He read through the brief history of the village on his first night. It was founded, serval thousands of years ago, by seven grand mages and scholars. The purpose was to create a place where anyone can safely study, practice, and perfect the use of mana without the insanity of political, racial, and hereditary baggage. For a century, everything went well and they managed to establish a grand academic city that was known throughout the world.

It didn't last after. A nation from the north decided to invade the futile central and southern areas of the continent and the world around them descended into war and chaos. They had no choice but to create weapons and artifacts to defend themselves; their greatest invention was something like an atomic bomb. When that weapon was used, it managed to destroy a fully armed army of at least 100,000 units. 

Through that event, the academy garnered the awe and eventually fear of many of the warring nations. The founders thought that they scared them away and they can finally research in peace. It didn't last long though, the warring nations out of necessity and fear of a weapon that can easily turn the tides of war, joined together to annihilate the academy. 

With all the powerhouses of the rest of the world taking part, the founders knew that they didn't stand a chance; but they also don't want everything they've worked on to vanish. Thus, using their power, knowledge, and the lifeforce of everyone that wanted to stay they converted the entire academy into a legendary artifact, divided into 7 parts and scattered itself all around the world.

The book chained to the library was one of its fragments. Reading onward, it mentioned that the current fragment was the residential, commercial, entertainment, and presentation area of the academy. Sadly, it seems that many of the facilities, stores, and magical devices were non-functional.

Skimming through the rest of the pamphlet, he had a feeling that it wasn't a bad idea to explore inside the book.

Xylos actualized the device, pulled the bed covers over his body, closed his eye and press the red button. Five seconds later, the device faded back into his hand and he blacked out.

When he regained consciousness he found himself standing fully dressed at the Presentation area.

The arch flickered and two figured appeared from it.

"I knew you would come back." The Chief said as he strolled in wearing his iconic overall with pockets everywhere. He was casually followed by another figure where a formal suit that made him look like a butler.

"It is you!" Xylos shouted, "You are the one that gave me that map. Was the female also from the book as well?"

"Yes, she is no longer with us as you would expect. She arrived in this artifact a few months before me. This place can multiply the amount of time you can remain in the world. I'm Marc by the way."

"Time moves at 4 times the speed here. But it doesn't affect the rate at which your body degrades" Cheif added, "We've been waiting for you. Come lets head to the central plaza, I can show you around and answer any questions you might have."

"Alright," Xylos said as he walked toward the arc; when he was about two steps away, the mark on his right hand lit up and the arc glowed with the same color, soon after he can see a large fountain with the statue of an open book with a large yellow globe floating above the book.

"Now that you have a key, you can enter the main area anytime." The Cheif said.

Xylos walked through the arch and as he expected he appeared at the central plaza. Looking around there were 7 paths from plaza; from left to right they were "Kaftans crook", "Rylin's road", "Sortez Street", "Drizen's way", "Academy Road", "Charlott Bulevard", and "Mylor Avenue"

Strangely though the area was devoid of people. When the other two arrive, Xylos asked, "Where is everyone else?"

The Chief hesitated before saying, "They are in stasis."

"Why?" Xylos followed.

Marc looked at the Chief, the Chief then looked back, paused and then nodded, "Because we are trying to conserve magic power. There is a limit to how many people this place can handle. At the moment, we are losing power. We have about 1 year left before everyone in here will be forced to go into stasis until the book is infused with magic power again."

"How long have you been active?" Xylos asked.

"I've been awake for about 2 years. I have a feeling that I've spent much more than that but my memory is fuzzy." The Chief admitted, "But this isn't the time for speculation. We need your help."

Xylos expected something like that, the fact that being in this place can extend his life by 4 times was already a great benefit "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to bring the book out of the facility, locate a mana vortex to recharge the book, and collect the other fragments. In return, you can use any facility in the book and the residents in this book will take on your requests."

"Ok" Xylos agreed. There was no doubt it was a good offer, but how he would go about doing it is another matter. "I'll see what I can do."

Marc then handed Xylos another scroll; on it was a detailed map of the whole area. Xylos looked at Marc with a confused expression, he expected that they would give him a tour or teach him something useful about the area.

Marc looked back and said, "We will go into stasis, this way we could increase the time flow by 12 times for you."

"There is very little that we can do to help you." The Chief added, "You've received the legacies following them will open a path toward your goal. All the best."

Both Marc and the Chief smile before their figures faded into the air, leaving Xylos alone in a spawling bu empty city.

"I'm all alone again. And here, I thought that someone or something would help me master magic and solve the problem of my limited life span. The only good news is that I'll have 12 months instead of one month as long as I stay here. The idea that I'll lose 12 minutes every time I spend one minute in the real world is annoying. I have to succeed otherwise there will be nothing for me. Where do I start?" Xylos pondered out loud to push back the grim silence of his surroundings.

"The first thing I need to do is increase my core capacity, I can do so by entering the book physically in the day and practicing creating more complicated and intensive Programs. I'll have to make sure that my "true self" doesn't vanish while doing so in the book."  

"I will use the time when I'm asleep or in bed to scour every corner of this city for knowledge that would be able to accelerate my growth or solve my problem."

"As for the facility members, I'll simply tell them about the book; about how it is a fragment of a legendary artifact and by some stroke of luck I was able to gain access to it. I will offer to cooperate with them to unearth the book's secrets and share the results of my exploration. That way I'll have something that they'll look forward to and deter them from getting rid of me right away. If things go well, they might even help me extend my life."

"Let's get started." Xylos opened up the map and head to the most interesting area. 

As Xylos walked onward, a shadow jumped out of the fountain globe and landed gracefully on the ground. If he looked back, he would see a pitch-black cat with small universes moving along its sleek figure. Two red eyes which were like a supernova in stasis looked at Xylos before following silently behind him.

Xylos was copied from another universe into another with all his memories intact into the body of an "Artificial Human" at an experimental facility. It was a world of magic with a familiar system, but alas, as a failed product with an incomplete core, he only has a month to live. How will he survive?

"Alright this will be a 3 on 3 battle between the Challenger Alex and the GYM Leader Flint! The GYM Leader will select his Pokemon first, Begin!"

Flint then sends out his first Pokemon,

"Go, Rhydon!"

Alright I'll start out with Nidoran......but first.....

As if reading my mind, Pikachu hands my hat back to me,

'Observe'

[Red's Hat

Legendary Cap that belong to the Pokemon Trainer RED, given to player as a starter gift as player started journey in Kanto and deemed his counterpart in this world.

Effect - Aura Pressure

When cap is put on in battle, it causes the wearer's eyes to glow while adding an invisible pressure on the opponent. Can only be used by one possessing the Champion's Aura.]

Ehh!?

I didn't know it did that! But, that makes it even more iconic, hehe....

Champions Aura? Do I have that?

[System won't elaborate further]

Maybe it has to upgrade again and wont tell me....well lets get on with it then.

I reach onto my belt and pull out my Pokeball, "Go Nidoran!"

Nidoran explodes from her Pokeball as I slowly and dramatically put on my hat.

I adjust the hat and begin to put all my focus in the battle, defusing my original inner monologue.

-------
Flint POV

I don't have much expectation from this battle.....

Most trainers nowadays aren't as good as they used to be. Most of the more notable ones come from Pallet so I was excited when I heard he was from there.

A while back I had a great match with Oak's granddaughter, Daisy. She put up a great fight with her Bulbasaur against my Onix, it was able to quickly dispatch him. 

And that other boy, Darius.....He was really good. He was able to defeat almost my entire team with just his Squirtle. Unfortunately he was trying to impress that girl but It didn't work out...

He told me the next one coming wasn't that strong and just used a Pikachu and Charmander. I looked over to girl and she just said, "You'll see."

I haven't been impressed so far, I tried to probe him with the handshake.....but felt nothing..

Kids these days aren't what they used to be.

"Go, Rhydon!"

The boy seems to hesitate a bit after his Pikachu takes the cap off his head and hands it to the kid. I see him put the cap on as the shade covers his eyes. He slowly moves the cap off revealing his glowing red eyes, then it hits.

Cold sweat runs down my back as my blood begins to boil. Hehe! I couldn't resist letting out a laugh, this boy really didn't let me down. Not even Oak had this kinda pressure when he challenged my father all those years ago!

This will be a battle to remember!

--------
MC POV

.....hehe that was so satisfying.

Haha lets start! I want a real challenge as knowing everything is bland, so I decide not to observe my opponent. 

"Lets do this Nidoran!"

"NIDO!"

"Haha! This will be a good match! Start off with a Double Kick!"

Nidoran quickly races towards Rhydon and launches a double kick attack!

"Rock Blast!"

Flint swiftly commands Rhydon to stop Nidoran's momentum with a rock blast attack! A large boulder is launched at Nidoran as she decides to carry on the attack smashing the rock blast to bits with double kick! The rock blast prevents Nidoran from reaching Rhydon and Flint quickly takes advantage,

"Quick! Rhydon use smack down!"

Rhydon quickly closes in on the small space separating them and smashes Nidoran into the ground,

"Toxic!"

Nidoran unleashes a Toxic attack after being pummeled to the ground inflicting Rhydon with a status effect!

Flint clicks his tongue as he follows up with, "Use, Horn Attack!"

"Supersonic!"

Rhydon staggers as it's attack missed the downed Nidoran from the sudden confusion!

"Double Kick!" Nidoran quickly launches off her feet before turning and inflicting a devastating Double Kick sending Rhydon blasting off!

Nice! Good thing I switched her ability!

Reborn as the older brother of Ash Ketchum, watch as he takes the World of Pokémon by storm! Follow Alex as he challenges the Pokémon League, takes down evil organizations around the world, encounters legendaries and saves the World of Pokémon!—Cover by Toni Infante

Of all novels I've ever read, both electronic and paperback, this novel is sure the most unusual. I mean, who publishes a book without her name being indicated, no dedication, ten worded synopsis, unusual and unrelated chapter names? It was really strange but I couldn't put the book down, so I ignored all the warning alarms blaring in my head, went over to a study desk and opened the next page of the mysterious book –The mystery.

