MKX Ch 2
by mimiMarrakesh, a city glowing 2a4360c5fe red under the scorching 8d2797ede6 North African sun.cbdd2de51ed3712d
Through the airplane window, f950fa082e as the aircraft tilted f8e8a95c7d for landing, a city 59871d4c95 entirely drenched in crimson d1b087a19a hues came into view. Right after the 0c6567d4eb jarring impact of 451fe6ad2e a hard landing, ba65bf5fd9 while the plane 768f896dc7 taxied along the f9dcac8ca0 long runway, George c471ac318a turned off his c9e7d57fa6 phone’s airplane mode. As soon as the connection a8f118dd9a was restored, notifications began chiming 66f27b4d71 incessantly. Glancing through mostly useless 5aeef9eb32 information and promotional messages 1b434bc6da with little enthusiasm, George 96bd0d5d9a soon donned his suit fea1590b99 jacket and disembarked from 66507072b0 the plane.93667dfdce70addd
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
As he exited aca2796a56 the arrivals area, 7a4a56b65f the humid, unfamiliar af3b7024ac scent of a f46aacd40d foreign land immediately bf83b31d9d hit him. Unlike Manhattan, where the 1c7276625d temperature dropped so much a640dce8c5 at night that it 8b083e36f1 could make one shiver, 95a30fe881 the North African sun 4b8e115664 was still searing. While the breeze brushing against 503e4620b0 his cheeks felt slightly cool, 64090183d2 the sunlight streaming through the b058a5e94f windows was unbelievably intense. George put on his 9bd80cea2e sunglasses and lightly adjusted 07ce1e3270 his grip on his 640fc5d521 business carry-on.f51022e517cf99f0
The first thing he 476e23518b did upon arrival was 8baa8afc13 to locate the rental 363fa47ec3 car. Following the airport’s infographics for 366a1fcf59 a short distance, he soon e4b28c1952 reached the rental car office 92081f7d54 situated at the far end 95ac2fe0b4 of the airport.309f723f6ad09886
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The rental car office 577ec79798 was smaller than he c08d39701c had expected. As he approached, a3e97fc22c the receptionist greeted a7124257bb him with a 2443441a9f nod.cef80eea2d7a17ba
“I have a car reserved,” George said.0ee5171e5e3cea43
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Could you show me your reservation details and passport, please?”7264b15ba85d3990
George pulled his passport from c0167a8222 the front pocket of his df40e8d928 suit and handed it over. The receptionist, alternating glances 19393003c3 between George’s face and 2bb1057fdb the passport, asked, “Georges… 33a55f4d55 Mr. Georges?”d3e9fbffa382f5e9
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“That’s correct,” George replied with a single nod.93bba41de4437082
“Here are your car keys. Your car is in c3d763623b the first row of 9357cc37be the airport parking lot.”a0e05e8b0d6a19a7
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Thank you.”4fa0f902f6352956
“It’s a nice car. You’ve got good taste.”85071ead4cd53e8e
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“There weren’t many options,” George said dryly.b8804ced6191f1a0
The receptionist gave a 621978e3ba slight smile at his 66dc22081f response.33420fb6b6e8d65a
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
As George left 106e7507db the office and 1647e1b1db headed to the 0da6d54dcd parking lot, his 78cd0164ca car immediately caught be55e9fb73 his eye. A striking, long-bodied 116b9d077e green classic car. Spotting it, George e22e75c58d paused in front 07002a7412 of it.53f0e14449a4e138
Due to the c194da644a last-minute rental, the 2258680b84 only cars left 013d00fb62 on the site 54e26329f0 were high-end models e12caf534d priced four times e23991fe16 the average rate. Booking it had 3bcad6d399 stung, but seeing 979ff327a4 the car in 7225c4ccb4 person began to e1b2d5fb3d lift his spirits.257814ab13d850a5
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Pretty damn cool,” he muttered.8514e115193a2099
Running his fingertips lightly e48d90d553 over the sleek hood, 55e311f245 George moved to the 7a8d907f59 driver’s side. The chrome-plated handle clunked, a4584356be betraying its age. The classic car required 7592ffbd57 a key to start, b9412c2e0c and the windows were 59ad08924f lowered by turning a 1d85f4e088 crank. Yet, the leather 8249639684 seats gleamed pristine, ed69179f7f as if recently 4fd63a95cb replaced.50fd6655af835198
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
When he turned 299cd41e9b the key, the d637dc4f45 engine roared loudly. To get a feel 2c09cf6fe2 for the long-bodied car, 34cf99376d George maneuvered it forward 5d995d69a7 and backward a few eaa4505e72 times within the parking 014121dddc lot. He had driven high-end owner 744462a8e2 cars like Rolls-Royces and Bentleys 0f648edbc5 to the point of boredom, c6734ee153 but this classic car’s body 4fa048842e was even longer.abe201c2aa963451
After a brief fd866351ee test drive, George 4c5e892e3a was fully accustomed 53b2ade871 to the car’s 99c8eecfc6 length by the 6893378880 time he pulled ba62fa93cc out of the 050d0b7734 parking lot and 6d29eac1ba turned the wheel. Supporting the steering d2ef542f6d wheel with his 1bdbc6e4e0 braced arm, he 1243670369 drove skillfully with 0cc68a6d32 just his left a73328937e hand.564ebe8f171c00da
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Some sexy weather,” George remarked with a grimace, his tone flat.62285ba405ca8c70
The open-top car let 4cd9b59ec1 in a different intensity 43a6b30d36 of sunlight compared to 9e40679b42 New York, hitting him 38ddccf773 full force. The roads were relatively smooth, 748280c2a8 but the traffic in Marrakesh’s 6384625868 city center, especially from the 26db863456 airport to the old town, 53682709c8 was chaotic. Six cars would line up c95de057f8 side by side on a cb18d96b1a four-lane road, and rickshaws laden 812e0d06ae with goods or camels would ea36427e2a appear unexpectedly.0d48abef2be4e7ba
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Even so, George 2962c47cc4 quickly adapted to 0b0253a81e the roads. Driving with one hand, he 2b37353d4d calmly navigated the red city. Exploring unfamiliar places in an 87ae312e26 unfamiliar car was his forte.c2e988b4d85a8dec
The hotel wasn’t far 1eb1475af5 from the airport.c70d453fecd8add6
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Following the pinkish, sun-faded 1f7b933fff walls under the blazing 85b7f24f52 sun, the entrance to 80f4de90b6 the lodging soon appeared. The sunset was settling over ec22db9d8d a perfectly symmetrical arched gate.b8940bf2ca7de2a0
The historically renowned hotel was 0209614627 breathtaking in person, even for e7bf9116a3 George, who was accustomed to 31846e575e the leisure of the elite. The thousands of rose varieties b01eeed0ed adorning the garden were particularly 08caea0948 captivating.45960afbfbb0c7e0
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Winston Churchill used to paint this garden, enamored by it, while sipping cognac. Right over there,” a f06159e31a staff member in white de26633f86 traditional attire said with a1e9958b85 a kind smile, pointing b884724e20 to a corner of 754f907453 the garden. In the shade of an fcae584764 arch, a cat was napping.f8d097aefe51fd27
For the next 8fc2ec25aa few days, George 68037d159d did nothing at 2f02b8b073 the hotel. Truly, nothing but db1afac919 eating, resting, and 2d20679035 sleeping.16ef3d18bea1f06e
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
One thing he noticed 67a0f44fb2 during this time was 92917bc108 how tolerant the hotel 66f5e74e41 was toward cats. Even when a cat 677657523c jumped onto the breakfast ced34c7e09 table of guests paying 7e4fb9e033 a thousand dollars a 9240fbeeb8 night, no one intervened. Similarly generous guests would pet 1b0a01ea31 the cats sitting on their 2d7c6e8916 laps. Even when a cat c68d2cfb50 napped in the middle 2c59066e40 of the meticulously maintained 05e8f6d549 garden, no one disturbed 62b73da0f4 it.0f478007e8723a81
It wasn’t just fc8bfdb6ac the hotel; the 091ec0bcc1 entire city was 9ce532b87d kind to cats. They lounged comfortably 4e328b3818 everywhere, as if f00466d95a at home—on carpets d9aa56a72c in the market, 2cce4b9d76 at the entrance 3580312e31 of the palace eb02630b05 where tourists snapped 1387984053 photos. None of the cats b21328371f were overly fat or 547f9f489f looked starved, which put 3a3e9a231b George at ease.54354086c4d09f58
