Alpine Dreams
The bells from Cassandra’s bike chimed as she swirled through the elegant town of Chamonix, selling flowers to tourists. A colorful array of freshly-cut pink ranunculus, white anemones, icelandic poppies, and coral peonies tenderly slipped from the basket perched atop her bike.
Ever since she was a child, her grandmother would take her on long strolls in nearby mountains and teach her the names of all the wildflowers. They would weave dainty floral crowns and then lie on the swaying grassfields and watch the clouds drifting against azure skies. Each bloom’s ravishing colors, scents, and velvety textures captivated her imagination. Little did she know that a vivid garden sprang in her mind, inspiring her to become a florist one day.
”Excusez-moi? Can you please tell me where I can find the Chamonix Tourist Office?” asked Tristan.
”Absolument! Just follow me.” smiled Cassandra.
”Are you from around here? I am spending the summer hiking around the Chamonix region.” he said.
Having lived here all her life, Cassandra shared her secret hiking trails for blissful views. He gazed at her alluring face, mesmerized by her tales and feeling a serene affinity awash him. Yet his timidness prevented him from asking for her number. Once they reached the office, they smiled shyly at each other and went their separate ways.
Tristan spent an exhilarating summer hiking many mountain ranges and feeling proud of his feats. Yet every beauty in nature reminded him of Cassandra’s ethereal soul.
It was his last day in Chamonix and he felt restless. However could he find Cassandra? Suddenly, an old woman passed by with a floral crown on her head. Something jolted him to ask her where it was sold. She smiled and pointed to the ‘Chalet des Fleurs’.
Tristan ran as fast as he could and stood in front of a florist decorated with baskets and tins of ravishing blooms. And there, he saw Cassandra, looking so translucent in a white sundress and her beautiful ringlets adorned with dainty flowers. She lifted her head up and smiled.
When she looked into his eyes, she knew: he was everything she ever wanted.
And he felt the same as well.
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