"If you were given a chance to stop, what will you do?"
--
"We are coming to you live with breaking news! According to the president, the country has now fallen into a state of lockdown as the first virus case has been detected. This was a sudden decision made by the president. Officials and health workers are urging the public to take precautions as they do not want the virus to spread further. They heavily emphasized that citizens should wash their hands, check their temperature, and always wear masks. This is NXX news reporting."
The coffee felt cold in Solanne's hands for a moment. She paused as her heart seemingly dropped the moment she heard the news.
This was an utter chaos. Perhaps she has bad luck after all. Who would have thought there would be a virus when she decided to take a trip?
What should she do?
Lockdown? What does that even mean? That was the first time she ever heard the word.
As soon as the question pops up, her phone vibrates with another piece of news. This time, in the prefecture she was in.
She paused for a moment to read. The moment she finished, she sighed heavily, processing her thoughts.
'All vehicles are banned from traveling. All the stores were closed, and even walking outside the house was prohibited."
Does that mean she's stuck here? In this place?
Feeling lost, Solanne sighed. Anxiety spread on her chest as she felt her throat dry.
Then, she heard a cup being dropped with an absolute force that made her almost worship the ceramic cup's durability. Her eyes then looked up, eyeing the man who was the cause of the sound.
He was busy with his phone as he was trying to dial something. Out of frustration, with one forceful touch from the screen of his phone, his call went through. He put his phone near his ears. He seemed to be calling someone.
Solanne tried not to pry in his business, but what could she do when she could hear his voice louder than the TV.
The man sounded and looked frustrated, concerned, and worried as his voice grew louder and louder, his chest heaving up and down at incredible speed.
Solanne stretched her lips, feeling awkward that she was stuck here listening to him.
He was pissed. She tried to block her ears, not wanting to pry on his business, especially if they were famous.
The person beside her in this cabin was the famous actor Yael Leonard Lee. He was a renowned child actor back in the year 2007. It was confirmed that her mother was also an actor, but now she was retired.
His first debut was a soap commercial. Then, he participated in an idol audition in which he debuted.
After that, he focused on singing and performing on stage. And now, he's even taking acting as one of his jobs. A director noticed his talent for acting as well, now, at the age of 23, he's an idol and an actor.
Solanne thought how productive and hard working he was. With all of his projects and promotions, he has a never-ending list of things to do. Hence, she wondered why he was here?
She almost scoffed at fate for something like this.
Solanne stared at the TV before she felt a pair of gazes looking at her. She didn't dare to look back, feeling that it would be awkward, so she looked down at her phone.
Solanne looked at her phone and saw a text from her brother to take care of as he assured her they were safe. With this, Solanne wired some money to her little brother's bank account, enough to last for months so that he could go grocery shopping before all the shops closed.
She also heavily emphasized that his brother should send updates occasionally, for she was in a faraway province, stuck in a cabin. This was her supposed to be 'vacation' after a long time in the house, yet…
What had happened? This was supposed to be a nice vacation after everything she's been through, but now, she is stuck here with a man she doesn't even want to spend. But then, a virus was spreading in the country. What could she possibly do? As a citizen of this country, she needed to obey the laws and protocols. She had learned her lesson.
As soon as she settled on the sofa, she heard the man complain again.
"What do you mean you can't pick me up? The police are on the way? Why can't you tell them to move?"
"Ha? A strict decision from the president? What a bullshit! I am a person with importance! You should be taking care of me as my manager! Hey- what the fuck? To actually end the call? I'll fire him as soon as I get out of this fucking province and this fucking cabin!
As soon as the phone call ended, the man sighed frustratingly before looking back. He met Solanne's gaze.
She wanted to be civil with him and tried to smile, yet he just rolled his eyes, gathered all his things, and dragged them to his room again.
The door was slammed closed. Not that Solanne cared about it at all. Still, looking at this cabin where she is right now, she should be thankful that this cabin was spacious enough for two people to actually live in.
As soon as Solanne entered the house, she was greeted with the living room and the kitchen. It was spacious: a green sofa, a coffee table, and a rug. There's even a lamp near the fireplace and just above it as a TV, was the owner still living in the holiday? She thought as there were also 5-foot tall Christmas trees near the lamp. The green sofa serves as a divider for the kitchen and the living room.
There was a table, fridge, and an island counter. Looking at the interior, she thought to herself that the interior designer of this place really used every bit of a space they could get. After the kitchen, there was a staircase leading to the second floor. There were two rooms and one bathroom.
Everything in this cabin feels magical as she is able to book this cabin for a cheap price. She also met the owner of this place. He seemed not to care about the payment, though as he was, he would collect it after her stay.
He must not be that desperate for money.
Thinking back, the owner of this cabin seems weird. Or that's just what her thoughts?