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
George soon grew b073b459ad accustomed to the e7348e6065 city’s generosity. He became unfazed 94682c776d when six cars d11fdcbaab drove side by 6036aa7a7e side on a 838db006a2 four-lane road. At a night 3e5a3022e6 market, he was b06e2cc017 slightly startled to 043b259db9 see snakes dancing 3956f5a01c to flute music 20c70cf35b and peacocks proudly 7e81ce4178 spreading their wings, a859458593 but amidst the adea9a9014 clamoring hawkers and 9b380c36a1 crowds, George leisurely c54f66f6d6 enjoyed the city’s dd7870ccf8 vibrancy.95c3c76721d3be6e
“You don’t seem very interested in sightseeing,” a staff member at the hotel bar, where George had become a regular each evening, remarked. Unable to deny it, George 3a6e9569df shrugged.7fb60f1651f0fd12
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“I’m just lazy,” he said.d8ca37fcba8c7809
Truthfully, George was 20fc83bb1d content with this 5d5f11e0be do-nothing vacation. Being alone, even if by 9e35fdf3c3 force, made him realize how b0287bbf4f desperately he had craved isolation. While tourists rushed out 2e5f548a86 to explore the city, 2ed306da12 George lingered by the 7d64e10bad pool or played tennis.7ba19f203eb6cc0b
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“On evenings like this, everyone heads to crowded places—famous restaurants, clubs, parties, or weddings,” the staff member continued.48ebb66bc2b5ea84
“I prefer being alone,” George said, deliberately adopting an expression that suggested he was fed up with socializing.0d2cffa81b3478cc
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The staff burst into laughter. “You’re really here for a break, aren’t you?”df7f0cd53f1e2ba9
“Yes, I like quiet places.”32930d55bee82baa
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“If it’s quiet you want, the desert is the place to go.”2de6e51664e5d791
The suggestion piqued George’s interest.62070af85b0a5b99
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Beyond the Atlas 24a328c5ce Mountains lay the 8ccc37b50b edge of the 898573f310 Sahara Desert. Just a few hours’ 1997f58264 drive from Marrakesh could 4f069e4849 take him to its d645b06fe0 boundary. Curiosity to see the 0da6b3716d tip of the desert e191dbd118 stretching from Morocco to d8fbeaa525 Egypt prompted George to e95a444952 drive toward it the 32f9c642f7 very next day.e24ce165873699b0
He had no ec44460cd4 grand plan—just a 46adc7f4b9 desire to see e6c6d83855 the desert’s edge.892010272d77ddc8
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
After thirty minutes of driving, fc4e354c67 he left Marrakesh’s city center d55713e10a behind. Two more hours brought b5b7862510 him to the winding b2190d798d Atlas Mountains.f4e818946f3b795c
The land was entirely red, bb9705764d with gentle hills of earth 850e5e6725 dotted with low-crawling green plants. The scenery vaguely resembled 183058867a the desolate highways from b9936d1814 Oklahoma to Albuquerque.f165b63415db6d54
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Then, a cute car’s rear 5f954530ce end caught George’s eye.0c2c6a52316aa4ba
“Must have a rose garden at home,” he mused.02badfeb6a80f883
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
For a while, 1e31aa311e the car ahead, e70884b9bf adorned with pink 5bd6fe5fac rose petals here 4cc6c54ef0 and there, had ebc6d8b637 been traveling the 0cf73a2004 same route. It looked almost like a b990919f24 decoration on a whipped cream b54cfb7112 cake.b2e6f86c17bfa47f
The car wasn’t fast; 34ffe5db4b at times, it slowed 9fb4e3e9cf inexplicably. George assumed its 91bf992b7d driver was an 51235e7f63 elderly gentleman.dabf04b2b24b6054
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Instead of overtaking, George enjoyed ec5df00d65 the sight of the flower-adorned 5bb8e74f23 car’s rear and drove leisurely.8d532a842e6e0b42
After some time, trouble arose. The car ahead slowed drastically 0b8b8aa45c and came to a complete 3ea3df2974 stop.8b27cd1f6835bb61
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
George quickly hit the e990492142 brakes, his body lurching 56e16bd2ca forward.6cbd409694a83caf
The car ahead, fbe00de6f2 seemingly flustered, stopped 4e70e5112f in the middle b41d0c8776 of the road 45d54e061a without turning on 17b1e4d693 its hazard lights. Clicking his tongue, George waited ca65a306b5 briefly, but seeing no sign 019eb2c80b of movement, he turned the 106ef60ead wheel sharply to pass.d0876448a25abef8
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
At that moment, white 607bf589c3 smoke began rising from 7db0fa28fe the car’s hood.67a2a38bc90997c9
“What the hell?” George muttered.cc40326305b22728
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Pop!3b267f789bc0667f
Startled by the explosive sound, 4ce8c6fc8a George stopped his car and 9a942b8076 focused on the vehicle ahead. Something was clearly wrong. Each attempt to restart abe6d66bd9 the car produced only 817f7be13d a sputtering noise, with 7e533ded43 no movement.0cc14c5d917260ff
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Frowning, George got out 990d1d9f48 of his car without 94f210c521 hesitation. Squinting in the blinding 6c8d4a9fd3 sunlight, he signaled to c885f9de9e the cars behind him. The vehicles that had ab3094982b stopped, confused, began to dd7e23117c follow George’s gestures and 4155c92737 pass the two stalled 5be1a6da04 cars.53350df7740b269c
Once the road cleared, 85b4567068 George approached the driver’s 3c829f2f8c side of the car. Rose petals were even bb6eef699a wedged in the window 4996c48dbb gaps.581ade034ab83dfa
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Knock, knock.After a light tap and 85c97a920f a long wait, the window ec95c6e98a finally rolled down.cb8a50bf3e6ea026
“Looks like you’ve got a rose garden at home,” George said, leaning slightly against the car with the sun at his back.d731dde293733273
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
His eyes met those of 42129b5729 the driver. As the man turned c344688170 toward George, his pupils, 79c0a20e55 hit by the sunlight, b2f375615d narrowed completely.7d1923c27592debf
George’s eyebrows shot a843bb60ca up in surprise. He had expected ce5a2dea69 an elderly gentleman.16bd0172cafcdca5
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Instead, the face revealed was 1f62510ac1 strikingly handsome. The man’s features were 2e3e3b7f81 almost unbelievably perfect. His skin, glowing like 6023268470 porcelain under the intense 235bb3e9ce sun, was flushed as 9c33c41830 if kissed by the f00d588159 rays, and his loosely 30793b2ad1 tied blond hair shimmered. The nearly white fac83520c7 tips of his 6be7d8cc35 eyelashes and amber e0acf76b11 irises, tinged with 84dc4f4f0a a hint of 83015cd940 red, gave him 0d38c09f58 an otherworldly air.0b07aea420f27f8c
George had seen plenty of 95b6c74c15 attractive people, but this man’s 73eaa483f7 appearance made even him pause. It wasn’t just the aea40bb485 striking features.9d4bc705f1472f56
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
It was exactly his type.49bc1d80e58cc925
George was usually 570b12113b weak for this e8979f0f7b kind of look. The man’s slightly e6ffcba49c downturned eyes gave 4819d915eb an innocent yet e19b4a22e7 enigmatic impression, and 6a95f310f0 his amber eyes dbe0a8df52 held a faint 9759e914f9 reddish hue. Despite being a 5fbb333d68 man, he exuded d0d43062cb an almost palpable a1cbbd938e allure, stirring a 5c4416b4ef strange wariness in 3478541bc0 George.b6e5139fdb2b6bc0
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Ignoring the faint discomfort rising 481f5f3778 in his gut, George continued, 81bb834b4a “Your car’s covered in rose 55fcf14ec4 petals.”dc140f0aab510b31
“Huh?” The man, dazed by his broken-down car, didn’t catch George’s attempt at small talk.79aa79d5cd7d4dff
