*RING RING*
Noel was awakened by her phone, with her boss calling… She was shocked and panicked a little. She fixed herself and clears her throat so it wouldn't sound like she just got out of bed. She picked up her phone and answered the call. She was greeted with a deep serious tone.
"Yes, Mr. Chu? This is Noel speaking…"
His voice shivered down her spine as she thought it was something serious to discuss. Her mood quickly changes as Mr. Chu starts speaking, asking her about the book that she's been working on. She starts sweating as she explains that it's not yet done. Without any hesitation, her boss starts speaking " Make him dead... "She got confused, she was about to finish the last part of the novel today, but it didn't cross her mind to make a sad ending for the main character. She wanted to present a good happy ending as she knew it was what the succeeding readers wanted to see. She refuses and gave her boss a solid NO. To which Mr. Chu replied. "Think about it, Noel. People nowadays are getting hooked on sad endings, you know? More like killing the main character of the novel. And I'll promise you. It will be a hit. I bet you'll even thank me afterward" He chuckles a little but Noel is aware that it's more like he's manipulating her than convincing her as she was against of that idea. Nevertheless, She agreed and said that she'll immediately pass the original copy once she's done finalizing the last chapters. She dropped the call and even though she heard and felt the glee of Mr. Chu, She felt the opposite rage and anger filled up her entire body as if it always have been him who'll have to take the lead with her own book. For once, she didn't even feel like the author of the character, and most events were decided by her boss.
For the past month, she works on her novel, trying to understand and clear what has been taken out and cleared by Mr. Chu. She was very obedient not knowing that he was already taking advantage of her. She pitied herself… No, the main character of her own story as well, the whole's been through a lot, has been through thorns and down of his life. But no matter how badly she wanted to change the plot, she can't… She depends on what others would think and is scared to be criticized by others. She wanted to present a book that can somehow satisfy her boss as well as the readers. She cries as she works hard on each piece of her own character, although all were handwritten by her, and were just hanging by the judgments of others, she felt guilty as she was about to end her book by killing the main lead. To her it was just not any character, it was a character she can relate to, whose lives and decision was controlled by other who aren't even supposed to talk.
Three days passed, and she went to a simple cafe inviting Benjamin, her co-worker and trusted friend who showed up dressed and elegant as always. Everyone was looking at Benjamin as if he was a famous star. There's no surprise to her, she did shine like a start right from the very start of their friendship. They talked for a while about the project. Benjamin was her number one supporter and reader while her book was still ongoing. He was saddened and rather upset about what she's done to her story. He frowns, crossed his arm, and looked directly at her best friend Noel. Almost like he's criticizing her human being… She was too stunt to speak as she noticed that Benjamin, her best friend just gave her the most unsatisfying look. She can see the disappointment in his eyes like she was also looking at the mirror with her reflection in it.
"Come one… Speak out the truth"
Benjamin convinced her to speak out on what she truly felt about her boss's idea. Clearing that she dislikes it. She hates it so bad that she almost wanted to rewrite the whole book, right from the start. She prepared the book for as long as she remembers, but she never felt like she own it. All eyes were on her, but it depends on someone's point of view. Someone who's not even worth listening to. She changed a lot of scenes and parts just so she can please Mr. Chu. Like she's doing trial and error. Benjamin feels the tension, he doesn't like to see her sad and irritated about her work. He ordered her a hot choco and calmed her down, but asked her slowly but surely. As long as she finally finishes her phase…
"So did you finish the last chapter?"
She shakes her head and replied with a no. And asked Benjamin if he has any ideas on how to end the whole story, she felt like something was missing, a part of the novel that she should have added. They looked at each other and realize that some characters are missing some characteristics and emotions dedicated to the story itself. But it was too late since the Novel was based on Mr. Chu's opinion. She didn't get the chance to somehow put romantic and some interaction with suitable characters, because from the very moment she starts working, Mr. Chu never agrees to put the main character in a serious love trope or even a hint in the story, rather he wants it to be full of vengeful plot.
