The next morning, I woke up and found Xescilliz gone. She was not on my bed and she also didn't answer when I called out to her in my head.
I massaged my aching temples and tried to communicate with her once again. "I guess falling asleep was a lot more shocking than hunger, huh? Come out when you're ready to talk."
Silence echoed in the room, gravely emphasising that I was just talking to thin air. It was only ten to four in the morning and the entire house was still fast asleep. So I took that chance to check the library that I saw downstairs last night.
I've read on the internet most of the things that I needed to know about what's going on in this world. These days, everything can be accessed with just a tap of fingertips. Most people no longer see the need to have a library at home. That's why seeing a huge library in this house fascinated me.
I turned on the switch and the chandelier, which looked exactly like the one that we used to have in our university's library, lit up. A whistle sounded from my lips as I scanned the room once again. I expected to see a lot of medical related books but what I didn't expect to see was an equal amount of novels. They were even sorted based on their genre just like how bookstores would label each shelf accordingly.
I was never a fan of reading novels because I found having to use my imagination quite a hassle. I prefered seeing stories being served before my eyes in action. But seeing a huge amount of novels tempted me to pick up a few that I thought were interesting.
I didn't even realize how much time had passed while I was busy reading through each synopsis until I heard a voice behind me.
"Mind me coming in?" It was Arthur's step-mother, my step-mother, with cups of steaming cocoa on both her hands.
"Sure. Sorry I didn't notice that you were there." I quickly set down the books that I was carrying on the nearest desk and took the cup that she offered me. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." She gave a slight bow and smiled. Then she glanced at the set of books that I placed on the desk. "I see that you found some good reads."
I followed her gaze and it belatedly hit me. "Sorry. I didn't ask for permission before I took them. I hope you don't mind."
"No worries! By all means, please help yourself." The smile on her face widened. "I have more books than my daughter could manage to read. I'd be more than happy if you took some with you to keep you company."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her words. Rachelle gave me the impression that she loves to read. But I'd have to agree with her mother that they did have a little too many books. The number of novels was so overwhelming that, even after I took quite a few from the shelves, one could barely notice their absence.
We chatted for a few minutes while I was enjoying my hot cup of cocoa. It's been so long since I last had someone make one for me.
Zee's mom, the mother that I knew back in my world, made it a point to make us drink warm cocoa in the morning before going to school. She said that it would not only boost our energy all throughout the day but also improve our brain power.
I missed Mom.
Thinking about the past reminded me of my mission.
I have to fix the mess that resulted from me coming back to life in this place. There's no telling when my contract with Xescilliz would be completed. And there's so much that I have to do to fix things.
Like looking for Craige, for example.
I learned that he's also a top celebrity in this world. That's why I could not understand why the Zeanne here did not know who he was when they've been working in the same industry all this time.
"Uhmm… Auntie?" The awkwardness was oozing from that single word to a point that I wished that there was an available rabbit hole that I could crawl into. I've been feeling like Lost Alice ever since I entered the gates yesterday.
She placed down her cup with an understanding smile. "Yes, dear?"
I didn't beat around the bush and just went straight to the point. "Have you heard of Craige Clinton?"
I was half-expecting for her to say that she had no idea who Craige was, just like Zeanne did. But her reaction when I mentioned Craige's name was something that I never saw coming.
She stiffened.
And there was a horrified look on her face.
"Auntie?" She did not respond. Worried, I put down my cup and tapped her arm. "Auntie? Is something wrong?"
She blinked once… then twice… before she looked up at me with murky emerald eyes that seemed to have lost their focus. I was so close to calling for my father when she shook her head and plastered back the smile that she's been wearing since she came into the room earlier. "I'm sorry. I was… lost in thought for a moment. What were you saying?"
"Are you sure you're okay?" I could not help but worry because the look on her face earlier was quite concerning.
She nodded. "Writers like me tend to zone out mid conversation every time an idea pops up. You can call it an occupational disease."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine." She tapped my hand that was holding her arm. "You were asking?"
I was nowhere near convinced but I decided to trust her words. But this time, I asked with caution. "I asked if you knew Craige Clinton."
"Ah!" Her smile grew bigger with a clap of her hands which made me feel relieved. "Of course, I know of him! He's a very popular actor. He also played the lead role in a drama that was adapted from one of my novels."
It was my turn to be stunned. "He did?"