CHAPTER ONE: SHAWN THEODORE BRADFORD

Name: Shawn Theodore Bradford.

Age: 19.

About: Sweet trusting guy, loves everyone but himself, in a relationship with JENNIFER CONNERS.

Strength: He has a way with words.

Weakness: Jennifer Conners.

Abilities: Hypermotility, Bookworm, Bargain master.

Story of how he got in:

Jennifer Conners had visited her boyfriend for the weekend, he was in college while she was in her senior year in Eastwood high, they started dating two weeks after she started attending the school, their love was an iconic one that made history in Eastwood high, they were currently in an airport, cuddling and finding it hard to let go of one another.

"Bye Shawny, I'll miss you a lot," Jennifer Conners whispered into Shawn Bradford's chest, he sighed heavily, they would probably not be  seeing for probably more than a month, it broke his heart.

"I'll miss you more, can't you just ditch school for a few more days?" He knew it wasn't possible but he was still hopeful, Jennifer Conners smiled wistfully and  he groaned out loud with disappointment. At that moment, the last call for Jennifer Conners flight rang out, she had to go.

" I'm sorry dear, I have to go and please don't forget to read my book, it means a lot to me," She said before disentangling from his embrace. She'd gotten the manuscript of her first work published and he'd agreed to review it and get back to her.

"Sure will, don't forget to call as soon as you get there," He called after her and she turned to face him with a beautiful smile.

"Will do," She shouted and blew him a kiss before disappearing into the departure gate.

Sigh.

His trip back to his dorm room was with a heavy heart, after mopping around in self pity for a few hours, he finally picked up Jennifer Conners' book to read in an attempt to shake off the gloominess.

He raised a brow at the title of the book, "The mystery?, sounds kind of weird," He muttered to himself , that wasn't only the only thing he noticed was wrong with the book, there was the lack of author's signature on the cover, no publisher was indicated and the synopsis was absent as well, he sighed and opened the book, dedication and preface was missing as well, with a grunt of irritation, he opened the first page of the novel but alas, apart from the chapter header being 'SHAWN THEODORE BRADFORD', the page was blank, thinking it was a prank from his beloved, he sighed and made to close the book with a tinge of disappointment but was very astonished when words started to write it's own accord in the pages of the book and a violin song that resembled a lullaby playing loudly in his head.

"Jesus Christ, what in…." He wasn't able to finish what he was saying because a blinding light from the book knocked him out of consciousness. 

 He was laying in front of the golden mansion when he regained consciousness with a rusted golden key a few feet away from him. He stood up with bafflement and dusted the dirt off his clothes, then a clear voice out of nowhere called out to him.

"Welcome to the golden mansion Shawn Theodore Bradford," The voice was loud and clear but there was no one in sight, it made him very very scared.

"You're to find and fit in the key to the mansion in thirty seconds, you're allowed to try three different times, your reward is a thousand cold bars and if you fail you get stuck here for life. Good luck your time starts right away!" Shawn Theodore Bradford picked up the key in fear and dashed towards the golden mansion, he was jittery so thirty seconds went by swiftly without his success, consequently, a human eating beast came out of nowhere and swallowed him whole.

Duration in the game: three hundred and sixty four years and two months. 

I didn't understand a word of what I'd just read, the author of the book had a boring, twisted and unusual plot, but somehow I couldn't stop myself from flipping over to the next chapter.

CHAPTER TWO: THERESA AURORA MAXWELL

Name: Theresa Aurora Maxwell

Occupation: Volunteer/student

Age:17

About: Tough and bitchy on the outside but weak and vulnerable on the inside, would do anything to prove her worth to her family, in a relationship with Mark Octavo Stoner.

Somehow, I had a creepy feeling the story was describing Tess only that she isn't as weak as the Theresa in this book.

Strength: Compassionate and bully.

How does that even work together.

Weakness: Family and people in distress.

OK that's definitely not her, Tess doesn't care about anyone but herself.

 

All is not what it seems," I whispered with my fingers crossed and everything changed, literally everything....

Have you ever wondered if there is a world of imaginations and imaginary friends and characters?, well here's a spoiler; there is and it's up to Joanna Coopers to get sucked into it so she can rescue her friends/enemies and by rescue, it means living through and maybe changing details of a number of novels to unravel a very unusual mystery.
But that might seem farfetched as Joanna is a timid,shy,highschool loner that barely talks and does nothing but read books, is that going to be a blessing or a curse?, would she be able to handle the seat of leadership being dumped on her by fate?, would her long time crush finally notice the beauty and strength she has under the nerdy facade?
Find out in this adventurous story of abnormalities where nothing is what it seems.
Notice: A few books highlighted in this work has nothing to do with me, they're solely works of authors I love and adore, a link to their work(s) would be indicated in the author's note. However, the general concept is my intellectual property and I wouldn't tolerate plagiarism, if you notice anyone copying my story without reference to it, kindly DM me.
✌illusionistic

MAAGANG dumating si Sia sa branch ng bookstore kung saan nakatakdang maganap ang kanyang first ever solo book signing. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na magpapakita siya sa mga readers. Sa loob ng halos limang taong pagsusulat, ngayon lang siya makiki-mingle sa madla. Sociable naman si Sia sa mga readers sa social media, pero hindi sa personal. Hindi kasi siya mahilig lumabas ng lungga dahil kina-career niya ang pagiging full-time writer ng Black & Gold Publishing.
Matapos ang mahabang panahon ng pagtatago sa lungga, napilitan na si Sia na magpakita sa mga readers. Nahahabag na siya sa admin ng SNS accounts ng BGP, kulang na lang sumabog iyon sa dami ng notifications mula sa mga readers na nagre-request ng isang book signing event.
Sinalubong kaagad si Sia ng staff pagdating niya sa bookstore. Iginiya siya nito sa bahaging inilaan talaga para sa kanya. Malawak ang kabuuan ng lugar kaya hindi siya makakaabala sa mga mamimili kung sakali.
"Ma'am, magsisimula na po ba ang book signing ni Miss Cresia?" tanong ng staff na si Jessie sa kasama niya.
"Hindi pa naman, one pm pa ang simula ng book signing niya," tugon dito ni Caroline, ito ang nag-aasikaso ng mga book signing at iba pang mga events ng BGP.
Napabuga ng hangin ang staff at nagkukumahog na kinuha ang mga librong isinulat niya para ihilera sa display window ng bookstore.
"Pasensiya na, ha… kaka-time in ko pa lang kasi. Akala ko naman naayos noong pang-morning shift," hingi nito ng paumanhin.
"Pasensiya na ri kung medyo napaaga kami," ani Sia.
Nilingon siya ng staff na binigyan lang niya ng nag-aalangang ngiti.
"Parang pamilyar ka sa akin, Miss Cresia." Nilapitan siya ni Jessie nang matapos ito sa ginagawa. Titig na titig ito sa kanya.
Malamang nga na maging pamilyar si Sia sa staff dahil doon siya madalas bumibili ng libro sa branch na iyon, tumatambay pa nga siya roon kung minsan at kapag ganoon tinutulungan niya itong mag-ayos ng mga libro sa shelf kapag may delivery. Hindi siya nagpapakilala kay Jessie na siya ang writer na si Cresia. Nagpakilala siya rito bilang si Sia, isang book lover.
Sa tuwing maliligaw siya roon mukha siyang ewan, may suot na eyeglasses na ubod ng laki ang lenses at nakataas ang buhok sa isang magulong pusod. Kaya siguro hindi siya nakilala nito ngayon sa ayos niya dahil nagmukhang tao na siya na nalalaman kung ano ang sibilisasyon.
Kinusot ni Sia ang ilong at hinawi ang bangs niyang kahapon lang umeksena para itago ang malapad niyang noo.
"Masyado kasing ordinaryo `tong pagmumukha ko, kaya siguro ang dami kong kamukha. Nakakatakot naman `yon…" biro niya.
"Naalala ko tuloy iyong novel mong A Doppleganger's Love." Malapad ang naging ngiti ni Jessie.
"Nagbabasa ka pala ng mga gawa ko?"
Nire-require ng publisher nila na magbasa ang mga staff kapag may libreng oras nang sa ganoon ay maayos na mai-endorse sa mga customer ang mga libro.
"Yes, Miss Cresia, reader mo ako! Sayang nga lang hindi ko nadala ang mga kopya ko ng libro mo dahil hiniram ng kapatid ko at dinala sa dorm niya..."
"Kumuha ka na lang ng mga bagong kopya at pipirmahan ko. Ako na lang ang magbabayad," nakangiting sabi ni Sia.
"Aba! Nakakahiya naman," tugon ni Jessie.
"Okay lang `yon, basta ba sa susunod na tinulungan kitang mag-ayos dito ililibre mo ako ng milk shake." She winked at her.
Noon niya nakitaan ng rekognisyon ang mukha nito. "Lucresia?"
"Ako nga…"
Narinig niyang tumawa si Caroline.
Mabilis ang naging paglipas ng mga minuto, hindi nagtagal nagsimula na ang book signing event.
Malapad ang ngiti ni Sia habang nakaupo sa likod ng mesa at pumipirma. Bawat first page ay sinusulatan niya ng pasasalamat, kung minsan ay personal na message lalo na kung ka-closena niya ang nagpapapirma dahil madalas na ka-chat o kapalitan ng comment sa SNS.
"Miss Cresia, kung hindi mo mamasamain saan ka po nakatira?" tanong ng teenager niyang reader na nakilala niyang si Eunice ayon sa nakasulat sa name tag nito.
"Sa tabi-tabi lang," tatawa-tawang sagot niya habang pumipirma. "Biro lang, sa Sitio La Playa ako nakatira. Alam mo ba kung saan iyon?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Eunice. "Nah! Doon din po ako nakatira! Saan pong banda ang bahay n'yo?"
"Malapit sa boundary, secret lang natin ang tungkol doon, ha." Isinara ni Sia ang libro at nakangiting iniabot iyon sa dalaga. "Maraming salamat sa pagpunta."
Tuwang-tuwa ito nang damputin ang librong pinirmahan niya. Nag-request pa si Eunice na magpa-picture sila na pinaunlakan naman niya.
Nagpatuloy ang book signing. Nakipagkuwentuhan siya sa mga readers at nagpakuha sila ng pictures. Sa sobrang enjoyment, hindi na nila namalayan ang paglakad ng sandali. Gabi na nang tuluyang maubos ang mga readers na nagpapapirma kay Sia.
Nag-inat siya nang makalabas ng bookstore ang huling batch ng readers.
"Nakakapagod, ano?" tanong Caroline nang ibaba nito ang isang supot na may logo ng paborito niyang fast-food restaurant. "Kumain ka muna. Nalipasan ka na ng gutom."
"Kayo ba?" alok niya sa mga ito, isa-isa niyang inilabas ang laman ng supot. "Sabayan n'yo ako."
"Sige lang, kanina habang busy ka nagnakaw na kami ng sandali para kumain. Wala, ginutom talaga kami."
Sia leaned back against her seat.
"Ganito pala ang feeling kapag pumipirma sa sariling libro… Nakakapagod, nakakangawit, pero ang saya ng pakiramdam na nakakapagbigay ka rin ng saya sa ibang tao. Dati ang akala ko sapat na `yong nakakapagsulat ako ng mga kuwento na nakakapagbigay ng kasiyahan sa readers ko. Iyon pala hindi mo lang sila basta readers, puwede mo rin pala silang maging kaibigan o kapamilya..."
Nginitian siya ni Caroline. "Natutuwa ako na marinig ang mga salitang iyan mula sa `yo. Ibig sabihin ba niyan may kasunod ang book signing mong ito?"
"Baka naman puwedeng magpahinga muna at mag-ipon ng lakas?" nanunulis ang ngusong sabi niya.
"Siyempre naman…" Nag-thumbs up ito.
Isusubo na sana ni Sia ang hotdog sandwich nang mapukaw ang pansin niya ng lalaking nakatayo sa labas ng bookstore. Nakatitig ito sa mga librong naka-display—sa mga libro niya. The man was tall and lithe with chinky eyes. Clean cut ang gupit nito na nagbigay ng maaliwalas na awra. The shape of his lips and that arrogantly inclined nose compliments the man's handsome face. Kumibot lang ng kaunti ang mga labi nito ay lumabas na kaagad ang dimples sa magkabilang pisngi. Kung hindi nga lang ito gumagalaw aakalain niyang isa itong standee ng modelong tinubuan ng buhay at naglakad para makarating sa harap ng bookstore.  Hindi tuloy naiwasan ni Sia ang pagpantasyahan ang lalaki. Maaari itong maging visual ng hero sa isang nobela. 
Kaagad din namang naputol ang pantasyang iyon nang gumapang ang pamilyar na pakiramdam sa kanyang tiyan. Animo may nagliliparang mga paru-paro sa loob noon, idagdag pa ang mabilis na pagtibok na piso niyang daig pa ang tinatambol. Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sia, isang tao lang ang nakakapagparamdam sa kanya ng ganoon.
Mabilis siyang nagtago sa ilalim ng mesa nang makitang papasok ang lalaki.
"Hoy, Cresia!" tawag sa kanya ni Caroline. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo diyan?"
Kinurot niya ito sa binti na ikinaigik nito.
"`Wag kang maingay! Basta kapag hinanap ako niyang lalaki sabihin mo nilamon na ng lupa!"
Hindi man nakikita ni Sia ang hitsura nito nasisiguro niyang iniisip ni Caroline nawawala na siya sa katinuan.
Bahagya niyang itinaas ang table cloth para makita kahit ang mga paa man lang ng lalaki. Napasinghap na lang si Sia nang makita ang pares ng sneakers ilang pulgada lang ang layo sa mesa.
"Hi," anang baritonong tinig nang lalaki.
Naisubo na lang ni Sia ang natitirang hotdog sandwich para hindi kumawala ang kahit na anong ingay mula sa kanyang bibig.

