Chapter 2: The Dream And Reality
Run.
Sounds of raindrops falling from the dark sky. No one is with her. She's just alone in the dark road but her feet feel like it has its own mind and she keeps on running.
As fast as she could, all she can do is to run and run and if there's someone who'll catch her.
The heavy rain and her bare fast footsteps can all be heard from the scene but later on, her heavy breathings joined to collide the noise.
As she kept on running, her long black wavy hair swayed in the air. She can feel the cold breeze and she's getting wetter because of the heavy rain that is occurring.
Run.
Again and again she keeps on running, silently hoping that she can see something but none. It was just a dark path and it seems endless.
But no one is chasing her. No one will catch her so why is she running? Why does she keep on running to the dark road together with the rain that is falling?
And until suddenly, light slowly appeared on the road and there, just a few miles away from her— a shadow is waiting.
She can't see its face but she knows it's a man. It's just his silhouette and his back is facing her. He's also holding an umbrella and she knows he's wearing a full black tuxedo but who is he?
And then the world suddenly stops for a second and it turns into a slow motion again. Her breathing became even and the raindrops pours slowly. Her force steps faded but still, she kept on running in a slow action.
And suddenly, she saw him turning but unfortunately, before he could wholly turn to her, a sudden force pulled her out of reverie and she just found herself catching her breath with eyes wide open.
...
.
"S-Shit!" She cussed underneath her heavy breathing. She was still catching her breath while sweat started to flow down from her forehead.
"Hahh.." She breathes loudly and starts calming herself.
She stood up from her bed and went to her kitchenette to drink some cold water.
"Hah!" Once again, she exhaled loudly and her grip on the glass tightened because of what happened.
"W-What was that?" She shrugged. Of course, no one will answer.
"Maybe you're just overthinking about the story again. Dang, I really need to rest," She told herself and silently went back to her room while massaging her temples gently.
As she lay her back on the soft mattress, she heaved a sigh and decided to bring herself into the deep slumber again.
...
.
WEARING A brown visor hat, long white duster jacket that has plain gray long sleeve polo inside, black mask to cover her fair white skin, round silver glasses to protect her eyes on the sunlight. She's holding a black bucket bag on her shoulders, a denim skirt one-half length to touch her knees below, and a black fold over boots.
That was her get up for Friday morning today. Half-running, she's walking towards the office of the head manager. Minute from now, the meeting will start so she has to be there immediately.
Fortunately, after a few seconds, she's finally in front of the door. She heaved a sigh first and knocked the door twice before opening it.
"Oh, come in, Ms. Lu" The manager said upon seeing her. She smiled and silently went inside.
"Take a seat." The manager offered and she obliged.
"How's your day?" with a pleasant smile on his face, he greeted her when she sat on the visitor's chair. She removes her black mask first before answering him.
"It's fine, Mr. Gu," She said and smiled a little.
"Anyway, since you are here already, we will start now, okay?" Her forehead creased.
"I thought we had another one?" He nods and clasps his hands. "Ah yes but his manager already told him about the meeting today and since you have none and you were busy with your new work, I've decided to tell it to you personally today, Ms. Lu" He explained.
"Ah, okay."
He sighs. "So it's just two weeks have passed but your book is still our best seller in our company and I would like to congratulate you again for that."
She nodded. "Thanks."
"But first I want to ask you, has your decision not changed until now? I mean you are one of the famous authors here in our country and everyone wants to meet you, Ms. Lu. Maybe you should consider now—"
"No," She cut him off and politely answered. "My answer is still no. I'll stay like this, Mr. Gu. It's my books that I want to share and not my looks."
He sighs. "Are you sure?"
She nodded eagerly. "Yeah."
"Then we'll respect that, Ms. Lu. You'll stay as you want."
"Thank you."
It's not just her appearance but also wholeself that she's hiding. At first, she was genderless. No one really knows her 'cause their transaction for the story and payments were just in online. No meet ups and such but due to compromising everything, she decided to reveal something to everybody. That's she is a she— a woman behind those tragic books that most of the people love to read now.
"Anyway—" the manager's words were left in the air when they heard a knock and later, someone opened the door.
Immediately, she wears her black mask and fixes her visor hat. She heard some footsteps and later, she felt someone stood behind her.
"I'm here," a deep husky voice of a man said.
She can't still see his appearance but what made her stilled is when she saw his shadow in front of her.
Its daylight and sun rays enlightened the room which made their shadows more visible.
And she remained unmoving, slightly shocked because of his shadow.
That tall and lean shadow of him, her lips part. That's from her dream!
Unconsciously, she stood up from her seat and gathered all the courage in her and slowly turned to the man behind him.
But before she could face him, the manager said something which made her pull out from reverie.
"Ms. Lu." She slightly gasped when he revealed her surname.
Dang, he will know who I am! her thoughts are shouting to the manager in front but the latter just smiled and spoke once again.
"He will be your partner in the said collaboration."
"W-What?" Her eyes widened and she gasped. The hell?!
The man behind her chuckled. "I see. He hasn't told you, Ms. Lu."
She sighs. She slowly turned again to that man and afterwards, under the daylight, her brown honey eyes met his nut brown pair of orbs.
A wide grin appeared on his lips and he handed his hand in front of her.
"Hi." He greeted and she was awed in surprise.
The heck?!
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