Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray was at the point of exhaustion, where shutting his eyes meant he drifted off into sleep, oblivious to the world around him.

"Wow!" Suddenly, the guy with handsome looks gasped, "She's breathtaking!"

Millie followed his gaze and saw Roseanne stepping out from a beach cabana, clad in a sleek black bikini set. A white chiffon scarf was loosely draped around her neck, fluttering and dancing in the sea breeze. "My God! She's like a modern-day Marilyn Monroe! So damn hot!"

Millie shot the guy a cold look. "You think she's beautiful?"

The guy nodded enthusiastically. "Do you know about Marilyn Monroe? Imagine her in her iconic white dress walking down Hollywood Boulevard, the breeze lifting her dress, the scarf creating a spectacle..." Millie clenched her teeth in frustration. "And what about me? Do you think I'm beautiful?"

"Gorgeous," the man praised without hesitation.

Millie pressed on, "And how do I compare to her?"

"Oh, it's such a tough question. But honestly, I'd say she's more striking if I had to choose."

Millie's expression darkened. She was tall and graceful, with smooth skin and wavy blonde hair cascading down her back, exuding a certain allure.

On the other hand, Roseanne wore a modest bikini, its hem covering her thighs, and the color was a subdued black. But her skin was so perfect that the black made her glow.

Vaguely revealing her figure, the chiffon scarf was tender and seductive, carrying a hint of classical elegance. Uniqueness always stood out. Amid a sea of brightly colored bikinis, Roseanne's understated elegance made her unique.

But what made Millie angrier was Murray's reaction. Previously dozing off, he suddenly seemed to sense something, sat up, and his gaze locked onto Roseanne. A mix of surprise, admiration, and regret flashed through his eyes.

Millie's jealousy twisted her features. She saw Roseanne as nothing but a

gold digger, pampered by meet

delicate beauty due to a life of luxury. Was she pretending to be some dignified beauty, some elegant

lady? Roseanne was just an elegant

trying to hook up with a wealthy man!

girl

Roseanne played the studious card, hit the library, and studied for exams, likely on the hunt for her next wealthy sucker now that Murray didn't seem as into her. Hmph! Who did she think she was? Millie

considered her leftovers.

"Babe, would you get jealous if other guys gave me roses?" Millie snuggled up to Murray, tilting her head to rest on his shoulder, purposely blocking his view of Roseanne. Murray pushed her away irritably. "It's hot. Don't stick to me."

"Then... should I get you something to drink?"

"Yeah," Murray responded absentmindedly, his attention quickly shifting back to Roseanne as soon as Millie left.

...

"Really? You changed the one I picked for you," Leda eyed Roseanne disdainfully. "Black is too plain, and with a white scarf? You might as well have worn a one-piece."

Roseanne cleared her throat lightly. "I feel comfortable this way."

Leda rolled her eyes. "Fine, but don't come crying to me when you don't get any roses."

Roseanne waved her off quickly. "Please, I don't want any."

But as fate would have it, what you feared often came to pass.

As the sun set, the Bikini Day's most thrilling event, the "Flower Giving," commenced as scheduled. Nearly every man there offered roses to Roseanne.

At first, she said no, brushing them

off, not wanting to take them. But as

more dudes came over with flowers and folks started cheering, she had to take them so she wouldn'Druin the fun.