PAPAUWI na sana si Ruen nang maisipan niyang dumaan sa mall dahil nakita niya sa Facebook page ng Black & Gold Publishing na may book signing event ang writer na si Cresia sa branch ng bookstore sa mall malapit sa kanila. Gabi na pero nagbakasakali pa rin siya dahil ang huling post noong mga bandang seven pm ay on-going pa rin ang book signing. Gusto niyang makilala sa personal ang manunulat. Bukod sa pagiging avid reader ng mga gothic at mystery novels nito, siya rin ang gumawa ng ilan sa mga book covers ni Cresia. Isang chef si Ruen, pero hobby niya ang mag-edit ng pictures bilang pantanggal stress na rin. Kaya naman noong makita niya ang post ni Cresia na naghahanap ito ng gagawa ng book covers para sa ginagawang series, kaagad siyang nagpresinta. Iyon ang una at huli nilang interaction. Madalas siyang nagkokomento sa mga post nito, ngunit walang tugon si Cresia kundi ang pag-like lang nito sa mga komento niya. Sa iba-iba, mawawalan na ng gana kung ganoon ang iniidolong manunulat. Sasabihin ay snob o di kaya naman ay pa-famous na. Pero iba si Ruen… May kung anong puwersa ang nagtutulak sa kanya para patuloy na bumili at magbasa ng mga akda ni Cresia. Reading her novels made him feel that they were connected despite being strangers.
Iilang tao na lang ang inabutan ni Ruen nang dumating siya: isang nakauniporme na madaling matutukoy na ang staff ng bookstore, dalawang lalaking nagliligpit ng mga tarpaulins, at isang babaeng nakaupo sa likod ng mesa na marahil ay si Cresia.
Sa totoo lang ni hindi niya alam kung ano ang hitsura ng paboritong manunulat. Hindi nagpapakita ng mukha si Cresia sa mga pictures na ina-upload nito sa SNS. Magpakita man ito ng mukha may takip na mask iyon. Kapag may nagtatanong kung bakit ayaw nitong ipakita ang mukha, ang palaging sinasabi ni Cresia ay pre-cautionary measure iyon. May stalker kaya ito o pinagtataguan?
"Hi," ni Ruen.
"Hello," ganting bati naman nito.
"Tapos na ba ang book signing?"
"Ah, naku… oo, tapos na kanina pa. Nag-overtime nga kami sa dami ng mga dumating para magpa-sign ng mga books nila," magalang nitong tugon.
"Baka naman puwede pang humabol, kahit isang book lang?" pakiusap niya. "You're Cresia, right?"
"Na—" Bigla itong napangiwi at mayamaya pa ay para itong maiiyak. "S-sige…"
 "Salamat," aniya sa kabila ng pagtataka sa naging reaksiyon ng dalaga.
Kumuha si Ruen ng new release novel ni Cresia at binayaran iyon sa counter bago binalikan ang dalaga para papirmahan iyon.
"Okay ka lang ba, Cresia? Bakit parang iiyak ka na?" tanong niya nang makabalik na sa harap ng mesa.
"O-okay lang ako… naiiyak talaga `ko kapag masyadong nao-overwhelm." Nanginginig ang kamay nitong pinirmahan ang first page. "A-ano nga ang pangalan mo?"
"Ruen Dale DelaCourte." Kumunot ang noo niya. "Hindi mo ba ako nakikilala?"
"Ah… ano kasi…" Napakislot ito. "Aray ko!"
"Okay ka lang?" nag-aalalang tanong niya.
Yumuko si Cresia, may kung anong ginalaw sa ilalim ng mesa. "O-okay lang ako. Kanina kasi may nahulog na pagkain sa ilalim ng mesa nilanggam na kaya nakagat ako."
Tumango-tango na lang siya. Nawi-weird-uhan si Ruen sa inaakto nito, pero siguro ay naturalesa na nito iyon. Kasabihan na na may 'saltik' sa utak ang mga writers.
Kaagad nitong ibinalik ang libro matapos pirmahan iyon.
"Cresia, hindi mo ba talaga ako nakikilala?" Medyo hindi matanggap ni Ruen na hindi man lang siya nakikilala ng dalaga.
Poker-faced lang ito.
"Avid reader mo ako. Ako ang gumawa ng book covers ng Blue Moon series mo kung nakalimutan mo na." Binigyan niya ng emphasis ang huling apat salita.
"Oh… it's you! Ha-ha-ha! I'm sorry, pagod na ang utak ko." Alanganing nginitian siya ng dalaga. "Thank you so much for your hardwork!"
"May pangako ka sa `kin na kapag nagpapirma ako sa iyo ng libro bibigyan mo ako ng bonus na kiss dahil iginawa kita ng book covers." Pinanlakihan ito ng mga mata. "Pero okay lang, hindi pa kita sisingilin ngayon."
Nakangiting dinampot ni Ruen ang libro at naglakad na palabas ng bookstore. Hindi pa man siya ganap na nakakalabas nahagip na ng mga tainga niya ang pagpalatak ni Cresia at ng kung sino. Hindi na siya nag-abala pang lumingon.

