Chapter 6: Embarrassed

Jun who was expecting to see a pouting or teary-eyed Lisa was surprised to see her eyes practically sparkling.

"What else do you have to say?" Lisa asked eager to know more about what Jun thought of her work. Karla who was watching how things were progressing, could no longer advise that they change location since Lisa was already this excited. If they move the excitement might disappear and she'll go back to being evasive and shy.

"I already said what I thought about your work. I don't think there's anything more to say... So is that the new novel you'll be posting on the site?" Jun who was feeling things were going way out of his expectations tried to change the subject. Yet the same time he did so, Lisa's eyes which were practically sparkling moments ago started to dim a bit

"I see..." Lisa once again returned to looking a little disappointed. She didn't hear Jun's question and only heard the part where he said there was nothing more to say. So right now she was contemplating on how to better her work. Of course, Jun had another misunderstanding and though that Lisa was disappointed with him. He didn't know what disappointed her, but it was surely something he did.

Jun was about to say something but before he could do anything, Lisa suddenly stood up from the chair.

"Sorry, I need to go." Lisa was about to leave, but Jun blocked her path.

"Why? If it's something I said, I'm sorry." Hearing what Jun said made Lisa show a confused look.

"No, you didn't do anything, I just need to go and do some more research for my novel." Lisa was about to evade Jun and head back to her apartment but this time Karla was the one who blocked her path.

"Wait, Lisa, aren't you forgetting something? Jun is your new editor, don't you think you should exchange email addresses, and phone numbers."

"Karla please do that for me." Once Lisa said this, she didn't bother with the two anymore and left the area.

...

Looking at Lisa's fading silhouette Karla could only wryly smile. 'That girl...' Karla then looked at the dazed Jun and spoke. "Here I'll pass you Lisa's email add, and her phone number. Be sure to tell here it's you contacting her."

"Oh, thank you... Karla is she always like that?"

"Well, usually she would be as meek and shy like she was at the beginning of our conversation, but when the topic changes to her writing or anything related to her work, that happens. She might have a lot of hidden problems, but when it comes to writing she'll brave through anything. That's how much she loves it."

"I see... Do you know why she loves writing so much?" Jun asked as he sat down.

"She did tell me why... But, I think it's better if you hear the answer to that question from her." Karla showed a knowing smile.

...

Back in Lisa's apartment after reading through her work again, she still couldn't understand what was wrong with the conversations. There were no errors in her grammar, the sentences seem to fit with the topic, then what was missing? What made this conversation robotic?

After thinking for an hour she still couldn't get an answer. So she decided to rest for a bit while watching some romantic movies. Maybe she might be able to get some clues there. As she was watching the movie and was finally gradually calming down, Lisa started to blush.

She blushed so hard that even her ears were red.

"What have I done!" Lisa suddenly shouted which surprised her cat, Mia. Lisa then squeezed a nearby pillow, as she started remembering the entire conversation with Jun.

'He must think I'm such a weirdo and a rude person!' Lisa was now squirming in embarrassment. She finally understood why Jun acted and talked that way.

As Lisa continued to toss and turn in embarrassment she received a message from an unknown number.

"Hi Ms. Lisa, this is Tang Jun. Sorry again about a while ago." After reading the message, Lisa felt even more embarrassed by her actions.

'I'm the one who should be sorry!' As she was about to berate herself, Lisa received another message from Jun.

"I really do hope we can work well together." Reading that message made Lisa who was tossing and turning in embarrassment turn silent.

...

After talking with Karla for a bit, Jun headed home. As he was walking on the sidewalk he sent Lisa a message. The first message was to tell her who he was and also to say sorry again. The next message Jun actually wanted to send, "I really do hope we can become friends." But decided not to send that message, based on the little he understood of Lisa after their first interaction.

Instead, he decided to play it safe and sent her the message, "I really do hope we can work well together." After he sent the message he waited for a reply but none came. He then chuckled at himself, 'what was I thinking, of course, she wouldn't reply to this sort of message.'

As he thought about that and continued walking home, a few moments later he received a message from Lisa.

"Please take care of me." When Jun received this message he stood there in the middle of the sidewalk in silence reading the words again and again. After a short while, he started to smile and sent a reply.

"Sure."