around her while there was this strong and painful ringing in her ears and a bit of confusion in her head. Snowflakes danced in the air, swirling and twirling above Florence’s head. Her breath was visible in the f
The Tale Not Old As Time 7 “A Silent World”
Seven The world was silent in the year 2019 for Florence Emry.Florence paused, her breath catching in her throat. A wave of panic threatened to engulf her, but she fought against it, forcing herself to remain calm even if there was a voice in the back of her head that kept asking her how she was going to remain calm? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, as deep as she could, while she was trying to steady her nerves and her fast heart beating that was pounding inside her chest. With renewed focus, she listened intently, straining to hear any sound. The silence was deafening. No matter how hard she tried, she could not detect a single noise. The world around her seemed to have been muted. And a silent world was… terrifying. Her gaze shifted to the beeping machine, its rhythmic pulses a stark contrast to the eerie quietness that she was hearing. It was functioning normally, she thought, its electronic voice a constant presence in the room where she was in. Yet, even its fam
The Tale Not Old As Time 8 “Completely Nothing”
Eight Florence’s face was a mask of confusion and bewilderment, whatever the nurse was telling her, she heard completely nothing. Not a single whisper, word, squeak, breath or gasp. Her eyes, filled with more tears streaming down her cheeks, darted back and forth, searching for a familiar sound that never came. Her lips parted slightly, as if she were trying to form a question, but no words escaped from her lips because she had a lot of things in her mind that her mouth could not keep up. Her brows furrowed, and her expression grew increasingly distressed. It was as if she were trapped in a silent world, unable to comprehend the information being conveyed to her through the nurse’s moving lips.A wave of panic, so similar to an overwhelming strong earthquake, began to engulf Florence. The realization that she might be trapped in a silent world sent a chill down her spine. A glimmer of hope flickered in the back of her mind, a desperate wish that this deafness was merely a temporary
The Tale Not Old As Time 9 “Reality Sinking In”
NineThe doctor continued to write, his notes a lifeline in the silent world they shared in Florence’s hospital room. “You were in a coma for five days,” He informed her with the written words in the note while her heart was still thumping inside her chest, waiting to know about what happened to her. “We initially thought you might not wake up soon since your heart rate was low. We are very thankful that you survived and you fought.”Florence’s heart swelled with a mix of relief and gratitude as she read the words on the page. The revelation that she had been unconscious for five days after the accident sent a wave of astonishment and bewilderment through her body. Five days? It seemed impossible, a stretch of time that defied her perception of reality. Her mind raced faster now, trying to process the implications of this unexpected discovery. What had happened during those five days? Who had been by her side? The questions piled up, each one more pressing than the last. She longed to
The Tale Not Old As Time 10 “More Heart Wrenching”
Ten The revelation of her deafness was a devastating blow, a wound that refused to heal. Florence could not accept it, could not reconcile herself to the thought of living in a world of silence. Her heart ached with the pain of loss, the realization that a vital part of her had been taken away. But the pain was amplified a thousandfold by the news of her family’s tragic demise, especially finding out about it on Christmas Day was more heart wrenching.The loss of her mother, father, and brother was a crushing blow, a weight that threatened to overwhelm her. The realization that she was alone in the world along with her grandmother who was also terminally ill, bereft of her loved ones, was a source of immense sorrow. The pain of their loss, coupled with the devastating news of her deafness, created a perfect storm of grief and despair.Florence felt as if her world had been shattered, a fragile vessel that had been shattered into a million pieces. The loss of her family, combined with
The Tale Not Old As Time 11 “Hues Of Gold And Pink”
ElevenIn 2023, the morning sun painted the sky in hues of gold and pink as Florence approached the small, modest chapel. The air was heavy with a palpable sense of grief, the quiet murmur of mourners a stark contrast to the usual bustling energy of the place. Florence took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. As she pushed open the heavy wooden door, the sight that greeted her was a gut-wrenching blow. Three coffins where her mother, father and older brother laid, draped in somber black cloth, lay side by side, a stark reminder of the tragic loss she had suffered. Tears welled up in her eyes, a silent waterfall cascading down her cheeks. The sight of her family, cold and lifeless in their own coffins, was more than she could bear. Her heart ached with a pain so deep, it felt as if it were being torn apart.She approached the coffins, her steps hesitant and unsteady, so slowly as she was taking one step forward and two steps back. As she stood before them, she reached