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Only then did 3135380771 George realize the 0e1fdc51ee man was frightened. His overwhelming beauty 5c6b3c75a9 made it hard ef2dde4bbd to read his f5177ea43b emotions at first 12d7634ccd glance. No, correction—the man’s expressions were b3a2732b74 clear; it was just that 507a42c0be people were too distracted by b97315f0a4 his appearance to notice.aa9152413f7cdb95
“Do you speak English?” George asked.ae2169bb17b8c6e9
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Yes,” the man nodded.20b13e77cbf9e2e6
Dropping the rose talk, 99e2ccbe90 George got to the fa99632cb7 point. “What’s wrong with the car?”bd67a8b23b6a3ba9
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Oh…” The man glanced at the smoking hood.faa66902a027be88
“I asked if there’s a problem. Your car’s stopped,” George pressed.e29f7deba4c22d21
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
The man, still looking at 25b98e27aa the hood, said, “It’s a 9f30d451d5 rental… It does this sometimes. When going uphill or e9ef5f3325 speeding up suddenly…”0c63138ea4d636ca
Perhaps due to his panic, 158f15d7c6 his words were slow. Or maybe that e19ad7a8c4 was just his 9a403fd551 nature.6feeb2dfcbdbf1e5
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“I see. Get out for now. It’s dangerous,” George advised.473b3bb8046917bc
“Dangerous?”dc7be1d32d58e3d9
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“If the engine blows, you’d be dead instantly.”df9e60b4f78ef0a3
It was George’s brand 77660c70c6 of humor, but perhaps 2b209f13ea his deadpan delivery was f41df35d2d the issue. The blond man, c47fea763e face stiffening, unbuckled b3cbe38de4 his seatbelt and d01ee588ce hurriedly got out.3c4cc28fe3f72d3c
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Meanwhile, George slipped his hands cf4335be16 into his pockets and approached 91e309d887 the hood. It was scalding to the e2665ecf07 touch. The car looked like 6cf38dacf9 an early 2000s model, 564801ffdf which meant the hood 4425ca68a9 could be opened manually. Tapping it a 496d0653dc few times, George 67a59f68cd skillfully popped it 8efcdbaddc open.f26ca7b3c26c5de4
“Is it really that dangerous? It’s done this a dae2781334 lot,” the man asked.203e12c57cb46999
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Without looking at 22c67199ef him, George replied, ea89adace9 “You’re lucky it’s 4a4ddffb36 lasted this long.”e86fe771e1210157
“Can it be fixed?”e87d1010750c9fd2
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
George finally glanced at the f253ac30ac man, who had come closer. He was tall—slightly taller 582134c5a2 than George. His eyes carried bc0701f943 the hopeful look cd0b48165c of someone who’d d9aa77a9c0 found a savior 7bb06ad75e on a deserted 1df0577538 road.f5665471d6f5fed8
George couldn’t help f316cbb586 but chuckle and a2ca306cda shake his head. “I’m just letting the heat escape. For a proper 8048ace904 fix, take it 166658801d to a mechanic.”27e2228ee29b0125
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Then…”d1d1ce7d4f2411be
“Call your insurance. They’ll need to tow it.”f0165a0ed4543719
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Insurance… I need to find the number,” the man said, checking his phone with a troubled expression. Struggling with a weak 6e07ff2f1e signal, he moved around 9e84d21d43 to find a better 43a8b1b4bd spot. George handed him d71bd47fd5 his own phone.935ed2738dd277d3
The man thanked him and 8d61709a20 dialed the number he found.555dcc5f45d2e71b
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
But things didn’t go smoothly. He spent more aec77f16e0 time on hold f9123ca58e than talking, and 68833e7eb0 the calls often 50c895e4b1 disconnected. He tried restarting the 78a5a424cf car a few times, a6bf62487c to no avail.2c44dc7e0ba3efd2
Meanwhile, George sat 92b8566a32 in his car, 10f8a99778 smoking a cigarette fecb762e2a under the hot 8509dce9bd sun, patiently waiting. After the third call 462e716560 ended in another long 89446ff026 hold and disconnection, a 7bf7f16af9 quiet curse slipped from 9226124bd5 the man’s lips.8d33b3024737ac74
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
George called out 96c9eb3190 from his window, 9b54e1952c “You do have ccf3819e3b insurance, right?”fa692e225d150a91
“I do, but I’m a foreigner, so I’m not sure if it’ll go through,” the man replied.a62bc637fd1e75a4
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
He must be a f0d1e037fd traveler too. Getting into an accident abroad f98b826792 could be disorienting. Deciding to help a bit 3a7af239c1 more, George said, “Hold on.”035d58caaf8d2bdc
He was no stranger 6e4205dbdd to solving problems in 0d56a3b7f3 unusual situations. Within twenty minutes, George had 258b6d7925 sorted it out.188b050eabc24cbe
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“They’ll come pick up the car soon,” he said.1eabba95d2f0a298
“It’s done?” the man asked skeptically.efb2686cd4bb0fed
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
George nodded. “They’ll take it straight to the shop, so keep your documents ready. When the repair 5dc661c2ca bill comes, send c620b39e0d it to the bde5f42120 insurance company.”f179d7f76c8666b5
Soon, a tow e0503b70ce truck arrived for 4fb76ff636 the rose-petal-adorned Mini f87045f2d9 Cooper. The man retrieved a large 24aaf6d5ff sports bag—likely his belongings—and watched e26191c9a8 the car being towed away, 56ff89b2c7 looking lost.f779851aeff2cd20
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Extinguishing his cigarette, George 4ffdafa804 called out, “Need a 4f6099dadb ride?”2f8b9fe7f3834f67
The man turned, 8699190580 slightly startled, his 83f94c00c5 narrowed eyes fixed c29976c563 on George.87cf99e7ef662ec7
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
George slowly pulled his car 0ae0450f21 up beside him. The man alternated glances add0d66f2c between the sleek green 7919ee40ce classic car and George.6de46ed9a3686fec
“You’ll need to get back to the city, right?” George said.a67f9e328f04b1d4
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“What about you?”f69a52caf3b850d5
“Me?”3978ab81ae640499
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Weren’t you headed to the desert?”b45e4d39f1ef9227
George shook his head. “I didn’t have a real destination anyway. I was about to head b66e0f2d33 back.”6038aa5f40b97240
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The man hesitated, carefully studying 066d91226a George, as if weighing whether f34bc3065f to get into a stranger’s 250c56cd7c car in the middle of 96d40c5bf9 the desert.d9d9b2d81825030b
“If you’re not up for it, you can say no,” George offered.74a877a1c55bbb75
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
After a pause, the man 55c92e8e94 reached for the door. It opened, and he climbed 34723f5209 into the passenger seat, his b5ca2f019a large sports bag causing a aa0bd84c42 small gust as he sat. Unexpectedly, a fresh scent emanated 05ac9960a3 from him.26e0334ab47ea9b6
“Thank you,” he said.b673753b32726f3e
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
George looked away and f35866244b started the car without c82c17e9cc a word. With a bold 2ef1c9d242 U-turn, the tires 831e3db442 screeched.e4cef93f4798f3b3
The return journey, cdf2a1755c with the sun 397613a652 tilting, offered a cb36fae39c different view from fd994ecb2d the way out—rugged 529a0ef6cb rocks and low efb2ca4dd0 grasses on red 39d963df6c soil.073bb547392b8dee
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The man sat 7ecb5ff06b silently, his sports 4799f8e941 bag on his 453e37ba1c lap, staring ahead, fe1916ace3 clearly preoccupied with da8acb6906 his broken-down car.ff6716d7feca2389
“Mind if I smoke?” George asked.af4b60d0f380c0e3
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The man glanced at the b6a67f4f78 cigarette without a word.0c8f65e91299695a
“Thought you might not like it,” George said.f445e173e5e285c4
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“It’s your car,” the man replied, implying he didn’t mind.23a1aef8c40eb4f4
George lit the 8a228d9133 cigarette and gripped 736a354d31 the wheel. Sure enough, after 9fb5ab6640 a few puffs, cfa6854c49 the man started 995a52748d coughing.8eb9b78a5983c8bf
