Christian POV
A cold breeze strides to the window of my apartment, the bright sun kisses my pale skin as the alcohol eats my mind until it gets numb but alcohol doesn't help to cover up all my emotions even drinking a liter of alcohol.
I hate the feeling of being humiliated by everyone around me. The people on the internet don't know me or my story but they do everything to mistreat someone by their brutal words. It's normal to have a misanthropic inside the industry which I am today. All the news on the internet is talking to me without any evidence or any source.
My manager discusses the news about me last month and the entertainment decided that I need a long break to clean the 'mess' I did.
"Christian, are you really laying down to your bed the whole break?" I hear Erharth from behind but I choose to shut my one's eyes to his presence.
"Such a lazy man! You need to get up and join us on the practice." He says as he walks to my direction and sits on the edge of the bed.
"You need some fresh air. This whole place is very foul like you too. The hint of alcohol is everywhere." He adds.
"Should I? Whenever I walk out of the apartment, they either glaring at me or murmuring like they're talking about me. It's exhausting." I explain.
"I understand but you know we're here for you and always support you. I'm very worried about your health both mentally and physically. Yet, you keep on drowning on the alcohol." He lectures as if he's my mother but it's great to have him as my friend. Taking care of me, whenever I'm having a panic attack or anxiety.
"Do you understand?" He asks. I beam as I respond to him with a nod.
"Good! You get up, take a nice bath, and have fresh air. After lunch, you are coming with me to practice."
"Practice for what?" I ask. He winks at me and slams my forehead. I wince in pain and sit on the bed so I could punch him but before I do that, he stands up quickly to avoid me. He leaves without replying to my question.
My mouth releases a deep sigh as I bury my face using my hand and say, "What is wrong with him?"
"I'll be taking a bath later but for now, my bed and I will have a good talk!" I lay down on my bed as I reach my phone to glimpse the time.
"DON'T LAY ON THE BED AND TAKE A BATH!" I flinch when hearing Erharth yells from downstairs.
"How did he know I'm getting back to bed? Is he a witch or some kind of devil that could read minds?"
"I HEARD THAT!" Erharth yells again. I don't have a choice to take a bath since I can't take any more yelling from Erharth.
I take out all my clothes and impose myself on the warm water rushing through the shower. The steam covers all over the glass window of the bathroom. I lift up my face to feel the water of my face.
"I wish this warm water could help my disappearance." I sigh and start to wash my naked body.
After a long shower, I lay my body to my bed without thinking that I'm still soaking wet and naked. I feel suffocated outside the world when everyone is watching you. Every movement that I create, they have a commotion. Every mistake that I make, they all need to know and it is their requirement to have a statement about me. It's not that I don't like my job. To be honest, I'm passionate about being an actor to the point that I oppose my parent's order. Luckily, they didn't disown me yet they stare with disappointment when they know that I choose to be an actor.
When my throat is begging for drinks, I hurriedly wear my casual clothes to get some coffee at the Rafflesia Cafe. As I jog downstairs, there's Jasper sitting on the couch, staring at his laptop with a serious on his face. I walk closer to him and tap his shoulder but he doesn't move or greet me.
"Are you okay Jasper?" I ask him as I sit across to him. He sighs as he turns his laptop to me. I look closer to the laptop and my eyes wide when reading the header which is now making a huge mess to my career.
"The editor of that news replaced the 'insulted' into the 'harassment' and I'm having a bad perception that the entertainment will revoke your contract as soon as they found strong evidence." He explains but my mind focuses on the word 'harassment'.
I rub my forehead, striving to ease my headache.
"I need to get out to have some fresh air," I mumble.
"Are you insane? The world knows the news but you only think to get out." He cries out with a fuss on his words. However, I don't care anymore. Let them talk about me but they'll never define who I am.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine Jasper. I just needed fresh air to clear my mind." He sighs and pats my shoulder.
"We can get through this mess, okay?" I nod.
"You can go outside but don't do any suspicious, the eyes are everywhere and they know where you are." He explains.
I put my jacket, scarf, shades, face masks, and a cup to cover me up so no one could recognize me. I take out my phone to check the time.
"it's 10 in the morning," I whisper. I step outside the apartment and wander the place to commemorate the wonderful scenery of Minnesota.
My eyes glance at the flower shop.
I smile when this place reminds me of my childhood. The owner was taking care of me and my brother. She's very warm-hearted, especially to the kids.
My feet automatically walk to the place to greet the owner. When I reach the shop, I see Grandma Chi holding a big pot and I decided to help her.