Ha, she's just overthinking things. If anyone could even expect this, she wouldn't have booked a vacation in a remote province such as this. Well, in the first place, she was here for inspiration. She heard rumors that there were a living legend here. A legend that could make anyone's dreams come true.
As an aspiring author, she wanted to know about stuff like this because she was always curious. But then, since she doesn't check her social media or even watch TV at all, she wasn't aware that there is a virus spreading all across the globe.
Picking her luggage worth of a 2 weeks clothes, she dragged them back to her room, planning to call the owner of the cabin to inform them that she's staying in this cabin for an indefinite amount of time- well, until the lockdown has been lifted or if there is any vehicle that would take them back to their respective homes or apartment.
With this in mind, Solanne scrolled on her phone and put on some music. She opened her luggage and started sorting her clothes before flopping into the bed. After ensuring that she got everything sorted out, she sighed, hands on her waist as she began scrolling on her phone, looking at the different social medias, wondering what was happening in the world.
"What now?" She asked herself.
She had been living as if she was trying to survive; now, everything had been paused indefinitely. What should she do? How could she get her income? She has been working as an engineer since last year but has decided to leave the company. A few months ago, she was trying to survive, looking for work as a part-timer or trying to be an assistant to her former colleagues since she has the experience.
But now what? She could try freelancing, though, but with the status of the world, would there even be an available job?
How would she even support her siblings, who were depending on her?
Just as she as thinking this, her phone vibrates with a message from her brother, "Sis, I'm thinking of making a vtube account for vlogs. Do you think I can do it?"
Solanne tilted her head. She smiled, imagining her awkward brother starting a vlog. Still, she heard people earning money from that alone.
"Sure. But what makes you even think of that?" Solanne pressed the send button, and a few seconds passed before she received a reply.
"My friend suggested it. I'm also a fan of those people who are doing it. Maybe I should try it."
"Then go!" Solanne was grinning from ear to ear. "I'll be your first subscriber."
"Ew!" Solanne frowned when she saw the reply. "How pathetic and awkward would that be? My first subscribe is my sister?"
"Ha! Be grateful that I'm willing to subscribe, you idiot!"
"Whatever. Where u now? U safe?"
Solanne giggled. "Yeah. I'm in the cabin now. I'll try to negotiate with the owner."
"Good luck."
The moment she put down her phone, her smile died.
It's heavy.
Solanne's heart was heavy with such a burden. However, she can't overthink everything. At the very least, she had paid her brother's food and rent for a month. She still has a month to think.
She paused her music and began texting the cabin's owner, but seeing that, the owner replied: no worries! You do not have to pay me. Use the money for food or whatever you need. The virus is very dangerous! Do not go out! Oh, and there are two cats there:
Laurie and Orin. They're tabbys. I hope you can feed them as I can't go there because of the virus. Think of this as getting even!"
Solanne smiled for the first time after seeing the text. There are still kind people in this world, after all.
With the situation she has right now, she can't be picky. Pulling herself up, she headed back to the kitchen. This was a two-story cabin. The first floor was where the kitchen, bathroom and living space were. While on the second floor, there were two rooms with a veranda.
Going down, she heard the TV still playing and there was no one around. Carcel must still be in his room talking with his manager, Solanne thought. Not that she cared, though.
Thinking that she got everything for herself, she walked towards the kitchen and boiled some water. Then, she checked the fridge.
As soon as she opened the fridge, her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw how full it was. There were pounds and pounds of meat stocked up in the fridge. Even the vegetables were stored neatly. Was these all free? She asked in disbelief.
Solanne grabbed her phone and asked the cabin owner again, "are all in the fridge ours?" She asked, wanting to confirm. This could not possibly be theirs, right? There must be a catch.
"Yes. Tostill have three other guests that should be staying in the cabin, but they canceled at the last minute."
Solanne's right brow rosed up. "Oh." Her lips parted as she typed. "Thank you."
"No problem. I have a farm here, so such produce is essentially free for me. Text me if you run out of food. I'm willing to deliver some for a fair price."
Just as she was about to reply, she felt something brush her legs. She almost jumped out of fright as her eyes were as big as a coin. But then, as she looked down, she saw an orange and brown tabby cat on the floor.
She suddenly felt her heart swoon. "Oh my! Is this Laurie and Orin?" She asked, her voice changing pitch. As if the cats knew their name, they both meow.
"Are you hungry?" she added.
"Meow." The cats replied.
Solanne had a new mission. She looked up, determined to look for the cat food the owner had said, only to pause when she met a mocking gaze just below the stairs.
Yael Lee, the actor, everyone!
Solanne wasn't a criminal, however, his gaze was accusing and mocking her.
Solanne frowned, offended. "Is there something?" She asked the man in front of her. He scoffed, rolling his eyes even.
Solanne's ears heat up. What's wrong with this person?