"KAILANGAN mo ba talagang panggigilan ang binti ko?" reklamo ni Caroline nang lumabas siya mula sa ilalim ng mesa.
Pinunasan ni Sia ng tissue paper ang mga labi niyang nakulapulan ng ketsup at mayonaise dahil sa walang habas na paglantak niya ng hotdog sandwich sa ilalim ng mesa.
"Patawarin mo ako at mahigpit lang ang pangangailangan ko," aniya.
"Reader mo pala ang lalaking `yon, bakit mo pinagtaguan?" nakahalukipkip na tanong ni Caroline. "May promise ka pa raw kiss sa kanya. Hirap naman sa `yo papangakuan mo ng gano'n hindi mo naman pala kayang ibigay!"
"Siyempre joke lang naman `yong sa akin, malay kong seseryosohin ng mokong na `yon." Nag-ayos na siya.
Oo, totoong ipinaggawa siya ng book covers ni Ruen. Pinipilit niya itong bayaran pero ayaw naman nitong pumayag. Hindi siya sanay na may utang na loob sa binata simula pa noon kaya hindi siya mapakali na wala siyang maibabalik dito. Kaya dala ng pagiging lukaret ni Sia, nasabi niya noon sa binata na kiss na lang ang magiging kapalit ng mga book covers na iyon. She was not flirting back then. Hindi niya naman akalain na seseryosohin nga iyon ni Ruen.
Matagal nang alam ni Sia na reader niya si Ruen. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw niyang makilala nito kung sino ang tunay na tao sa likod ng pen name na 'Cresia', sa ganoon lang niya nararamdaman na may halaga siya sa binata…
High school pa lang si Sia noong magkagusto siya kay Ruen. Marami ang nagsasabing puppy love lang daw iyon at hindi magtatagal ay mawawala na rin, pero hindi nagkaganoon. Her feelings grew deeper. Minahal niya si Ruen sa isang hindi maipaliwanag na dahilan. Napakahirap bigyan ng paliwanag. Idagdag pa na napakakomplikado ng kanilang kuwento, kung isusulat iyon ni Sia baka abutin siya ng forever hindi pa rin niya nabibigayan ng ending. Walang katapusan ang pagmamahal niya para sa binata, hindi iyon mauubos…
"Uuwi na ako, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Bye-bye!" paalam ni Sia sa mga kasama at hindi lumilingong lumabas.
Hindi niya naiwasang mapabuga ng hangin nang tuluyang makalabas ng bookstore.
Dumaan muna si Sia sa restroom para ilabas ang kanina pang kinikimkim ng pantog niya. Ilang beses niyang d-in-eadma ang 'call of nature' kanina, at ngayon ay nagbabalik dala marahil ng tensiyon nang makita niya si Ruen.
Hindi naman sa mukhang arinola si Ruen… Ano lang kasi… Ay, ewan!
Ipinilig na lang niya ang ulo. Hindi na niya dapat pinagkakaisipan pa ang bagay na iyon dahil sasabog na ang kanyang pantog.
Mabuti na lang at may isa pang bakanteng cubicle kaya nailabas kaagad niya ang matagal na kinikimkim. Ilang sandali pa siyang nanatiling nakaupo sa toilet seat kahit na tapos na ang pag-ihi, ninanamnam ang maginhawang pakiramdam. Tahimik na tahimik sa loob na para bang siya lang ang tao kaya hindi naiwasan ni Sia ang magulat nang makarinig ng pag-flush sa katabing cubicle. Nagkukumahog tuloy siyang tumayo at nag-ayos ng sarili. Biglang umatake ang pagiging matatakutin niya lalo na nang maalalang minsan siyang nabiktima ng multo sa loob ng restroom ng unibersidad na pinasukan noong kolehiyo.
Pagbukas ni Sia ng pinto, eksaktong bumukas din ang mga pinto ng cubicle sa hilerang iyon at lumabas ang mga babaeng halos kasabay niyang naglakad palapit sa sink. Biglang binasag ng tilian ang katahimikan nang magtama ang kanilang mga mata sa salamin.
 "Mga Tets!" they said in unison.
"Sia!"
"Pau!"
"Genel!"
"Mela!"
"Abby!"
Naghalu-halo ang mga boses nila sa loob ng restroom, kagaya noon walang pakialam kahit pa pagtinginan sila ng mga taong noon ay kakapasok lang.
After high school graduation nagkahiwa-hiwalay sila noong magkolehiyo. They remained connected through SNS pero hindi na uli nakakita ng pagkakataon na magkasama-sama dahil ang bawat isa ay naging busy na rin sa kanya-kanyang career kalaunan. Hindi akalain ni Sia na ang pagdedesisyon niyang lumabas sa kuweba nang araw na iyon ang magiging daan din para muli niyang makita ang mga kaibigan. Hindi niya inaasahan na makikita si Ruen at ang mga ito. Napaka-nostalgic tuloy ng pakiramdam niya nang sandaling iyon.
"Ay, ang OA n'yo ni Mela, Sia!" ani Pau na may kasamang hampas sa braso niya. "Para namang milya ang layo ng mga bahay n'yo."
Magkalapit lang ang lugar nila ni Mela, pero dahil busy nga ito at siya naman ay once in a blue moon lang kung lumabas, bihira pa sa patak ng ulan sa desyerto kung magkita silang dalawa.
"May pupuntahan pa ba kayo? Kung wala na kumain tayo, my treat!" yaya niya sa mga ito.
"Sure," halos magkakasabay na tugon ng apat.
"Let me touch up, okay?" sabi ni Genel na nag-umpisa na sa pagpapahid sa mukha ng pressed powder.
Inilabas naman ni Sia ang lipstick at sinabayan ito sa pag-aayos.
"Ang ganda ng kulay ng lipstick mo, Tets." Nilingon niya si Abby na katabi lang niya. "Pa-try ako, puwede?"
Iniabot niya rito ang lipstick matapos gamitin. Pagkatapos magpahid ni Abby hiniram din iyon ni Genel, hanggang sa maipasa na kina Pau at Mela. Lumabas sila na iisa ang kulay ng mga labi nila.
"Ganito rin tayo noon…" natatawang saad ni Abby habang naglalakad sila papunta sa restaurant na napili nilang kainan.
"Hindi ko nga akalain na magagawa uli natin ang ganito ngayon," segunda ni Pau. "Alam n'yo na kung ano ang ibig kong sabihin…"
"We know right!" ani Genel na itinaas ang monopad. "Compress tayo dali, pang post din ito sa Instagram!"
"Wala akong account sa Instagram," ani Sia.
"Don't worry, connected naman ang Instagram account ko sa Facebook kaya makikita mo ito. Pero mas okay kung gagawa ka ng account sa Instagram."
Nag-wacky face si Sia bago kumislap ang flash ng cellphone ni Genel. Pinagpasa-pasahan naman kaagad nila ang cellphone para tingnan ang kuha.
"Tingnan n'yo, may epal pa nga naman sa likod."
"Patingin nga." Kinuha ni Pau ang cellphone mula kay Abby. "Meron nga."
"Mga engot, nasa mall tayo malamang may taong mahagip sa likod natin." Binawi ni Genel ang cellphone nito. "Okay lang pogi naman."
Lumingon si Sia sa likuran nila, maraming tao ang naroon. Hindi mahagip ng mala-CCTV niyang mga mata ang sinasabing pogi ni Genel na nahagip ng camera.
"Si Sia basta usapang pogi gala ang mga mata, grabe talaga!" Siniko siya ni Abby.
"Mahilig ako sa pogi dahil sila ang kabuhayan ko," depensa niya.
"O, tingnan mo na lang dito." Ibinigay sa kanya ni Genel ang cellphone.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sia nang makita kung sino ang poging nahagip ng camera. "What the—seriously?"
"Bakit?" magkakasabay na tanong ng mga ito.
"It's Ruen!"
Nagpalinga-linga siya pero wala na roon kahit anino ng binata.
Pinag-agawan ng mga ito ang cellphone.
"Shit, seryoso si Ruen ito?"
"Ang pogi, jusmiyo!"
"Pumayat siya, dati ang chubby niya."
"Bakit hindi man lang niya tayo naisipang batiin? Ay, baka hindi niya alam na tayo ito, ano?"
"Sia, affected ka pa?" sabay-sabay na tanong ng mga ito.
Hindi siya sumagot, bagkos ay binilisan niya ang lakad.
"Hintayin mo naman kami, Tets!" sigaw ng mga ito.

High school classmates at best buddies sina Genel, Mela, Sia, Abby at Pau. Tinawag ang kanilang grupo na T.G. (Takas Girls) dahil sa nakakatuwang hobby nila noon na tumakas sa klase. Pagkatapos ng graduation nagkahiwa-hiwalay ang lima at muling nagkita-kita after college. Sa muling pagkabuo nila nananatiling palatakas pa rin ang magkakaibigan. Pero ngayon ay hindi na sa klase kundi sa malupit na tadhana na. Nakatagpo sila ng pag-ibig ngunit tinakbuhan nila iyon, pinagtaguan, tinakasan.

"THERE'S SO MANY people out and about town!" Alice gasped, turning her head to follow a little boy that was holding onto a candied apple that had rushed past her.

"Yes," Wyatt beamed, his eyes pressed closed due to his smile, crinkling at the corners. "It's always rather busy in the capital of Gladiolum." 

A day after the ball, Wyatt had suggested bringing Alice around the town square to soak in the sights. He personally had to do a little shopping and thought that it would be a wonderful chance for Alice to grow more familiar with the capital. She had been living with the Ragans for nearly two weeks and yet she had barely even stepped out of the mansion's walls. It was best for young ladies to enjoy their time around town with friends. Being constantly cooped up in the study room with Charlie wasn't exactly an ideal situation in Wyatt's opinion. Of course, not that Alice had ever complained.

Strolling through the cobbled streets, Wyatt pointed out some of his personal favorite shops along the way. They passed by boutiques selling beautiful ball gowns, stores selling sparkling jewels, and even quaint little cafes that wafted out the sugary sweet scent of freshly baked pastries. However, while Alice acted as though she was very interested in those, he could tell that was all it was. An act. She simply smiled and nodded to Wyatt's words, not once asking to step into any of those stores like he had expected. Yet again she had him colored surprised.