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The Tale Not Old As Time 59 “Familiar Silence”
Fifty-Nine Florence returned to the city, a sense of melancholy settling over her. As she stepped into Heath’s flat, the familiar silence greeted her. A quick glance around confirmed her suspicion: Heath was still out of the country for his business trips and conventions. His slippers, untouched by the door, were a stark reminder of his absence. A wave of loneliness washed over her, a familiar feeling that had become a constant companion.The dinner table was set, a stark contrast to the emptiness Florence felt inside. As they ate, the silence was deafening, broken only by the clinking of silverware. The tension in the air was palpable, a silent battle between two souls, each harboring their own secrets.Florence knew what was coming. Heath, with his insatiable ego for power, reputation and influence, mixed with his twisted mind, would propose and insist to her of seducing Chaos, and playing a dangerous game. She braced herself for the storm, the verbal abuse that would undoubtedly
The Tale Not Old As Time 58 “Barely A Whisper”
Fifty-EightFlorence’s voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. “I’m a trophy wife,” she confessed, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. The words hung heavy in the air, a stark revelation that shattered the fragile peace.Chaos, taken aback by her honesty, gently rubbed her back. He did not want to ask anything for now, all he wanted to do was to let her know that he was there and he was listening. He understood the weight of her words, the pain and humiliation she must have endured. The secrets she kept to safeguard Heath’s reputation in the world of money and power. “I’m so sorry, Florence,” he murmured, his voice filled with empathy. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”The silence that followed was heavier, a poignant pause as they both processed the gravity of her confession. Florence, her heart was absolutely heavy with sorrow, letting the tears flow freely. The pent-up emotions she went through since her family died, the years of silent suffer
The Tale Not Old As Time 57 “2AM”
Fifty-SevenAround two o'clock in the morning, Florence could not sleep. She was wide awake and staring at the ceiling wearing a baggy shirt and some pajama bottoms. She tried to reminisce about what happened in the lake as she was also recalling how Chaos’ amazing body looked so hot.As Florence lay in bed, her mind raced with the events of the night. The memory of Chaos’ confession, his longing gaze, haunted her. She could not deny the intensity of her feelings for him, the deep connection they shared. But she was also terrified of the consequences, the potential heartbreak that lay ahead.The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. Why did he confess his feelings of wanting to kiss her? Was it fueled because it was a spur of the moment or because he was being his playful womanizer side? She could not help but ask herself, did he truly mean those words, or was it just a fleeting moment of passion? Florence tossed and turned, unable to find peace due to her mind bein
The Tale Not Old As Time 56 “Sign Language”
Fifty-SixChaos smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You caught me,” he signed, his fingers moving gracefully. His playful gesture, a silent acknowledgment of his unspoken desire, sent a thrill through Florence. The intimacy of the moment, the shared understanding, was intoxicating.“You thought I didn’t.” She hand signed as they shared a laugh. Florence felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. She was both embarrassed and exhilarated by the boldness of his confession. She knew that crossing the line between friendship and romance would be risky, but she could not deny the pull she felt towards him. The cool water enveloped them, a soothing balm for their weary souls. Chaos gently guided Florence, his strong arms supporting her as she floated on her back. The weightlessness of the water, combined with the warmth of his touch, created a sense of peace and tranquility.As they drifted silently, the world seemed to fade away. The only sound was the gentle lapping of the water agai
The Tale Not Old As Time 55 “Lake House”