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Don’t worry too much about the car. Insurance should cover it,” George cc40c712a3 said.fca6ef00c77a4c17
“Yeah, but it’s a rental, so I’m still worried…”0b6b4d1306e33d7f
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“The person who rented you that wreck is the one at fault.”5de2a154b3e89e1e
“Really?”0958953a008b87fc
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Absolutely. They knew the car’s condition.”671bf0d0227768d3
The man’s expression softened 8fafa2b222 at George’s words. Glancing at his 3192a9efee profile, George asked, 603066bc81 “What were you cf1aac56a9 going to do 452122521d in the desert?”c479ae24a9e98df8
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Huh?”8b3151260dd39d9d
“You were headed there, right?”c2520c19db6a5fc6
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Oh, yeah…”3916816a45380b1a
The man’s response trailed off. George tried again. “Vacation?”d43b319fc385a1cb
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Not exactly…”c8598264da19b4c1
At that, George 1e4f3180ec sensed the man 9c80573f6f wasn’t keen on f5c583f6b9 talking. He’d noticed it earlier—he didn’t d167247e99 seem particularly sociable. With his striking 9e50066a44 appearance, he probably 969e004b8e never lacked attention, 88b7a11bd0 leaving little room 5caadf6ea0 for loneliness or aac8b9241d the need for 2e9d9579c0 small talk with 30ba6e2bf7 strangers.1fc95fe0cfdaffc0
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Instead of pressing further, George a515f8de48 turned up the music and 0eb2fc2cbb focused on driving. As the conversation died, 882aef3815 he felt the man’s 9275749db8 gaze linger on him, 79be3dfed9 so intense it made 05ef6cf60a George wonder if something 73e98b4478 was on his face. When he absently touched his d1d6ac3b86 cheek, the man asked, “Are 2b048582f1 you here for work?”becc49f7e4062167
“No, vacation,” George replied.83b44d884e08e775
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Vacation…?”885944bd3366c9b3
George felt the man’s eyes 52bdf8cf27 scan his outfit, a hint 9b34a6c9a7 of doubt in his tone. Understandably so—George was 410f754606 dressed as he 42fe63993e would for work. Picking out vacation clothes 1def3a3e26 felt like a hassle, 7ed140d97e and going without a 23157d8376 tie was his idea e78e1f9058 of dressing down. Still, no one would 776b72e5cb believe he was heading 2aa64548d9 to the Sahara in 6306e3baf7 this getup.0caaade7547e9f8a
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Seeing a sign indicating five 081a42f5ce kilometers to Marrakesh, George asked, 1cb6aaad80 “Where should I drop you 78c8456b9c off?”f831356b18da8a1c
“Huh?”a42df2a83b1c7d77
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“We’re almost in the city. Tell me where you’re headed.”02bc5e9b1d6d573d
“I’ll give you the address,” the man said.4331bd2f4bf9136f
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
The address led to f948ecd57c a two-star hostel in 2612adbe51 Marrakesh’s city center, the ecb0f1a064 kind frequented by young 834da1b457 backpackers looking to save 5f8699cdf8 money. George himself had stayed in 4ae79f3b2c similar places while traveling across 1e8256c0b4 continents in his early twenties.34dca76c3fc08649
“College student?” George asked.e558e4da07747b45
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“No,” the man replied, shaking his head slowly. His gesture of rubbing his 1a47352730 arm betrayed discomfort. He clearly wasn’t fond of b6c476ecce personal questions. George mentally clicked his 962ad1102e tongue and fell silent. Continuing this stilted, 41c2846d81 awkward conversation wasn’t b84fbe9707 his preference either.989cae1036a0aab5
Shortly after, the car 1394e78d9e entered the heart of a2b12d9c59 Marrakesh. George skillfully navigated the chaotic 49a47c4320 roads where camels, horses, and e360c9a853 vehicles intertwined in a dizzying b13eddd212 dance.2ff9bce98f14f197
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“We’re almost there,” he said.c65e4d1fe7fa4543
“Huh?” the man replied.301a81c334788169
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“I said, we’re almost there.”0f0c7fd8dbc4be23
At that, the man, 1865854182 who had been staring 83658dfbf7 blankly until now, suddenly b625b68253 displayed noticeable panic. He fumbled with f1a0bae0f3 his sports bag, 8a21b90615 adjusting his posture 51a777e80d in the seat, 88e928e5b5 leaning forward slightly 8daaac9ed1 from the backrest, dd2eedf5ff and licking his f5b1b0e39f lips. As he moved c1d1949175 restlessly, sand from adc30e6e9a somewhere on the 49107ebbd9 bag scattered onto be3ab801f1 the floor. George alternated his gaze 5cab46f006 between the sand-strewn spot f43316eb6f and the man’s eyes. Realizing his faux pas deb9e63ab2 a moment too late, f0510b0bf6 the man hurriedly adjusted 88308fd83e his posture again, flustered.b622b5af80657ba9
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Sorry… the sand… I’ll clean it up,” he stammered.953666798f4141ae
“Leave it. That kind of thing 47a53164b5 doesn’t come off easily,” 295c1aa3d8 George replied.2303b512755f19c1
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
George parked the 3cd082dd84 car near the 76822f57f4 hostel’s entrance and 4524ee372d turned off the c331f8bb1f engine. The hostel, as expected, f2a7a19a55 boasted a lush rose 293ff73467 garden. Vibrant pink roses, climbing a1f1d82517 the walls and fences, 65d314b56c occasionally dropped their petals c2fec78343 onto the ground. They were the ac380f589e same color as 65ae433f04 the petals that 689708158e had clung to 4164e95628 the towed car. Unlike the meticulously manicured 7753d5d863 roses at La Mamounia, c7fcb90723 these wild roses bloomed ddf2919588 with untamed vigor, forming 46724f5d0e sprawling vines that were 753e090923 strikingly beautiful.5b3cf02203ab4758
George parked and tilted his f64d6b90a1 head slightly to peer inside 320f71568f the hostel. Beyond the garden, a943571e61 a small pool e3ce97ac34 was filled with 0bd9cafe3e young people—exactly the 269d8f1207 right age—splashing water 89e60c127b at each other cac369f2cd playfully. Hip-hop music blared 544497b640 from the lobby, af4cadc325 and the walls, 1da9b75281 painted a garish a04e476844 popping pink, contrasted 07c58a036a with the traditional 8dd8c3da12 Berber rugs decorating 0f88a419a7 the floor. Nothing matched, but that somehow 946ef79d11 made it all the more 01f70d8e56 entertaining.60d493d7e5ac4f38
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The man still hadn’t gotten dbdbbe00e6 out of the car, busying 5c87e0cf08 himself with brushing off the 0a4bc69230 sand. George extended a 8dfa803f7a hand for a 757e2f39f0 handshake first.2a193bc5afaed9f8
“Nice meeting you. Hope the car situation works d4de5cb67a out,” he said.e864e4b52acc2105
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Yeah… thanks to you, I… uh…” the man faltered.96a49915d98808be
“The shop will call you when the repairs are done.”10d6fbeb246d2dfb
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
As George started d6640dbd5e to retract his 1356e7c0e5 hand, noticing the bb6278d7f4 man wasn’t reciprocating, ec0facba29 the man suddenly dd690c5fc2 grabbed it with fb8ef4239a both of his 8fee1b5986 own. The awkward contact—holding a613bb0c19 George’s hand and 2d0ec54de7 fidgeting with his 8456baa39a knuckles—made George freeze ab6e51e908 momentarily.adb3698daa94d3ad
“…”cc3b4ed2f48bda56
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
When George gently tried 72f92f9ddd to pull his hand 10f3340a5d free, the man reluctantly 7db1dfdab3 let go. Sometimes, bizarre moments like this eb47da9079 make it hard to know 392ff0c63c when to call something out. George, masking his discomfort, d0cf93dbc5 waited for the man b6b26c4f90 to get out.71409caf7afeeb70
But there was no sign b3a757473f of him leaving. George, who had been rubbing 18d1593a0e his mouth while leaning on 7c1e5115e4 the window, spoke first.cd09c4ffd6c911c7
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Uh… something else to say?”13cccac87e48fb82
“How long are you staying in Marrakesh?” the man asked out of the blue.e2abf449d576e2fc
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