Just the thought brought a curving smile onto his lips. The girl that his family had chanced upon was most certainly different from the rest of the girls in the capital. She stood out in such a way that there wasn't any spare place for the others to shine. She was the lone star now, a happy and proud resident of the Ragan household. While still suspicious of her origins, Wyatt couldn't help but admit to himself that he was growing fond of Alice Clemente.

"Are you not interested in any of the shops I pointed out?" He prodded. "Those are all famous names here in the capital."

"Oh!" Alice exclaimed. Wyatt watched with his practiced smile as the girl's eyes widened delightfully, eyelashes fluttering like a pair of butterfly wings under the golden sunlight. Her lips parted just a little in surprise before she quickly gathered back her wits, shaking her head politely. "They are all wonderful shops. I just… I don't have any money to buy all those things. Looking through the store window is more than enough."

For years Wyatt had worn the same smile on his face. It was his perfectly crafted mask made to shield his true emotions from the rest of the nobles. No matter what he felt inside, a smile was always the answer to dealing with those that had to be schemed against. However, every time Alice spoke or made one of her silly little expressions, he found his smiles to turn true as day.

"Let us go into that one, then." Wyatt pointed to a little bookshop down the street, a corner store with a gleaming bronze sign. "There are some things I wish to purchase."

Alice nodded. "Alright," she said.

Although her expression remained as still as possible, Wyatt still caught the slight twitch of her lips. The sparkles in her eyes practically screamed of her excitement. She couldn't fool anyone. Even the blind could tell that she was particularly eager to enter the bookshop. 

The little bell that hung above the door rang when Wyatt entered the shop. Inside, there were no other customers, simply a store clerk that had a book in hand. A pair of round spectacles rested on his crooked nose bridge, his eyes scanning the words at an immense speed before he licked his finger and flipped to the next page. At the call of the bell, the clerk looked up from his book, squinting at the door before rising to his feet. The book was placed pages-down onto the counter, a smile upon his lips.

"Master Wyatt!" The old clerk greeted enthusiastically. "I was wondering when you'll be visiting next. The books you ordered two weeks back are finally here." 

"Greetings," Wyatt replied fairly. "And thank you so much for your help with those. It's nearly impossible to find them anywhere else."

The old man waved, his cheeks reddening just a little. "It's no problem. Let me go get them for you." Shuffling towards the back of the shop, the clerk disappeared behind a dividing curtain.

"Do you come here often?" Alice asked, looking around the small bookstore with great interest. At random, she pulled out one of the books from the shelves, her fingers tracing the title of the book on the cover, feeling the indented words on the hard leather.

'History of Gladiolum. Volume III,' it read. Alice had seen a similar history book in Charlie's study room before. Making a mental note to briefly read through the contents of the book, she slotted the book back to its original position.

"Hmm, I wonder." Tapping a finger to his chin, Wyatt looked deep in thought. "I guess I do visit this store a little more than the average folk. They sell writing supplies as well as books and I run out of the former a little too often. Besides, this store is the only one in the capital that can procure rare and often out-of-print."

Walking a little further into the shop, Alice glanced through the assortment of reading materials offered. They had both fiction and non-fiction books in the store, leaning closer to non-fiction books. Most books were new copies, their covers still brightly colored while others were much older and encased in glass covers. Those books seemed old and tattered but the words were still in dark black ink, most likely having been re-written over so that it wouldn't be lost to time. 

The one that had caught Alice's attention was a purple leather-bound book that was almost as thick as a dictionary. The title of this book was written in bright, glittery gold in thick block letters. A small sign that indicated the price of the old tome was placed beside the book. Alice's eyes widened at the number of zeros, her head reeling back a little in surprise. She still wasn't sure about how the currency worked in Gladiolum but with so many zeros, the book was bound to be expensive no matter the exchange rate.

'The Theory of Magic. Volume I,' the title wrote.

"Are you interested in that one? Ooh, that's a pricey one." Wyatt's voice was right by Alice's ear, causing her to jump a little, her ears tingling from his breath. Stepping away, she held both hands to her chest, staring wide-eyed at Wyatt who looked as amused as ever.

"Just looking," she answered before firing back a question of her own. "How much is that book? I don't really know how the currency works here."

"See that symbol over there?" Wyatt gestured to the symbol behind the number as he spoke. "That's the symbol for our currency, 'fleuron'. That's the larger of the two units that we have in our country's currency. The smaller unit is known as a 'flois'. Ten flois equates to one fleuron. To give you an example of its value, five flois can buy you a piece of stale bread at the end of the day in the capital's cheapest bakery, maybe? Books, on the other hand, are usually five to ten fleurons, if it's a common title that can be easily found."

Alice gulped. Judging by the examples Wyatt provided, the currency here in Gladiolum seemed similar to the system she was used to. A single fleuron held as much value as a dollar back home and a flois would be around ten cents. Her hands were starting to feel clammy as she stared hard at the price tag of The Theory of Magic. 

"And yet this book is…" she trailed off.

"Fifteen thousand fleurons," Wyatt finished the sentence for her chirpily.

Fifteen thousand dollars.

Taking another step back, Alice no longer dared to hover near the expensive article. If anything had happened to it, she wouldn't be able to pay the store back for the damages incurred. She had never seen a book as expensive or even half as pricey. 

"Why is this book so… so…"

"Ridiculously priced?" Wyatt supplied. When Alice nodded numbly, Wyatt chuckled. "This is an ancient tome about magic. There are only five copies of this book that was ever produced. But if you're really interested in this book, there's no need for you to fork out such a hefty amount just to read it. We have a copy of it back in the mansion's library."

Flabbergasted and speechless, Alice blinked dumbly at what Wyatt had so casually revealed. Although she long knew that the Ragan mansion was a sprawling estate with many different needlessly fanciful rooms, she hadn't even thought to think that it might house precious artifacts within its walls. 

In Gladiolum, it seemed as though the gap between its people was wider than the ocean. The rich lived in heaven while the poor couldn't even afford hell.

"Why don't you take a look around the bookshop and see if there's anything that catches your eye?" Wyatt offered. "If we don't already have the book back home, I don't mind making a few extra purchases. It's the least I can do for dragging you out here with me on such a warm afternoon."

Alice's heart skipped a beat. She braved a step closer, momentarily forgetting about the book in the glass display case. Cupping her hands together as if they were in prayer, Alice beamed.

"Really? Any book?"

Wyatt's smile didn't falter. "There's no budget, if that's what you're asking."

Alice wasted no time. Her feet went scurrying across the dark wooden boards of the store, quickly scouring the bookshelves in search of any title that might help her or catch her fancy. Her fingers ran down the spines, quickly pulling out a few covers that had caught her attention, some fiction and some not. She had a feeling that most, if not all, of the non-fiction books were already available in the Ragans' library but there was no harm in bringing the books over for Wyatt to look through. These books will become her survival guide in this foreign world.

As the store clerk returned to the front counter, Wyatt slowly made his way over. However, he was still gazing in Alice's way, watching silently and bemused as the girl darted from shelf to shelf, climbing ladders and bending low in search of more. There were already over seven books in her hands and she only ever added more to the collection.

"My," the old clerk exclaimed. "I've not seen anyone so frantic for a good title since you first came to my humble store years ago. The old ladies at the bakery next block over will go mad once they hear that the young Master Wyatt is no longer single."

The white-haired man chuckled. "She's just a curious little bird my brother picked up a while back."

The old man shrugged, unconvinced, but he didn't say a word more on that topic. With a heavy thump, he placed three thick books onto the counter, the covers in the three primary colors. The titles were all written in gold, large block letters.

"This set was a little trickier to find as compared to your other requests but there you go. Though, Master Wyatt, don't mind this old man prying but are you sure you want to dabble in this subject? There's always a price to pay when you go against the laws of science."

"I can pay whatever price the world throws at me," Wyatt casually remarked. Picking up one of the books carefully with a gloved hand, he examined the old cover, grinning with satisfaction. "Besides, I'm just completing my collection. With these, the set will now be complete. There's no need to worry, sir."

"Oh well," the old clerk sighed, pursing his lips. "If you're sure, youngin. Let me wrap these up for you."

Tottering away, the elderly went to retrieve a few sheets of brown wrapping paper and some strings to bundle up Wyatt's purchases while waiting for Alice. 

Partially leaning on the counter, Wyatt continued to observe Alice. She no longer had the strength to carry the books she had picked out. Instead, she placed most of them on an empty table by one side. The stack of books was almost taller than she was and yet she continued to hunt for more, her eyes practically dripping with avarice.

'How peculiar,' Wyatt thought to himself. 'She is unaffected by fanciful dresses or glittering jewels and yet dusty old books can bring her into a craze. What an odd woman. She is most certainly a woman before her time.'

❝I want you to visit me even if it's only in your dreams.❞ 

Gifted a candle that was said to be able to make wishes come true, Alice Clemente burned it that very night only to find herself in an unknown world the next morning. 

She had wished for a life of adventure away from the city and its routine. With her wish granted, she was whisked away to a world very different from the one she grew up in. 

Thrust into a new life, would Alice learn how to adapt? Or would she fall down the rabbit hole only to never surface again?

*Ding* [Congratulation Random Weekly Task: Make a new game that tests one's patience and perseverance: Completed]

{Reward: 40 points, 3 Tokens}


He immediately went into the system shop and bought [Customizable A.I]

[Customizable A.I: A fully customizable A.I created to suit whatever type of A.I the user wishes. The customisation is limitless. To customise the user just needs to imagine it and it will come to life]

Theo imagined an A.I without a personality. He imagined a basic A.I like Siri, Google, Cortana and Amazon. What he wanted was an assistant that could manage things when he was too busy. So what he did was implant all of his knowledge directly into it. His A.I now had the same hacking abilities as he. 


