More than Roses

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e was in love with her. He portrayed the image of a perfect gentleman, standing at a discreet distance, observing her as she perused the note, a self-assured grin playing

nessa's elder sister, Sarah, had fallen short of his ambitions, opting for a career in accounting. Their interactions had dwindled over the years. Sarah, now residing in Eastwood City with her lawyer husband, had not returned home in a long while. Vanessa, however, maintained a covert connection with her, exchang

usic was Vanessa's sanctuary, her lifeblood. She held a special affection for opera and hip-hop. Music, for Vanessa, was not merely a form of entertainment; it was a language of emotions. It had the power to convey joy, sadness, love, and longing in a way that words alone could not. It was a source of solace during difficult times and a so

wellspring of feelings she couldn't easily express in her daily life. Each opera was a jou

.Vanessa's stepmother, Angela, was a formidable presence in their household. Her life revolved around the world of finance and investments, a world that Vanessa struggled to comprehend.

wn for her sharp intellect and unwavering determination in the cutthroat world of finance. Her succ

ttle interest in the medical field, and her husband showed minimal enthusiasm for the complexities of the stock market.Despite the apparent disparities in their interests, Angela had managed to steer the family's financial ship with precision. She had a keen e

ere beyond hercomprehension. The stock market, mergers, and acquisitions, and financial forecasts were the backdrop to Vanessa'

essa's own dreams of pursuing a career in music clashed with Angela's aspirations. Their relationship had always been strained, a result of conflicting desires and unmet expectations. Angela's disappoin

re, rendering it a fruitless endeavor. So, Vanessa begrudgingly resolved to pursue an economics degree, pledging the minimal effort necessary to appease her father. And so it began, with her

rtments already claimed, she found herself rooming with a second-year student named Grace, who was on a political science scholarship. Initial discord yielded to camaraderie as

ce. It was Grace who suggested seeking a tutor, though the cost of one posed a formidable hurdle. Vanessa's financial resources, however, rendered this obstacle insignificant, and she decided to

e familiar as they progressed. He proved adept at economics, yet he remained a somewhat enigmatic figure on campus. Vanessa's inquiries about him yielded minimal information; he was a reclusive figure who appeared at the u

ons. As examinations approached, he ably prepared her for the tests, providing insights into the types of questions she could expect and the most effective methods for answering them. Vanessa's results in

earned for the presence of a man in her life. The notion was absurd, for she knew virtually nothing about him, yet an irrational part of her longed for his company. She fantasized about waking up to his baritone voice serenading her with her favorite opera songs, with his arms enveloping her as she lay in bed. Vanessa recognized the futility of these thoughts, but the slim likelihood of them ever materializing did not deter her.

for Vanessa when they were at the university. Vanessa sporadically conversed with her sister, Sarah, who was adjusting to motherhood. Sarah's husband had encouraged her to cease working until their child was at least two years old. This arrangement left Sarah with abundant idle time, and Vanessa suspected that her sister experienced even more profound boredom than she did. Vanessa decided to pay her sister a visit, a prospect that her father would ha

the embodiment of beauty, both inside and out. Vanessa remembered her mother driving her to school every day, her warm smile dispelling any early morning blues. They shared a bond that transcended the typical mother-daughter relationship; they were best friends. But life had a cruel twist in store for them. One

art of her mother's life, and the toll on her was evident. Her once-lustrous hair fell victim to the poten

de, holding her frail hand. She wanted to be strong for her mother, to show her unwavering sup

There was nothing more they could do, except watch and wait. Vanessa's heart ached as she r

inued to smile, to offer words of encouragement, and to share moments of tenderness with Vanes

once filled with the sounds of joy and celebration, became a silent witness to their prof

he wished she could have shared with her mother—her dreams, her aspirations, and the music they both loved. Sh

once filled their home. And as she sat in that opera theater, enveloped by the music she cherished, she couldn't help but feel her mother's presence, as if she was there beside

s and aspirations. She would have told her about her roommate, her tutor, and the conflicting emotions she was experiencing. Her mother had nurtured her lov

red a long, heartfelt hug. It had been too long. Vanessa took in her sister's appearance, noticing the toll th

r tutor. Sarah teasingly claimed that Vanessa was in love, a notion Vanessa denied but couldn't help but consider.

e had her daughter for company, but two-year-olds weren't the best conversationalists. Vanessa, how

's house, and headed to the nearest bus stop. The journey back home was long and uneventful, but Vanessa couldn't help bu

paid little attention to Vanessa's return. Vanessa settled back into her familiar routine, with t

at the hospital, tirelessly attending to his patients, while her stepmother conducted her business a

iven by the desire to prove her capabilities to her father, even if it meant pursuing a field she had little passion for.

oped between them. She couldn't deny her feelings for him, but she also knew the unlikelihood of anything more th