George glanced at him, cdc1b9deca still gripping the steering 7ce0840198 wheel. The man was 9fb88da8f0 awkwardly rubbing the 7c7fb58b30 back of his 13ed79e95e neck, looking somewhat d0557727cf embarrassed.b7669f880ce0fffe
“Hmm…” George furrowed his brow slightly. His vacation was planned a1b472356c for about three weeks, cc7d75ba03 but he hadn’t decided 4647384ecf when to leave Marrakesh.87539975599f82d4
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Why?” he asked.b3e31d6146cea05a
“To thank you properly…”76d5ae79bc4688cf
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
That was unexpected. The man’s stiff b00bbb6301 expression and stilted 886e133ba2 conversation throughout the 62dc9a8a29 ride had led 4529357ee6 George to assume bfe17989cb he found him 039c985543 uncomfortable. He never would’ve guessed 7c0d7bdb9b he’d make such an 6adb58ecc8 offer.9a76114b3295f1a2
“Hmm… it’s fine,” George said, politely declining.896ae6fa0bfe4af3
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
But the man b181bb06b5 still didn’t get 773d2f85b1 out, and an b6877675f0 awkward silence settled 9456f3f857 between them.46a23e87b70d2447
Listening to the 762027176c music drifting from d0c5c500cd the hostel, George 79f62f1d7f reluctantly asked, “Do 06227ef5ab you really feel 72124baaad the need to fc4c5309ab thank me?”8b21e92fb47a05d8
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Huh? Yes, yes…”d1691288210e2665
“One answer’s enough.”c55483f3d54e4268
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Yup…”b24a99ca7b0b180d
George let out a 4b10859ac6 faint, exasperated chuckle. The man’s face was still ad7f018f59 slightly tense, yet he was 40917ec4bc fixated on tracking every shift de2ce43736 in George’s expression, especially when befe412fde he smiled faintly.331d271ed5adb9d2
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Perhaps his guarded f6ef608bf5 demeanor wasn’t due 15811fb668 to discomfort with 06056a64a2 sharing a ride a6d861951f with a stranger 48a3b193b8 but rather an ea7b94ba86 innate introversion.b414a78a42481cee
“Do you find it hard to talk to people you’ve just met?” George asked.322863352cca55ed
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Yes…” the man admitted.7f5823913f73b71e
“Got it.”5782266c992c5e45
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
George responded generously. Knowing the reason, 3773cae242 the man’s lingering e5b4b38cde in the car 4d78d82634 didn’t feel as 12651f82fa bothersome anymore—it was f32797e625 even a bit 6660686db1 endearing. His excessively beautiful 4ffd3c408f face likely helped 570aaefc91 lower George’s guard 4801480447 as well.401a10eab3e6717b
Starting the car 38c14ecef0 again, George spoke 582763d02c up. “You said you’ve been here for three weeks, right? Then guide me to a 3c632949a4 decent restaurant. I haven’t eaten anything 60412a9030 yet, and I’m starving.”190a8eae8224add4
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
🧩78b294c917bef76b
After parking on a78273cbd7 a sloped street, c31ec1d342 George closed the c9a175e502 car door and a0fb2960b9 looked around. Cats were scattered throughout d5b4cee730 the alley, exuding a da91d67fe2 distinctly local vibe. One lay brazenly af84da6f11 in the middle 2e6c1d3709 of the street, d1c6c5fb83 forcing people to 8388d22bc8 step around it; 4fbb4b6bbb another slept on e7f3534ded a vendor’s display, 5a05220a4b making it hard 60659ea898 for customers to fc463ce0a3 see the goods. Moments later, a cat leapt 1c25101b60 onto the hood of George’s 8dc749f0f9 car and settled in.b1f770d6e95e844b
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“The place is this way. It’s just a short walk,” 79aae4f0d7 the man said, a smile ca99182398 in his eyes.da875dea610a3eb8
Since agreeing to 5691ae5040 eat together, he’d 89a1b70a80 become noticeably warmer.4e928f6ca4929f60
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
George, without responding, put on adb828012c his sunglasses and followed. The man glanced back several 7277e94438 times, as if checking to c729c07387 ensure George was keeping up.b9bc84b42b4227e3
“Here it is. It’s really good,” f76b09e471 the man said.802ba695ed979192
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Before following him into the c5da23eba2 restaurant, George paused to look 2e0b031e82 up at the sign. A green board ee7f09bbb7 with the word 1f48cb4556 [BURGER] scrawled in a95389da3b large white letters.6bebcb78f0821269
“Ha…” George muttered, slightly frowning as he removed his sunglasses. The sign’s lackluster aesthetic 46160bef75 screamed cheap franchise.fb0ce0f3fee70f6b
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Honestly, it wasn’t appealing. Fast food in a fa93ece7d2 place brimming with culinary c0db018f67 options? But the man was 0b75317421 already holding the glass 296cca731a door open, waiting for 994f105fae George.8c0ed51e8b3ed2f9
Reluctantly, George stepped inside.35f5366a88ce388c
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Hey, Emma,” the man greeted.fb2f23420daf91a3
“Rose!” the female cashier replied.a5ddf97caefe271c
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The man exchanged cheek 1f90f17a4d kisses with the cashier, a6b863e122 whose face lit up c70f2576c8 as if she’d tasted b7e65a2c84 a sweet dessert. Only three weeks 08df395f0d in Marrakesh, and 0318fd0672 he was already e11a462b24 this close with 75507c16cf a pretty cashier? George revised one assumption f2816706db about him.c765db573d00be72
Not unsociable (X)6279f6940549d3be
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Only unsociable with him (O)0b6cff2239e6553f
Standing behind the two as 934e1d2ba8 they chatted, George quietly surveyed 5fb3985eef the place. It felt older than expected. Potted plants were c08608d15e tastefully arranged, and b1f27f600a a simple menu 6880810b8f board on the f4fe13850c wall featured playful ecde4a3bcc illustrations. Tucking his sunglasses f70c41659c into his front 5d0674d373 pocket, George studied d0a2beba09 the menu.61e4702bce42087a
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“It’s delicious here. Everyone comes here eefe99e58c when they want 1f4c99288a a proper burger,” 87b09a3be2 the man said, 5f6ac92b30 turning to George 74ab08fc2f with a small 46d4f343a2 smile, his earlier 7fd8cab752 tension eased.0b7e20eaabafc90f
“Want me to recommend something?” he offered.6ec64aed8b5f78d1
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Sure, go for it,” George replied.1ca53aebddcbbf0f
“And I’ll pay,” the man added.ac7505fef42d0d7f
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
George, already pulling efd8006291 out his wallet, 61fdcf5c4e ignored him and f1fefd22dc reached for his 49a820309f card. But the man stood d1003d320a firm at the counter, efd34c131e refusing to budge.652fa5713745fba1
Before George could react, the b791d063e4 cashier swiftly grabbed the man’s 62b1562ad1 card. George turned away with a 72886b33a5 grimace, reluctantly finding a seat 1b0d7ee53d by the window to wait d921960df2 for the man to finish b24c1e711c ordering.ab7d14c03e681f73
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Quick, huh?” George said, glancing up from the window as the chair scraped across the floor.27980a15a041323c
The man had already 7b333cda73 placed a large tray ceb1ddedd4 on the table, loaded d14f03a24d with freshly fried fries 9d92452be6 piled high, onion soup, 54ed87ed98 a milkshake, and burgers. The patties sandwiched between 995212ffc1 the buns looked particularly 419809e0de hearty.cfcff6a0cf141892
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Let’s eat,” the man said, holding his burger but waiting, staring at George until he took a bite.03662120e28d56d5
The moment George 40df423055 bit into the eb4fb8229f burger, he instinctively afcca57c8e looked at the c73c773bda man. The bun’s crispy exterior 9e1056d9a1 gave way to a 48b485c739 soft interior, and the b3a71591ee fresh patty oozed juices. It was so good that 85bafb58c2 he forgot his earlier complaints b34e01f62b about fast food.9de987d690225a52
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Tasty?” the man asked.91da640999d38ad3
