WHISPERS OF THE HEART

ent of freshly baked croissants. Lily, a beautiful young woman with piercing green

tranger's. Leon, a billionaire with chiseled features and p

ment, time stood still. The air was e

away, her heart racing. She quickened her

where Lily had vanished, a hint

ounter would set off a chain of events

enced something extraordinary. She had never believed in love at first sight, bu

stranger. She had been so caught up in the encounter that she had for

with a tall, imposing figure. Apologetic, she looked u

xclaimed, her cheeks f

done, mademoiselle," he said, his deep voice sending shivers down L

anger's eyes locked onto hers. She fel

g," Lily stammered, tr

ver wavering. "Of course. Perhaps

y as their hands touched. "I'd like that,"

t help but wonder if she would ev

e stranger disappear into the crowd. She couldn

ily couldn't shake off the feeling that her life

d, as Lily slid into the tab

the craziest encounter with a guy," she said,

ned. "Spill the te

more at ease. "Okay, but you ha

er hands. "I pro

he street, and I collided with this guy. He was handsome, no meant

yes were w

d then we collided again, liter

t's fate, Lily! You ha

re hopeful. "I don't know, Sophie

e off the feeling that her life was about to connect wit

eel a sense of excitement. Who was the stranger, and wha

d her playfully. "Earth to Lily! You're

a little shy. "Maybe,"

sly. "I'm going to help y

, no! It was just a crazy coincidence

We'll see about that," she s

shake off the feeling that Sophie

y heading her way in the form of a hand

her life had just connected with someone special. She felt a

the couch, her mind still disoriented from the encounter. Sh

ell. Lily smiled, expecting a text from Sop

u're not too bruised from our earlier encounter. W

as she realized who the te

out a response. "I'm not bruised, but

before hitting send. What w

afé de Flore at 3 pm tomorrow? I'll be

er's confidence. She could

mind whirled with thoughts of the stranger. Who

stmas morning. She spent hours getting ready, trying on d

a beat. The stranger was already there, sipping a coff

ers run through her body. She smil

id, standing up to greet h

ound of his name. "Lily," she replie

floating on air. She had no idea what the future he

ed effortlessly, discussing everything from art

e and more at ease in Leon's presence. She

his watch and stood up. "I'm so sorry, Lil

ppointment. "It was great meetin

corners. "The pleasure was all mine, Lily. W

te? She couldn't tell, but she didn't care

she said, smi

kling with amusement. "Grea

p but feel a sense of excitement. Who was this m

't wait to

Lily couldn't help bu

vous grin and piercing blue eyes, ide

is eyes sparkling with amusement. "

prise. "Nice to meet you,

he conclusion? Are you impresse

'm still trying to figur

t. Leon can be a bit of a mystery, e

m and lively personality. She could see why Leon had broug

eeling that Raphael was hiding something. There was a glint i

more at ease with Raphael. He was easy to talk to,

at Raphael was watching her, assessing her. She caught him staring at he

hat was Raphael thinking? And why did sh

. He glanced at the screen, his e

d, standing up. "I have to g

e disappointed. "It was grea

help but wonder what had just happened

ught when she heard

il

on standing behind he

said, smi

her," Leon said, his eyes

es, I have. He'

hael. Always charming, alw

ed. "I can

uilding inside her. She had a feeling that her lif