Love in full colour

Chapter 4: "Reflections"

Lila stood in front of her bathroom sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She had just finished washing her face and brushing her teeth, and was now preparing for bed. But as she looked at herself, she couldn't help but think about the events of the past few hours.

She had met Derek Lawson, the charming billionaire, at her gallery opening, and had been swept off her feet by his charisma and charm. They had talked for hours, and Lila had found herself feeling drawn to him in a way that she hadn't experienced in a long time. She remembered the way he had smiled at her, the way he had laughed at her jokes, and the way he had looked at her with such intensity and passion.

But as she thought about Derek, Lila's mind began to wander back to her ex-boyfriend, Evan. They had been together in high school, and had shared a deep and passionate love. They had spent countless hours together, exploring the town, trying new restaurants, and just enjoying each other's company. Lila had thought that she had moved on from Evan, but the memories of their time together still lingered in her mind.

As she reflected on her past, Lila realized that she had never fully gotten over Evan. She had thought that she had moved on, but the pain of their breakup still lingered. She remembered the way Evan had held her, the way he had kissed her, and the way he had made her feel like she was the only person in the world.

But her thoughts were also filled with memories of her time with Derek. They had been together for a few months, and everything had seemed perfect. Derek had been charming, attentive, and passionate. He had swept Lila off her feet, and she had fallen deeply in love with him.

But as time went on, Lila began to realize that Derek wasn't the man she thought he was. He was distant, cold, and calculating. He had a reputation for being ruthless in business, and Lila had begun to see that side of him more and more.

The final straw had come when Lila discovered that Derek had been using their relationship to further his own business interests. He had been using her connections in the art world to get ahead, and Lila had felt betrayed and used.

She had confronted him about it, and Derek had been unapologetic. He had told her that he was just trying to build his business, and that he didn't see what the big deal was. Lila had been horrified, and had realized that she was just a pawn in his game.

The breakup had been messy and painful. Lila had been heartbroken, and Derek had been cold and unfeeling. He had told her that she was just a distraction, a way for him to pass the time until he found someone more suitable.

Lila's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing on the counter. She picked it up and saw a text from an unknown number. "I'm sorry for what happened between us. I was wrong to use you, and I hope you can forgive me." Lila's heart skipped a beat as she read the message. It was from Derek.

As she stood there, lost in thought, Lila felt a pang of uncertainty. She didn't know if she was ready to forgive Derek, or if she even wanted to. But at the same time, she couldn't deny the feelings that she still had for him.

With a sigh, Lila turned off the bathroom light and made her way to bed. She knew that she had a lot to think about, and she was determined to take her time and figure out what she really wanted.

As she drifted off to sleep, Lila's mind was filled with thoughts of Derek and Evan, and the two very different relationships that she had experienced. She knew that she had a lot to learn, and she was ready to take the first step.