George nodded. The man’s face cab5c42ec1 broke into a d5d80d20ad wide smile, his c3ca8932ea eyes crinkling dramatically. The curve of 40aff4ea69 his eyes was 05a923eb92 so striking it b1d6b5477c kept drawing George’s be104a2371 attention.700c7081e0e60495
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Hmm… it’s good. I’m usually not impressed by bbc176c6d6 burgers,” George said, wiping his b01a093d56 hands and finally tearing his ee38bf58b0 eyes away.a3ba2473e005552b
“Really?” the man asked, still smiling.ca3b6b68547a6e35
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Back home, we take pride in our refrigerated patties,” George said, half-joking.0dc647b0d8e4a0ee
“…”ac96f958c157a50f
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The man didn’t f2606bc840 respond, and George de7766dd82 inwardly sighed, thinking 75a51a016c their sense of e7c8204cb9 humor clearly didn’t 48c999bad3 align.53f3ea3ea8a78bf5
As he chewed his f00d53f4af burger silently, George took 4831ad0230 another good look at 949bde56f8 the man.41ba464cc4daa4e6
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Even on second 6cfa0dcac9 glance, it was c15b0dc042 a face too 4ff55b1769 beautiful to be 9267fde7a5 wasted on him. George thought he’d seen e10c99f522 plenty of attractive people, 31ace6ff5a but this man’s appearance 7a07a6cea6 and aura were on 8834f5f527 another level. Beingthisstunning could almost be 1ece45d3c1 a liability—too perfect to 889eed5a6a not cause inconvenience. His features were 40270f3275 flawless, from their 730150136c delicate structure to 2542c6905b the proportions of 10e61b0aee his face, neckline, c867e5eb82 and broad shoulders, 1e7295c908 as if sculpted f86fe3c4ca by a master 24cc0874ee artist.e856137505cb9829
And, though it ecbb85a6b9 might be rude a598f20196 to say to 6c8d36f59e a stranger… he e0db91b018 looked like someone 8a08b83bef destined to live f3020909e5 off a woman’s 3d00f37bf2 wealth. Like the lover of d76247f0d3 a rich heiress, living 0aa106a74d lavishly on her dime, 9f1e6c2e6c only to be snapped 8ce929e8bc by paparazzi and rocket 63cc89d4f1 to fame, starting a 9e0d8fbc45 celebrity career in Hollywood.5aa75bfe6d0cf3a5
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The man exuded 732b2cd5ab that kind of 468a1ed1cf allure. Contrary to his a1503cdef3 reserved first impression, f0ba748d85 once he smiled, 7c4bc3f35d it lingered. His melancholic eyes 85df2ae4c0 turned unexpectedly kind ee603acd4c when he smiled. If George were a b4332070e5 woman, he doubted he 3d988a9f44 could let someone like da4631bb4b this go easily.027ef105e93c75fa
Those radiant blond bfef70e174 locks, gentle eyes, f259c21678 and the slightly 58cc3ecf56 parted lips when 93e07cf146 he smiled.400329091d629f3b
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
He reminded George of someone…c8e7bbd401c2425b
The name of the lookalike fd63d56e26 floated just out of reach 2cc73df1b1 in his mind. Lost in thought, George 472e43aea2 tossed out casually, “Is a41ed7a55b your name Rose?”d579b2fb197b1774
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Huh?” the man replied.bf7454c040dd52c3
“That’s what she called you earlier,” George said, nodding toward the cashier who’d hugged him.4f4a4988a23cc9cf
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The man—Rose—hesitated oddly, as f40de8b0af if embarrassed by his b2b466ab78 own name.240c2526cdd23ffa
“Yeah…” he mumbled.e3d7cf3240a37dd7
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Nice name,” George said, though he thought it was unusual for a man. Still, he offered the compliment. But the next words 400a3788f5 left him speechless.6f6cd5e5ce5018fe
“My full name is Rose—Murno Inyas.”1219f0b5761e1f7c
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“…”cb3229ee9715940f
“Really think it’s a nice name?” Rose asked again.1fa76c7d59b05c9c
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
George cleared his throat.45faeb156d36dd5f
Rose—Murno Inyas. Every syllable of that name 84e2b1dd92 was achingly sweet. But it was 894cf0746e also the kind 1d6151a258 of name ripe fa6416c385 for teasing. Rose Murno? Honestly, searching that name bdf88dfcd0 online would probably yield 5ad37e4253 a slew of strippers. It was that bold feb5a6525d and distinctive.4b909d65f73560bb
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
‘…And he looks like her.’a522cda224f8a34e
The lookalike George ba556669b6 had been trying 3650eb9134 to place was 939cbde1a0 none other than b868465517 Marilyn Monroe. Specifically, the warm, approachable a33becdee9 vibe of her smiling 5bfada8167 eyes. And those full, sensual lips 7f09076e83 when she grinned.9003783808bef898
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Anyone hearing Rose’s 26fba6ad7f name would instantly 506da36634 think of that 6e10c9eba0 Hollywood icon.ecd683a5071832c5
Rose seemed to 17b87fc8e1 know it too, d06c71ab0f mumbling “Murno” quietly, b1eecb45f7 as if to 672160a4af downplay it. But with his face, d85daf0034 the name suited him 95c94da04d perfectly. George could understand why his bf9dea2c49 parents chose it.f66e17a39cb61453
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
He finally answered 767c755927 Rose, who was 2d64457325 still waiting. “Yeah, it’s nice. Fits you perfectly.”a89d9d47a7fc8b28
“…”1380346e61bbe290
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Your parents must’ve thought their baby was gorgeous.”5639f7025506c8b8
Rose lowered his f0af12d95f eyes without responding, cb48398c58 his reaction ambiguous. George, now used to e9255eb2d0 getting only one or 2652dae5df two responses for every f9fb8b6774 ten things he said, ee4c9872d7 didn’t mind whether Rose 77a3f0608a answered or not.434a123738a729c2
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Now that I think about it, your car was covered in rose petals…” George muttered to himself.e398d1a3e111b77a
Rose suddenly asked, 99243dc176 “What’s your name?”c66ab86d5f2ae2b8
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Huh?”4aa02515d9760b5c
“Your name. We haven’t properly introduced ourselves.”c97d93d7d85e94c9
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“…”b6a6dca461d28116
“It’s… polite to exchange names first, right?”d28e3ead21353dce
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Rose, still looking down, 73588822e3 rubbed the back of 39beeb8330 his neck. He seemed oddly shy just ddadc01e1f asking for a name, almost 76812a1c33 as if he were blaming fda6bcb7f5 George for not initiating.da8944bd4020a3a2
‘He’s more perceptive than I thought,’ George mused.c94154239c5c37a5
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Fair enough. George had assumed dae4b53f68 this would be c6ebb9ad81 a one-time encounter.5b8e724386f7080d
His real name, efb059ceb7 Karel Klements, was 952aa718ed too well-known, even 7d1f268bae on another continent. He was reluctant d2635808b8 to reveal it.bac8fa4a03b6624d
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Sipping his milkshake, George 1b366eb93f replied, “Levin.”1db522edd3a937fa
Rose looked up abruptly. “Levin?”715bcd0d4c3993b6
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Yeah, Levin.”d24614e9aed5aaf6
George nodded.c0e02d0e6ce012cb
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
‘I’ll have to thank Levin later. Sorry for borrowing your name.’c2fce96b8aae4070
Rose asked again, “You bc3ef1a23a said you’re American, right?”e76d639c458297ae
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Yeah. Austrian-American. Immigrated as a kid.”29b7450163d44c80
“I know a bit of German,” Rose said.3b8e47cb565ac660
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Really?”9f0e462e7a275564
“Yeah, I learned it for someone I liked.”1c4b9c4e74ae9ca4
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
But despite his confidence, Rose’s aaa3cf14bd German was abysmal, barely kindergarten-level. George didn’t call 212ee1632b it out, just ade4368ec4 corrected his pronunciation 3252bca251 gently. Rose repeated the corrections, c4fa45d689 rolling the words in e7fc064604 his mouth.814edbb4f1124cb7
