Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



Under the streetlights, Roseanne and her two friends strolled, their breath turning into mist as they spoke, rising gently into the cold night air. "Hey Anne, fancy a hot chocolate? My treat," Halley said with a grin, his white teeth shining in the dim light.

Roseanne was about to reply when suddenly, a guy approached her and stopped right in front of her. With a puzzled look from the trio, he magically produced a bouquet of roses from behind his back and handed it to Roseanne-

"Hi, I'm a third-year student at Elite Business University... I've been admiring you from afar for quite some time... These flowers are for you, I hope you like them!"

"And, um, maybe we could exchange numbers? The moment I saw you, it was love at first sight. I know it's sudden, and... I can hardly believe it myself, but it happened. I hope you'll give me a chance..."

Roseanne hadn't expected such an encounter, especially not outside campus, and so late in the evening.

She had just left the diner, relieved that she hadn't "accidentally" run into Murray and Grace, only to be caught off guard by this grand gesture! Halley, quickly regaining his composure, glanced at Corley to gauge his reaction.

Oh boy, his face was as dark as thunder.

Well, what can you do when your sister's this popular? Just stepping out for a meal and someone's already confessing their love. Roseanne looked at the flowers, hesitating for a moment: "The flowers are lovely..."

The guy immediately lit up, his eyes sparkling: "So you'll accept—"

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept them."

"Why not?"

"Firstly, I don't know you. We're strangers, and as the saying goes, 'no reward without effort.' I haven't done anything to deserve your flowers."

"You don't need to do anything to deserve them," the guy rushed to explain, eager to make his case.

"That makes me even less inclined to accept them. Roses symbolize love, and accepting these today... everyone knows what that would imply. So, I'm sorry."

"It's not like that, I didn't mean for you to immediately agree to be my girlfriend by giving you these flowers..."

"But that's your end goal, isn't it?" Roseanne cut in.

The guy was left speechless.

Still not ready to give up, "Can we at least exchange social media contacts?"

"No way-"Before Roseanne could

respond, Corley stepped forward

swnovel

wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her close.

"Who are you?" the guy asked, bewildered.

"Can't you tell? I'm her boyfriend."

"What?!" The guy's eyes bulged in surprise.

"Surprised?" Corley raised an eyebrow. "Or do I not look the part?"

The guy's gaze darted between him and Roseanne, and seeing that she didn't deny it, he looked as if he'd been hit by a truck, utterly

nov

dumbfounded.

"I was sure you didn't have a boyfriend..."

"I didn't, until recently. You're not very up-to-date, mate," Corley said with a smirk.noveldrama

The guy, now mortified, mumbled an apology before quickly walking away, leaving the roses unclaimed on the ground.

Halley watched the guy's hasty retreat, a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

"Poor guy. Finally musters the

courage to confess to the girl h

likes, and then this happens..." he said, shaking his head. en.kikistor

Corley glanced at him sideways. "Sounds like you can relate. What, you've been rejected like this too?"

Halley immediately got defensive: "Hey, watch it! I've never even confessed, so how could I be rejected?!" "Oh, so you found out the girl already had a boyfriend before you could confess."