"I'll help you, Grandma Chi," I say while helping her to carry the pot and place the pot outside of her backyard.
"Thank you, Chris." Grandma Chi says while smiling at me. My eyes wide when realizing she remembers me.
"Y-you remember me, Grandma Chi." I stutter when trying myself to cry.
"Why would I forget my favorite baby? You are my most favorite grandson I've ever had." She mutters with a soothing voice.
She offers me a hug and I gladly accept it. My tears run down my cheeks when my heart feels at ease.
"I m-miss you, G-Grandma Chi," I whisper. She chuckles as she caresses my back.
"I miss you too my little angel. I'm really glad that you came here to visit me and you grow up so well." She says as she loosens her arms around me. I take out my mask and shades.
"How are you? I heard that you are having a huge issue with the news." I sigh as I sit down on the chair beneath the Narra tree.
"I-I'm used to it but my mind is tired of that news so I decided to leave it aside and have more quality time for myself. How are you, Grandma Chi? Did your son...visit you regularly?" I ask her when trying to change the topic.
"I'm doing great. My son along with his daughter and wife visits me every weekend. How about you? Does your heart capture someone?" She becomes intrigued by my love life which is very uncomfortable for me but since it's Grandma Chi, I should just answer it.
"I'm single." She claps her hands together when hearing I'm single. She is amazed at how I'm single.
She walks out of the backyard and gets inside her shop leaving me confused. She gets back, holding a flower on the pot. She hands me the flower as she sits in front of me.
"Wha—" I cut off when she starts lecturing me about the flower.
"That is a Chrysanthemum flower. You should keep it because it gives you love life." I scratch my nape when she gives me the flower like a lucky charm.
"I-I don't think I n-need this Grandma Chi. I don't have time to take care of this flower."
"I know you are a very busy man but when you're distressed or having a bad day, you will come to that flower and voluntarily take care of it."
"It's like a pastime and relaxes your mind when you are with nature so don't forget to have a little break for yourself." She adds.
I nod as I keep my gaze to the flower. I realize that red is a very beautiful color when it's a flower. It's a common color for a flower but never gets old.
"Thank you for the flower, Grandma Chi and I should get back to my apartment."
"Sudden? Why don't you have lunch with me so we could talk more? You know how much I miss you and your brother." She says. I bite my lips when trying myself to resist the offer.
"Next time Grandma Chi. I have things to do so I need to get back as soon as possible." She sighs in defeat and nods.
"I understand but you can visit me here at my shop anytime. You are welcome here and also bring your brother, Chance, with you so we could have a talk." I nod and walk out of the shop while holding the flower.
"I need to get a coffee," I mumble when hearing my stomach howling. I walk fast to the Rafflesia Cafe.
As soon as I reach the place, I see Theodore laughing at the counter. "I'm glad, he is having a good day," I say to myself. I walk to the cashier while placing the flower at the counter.
"Good morning sir, I'm Mia, your barista, What can I get for you?" She says politely.
I lift my head to see her clearly. I kind of admit that she's cute but that's not what I'm here for so I set it aside to answer her properly.
"One large Iced Americano," I say
"What is your name?" She asks.
"Chance." I lie. I usually use my brother's name to cover up my identity.
"That would be $5," she says. I take my wallet out and gave her the 5 dollar bills. I waddle to my favorite spot and place the flower pot on the side of the table.
"Here's your coffee sir. Have a great day." The girl named Mia says while giving me a smile. I just nod to answer her. I take a glimpse at Theodore, who's talking to her friends, happily.
As I sip my coffee, I hear my phone ringing and take it out to answer the call.
"What?" I asked on the other line.
"You should get back here so we could practice," Darryl says on the other line. I groan in annoyance when a loud voice comes from the background.
"WE HAVE BURGER AND FRIES HERE SO YOU NEED TO GET BACK!" Erharth yells.
"I will get back soon and don't touch my burger and fries or I will strangle you to death." I threaten Erharth but he just teasing me.
"Ooh, Kinky!" They all laugh at what Erhargh says.
"Gross. I'll be there soon so better wait for me before you start practicing." I hung up the phone and get my coffee. As soon as I got out of the shop, I hear someone calling me. I turn around and see her holding my flower pot.
"You left this on the table." She says in a calming voice that only her voice could put me on asleep.
"Thank you, I nearly forgot about this." She smiled at me and handed me the flower pot.
"You shouldn't leave her behind. That flower is very special so please take care of her." She utters. I'm astonished when she addresses the flower "her" like a human but what would I expect? She loves plants and flowers and that nature could define how kind she is.