Fifty-Five The morning sun cast a warm glow over the lake, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Florence and Chaos sat by the water’s edge, enjoying a leisurely breakfast. The peaceful and gentle lapping of the very small waves on the lakes against the shore provided a soothing soundtrack to their conversation.“I am glad we came here,” Florence said, her voice soft. “It is so peaceful.”Chaos smiled warmly. “I am glad that you like it,” he replied. “I often come here to clear my head.”They spent the rest of the morning talking, laughing, and simply enjoying each other’s company. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them. As the day wore on, they took a boat ride on the lake, explored the nearby trails, and shared a quiet dinner by the fireplace.As the night fell, they sat on the porch, watching the stars twinkle above. “It makes me not want to leave,” Florence confessed, her voice filled with longing. “I wish we could stay here forever.”Chaos took her hand
The Tale Not Old As Time 54 “Warm Embrace”
Fifty-FourFlorence awoke refreshed, the soft glow of the morning sun filtering through the curtains. The bathroom, a sanctuary of tranquility, beckoned her with its luxurious amenities. High-end toiletries, from fragrant soaps to soothing lotions, filled the space with a delightful aroma. As she stepped into the warm embrace of the shower, the stress and worries of the past few days began to melt away. The gentle stream of water massaged her tired muscles, while the rich lather enveloped her senses. The experience was pure indulgence, a much-needed respite from the chaos of her life.Emerging from the bathroom, wrapped in a plush towel, Florence paused at the window. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes landed on the breathtaking sight before her. Chaos, his muscular physique glistening in the morning sun, was swimming in the lake. The water droplets, clinging to his skin, accentuated his every curve, every line. She could not help but admire the raw beauty of his form, the p
The Tale Not Old As Time 53 “Hum”
Fifty-Three The car hummed along the deserted highway, the soft glow of the dashboard illuminating Florence’s face while the music was playing in the background. She was lost in thought, her mind racing with a thousand questions. This spontaneous road trip, a sudden escape from the confines of her life, had thrown her into a whirlwind of emotions.Chaos, ever the attentive driver, glanced at her, his eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentle. “You seem a bit… distant.”Florence forced a smile. “I am fine,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper. But her forced cheerfulness could not mask the underlying sadness in her eyes. “Just wondering what clothes we will wear.” She lied.Chaos chuckled softly, “Don’t worry about it.”She knew that she was trapped in a life that was not her own, a prisoner of her circumstances. But she got in this situation because of her own choices, and her own debts as well as her father’s. She had no choice but to suffer.As they d
The Tale Not Old As Time 52 “Honesty”
Fifty-TwoFlorence's voice, though soft, carried a weight of seriousness. “What do you want from me, Chaos?” she asked, her eyes searching his. She was confused, hurt, and scared. She did not understand why he was willing to wait, to endure the pain of separation. She was afraid of the consequences, the potential heartbreak that lay ahead.“Simple.” He answered right away. “You.”Florence was torn. She wanted to be honest with Chaos, to reveal the truth about her complicated situation and her fake marriage. But fear held her back. Fear of the unknown, fear of the consequences, and fear of losing the fragile connection they had built. The thought of exposing the lies, the deceit, and the manipulation filled her with so much dread. She was trapped in a web of her own making, a prisoner of her circumstances.“I don’t have any bad intentions.” Chaos replied calmly. “I’m not trying to ruin your marriage or cause any trouble. I just... I don’t trust him.” His voice, though soft, carried a w
The Tale Not Old As Time 51 “Masked Turmoil”
Fifty-oneFlorence, gathering her courage, forced a smile. “Of course I do,” she replied, her voice firm. “What kind of question is that? I would not have married him if I did not love him.” Her words, though confident, masked the turmoil within. She was lying, a necessary evil to protect herself and her fragile hope.“I‘m sorry,” Chaos apologized, his voice filled with regret. “I didn’t mean to pry.”“No,” She responded right away. “You’re fine. I’m not taking the question personally.” “It is just…” He trailed off. I have never seen that spark in your eyes when you talk about him.” He paused, searching for the right words. “When you love someone, you can’t help but radiate joy. Your eyes light up, your voice fills with warmth.”She paused, a wry smile playing on her lips. “Brave words coming from a man who’s known for his fair share of flings,” she teased. Her tone was light, but her eyes held a deeper meaning. She was challenging him, pushing him to be more vulnerable, to reveal hi