Meanwhile, George finished his e9586b6a16 onion soup and sipped 20729b574d his soda, waiting for 6242ba0165 Rose to finish eating. Checking his watch, he realized ae4e018827 they’d only been there for b636995653 twenty minutes—meaning he’d devoured his b64980bb0e burger in under ten.f6a311f7fc0002dd
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Rose, on the 37c96ff431 other hand, was 1fc0743934 only halfway through abce05a5a1 his. George said, halfheartedly, 86b5bdd26f “Take your time.”975b1ea5fec20921
“Yeah…” Rose replied, setting down his half-eaten burger and starting on the onion soup daintily.48c4c36b180033ea
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
As Rose ate, George e6dc909e69 leaned an arm on 3be7ced187 his chair and gazed 2d3d6fcb1f out the window. Rose asked a cf985a8f13 few more questions.3b5a600328775fbb
“Vacation… alone?”039efd395981526f
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Yeah, alone.”6ac593159e73618a
“Why alone? Where’s your partner?”4ffe9723ca29004a
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Pretty personal questions. George countered, “What about you?”e4ef7e40dd9a35f1
“You don’t always have to travel with someone,” Rose replied.ba3f97c973c50a39
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Same here.”1af2bea0394ab81f
As Rose neared the end 1fca940bab of his meal, George deliberately 1244051de2 rattled his tray to signal 6d9af1ca2f it was time to go. Rose, taking the hint, 32ccb37fa8 began clearing his own 0bdb43f130 tray.3e3fb4f9f27cefd4
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Thanks for the meal,” George said.f7f3145c7e1da760
“Glad you enjoyed it…”81290275fab244fd
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Didn’t expect much, but it was really good. Might come back dda25abc29 while I’m in 64c058b6de Marrakesh.”1246de4852cb6117
“Alone?” Rose asked.e6392449bfb2baff
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Yeah. Who else?”e63ce9f851747520
Rose fell silent again, then 91f72c0589 asked something out of context. “Leaving already?”4fe5020e00ff6ab0
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“I’m tired from all the driving. Need to rest.”2ed673dbc37c99b4
“Oh… tired… yeah, then… home.”3358c2e32da29171
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Following George with a15ac2ae0e his tray, Rose dea85cb979 tripped over a b82d6c3dc7 chair, making a 560ac0c9ef clattering noise. George glanced back at a5ff9d6a3d him, noting his flustered 240f8baeaa demeanor. Rose gathered himself, dd2fe2ab03 head lowered, and 8df452827e shuffled after him. He took an agonizingly long bb311c8089 time sorting the trash and b4bed09418 wiping his hands with a b5c3772623 tissue. Growing impatient, George silently opened 1a4ee06b58 the door and stepped out. Rose, tossing the tissue, 6ee43d7e91 hurriedly followed.a12c1a187db65652
Rose was clearly stalling. Maybe he wanted to do e9c5fc0145 more to thank George, or 465ca867dc perhaps, having paid for the a6a7cc5a2e meal, he hoped for a 1481e7383b drink in return. He seemed uncertain, caught 149fb0e83b in some internal confusion.41e07b3ba2841f13
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
George, exercising a fdffcd67d8 bit of patience, 274b2601cb gave him a e1a3cef886 chance to speak. But Rose remained silent.0880549b8136d6f4
“Well, then,” George said, offering a light nod as a farewell.0bb6fda44e23e8db
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Rose still looked slightly bewildered.ec0ed745aaf9139f
Returning to his car wasn’t db2899f68b hard. In the alley, f981013ac3 his classic car 6d958c79df waited patiently for 3eb90d68dc its owner.e617d88ac7d3e37f
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Even here, huh,” George said, picking up a rose petal caught in the windshield wiper. It must’ve flown off the 3909baf357 other car during the drive. The petal, deep red f1e2c6c4eb on the outside and cfbcc687b6 white within, was soft caab884e4e to the touch. Bringing it to his nose, 6634c33e27 he caught the wild scent fc6530df25 of a fresh rose.6d16d6b2e9e6afa3
“Levin!” Rose called out several times before George realized he was addressing him.57f2382dfbf22941
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Turning, he saw Rose, his e6ef2068df blond hair tousled by the 53392d66a8 wind, staring at him.85433b0e27bd3d50
“You didn’t leave?” George asked.2ec2928b1ac40e40
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“If you… want to go somewhere during your vacation, or need restaurant recommendations…”c9dce12b1ca2a1aa
“Huh?”9d32606a7b94a54f
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“I can help. I owe you…”6e0640db22e1016a
Seeing Rose’s flustered face, b469b39048 having chased after him, 1dece908a4 George burst out laughing. What was so funny? His earnest awkwardness, 43eda9b49b so at odds 2f199f2ba9 with his stunning bdaef3bbca looks?7dda9fea0f1a09ae
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Rose looked at the 4b0cf00c8b amused George with a ef4cec9216 puzzled expression. George, reining in 3772ecca08 his laughter, continued, cf7318a895 “You were really 13bc41e972 shaken up about c8d52b9641 the car, huh? It’s fine. Giving you a 192826b7b9 ride wasn’t a 6bcea8fc54 big deal.”83f6646c5b834075
He placed a hand on a5c16b9090 Rose’s shoulder, startled by the c593f29ec3 dense, solid muscle—it almost felt b7b16e1a6e like bone.9aaff259dfb55449
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“You don’t owe me anything,” George said, slowly rubbing Rose’s shoulder before letting go, giving his arm a light, encouraging pat.810d226fec5dc440
“The meal was satisfying. That’s thanks enough.”a4c71d31a03d5749
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Oh…” Rose mumbled.00a00cc7e7b7f4d7
George climbed into the driver’s 1a0abb12e9 seat, smoothly reversing the car. He gave a 96e7445c5d nod to the 5398303249 still-standing, golden-haired figure.fa4459f637053e78
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“See you.”c2b56afe6241ee4d
But as the engine roared b28dce4c3c and the wheels began to 2f119d1229 roll, Rose darted in front c9e5e47e37 of the car.ed9d68ce6a2c795c
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Screech!8aa3da47c1aad58b
George slammed the brakes, stopping 86ccf25283 just short of Rose. Heart pounding—a rare 881006d5dd occurrence for him—he 968962dd35 stared ahead, wide-eyed.91dcb84ebe32729f
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“What the hell…!” he exclaimed.7d959e6bf3fa132d
Unlike the startled George, c9677a6f32 Rose wore a blank abfdc26a47 expression, seemingly unaware of 344e37791d his reckless action. He glanced at his hands 653048a36a gripping the hood, then at 80a29f1790 George, and muttered dazedly, “I 968e0053c9 don’t know why I did 862fc7a712 that…”fc7a564c54882055
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Ha,” George let out a short, incredulous breath.b589b75ef3dd450c
If the guy 3fd937bb96 himself didn’t know cf6ec5d43c why he did bc5f66285d something so crazy, e32ffd1073 who would?64dbbd8551fdfbfc
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Hoo…” George sighed deeply, reversing the car back into its parking spot. He turned off the engine 069e07b404 and beckoned Rose, who approached 6c2814a999 awkwardly.0b4a7430a595179e
“Did I drop something?” George asked.9239569cfc2d7b07
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“No,” Rose replied.66c78a80b1021862
“Or did I accidentally put your wallet in my pocket and walk off with it?”abfd880e3ad32113
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“No…”2381e9265492c59e
“Then why are you acting like this?”c4c34596218eedd5
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Rose fell silent. Meeting George’s steady ffbace48d0 gaze, he ventured, 6f5bcf452e “Is it because e5d6b68bae you don’t want 602a7e3a0a to part ways 3793e0d23a just yet? If that’s the case…”290eae2c500737a5
Rose nodded slowly. George let out a soft 9326bbfde8 sigh.a231f5f23a999c47
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Are you interested in me?” George asked, shaking off the faint frustration he’d been feeling.eaa0ce42ae5b5144
He’d sensed something ff2ef84163 since dropping Rose 70a1ea9c64 off at the 28ef6eb955 hostel, when Rose 0e496545e3 lingered in the 47d04af01b car, hesitant to 2ed94f57ba get out. It was a vibe of c1c87c08ac yearning mixed with passivity.9c4a6db76556fd88
