A Strange Old Man

"How can I help you, Miss?"

"Umm, can you please check if there is a reserved room for Annabelle D'Costa?"

"Hmmm.... Yes." the receptionist checked her computer screen for a minute.

"Yes, there is one. Room 247. 2nd floor."

"Thank you so much!"

Anna came to the restaurant where the publisher told her to. He said he had some business there and so he thought besides taking the main copy of the novel, he would have a fine lunch with her as well.

Green Town restaurant had a good reputation for private meets. So, she didn't refuse the offer. It has been a long since she ate a good meal outside the home. So, eating outdoors from time to time is not so bad.

Anna wore a grey hoodie and black jeans paired with her clean boots. She didn't get much time to dress up because Kiera kept nagging her on the phone to make her reach there on time. She also didn't want to waste her energy by doing those changing sessions and all though there was a time she liked those. And it would be equally dangerous for her to go out doing her makeover. Even if she left the entertainment industry long ago, she still finds some people who recognize her at one glance. So, she was somewhat careful whenever she was outside of her apartment.

Annabelle entered the elevator. A middle-aged man who was in his early 50s also entered the elevator with her. Anna checked if her face was properly covered with her sunglasses and cap. It's better to be prepared. Out of curiosity, she looked at that man, and instantly she was somewhat in awe of what she saw.

To her, that man looked dashing even at his age. If Anna thinks he is handsome, then he really is. Because there was a time when a Korean actor named Park Yujun once wanted to ask her for a date but she just refused him before he could finish his sentence. Though he wanted to know the reason for this refusal so badly, she never disclosed that. Later there was a rumor saying Anna refused him because she thought he looked like a pumpkin. At that time, he was nominated for the best male lead award. But those were just some rumors and Annabelle denied that time saying it was a total bullshit rumor. After all, who could ever call the super handsome Yujun a pumpkin? That doesn't even make sense.

But actually, it wasn't totally a rumor. Annabelle did call him a pumpkin when she was chatting with Kiera in the green room and maybe some staff member heard her saying that. It was lucky enough that they couldn't record it. It's been some years, how is that pumpkin-faced actor doing now, huh? She wondered.

This old man, it wasn't all because he has a handsome face but his face somewhat emitted a very positive glow that it also made Annabelle happy. More than his face, she liked the peaceful aura that he emitted. Maybe it was her lucky day to meet such a beautiful person.

"Which floor do you want to go to, my lady?"

Such a beautiful address made Anna blush. It was definitely directed to her because there was no one inside the elevator except her and the middle-aged stranger.

Anna said politely, "The 2nd floor, Sir. Thank you."

That man pressed the '2' button for her and then pressed '5'. Maybe he wanted to go to the 5th floor. But as far as Anna knows, the 5th floor was a private floor reserved for the owner of this building.

Anna didn't dwell on that much because today was an important day for her. Soon her floor came. She bowed a little to that man before getting out of the elevator. For no reason, she turned back for a moment to see the elevator door being shut and witnessed that handsome middle-aged man's amicable smile again.

*** *** *** ***

"It's amazing! Miss Annabelle, just as I thought you are a gem indeed. What I did was just read a few pages and it already made me think that this is amazing."

The publisher's flattery made Anna a little awkward. She doesn't like compliments that much. Because it always makes her feel awkward. It wasn't like this before though. There was a time when she liked these. Beautiful comments, beautiful compliments- all of these were the everyday part of her life. But now she is like a new person, who is not that optimistic and easily feels awkward.

"It's just so-so Mr. Kavin. You had better check this thoroughly with the editorial team whether it has any flaws."

This made Mr. Kavin gape. He thought maybe he said something that made this child awkward. So he assured her with a gentle smile.

"Oh, dear! I am now doing this job for so many years that I can tell by a glance which writing can steal readers' hearts. That is why this job is given to me, child. I will make arrangements for a quick check for any typing mistakes but I don't want to cut any part from this."

"But you didn't read it thoroughly..."

"Don't worry, keep faith in me. I will do the rest, my child."

Though Mr. Kavin told her it was okay, she still requested to go through the whole copy slowly. There were many emotions playing inside her mind like roller coasters.

There was fear, tension, happiness, excitement - all the emotions muddled with each other that she was scared to move forward. But she was still going on and that was the fact.

It was really a good day for Anna. She only met this old man two or three times but this man was very polite and at the same time professional with her. Suddenly all the old men of this world became good in her eyes. Old men are surely so friendly! Even they are friendly to an unsocial woman like her.

Thinking about old men, she remembered about her father. She didn't get to see her mom and Dad for almost two years. It wasn't like she couldn't. She just didn't. What will she say if they asked how she was doing?

She doesn't know herself how she is doing.

Yes, she is carefree.

Yes, she is happy.

But is she really a carefree and happy person? She could never go outside and walk freely among the crowd. She is always hesitant about a new decision in her life. She is not happy but living a loner life makes her feel like she doesn't need to care about other people's opinions.

Now somehow it looks like her past self was much better than her present self now. At least, she could shine, she could be free when she was performing in front of thousands of people. She was happy when she was praised for her excellent performances.

People say ignorance is bliss. If Anna thinks her present life is much better than that of her past, she can be happy. But when her realization comes, this fantasy will crackdown. Yeah, it's not as if it never cracked. She knew all along how pathetically she was living.

But she still wants to carry on. One day, she believes she can confront her parents like before without any hesitation. Maybe then she could also tell others that she is happy, happier than anyone.

She looked up at the blue sky above her head.

"I am not gonna give up. I wanna reach higher than you. you sky fella!"





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Chapter end