He named her Natalie and added a soothing voice that could calm him down with its logical answers. Natalie would only answer to him, it follows orders perfectly, providing helpful info on situations and gives logical advice.

 Opening his eyes, he looked down to his hands searching for anything that could represent a USB but he didn't see anything and instead he heard his phone give a notification.


Pulling out his phone, he proceeded turned it on and asked "Hello Natalie" 


"Hello Theo, you have an interview with Zarner Bros studio at 10 am. I advise you leave for Hollywood today. The weather is reportedly very hot so you should pack shorts" Said Natalie


"Oh shit, I didn't even look at the interview time thanks, Natalie. Can you book a taxi" Said Theo in a panic


"There is no need to worry I've already booked a Taxi for 8 pm as the ride is only 12 minutes," Said Natalie


"Huh? then why should I leave today" Asked Theo

"So that you may familiarise your self with Hollywood and you don't have to rush the next day. I've also booked a hotel for you to stay in for the night" Said, Natalie


"Thanks, Natalie could you start creating the next few episodes for 'Tom and Jerry' and 'Looney Tunes'. Try to stick to the style that I've drawn them to" Said Theo who began to look for clothes


"Understood, I recommend taking the maroon suit for formal wear," Said Natalie as the computer screen in the room began to show images of the cartoons being put together

. . . . . . .

At 8:05 pm The taxi pulled up and Theo gave a kiss to all of his girlfriend's cheeks and a kiss to the kid's foreheads.

"Make sure you call when you get there" shouted Megan from the doorstep.

"Bye Big Brother" shouted The kids with tears in their eyes



"Bye Theo" Shouted Megan, Rose and Sophia.


Theo gave one last wave goodbye before the taxi sped off into the night.


It took 40 minutes to get to the hotel in Hollywood due to the traffic being bad. He called Megan, Rose and Sophia telling them of his arrival and also say good night. He then went to sleep with the idea of having him be fully energised for the important day.

. . . . . . . .


The very next morning at 7:30 am Theo woke up energetically. He had a nice long shower, got changed into tan cargo shorts and a collared white cotton shirt with sunglasses in his chest pocket . He then had a free breakfast. After breakfast, he left with sunglasses on to do what Natalie had suggested and that was to just wander around Hollywood. 

He saw the bustling streets filled with people that have come from different parts of the world to see the iconic city that is referenced in books, shows and movies. Then there are the street performers with their music, talents and charismatic smile.

At every corner, you'll find a man in costume taking pictures with locals and tourist. The smell of street food freely moved throughout the streets. Along his little tour, he would stop and give money to the performers.

 He stopped at a few shops to look for some gifts to take home but he'll have to buy them after the interview. He was learning about the sites through Natalie's voice speaking in wireless earphone on his right ear.


"That is the end of the tour, if you look to your left you'll find Zarner Bros studios. The email said to give your name at the front desk" Said Natalie

"Thanks, Natalie," Said Theo before pushing the glass doors open. 

Then he took off his sunglasses, to be immediately recognised by the receptionist and the guards. He was escorted to the audition to a room. As soon as he walked in he knew what show he was auditioning for because of the two people sitting behind the desk.

On the left was a woman who apart reasonably thick bottom and breast, she had a very slim body. Wearing skinny black jeans and a green top. Egg-shaped head with brownish black hair in a ponytail and pale turquoise green eyes. She was none other than the beautiful Whitney Cummings age 34, American comedian, actress and producer. 


On her right was a lanky man wearing shorts and a white shirt with a beige leather jacket. He had his iconic big ears, wide smile, greyish blue eyes with short brown hair. This was Michael Patrick King age 62, well known for his work in directing Sex and the City at the moment he was directing Two Broke Girls with Whitney Cummings.



Theo was excited because two broke girls is a good comedic show that Megan had once forced him to watch the last 4 season with her.


'Whitney is such a MILF. Megan will be so shocked that I might be working with her female crush Kat Dennings' Theo thought with a smile 


He then approached the desk and gave them a warm handshake while also giving them his headshots from his time modelling. 


When he shook hands with Whitney Cummings he saw her look at him with a lustful gaze and when he shook hands with Michael Patrick King he simply gave a nod.

"It's nice to finally meet such a talented young man like yourself Mr Smith" Said Michael

"Yes very nice, now please strip down to your pants" Said Whitney excitedly

Warning: Harem, system, slow-paced, CRINGE and system with a bad personality. 

This has been dropped. This is my first novel which had a lot of problems from the pacing, power scale and grammar. Read knowing that it has no end.

To be a star is a simple Idea but to turn a boy that's been secluded from Society into one is much more difficult. Even if you took on his body you still felt his anxiety, insecurity and more. It's slow but worth it.

_____________________________________________________

Authors Note: The novel you are about read contains strong language and some vivid sexual content
 
The Mc is beta at the start as he is a character that suffers from anxiety due to his upbringing. Although it did take 23 chapters for the Mc to show visible growth that's just due to my naturally slow pacing.

Don't expect too much, especially since this is my first time writing a novel. It's also best not to take seriously as I am just writing for fun and to just something to do on my downtime 

This novel will share a lot of similarities to other novels that I particularly love and mostly because I lack originality but it will be in my style.

UPLOAD SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday

Chapter 242. Golden dragon movie awards (3)
"The fight has again started."
Ren sighed as he looked at the screen of his phone. The screen displayed the view of an online forum.
An hour ago, someone had made a post titled 'Who do you think will win the best actor award between Xin Ren and Xiao Yunhai?'
The post had quickly garnered interest. As it was an entertainment forum, there were many fans of Ren and Xiao Yunhai in it.
The result of it was simple.
A war of words had started between the fans of Ren and Xiao Yunhai. It was still ongoing. 
"We can't do anything about it. It's good that the fight is happening on a forum and the media is not trying to spice it up."
The fight will eventually stop once the winner will be announced.
One side will bow down in defeat while the other will celebrate their victory. It was the future Ren can already foresee. 
"Do you think I will win the award?"
Ren suddenly asked, glancing at White bear who was driving the van. Their destination was of course the venue of the Golden dragon movie awards. 
"I want you to win but it's not like I can be sure of it. The competition is fierce and other nominees had good performances too."
White bear said in a composed manner. 
'He's trying to stay composed.'
One of the traits of White bear was that he would become more nervous than Ren when something major will happen. 
There was no way he would be composed when Ren can get the best actor award today.
Although Ren noticed his acting, he didn't say anything about it. Instead, he asked another question which surprised White bear.
"Do you think Xiao Yunhai will win the best actor award?"
It was a strange question for White bear.
"What type of question is that?"
"You just have to answer honestly."
White bear thought for a while before answering. He took his time because it was a complicated question. 
Xiao Yunhai was nominated for his role as a popular writer who was told that he didn't have much time left to live. 
The movie was called «The last book».
In the movie, the character of Xiao Yunhai would go through inner turmoil when he would receive the news that his life expectancy was short. 
He had everything in his life. From fame to beauty as his girlfriend but everything will come crashing down once he finds out about his illness and the short amount of time he has left to live.
It was a really emotional story because the audience was able to relate with the character of Xiao Yunhai.
In the movie, the character of Xiao Yunhai will then go to his hometown to spend his last days.
There, he would start to write the last book of his career as he wanted people to remember him by this book.
It was also the reason why the movie was called «The last book».
The movie will take a turn when he meets a high school girl with a dark past.
'I remember crying after seeing the movie.'
Although White doesn't like Xiao Yunhai much, he has to acknowledge his capabilities as an actor and his talent to capture a character.
«The last book» was a big hit on the box office and it was critically acclaimed as the best movie of the year.
Although the box office records of «A born star» were much higher than «The last book», the latter was more appreciated by the critics. 
Many people still remember the last scene of «The last book» which had already become an iconic scene. 
The character of Xiao Yunhai would publish a book before his death and it would become a worldwide sensation and he would be nominated for an award. 
But before he can receive the award, he would die.
In the last scene, the high school girl would be seen placing the award at his grave. 
«The last book» was one of the best movies to come in recent years. It was not just a movie but a journey of a man.
White bear have to admit that the competition between Xiao Yunhai and Ren would be fierce.
After thinking it through, White bear just gave a simple reply to Ren's question. 
"I don't know."
This was the honest conclusion he had reached. He doesn't know who will win between the two of them.
Actually, he doesn't want to think of the answer. It was too much for his small brain. He felt like his brain would malfunction if he tried to think about it.
Ren didn't get disheartened by White bear's answer. Instead, he smiled as he looked at his previous life memories.
'In my previous life, Xiao Yunhai had won the best actor award.'
It was something he remembered because «The last book» had received many awards at the Golden dragon movie awards, including the best film award.
Among them, the best actor award was given to Xiao Yunhai and there was no one who could compete with him that year.
But this time, Ren and «A born star» had been nominated too, something which hadn't happened in his previous life.
The future can change too because of that.
'I wonder who will win the award this year.'
Ren thought as he stared outside the window. Cold winds were blowing outside the van.
* * *
Outside the venue of the Golden dragon movie awards 
Reporters were furiously taking photos of celebrities and their families. There were many fans around the red carpet area too.
Many celebrities will stop and give autographs to their fans or have a quick interview with a reporter.
The reports were already notified not to ask any sensitive questions here.
So, they will ask simple questions like 'How do you feel being here today?' or 'Do you think you will win the award?'.
The Golden dragon movie awards would be broadcasted live by SKB public network. 
"Look!! It's Xiao Yunhai."
One of the reporters shouted and started clicking photos rapidly. The other reporters also increased their hand speed as camera flashes covered the body of Xiao Yunhai.
"You are nominated for the best actor award. Do you think you will win it?"
"I can't say but I will know about it shortly."
He replied with the image of a cool, refined guy. 
"There is a high chance that «The last book» would be chosen as the best movie of the year. What are your thoughts on that?"
"I will tell you my thoughts if it really won the award."
Xiao Yunhai began to walk away after that but he stopped in his tracks when he heard a question.
"People are saying that you and Xin Ren are the biggest contenders to win the award. What do you think about that?"
Xiao Yunhai turned back and amidst the flashing lights, he answered.
"I will just wish him good luck."
He walked away after that and the reporter who had asked the question sighed. 
It was not the answer he was expecting.
At that moment, one of the reporters again shouted.
"Xin Ren is here!!"