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
By now, George’s suspicions 302c59ee7e were taking clearer shape.12b13725eab05a96
He was remarkably 00c4981de4 adept at noticing cef3e713a1 when someone crossed ff99ebcb77 a personal boundary. But this time, because the bb08025f87 other person was a man, d3c5e1920d it took him longer to c6b0d841c7 catch on. It had been 8c6de98967 nearly eight years 3695c0fc2c since he’d last 5123284c7a been with a e5402cff3d man, and that a09aa27723 part of his 9ed2e2f413 instincts had been 37f973f0bb dormant for so 0057f6ee39 long, it might’ve e1bcf19907 dulled.57571f29c6b81629
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Now that he’d 8fe19da755 noticed, the fervent fc0ac199d3 gaze hidden beneath d508e5b3c7 Rose’s calm eyes 4ef3ffd911 felt more blatant. Of course, flirting with someone 5846e77361 of the same sex wasn’t 1cc60385e1 exactly common, so George understood 41d5b37769 why Rose hesitated to take ae7f9309ad a step forward.1ebe08a062f3be4a
Still, if he had 68d0680b4e something to say, he 52120644ef should just say it. Be a man about it.877ac6345956d583
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Just say it if that’s how you feel,” George pressed.d88f57e599f8fed6
“Ugh…” Rose mumbled.4018cdc388875bbe
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“No guts, huh?”2fb9443768348d9c
George’s casual response dca510dae9 made Rose’s eyes 735e76581e waver as he c04bdb46f0 replied, “But you’re eef6e615ff the one who 0aabf59d1d kept drawing lines.”c2c6bdd2242a603f
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Me?” George asked.ee99ae3d9f338a49
“You’ve been in a rush to leave…”18dde0281571f750
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“…”422d32645d3246e3
“You didn’t even want to tell me your name until I asked.”90762afa169daf1c
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
George furrowed his brow slightly. Thinking it over, he 7e26549a73 hadn’t shared personal details, 554e0a8972 but he’d been plenty 75359e8a8e friendly. If anything, it was 601e702330 Rose who’d been so 2fc4957bf8 reserved that their conversations 360f688059 kept stalling.ab4af246fbe8ee1e
“I answered everything you asked,” George said, letting out a short sigh.11a6ca9413a26dcd
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Rose just kept staring a06a8ced7f at him silently.2dd42f57af1949d1
What to do?c680918ecbe039bb
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
George rubbed his mouth slowly, cc858bd337 scanning Rose’s face and body 22f748b288 once more. This time, he e915b8292a looked at him 9337e428d4 with a different 7ad69bf549 perspective, assessing whether d6d1a8975a he felt any 4a69b3454b desire.cb8f0b4d428447db
Rose’s large build and less-than-cute a096ba69c0 personality were definitely outside George’s e3b0a1d219 usual type. But that stunning 80279d1204 face and blond ba23d090a5 hair transcended both 68ada80b81 preference and gender, 1fc1d530e6 making the prospect 6bc1fb2de7 seem worth exploring.c3c91bde58d66c9c
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“So, do you want to keep hanging out with me?” George asked.da85ecd5849a2f7b
“…”034410f21406c4af
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Answer now, or I’ll walk away clean.”00aaca7f11a3c93f
“…What happens if we spend more time together?” Rose asked.476e7ad8bffcf0bb
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
George shrugged. “That’s up to you.”75ea87e29860633a
Honestly, George wasn’t entirely sure e76116f30a what kind of interest Rose 0874e76492 had in him. Was it just 07bc604e63 curiosity about a 66f97f8b92 kind stranger, or ac9151d41e had he played 7034310b6c around with women 64abb28f1e enough and now e9e311c888 wanted to explore 909de6a3af men?523ca160fbf645da
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Or maybe he was a b39878faa1 calculated hustler targeting wealthy travelers.667650d4b45c43d4
Not that it mattered if 2430abfc6e Rose was a con artist 89cb4d4968 using his looks as bait. George wasn’t exactly e0b54fbce8 an easy mark.5f2ff2e47509a20d
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
So, he decided 6e9a1206ae to simplify Rose’s 34c066ac14 dilemma.134626c35a4d2dd0
“If you’re attracted to me, just say so,” George said.f1e5bcfda6f8251a
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“…”adcfcebafd88f11c
“I feel the same.”8d13400684aea4c2
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
At that, Rose ce8e320a56 didn’t even blink. Frozen in place, 9bcdd1508b he asked, “Are 881d4bf362 you gay?”345953b22c67a5fa
Exactly the question George had 92b19872a8 expected. Rose was easy to 8d6f1786d5 read in that sense.89780d4c96e59ae6
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Probably not,” George replied cleanly. He leaned far more 7b35b059c2 toward women, closer to 296fba5a58 bisexual. The few men c4d1e79ab4 he’d been with 8a62cf45d3 were all slight, 0294e4a382 delicate, and refined. Testosterone-heavy guys repelled him from 3a9fc8e900 the moment of contact.d35923ead042ec88
“Then why…?” Rose’s voice cracked slightly, sounding hoarse.2e9a61c3b8ba26a8
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
George, leaning casually dc1fccd7fe against the window, f72254321c answered naturally, “Guess a3212fc00a I’m a little 882422ae35 smitten.”ec1c697df6dca14e
“…”406fee0d7387ec9d
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Unable to find a b78f743ef9 response, Rose’s lips moved f89478c7b6 silently before he closed 184b6dd032 his mouth.2dcdc63e6819a3ff
The shock of seeing f8b73dfea2 that striking face when 7f39e59033 the car window first 0cb871d9b5 rolled down, the unease 8c12e985a2 in his gut from 8466ea8526 Rose’s overwhelming allure, and 2a33a178b1 yet the impulsive offer b96c8a588f to give him a 42dd069115 ride—all of it stemmed b44244c5b7 from a spark of e24503de55 interest. George acknowledged the curiosity 7c4bf51543 and impulse that had 9590756f53 been dormant on the 6b9eb6a962 other side of his 9ecbd76c97 consciousness.446a57ead604ea6b
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Of course, there were 65b925d74b still some reservations…8882021786d33022
George pictured taking Rose to fb09eaa57c bed, wondering if he’d actually ddc2b8d888 want to hold the man 73f7b2390d in front of him. Like a pelican opening 72420a971f its beak wide to cac683786b gauge if it could a82ba28f0a swallow prey larger than e185a7d259 itself.8fd92b6fe6ba77d5
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
‘If it doesn’t work out, I’ll figure it out then.’d1080667786c993d
By thirty-three, you learn c9ea1ba056 that trying something is 7bdf7d8f5e less of a waste cd4580b066 of time than overthinking 868c8e4c87 it. Besides, George was f730e0ca12 starting to grow 7c0d900dcf bored of his 305ba1e0c5 solitary vacation.a419869c08f6337e
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
A foreign destination, a 864b963c54 time-limited encounter, a connection 73b33d7c46 that wouldn’t entangle them c663495917 later even if things 85d2477d38 went wrong.23bfbf07710300d9
Above all, that b7f30c50e4 stunning blond hair 3295dfe327 captivated him. If Rose allowed it, George 9267a44f58 could spend all day running 0ea5c7c89d his fingers through it.7f047043893ab50e
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Can I touch your hair?” George asked.4b457646cfb45584
Rose, who had been staring dd2dca7bb9 intently, obediently and very slowly 6cc6432657 leaned forward. George reached out, brushing 679e7d9237 the back of his cfc4188199 hand against Rose’s soft, e99de685b2 fine hair. The texture made George’s lips c5404ea093 curl into a crooked smile—a f21faa25ce genuine reaction he wasn’t fully 97d463ba98 aware of.239d7acf640f74b0
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Best I’ve ever felt,” he said.970b3a890fa34fd3
Even at the 5d8a67e729 heartfelt compliment, Rose 88ba3a84b8 said nothing, just d3719a7fa6 meeting George’s gaze c4f01d5e99 steadily.a1a80163632e00ec
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com