"It''s only natural," he said, not worried about her ability to adapt. It was her well-being that concerned him.


    "Once you get to Falconridge, shoot me a text."


    "Okay," she said with a gentle nod.


    The next morning, Eliza was back in Falconridge. After a weekend with Brock, she was on a flight to France. One of her paintings had snagged an international award, along with a hefty cash prize, and the organizers wanted her there to ept it. Luckily, Juan was there too. Having not traveled abroad in ages, she saw this as a chance to unwind.


    ***


    In a chic little boutique, Juan was draping dress after dress on Eliza. Eyeing the price tags, she felt it was overkill.


    "No need to splurge on something so pricey. It''s just an award ceremony-such a waste."


    "This isn''t just any award; it''s the famous Twin Vision Award. You''re the only gold medalist. Going in a T-shirt and jeans? You''d be embarrassing not just yourself but the whole country."Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Juan raised the stakes so high, Eliza had noeback. Her protests turned flimsy, "Alright, let''s pick something more reasonable."


    Juan handed her a simple white dress, cleverly designed to hide her slightly rounded tummy. It had an ethereal vibe, perfectly matching Eliza''s cool and elegant demeanor.


    "Try this one on."


    Eliza had a knack for wearing clothes well. Even a dress demanding such a perfect figure looked just right on her.


    "This one''s actually nice. Let''s go with it." Juan moved to pay, but Eliza held him back, "I''ll take care of it."


    "Come on, you think I''d let you pay aftering all the way to France? Do you think I''m too broke to afford a dress? Juan, slightly miffed, tossed his card to the sales


    assistant, "Go ahead.ovel.ne


    Familiar with his ways, Eliza didn''t press the issue. In the mirror, the dress made her look like a budding starlet. "Will youe with me to the award ceremony tomorrow?"


    "I hear it''s going to be quite the event, with singers and all. Honestly, I''d love to go, but... no ticket."


    Tickets were like gold dust. Even Eliza, the award winner, only got one ticket.


    "I can call themittee for an extra ticket."


    "Well, that... could work." Juan took his card back and turned to Eliza, "Watching you grow is such a joy."


    Eliza''s journey had been a solitary one, without anyone to share in her triumphs. Used to being on her own, she viewed things with a detached calm and had no illusions.


    For such a significant award, if it


    weren''t for the rule that the prize had


    to be collected in person, she


    would''ve just had it mailed to Oak Falls. She had a cab filled with every art award, trophy, and certificate she''d earned since childhood. It was bursting at the seams. Juan hadn''t seenjt, nor had


    anyone else. With no one to share it with, it stayed an overlooked


    treasure.


    "Honestly, I''d rather indulge in some real French cuisine than collect an award. Thest time I had French food, I was in elementary school," she said, smiling faintly.


    "I promise, you''ll have your fill of French cuisine until you can''t take it anymore before you leave," Juan vowed, thumping his chest.


    Eliza chuckled.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!