Ren, he was someone with great talent in acting and singing but due to bad luck and some wrong choices, he was only able to become a third rate actor.

After dying in an accident, he noticed that he had returned to the past.

With the help of his talents and the knowledge of future, he started his journey to become the trendiest star of the century.

*This novel is dropped!!

* * *

The story will take place in an alternate world. It is just to avoid the copyright infringement. I don't want my story to end up like I'm in Hollywood or IRAS.

Contact me on discord : Killerbee#4748

Here's a link to the server : https://discord.gg/F9xfJWv

PayPal account: https://www.paypal.me/Killerbee11

Support me if you want!!

This subtle and cool black energy was oh so familiar to Grimm.

He recalled the time when he was still a sorcerer-apprentice, at the final stage of the Eternal Darkness Territory at the ingenious Tower of Ruins. That, and the materialized spiritual energy of the Nightmare Shadow sealed within the Sabbatic Goat Staff he was holding in his hands at the moment. 

They all emanated the same aura as this pure black giant's phantom.

After a few pauses to recoup his strength, Black Isotta finally struggled his way out of the crack and descended upon the Sorcerer World. 

At this moment, the Stigmata Sorcerer had completely transcended the pressure from the higher life levels of the official sorcerers. All restraints were dropped as it cast a vast shadow so great that it could cover the entirety of the sun's rays. 

This overwhelming feeling of pressure was like a cane that whipped down hard on Grimm's heart. His entire body trembled as though it went into a brief seizure.

The other low-ranking Demon-Hunter Sorcerers had similarly felt that they were on the brink of suffocation. It was an indescribable wave of high pressure that caused the veins to burst and even unnaturally flushed faces for some of the weaker Demon-Hunter Sorcerers.

Gradually, the real body of this black-robed Stigmata Sorcerer descended from the heavens to the air above the Principal Void Fortress of the Sorcerer World.

The space surrounding the black sorcerer's robe continuously collapsed. He hauled a gigantic book on his back, while his silhouette turned blurry from the continuous spatial collapse around him and the skies around him distorted into an abstract view. 

Who else could it be but the Black Isotta Stigmata Sorcerer?!

All while this was unfolding before them, many of the Level-3 sorcerers handed out crystal balls that contained the world information about their missions, each of them receiving one ball.

Looking down at the tens of thousands of Demon-Hunter Sorcerers that looked up at him, Black Isotta suddenly burst out in a cruel fit of laughter.

"Ke ke ke ke, the crystal ball messages about this World Expedition is naught but a pile of nonsense. Little friends, go on and urge your slaves to kill and plunder in this primitive world to their hearts' desire! Those low-level lifeforms who dare oppose the Sorcerers' Will deserve a punishment worthy of death, those who bend to the Sorcerers' Will are to be rewarded with glorious slavery under the sorcerers' rule."

'This…'

The language he used was a stark contrast with most other Stigmata Sorcerers. Consequently, many of the Demon-Hunter Dark Sorcerers were shocked by what they heard. The desire to destroy this primitive world and to do as they like was originally kept under covers at the back of their minds. Now, this desire had been incited and let loose.

However, Grimm and most other Demon-Hunter Sorcerers still briefly checked the records and messages on their crystal balls.

"The world we are expeditioning in this time…. The Burrow World?"

Across the infinite snow-capped ground surface, were scars of the bitter, cold ice frost.

And on this surface lived some small creatures that had developed a strong resistance to the cold. Their ecosystem was very fragile, with only a single food chain across the entire area.

To the Sorcerer World, although this land posed little resistance to their conquest, it also meant that it had little value in resources. Perhaps, it was even fair to say that the occupation of this desolate world was not worth the attempt by the sorcerer civilization.

However, this view was overturned by the appearance of a creature known as the Snowthread.

The body of this creature was snow-white. It looked like a snake that grew two claws and had varying sizes that ranged from mere centimeters to meters long. It was docile and fed on the minerals and energy stones within the ice-capped soil, meaning they possessed great skills in burrowing.

Even though this creature belonged to the bottom of the food chain in the Burrow World, it was the creator of life in this world!

Because of their continuous burrowing, over the course of eons, it had opened up a three-dimensional space in this snow-capped world, unimaginable by the Sorcerer World, the Underground Labyrinth!

In this snow-capped world, even the deepest parts of the soil was saturated by frost, turning it as hard as steel. Even flowing lava could not penetrate through the frosty layer. 

In comparison to this Burrow World, which has already had a series of burrows that connected to all parts of this world, the underground Camphoragate burrows of the Amonros in the Shadow Enigmatic World was next to nothing.

In the interiors of this Burrow World thrived all sorts of lifeforms. Here existed complex ecosystems that were billions of times more diverse than the one found above the snow-capped ground.

In the records of the Reconnaissance Sorcerer, there was no mention of any groups of creatures that possessed a high intellect. Most of the creatures in these burrows were savage, primitive lifeforms.

As such, it was safe to say that within the confines of this world, there were no intelligent beings.

The deeper the burrow, the stronger the creatures become. It was to the point where this Reconnaissance Sorcerer had to fall back after stumbling upon the lair of a group of giant mud monsters.

In contrast, the burrows closer to the ground surface had a higher concentration of branching networks. Even if there were indeed some intelligent species that stood on top of the food chain, their numbers would most likely be extremely low, posing no real threat of resistance to the Void Fortress.

The Reconnaissance Sorcerer's records in his crystal ball was extremely short, nor did he bring back a sufficient amount of creature specimens. This was because when the Demon-Hunter Sorcerers descended to the Burrow World from the Sorcerer World, they were free to hunt targeted creatures according to their whims.

All in all, there were only three messages in the crystal ball.

Number one, in the Burrow World, the deeper the burrow, the stronger the creatures would get. The distribution of strength was similar to the underground dragon-hunting abyss in the Sorcerer World.

Number two, the underground burrow creatures in the Burrow World possessed extreme resistance to ice-frost spell attacks.

Number three, the greatest resources in the Burrow World were the diverse creatures that thrived in the tunnels created by the Snowthreads. Regardless if one were to use them as experimental specimens for research or as soul slaves, they were of high value and could bring about surprising fortune. 

Even for...
 
The Reconnaissance Sorcerer speculated within the deepest realms of the Burrow World hid the greatest secret of this world. It was an unknown truth that could uncover the natural instincts of the Snowthread as well as the nature of the creatures that thrived here, which all contradicted the knowledge the sorcerers possessed about ecosystems in general.

After Grimm finished reading these messages, he sighed.

It wasn't that the mission by the Reconnaissance Sorcerer was too vague, nor was it the carelessness of Black Isotta. It was the fact that the ecosystem of this Burrow World was too simple and straightforward. 

The only thing to do was to keep attacking into the deeper reaches of the burrows.

The fact that this world had no intelligent creatures like the Lava Giants of the Shadow Enigmatic World or the Amonros meant that it was highly unlikely that a World Guardian would appear.

As for now, Black Isotta had started his declaration.

"I, the Black Isotta Stigmata Sorcerer of the Holy Tower of the Seven Rings from the Sorcerer World hereby declare, the start of Black Isotta's war against the Burrow World! This war is in line with the development guidelines of the sorcerer civilization and has been approved by the Holy Tower of the Seven Rings on the Sorcerer Continent. Here, I swear to the Sorcerer World, that I will fulfill my duties to spread the seeds of civilization of the Sorcerer World, and ensure that each of you, precious Demon-Hunter Sorcerers will survive this expedition."

As Black Isotta's speech came to an end, one of the Sorcerer World's laws had changed.

Then, the Void Fortress under the Demon-Hunter Sorcerers' feet had seemingly come alive as if a soul had possessed it.

Buzz!

A low-pitched droning was heard as an inverted sorcerer's barrier appeared above the hemisphere of the Principal Void Fortress.

'This…'

It seemed that Black Isotta wasn't planning on giving the sorcerers time to do further research like what they did in their previous expeditionary war into the Shadow Enigmatic World even though he had just descended into this world.

What did this count as? Going for a strolling trip?

Even though this Burrow World itself had not much to inspect closely.

But it still was a world that they had to conquer!

Also, because of the diversified species in this world's interiors, the energy of Despair collected by the Demon-Hunter Sorcerers had all gone to waste. This was a scenario that Demon-Hunter Sorcerers who were researching the Black Sorcerers' Occult Code of Life and Death most feared.

Rumble…

The massive Void Fortress gradually sank into the sea of clouds, falling into the defensive barrier of the Seven Rings. The sound of a bugle blared bleakly, echoing through the interiors of this defensive barrier. Tens of thousands of Demon-Hunter Sorcerers started taking off like a dense pack of locusts as they flew back to their own demon-hunter castles.

"Ke ke, heed my orders. All Dark Sorcerers with an Honor Badge, fly up to me," Black Isotta commanded.

'Hmm?'

In the bizarre moment, many of the Demon-Hunter Dark Sorcerers on the square flew up tens of meters, floating midair. 

