Chapitre 398: Chapter 399: Unease
[Chapter 399: Restlessness]
Kathryn paused for a moment before reluctantly admitting, "I guess, that's the case."
Feeling the awkwardness of the topic, after finishing her breakfast, Kathryn planned to leave early. This time, Eric called out to her, picking up a nondescript bag he had set by his feet. He handed it to Kathryn, saying, "This is for you. I noticed you've been out and about with your neck bare. It looked cold just watching you."
Kathryn opened the bag and pulled out a white cashmere scarf. She hesitated a moment before pushing the packaging back towards him. "Thank you, but I'm not really fond of white. I'd rather--"
"Then just leave it here. I'll have someone throw it away later."
"You..." Kathryn shot Eric a helpless glare and picked up the bag. "Alright, I'll take it."
...
Once back in her room, Kathryn walked to the bathroom and put on the scarf, looking at herself in the mirror.
She had to admit, black was the most versatile color. The black trench coat paired with the white scarf softened her appearance. But this softness was something she had always tried to avoid. As a female director, she felt it was crucial to downplay gender differences to survive in Hollywood, and she had been working hard to do just that.
But, it wasn't work time now, so she might as well wear it.
She quickly found a reason that felt reasonable.
As she walked through the hotel lobby, she felt an inexplicable urge to stop and headed back to the restaurant.
...
Eric looked up from the newspaper and complimented her, "You look beautiful."
"Thank you," she said, sitting down across from him.
Eric then inquired, "What's going on?"
"There's a charity art exhibition at Columbia University this morning. Do you want to check it out?" Kathryn quickly added as she met Eric's gaze, "Since you're such a big money sponsor, this exhibition is raising funds for a charity that supports disabled and abandoned children. Maybe you can donate a bit more."
"Oh, really? Let me make a few calls to clear my schedule for today."
Kathryn immediately interjected, "If you're too busy, then forget it."
Ignoring her, Eric grabbed the mobile phone and made a few calls right in front of Kathryn. He looked up at her and said, "So, when do we leave?"
"Now. The exhibition starts at nine," Kathryn replied, and when she saw Eric decisively stand up, she felt a flicker of unease -- not the kind that came from danger, but an inexplicable discomfort, as if some defense mechanism within her was cracking.
...
They walked out of the hotel side by side. Just as Kathryn was about to hail a cab, a black Chrysler pulled up in front of them.
Eric kindly opened the car door for her, and Kathryn hesitated for a moment before climbing in.
"Columbia University, right?" Eric asked as he took his seat beside her.
"Uh... yeah," Kathryn nodded, sitting upright as was her habit, resting her hands on her knees.
As Eric instructed the driver, he couldn't help but laugh, glancing at Kathryn, "Can you relax a bit? You're making me feel kind of strange."
"My feeling is the strange one," Kathryn blurted out reflexively.
They both chuckled at that.
The Chrysler drove along Broadway, heading up to Columbia University.
...
They got out of the car together, and Eric instructed the bodyguard, not allowing them to accompany them. He walked into the campus with Kathryn, who was excited to give him a tour, as it was his first time there.
The over two-hundred-year-old university radiated a deep historical charm. Eric wasn't particularly fond of buildings that were too classical, opting for modern decor in his own home, yet as he strolled through the ancient campus of Columbia, he felt no distaste. Perhaps that was the allure of culture.
After wandering around for over ten minutes, Kathryn finally led him to the library where the charity art exhibition was held.
"This exhibition mainly features classical European oil paintings. There aren't too many original pieces from masters -- just some copies by various artists. Of course, the quality is very high. If you're interested, you could buy a piece or two to take home," Kathryn explained, handing him the tickets as they entered.
...
The moment they walked into the library's grand hall, Eric noticed a thirty-something, bespectacled white woman approaching them.
"Hi, Kathryn! You're here!" The woman greeted, enthusiastically embracing Kathryn. However, with her height less than five foot seven, she appeared diminutive next to tall Kathryn, giving off a peculiar sense of mismatch, as if an adult were hugging a child. Eric couldn't help but chuckle.
After letting go of Kathryn, the petite woman glanced at the white scarf around Kathryn's neck, a strange look crossing her face, but she quickly turned her attention to Eric standing beside Kathryn. "Wow, Kathryn, no wonder you didn't want to stay with me. Who is this? Hmm, you look familiar. Have I seen you somewhere?"
Eric smiled as he reached out his hand, "Hello, I'm Eric Williams."
"Eric Williams," the woman repeated, letting out a small gasp as her eyes widened in recognition while surveying Eric. "You're the director of Sleepless in Seattle, aren't you?"
It seemed pretty clear what this woman was into. Eric thought to himself how often people mentioned his work when they first met him, usually highlighting their favorite projects.
"Yes," Eric nodded.
The woman exclaimed excitedly, "Hi, Eric! Can I call you that? Oh, I'm Becky Murphy. Becky, just like the sharp-tongued editor in your movie!"
"Hello, Ms. Murphy," Eric said, feeling the woman's enthusiasm might be a bit overboard. He glanced at Kathryn, noting how different their personalities were -- it was hard to imagine how they became friends.
"Just call me Becky, okay? Oh, can I get your autograph?"
"Of course," Eric nodded. While Becky went off to find paper and a pen, he shot Kathryn a desperate look for help.
After Eric signed his name in the little booklet Becky handed him, Kathryn finally spoke up, "Alright, Becky, don't you have other things to do? We're here for the art exhibition."
"Of course," Becky said, "You two have fun. Professor Clark will be arriving soon, and I need to be at the entrance to greet him."
With that, she said goodbye to Eric before turning to leave.
Since it was still early, the library transformed into an exhibition hall didn't have too many guests yet. Eric and Kathryn wandered together through the spacious hall filled with oil paintings.
*****
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