"Geez. I bet he's just bitter. I mean have you seen his face?"Benjamin started describing him like crazy.
He continued by saying that he was heavy, ugly, and most of all fake. Almost screaming the last part out loud….And added Mr. Chu's hair, since he was originally bold and uses a wig to cover up his true face. This immediately lightened the atmosphere and Noel started laughing little by little. And she began to think if it is worth it to change her novel. To just follow her friend's advice and improve some character… Noel spend another hour at the cafe as she started to type out the remaining pages and made up her decision to go and just finish the book.
As she was about to refill her cup with water, she bumped into someone familiar…They both turn around only to see the man who almost jumps off the bridge. He helped her pick up the cup she dropped. The man was fully aware that it was his savior. So he decided to invite her to which Noel didn't fully agree as she was disappointed with how he behaved from their first meeting. But to her surprise, he bowed his head and said thank you. Noel wasn't entirely convinced but his voice was too alluring, not to the point that it was too overwhelming but rather felt sincere, almost felt like she heard it even though it was her first time hearing him speak. She tried to snap back to reality and manage to gather her thoughts. The man started introducing himself "My name is Alister, I'm a veterinarian…I live near here and invariably walk passed by the bridge "
While he was speaking, Noel can't get herself off of the thought that he speaks well, and look decent but how can he just jump off the bridge and easily take his life? So to make things clear she wanted to ask and went straight ahead and cut him off respectfully…
"If you don't mind… May I ask, what are you doing at the bridge that night?"
Alister was fidgeting a little, he looks a little bit uncomfortable talking about the topic, yet he continued to explain. "I…I just felt like I have to" He said as he looks under the ground, about to look back to Noel, but he felt a sudden hug. As she said with a soft tone.
"No one should ever do that… not to their selves, It's not worth it. You're leaving such a beautiful world behind you. You have to be tough no matter what… I don't know you, and I don't have permission to do this, but at least take this moment and know that you're not alone."
Her words mark deeply through his heart. He actually want to hug her back but Noel pushed him away, then later gave him a hand.
"By the way I'm Noel… care to be my friend?" Noel gave him a soft smile and Alister smiled back shyly. At that precious moment, they started talking and out of curiosity, Alister managed to ask her questions. Since he saw her getting busy with her laptop. Noel happily explains, she took her time and didn't even realize that the sun already sets and it was already night. After a whole day of talking and trying to get to know each other, Noel realized that she hadn't finished the story. She enjoyed their conversation too much that she forgot to turn on her project.
"I'll just finish it at home," she said as she started packing and cleaning the area, they started to walk together towards the exit, Alister keeping the door open for Noel as they still talk as if there was no tomorrow. After a while, Alister called a taxi for her. This was unexpected and felt like she was never treated like it for a while… She gave her last thank you to Alister as he looked at her, his looks were focused on her entire face, kept a warm smile as he waved goodbye, and told her to take care and get home safely…
Inside the vehicle… She immediately starts panicking inside. She recalls that the deadline was due on Saturday. And It's already Friday… One day before the due date, it's impossible! She realizes that she's screwed and shouldn't have spent his time in the cafe and spent almost half of his day talking to Alister. She fixed her gaze at the window watching the starry sky once again….
"When will this suffering end?" looking tired and restless. Moments later she felt a bump and not just an ordinary bump, almost like her whole body was thrown at a massive rock. The impact was so strong that made her bag and papers fly all over the place… for a second it feels so out of this world, but it slowly went clear as the movements and the car itself drives slowly. She looked at the passenger seat only to see another vehicle's light passing through her eyes. Almost like she was going blind, she was surrounded by shattered glasses… Confused as ever, It seems that she can't find her words as her body froze and her whole atmosphere steadied right before her very eyes…
"Is this the end of me?" little did she know, her life as a writer was only getting started.