"You, you, you, you, you, you…"

A series of pure black badges were issued by Black Isotta to the summoned elite Demon-Hunter Sorcerers. As if realizing the situation, most of them projected a look of excitement and anticipation towards Black Isotta.

'A special mission?'

However, most of the people pointed out by Black Isotta were Level 2 and 3 Demon-Hunter Sorcerers, none of them being Level 1 sorcerers. Even Third Ghostpepper who appeared brimming with confidence was ignored by Black Isotta.

In the eyes of the great Stigmata Sorcerers, Level 1 sorcerers who possessed Rank 3 and Rank 2 Honor Badges were nothing but bugs underneath their feet.

It was as trivial as comparing which knight was more powerful in front of a sorcerer.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Black Isotta said curiously, "Grimm? You're a pretty interesting fellow. You were just tossed out of the secret territory and here you are standing before me? I guess you could come along then."

As he said this, a black badge appeared on Grimm's sorcerer's barrier.
The eyes underneath the Mask of Truth were filled with surprise and excitement as Grimm saluted Black Isotta. Though, the eyes of the Stigmata Sorcerer were already looking somewhere else.

Myna said sulkily, "Huh, what's with that manner in front of Lord Myna…"

On the other side.

At this moment, Third Ghostpepper alongside seven other people in his group looked at Grimm in shock, as if their minds went blank. They all glanced at Gabriel at the same time after looking at Grimm in disbelief.

Similarly born and raised in Black Isotta Sorcerer Academy, Gabriel felt the piercing stares of his six other comrades, stabbing painfully into his body—his skin felt a prickling heat.

"Why! Why! Why…"

Gabriel couldn't help but bellow out in his mind. He looked at Black Isotta with pleading yet resentful eyes, like a stray puppy, praying for a strand of attention from the Stigmata Sorcerer.

However, Gabriel did not get anything from him. He was just another little bug underneath Black Isotta's heels.

Nobody would have thought that a mere Level-1 sorcerer would get summoned by the Great Stigmata Sorcerer.

Tens of thousands of eyes on the Fortress Square were locked onto Grimm's Mask of Truth, his Sabbatic Goat Staff, as well as the iconic Myna on his shoulder. 

"Ke ke, you all will not be doing reconnaissance under the Battle Command once we reach the Burrow World. I will be issuing special missions to you all instead. Now, all Demon-Hunter Sorcerers listen to my orders! Summon your participating war slaves!"

One soul slave after the other started appearing. Grimm had also summoned his four-headed mutant Amonro. From the crack spanning hundreds of meters atop Black Isotta's head, a large horde of soul slaves rushed out from within.

Upon completion, this Void Fortress containing Demon-Hunter Sorcerers and their respective soul slaves had finally rushed out of the Sorcerer World from the energy light beam of the Tree of Life.

After a disorienting moment of spatial distortion in the Spacetime Crack, a snow-capped world spanning the horizon had entered Grimm's view.


"Grant me infinite knowledge, and I shall be as a fulcrum, to move the endless world!"
...
Sorcerer Continent—a world where sorcerers exist. Wielders of arcane knowledge. Masters of all elements. Sovereigns of space and time. These sorcerers governed the world with their unrivaled prowess. One day, a young man awakened into this world with his past forgotten and no place to call home. Follow along as Grimm, by relying on his luck and wit, tries to survive and advance in this unforgiving world. Entangled within the machinations of fate, political schemes, power struggles, and wars, he forges his own path and creates a place for himself.

Though the events that transpired a few minutes ago was intense and nerve-racking, the harmonious aura came back when they reached the bookstore.
Dandan carefully measured her boss' mood while they were walking towards the entrance and it seems that her boss has cooled down. She thanked all the gods and deities in this world that everything is back to normal again.
Once they were inside, Dandan excused herself so she can quickly pick the necessary items that the employees from the office wanted. She left her boss hanging around the fiction books section.
The bookstore was really crowded today so once Secretary Dandan has to queue, it'll take long before she could pay the office supplies she picked.
Xiulan's mood was serene again and everything that happened a while ago were swept away once she's inside the store. Bookstores are her happy place and it immediately alleviated her mood. She went to young adult fiction section to check the newest and trendiest books.
Since its young adult, it's full of romance and magic genre. The titles were all new to her and the stories seems promising.
Her attention was caught by the romance books with very vulgar covers in it. She liked the stories but the covers were quite distasteful for her. She thought that books these days are not so discreet in hiding what's inside. She remembered the books twenty years ago would have plain cover designs and people wouldn't actually know the book is erotic unless they read it. But now, these provocative book covers are exposed to children.
While she criticize each of the books' cover, she took her time reading each of the synopsis at the back as well. She seems to be so engross in reading them that she was not aware that some aunties inside the bookstore were gossiping about her.
"Is that Mrs. Xing? She's so tiny..."
"It's my first time seeing her in person. She's very pretty but she lacks height. Her dress is so pretty though!"
"The contrast of Hongqi's ex-girlfriends vs Mrs. Xing are too big! I'm pretty sure Hongqi has a tall, beautiful, model side chick."
"I am going to bet a slut could snatch Xing Hongqi from this woman. She's pretty but there are far more beautiful and sexier women."
"Look at her height, OMG!"
"Wow! Her waist is so small… but her height… err…"
"Hmph! She's not that pretty like what the people says!"
"Gong Yuming is prettier."
"Betting that they'll divorce this year. She's not that pretty like her husband's exes."
The constant degrading hush from the bystanders managed to catch Xiulan's attention. "Are they really gossiping about me, in front of me? I can't believe this. Are people really this boisterous in shaming someone?"
She had enough of this. When will people stop this kind of attacks on her? She can't just stand here and let them slander her like this. She could ignore this if it was a hearsay but they are slandering her in person. For some reason, the constant mention of her height irritated her so badly. Never ever criticized a woman's height in front of them.
Xiulan put down the book she was holding and coldly gazed at the gossiping women. She walked towards them with her high heels clacking so loudly. She stopped in front of them and savagely scolded them. "You women have a lot of free time to gossip about me. Instead of talking about my marriage and height, all of you should check on your husbands. A young, tall, beautiful girl might be with them right now."
The women gawked at her, they were all surprised by her words. They all thought she's meek and wouldn't even try to approach them. But here she is, standing in front of them with her thousand dollars dress, shoes and clear skin. They were embarrassed but they wanted to rebut to save face and bully her back but she's not finished in her scolding yet.
"And my short height doesn't undermine the continuous contributions I made for this country. What about you people? Is your gossiping helped the country's economy?"  Xiulan's perfectly plucked eyebrows were all way up. With her tiny height but amazing confidence, she intimidated these godforsaken gossipers.
The women were mummed and don't know how to answer back. They were just middle class people and a rich, upper class woman scolding them made them afraid to say something.
"I didn't know that Mrs. Xing has a lot of free time to scold people." A woman with very long fake eyelashes emerged. With her voice, she might be the person who mentioned Gong Yuming's name.
Xiulan lazily looked at this woman who appeared like a random mushroom, provoking her.  "Yes I have a lot of free time. What about it?" Xiulan rebutted and her eyebrows were still arched. It gave her a snobby and intimidating look.
The annoying woman scoffed. "Don't be cocky just because you are rich and married to Xing Hongqi. He can leave you anytime."
"Ad-hominem. Why is my husband being mentioned in this? So what if he leaves me? Am I not allowed to scold people who are slandering me? Hmm?" Xiulan was in the mood to scold people so she would continue this until Dandan is finished with her shopping. Hell, who cares about image now?
"People with class don't argue with people in public." The woman fought back.
"And who said that? Was it written in a manual on how to be classy?" Xiulan won't let this woman slide.
"You might be rich but your attitude stinks." The woman provoked. Her arguments were out of place.
"Judgmental. How come you say my attitude stinks when we've been only exchanging questions? I can't believe I am not allowed to scold people who slandered me." Xiulan bewilderingly asked. She doesn't get this woman's anger. She only scolded the gossipers but this woman is diverting the topic to something else.
"Just wait and your careful pure image will be trashed soon." The woman was about to leave since she doesn't know what to say anymore.
"I wouldn't mind that. Be careful on not losing your job too." Xiulan scoffed before she left the gossiping women and went to Dandan, who's busy in responding to the group chat with her co-employees regarding what to buy in the bookstore.
The woman halted her movements and nervously looked at Xiulan's retreating back. "She won't know my name and report it to my boss, right?"
"Dandan, aren't you finished yet?" Xiulan smiled at Dandan. Her face didn't display any irritation or negativity. It seems that she enjoyed the argument she had a while ago.
"Boss, I'll be next soon. You can wait in the car so you can relax." Dandan quickly answered. She was confused for a moment why the people surrounding them were looking at her boss quite differently.
"Okay." Xiulan agreed but before she leaves the place, she picked a book that has caught her eye a while ago and gave it to Dandan. "Add this to your cart. I want to read it tonight."
Xiulan left and went to rest inside the car.
Dandan confusedly took the book and stared at it. The title was "The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera" with a dog doodle on the book cover. Dandan thought it was a harmless novel but when she read the synopsis at the back, she can't help but question if her boss' marriage is currently on the rocks.


Song Xiulan's parents doted on her so much that they would even find the best bachelor out there to be her husband.

They were eyeing Xing Hongqi, a very respectable man and the most powerful in S and T city. But he is also a notorious player and womanizer.

Xiulan's parents believed that their impeccable daughter can change a man like Hongqi. 

Xiulan was willing to follow whatever her parents planned for her. But marrying a womanizer seemed too extreme. 

Now that she met the man and people around her seem to worship him and talk about his dirty laundries like it was fine. 

Xiulan is now conflicted about whether she should obey her parents or this time follow her common sense that marrying a womanizer is not fine!

But she suddenly finds out a secret that hinders her from not marrying him.



Note: The image is not mine. Original image from Pinterest.

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