บท 6: Enlai Gong

"Little pumpkin please helps me with the utensils. It's my turn to take a shower," Bella Lim winked at her freshly showered little pumpkin.

"Aye big sister!" little pumpkin saluted and went to prepare the utensils. Bella Lim decided to observe little pumpkin for a while. She saw him taking out a pot and a burner from the waist height cabinet.

Feeling satisfied with his careful way of doing things, Bella Lim entered her room to take the necessary things needed for the shower.

She cleaned up quickly and was now in her room again; drying her hair with a hairdryer. At the same time, she went online using her laptop. A webpage appeared on the screen. It was the webpage of a famous, mysterious novelist; Enlai Gong. She skimmed through and noticed that there was a new update from the author.

[Enlai Gong: I wish time would slow down.]

Under the short update were countless comments from the webpage members.

[Enlaigongno.1fan: Author @Enlai Gong, I wish the opposite. I can't wait for your new book!]

[Donutismybangle: To my mysterious author @Enlai Gong, I wish the same! Hug me!]

[IloveEnlaiGong: Author @Enlai Gong, what is your literary thought on Eric Wu and Karen Yang's wedding? I've read the snippets of your new novel and find them almost relatable.]

Bella Lim read through the comments and paused at the third comment which had been liked and replied thousand times.

Her lips curved to a knowing smile. She moved the mouse over the empty space for comments and typed:

[B.L Bloomfield: I'm curious too!]

The moment her comment went online. She was bombarded with endless replies and responses.

[IloveEnlaiGong: @B.L Bloomfield, fancy seeing you! Have you finished reading the author @Enlai Gong's new novel?]

[avidreader: @B.L Bloomfield, my favorite beta reader!!! Please share your valuable thought on the new book ASAP!]

[Enlai Gong: @B.L Bloomfield, I have dinner tonight so I will not be available around 8-10 Pm. I will respond to your email after that.]

[Drunkenreader: Not fair! Author @Enlai Gong, your only reply to @B.L Bloomfield's comment.]

[IloveEnlaiGong: Author @Enlai Gong can you respond to my comment above? I'm curious >_< Oh well, where will your dinner take place? I want to dine there so I can brag about it!]

[Drunkenreader: @IloveEnlaiGong lol, good luck on that!]

[…]

Bella Lim was speechless at the countless response she received after. She knew her presence online especially in Enlai Gong's website was quite outstanding.

First, because she had worked her way up to be noticed by the author until she was chosen as one of the beta readers for all the novels the author would release. Second, because the author often replied to her comment.

She wasn't certain on the why but she speculated that it was probably because of her critique! She was the harshest and the most honest beta reader! According to Enlai Gong.

Enlai Gong was a mysterious author. He had released countless books of different genres. Each book was a masterpiece and a No. 1 bestseller.

The popularity of Enlai Gong wasn't based on his books only, but also due to the enigma that encircled him. The only thing the reader, as well as the public, knew about him was his male gender and his pen name: Enlai Gong.

No one expected anyone to know about Enlai Gong's real identity, but Bella Lim was an exception!

She knew him.

She had worked hard to get to her position today just to get closer to his world.

Bella Lim read @Enlai Gong's reply on her comment and write a simple response: [Understood.]

Now, she was certain about the thing that would happen tonight. This confirmation inside her brain made her heartbeat drummed faster, she could almost feel the pain it caused on her chest. She needed to do something or else he would be in danger!

That was when she saw him commented again but this time it wasn't for her.

[Enlai Gong: @IloveEnlaiGong Golden Lakeside, 8 PM. See you there!]

[IloveEnlaiGong: Oh my God! Prepare my coffin. I'm dead! @Enlai Gong replied to my comment. I'm number 2 after @B.L Bloomfield. Praise me, partner!]

[Sexyisme: @IloveEnlaiGong I can help you with the coffin. My dad is an undertaker. He has a lot in stock. But is the post by author Enlai Gong real? If yes, even if we want to go, we can't!]

[Betareader103: So true! This restaurant is for the aristocrat! Author @Enlai Gong really wants to hide from us. Sobs… this is mission impossible!]

[…]

Bella Lim read the comments again and again. For the other fan, it was probably a strategy to push them away from inquiring more about him, but to her, that comment was real.

'So, the venue is no longer at his house? That would make things easy,' she thought as a half-smile formed on her face.

"Big sister! I've been waiting for some time already,"

Startled, Bella Lim gasped in realization.

"Little pumpkin! Sorry!!!!" she ran toward her little brother who was looking at her from the door frame. His pitiful eyes were teary making the guilt inside her grew bigger.

"Big sister can hotpot with your laptop. Hmmm!" it seemed that the little pumpkin was angry.

"Please forgive me?" Bella kneeled with both palms clasped. It was her turned to look teary.

"I'll give all the dim sim to you? Please?" she continued to persuade the little pumpkin. However, inside she was squealing hard because the little pumpkin's expression was just too cute. His chubby cheeks were getting bigger when he pouted.

"Really big sister? You'll let me eat all the dim sim?" the little boy was still pretending to be angry but the little joy in his eyes didn't escape Bella Lim's attentiveness. She nodded like an obedient pet.

"Hehe, big sister, congratulation, you're forgiven!" the little pumpkin cupped his cheek as he giggled.

"Pumpkin, you're just too cute for my heart! I'm melting!" Bella Lim could no longer contain herself as she hugged her little brother while complimenting his cuteness with kisses.

At 6.30 PM, they both were laying on the floor with a bulging stomach. Bella Lim burped many times due to overeating. She glanced at little pumpkin that was now devouring the whole plate of dim sim. Gosh, she loved watching him eat. His cheek would puff every time he ate a dim sim. The scene was just too cute in her eyes!

"Big sister, I'm sleepy…" the little pumpkin who finally finished the whole plate of dim sim said. His voiced muffled as he tried to stop yawning.

"Come here," Bella Lim sat up and patted her thigh. Understanding the meaning behind such a gesture, little pumpkin crawled towards his big sister. When he got closer, Bella Lim gently put him to sleep with her thigh as a pillow.

"Big sister, big sister… please sing me a song," little pumpkin requested.

"Sure, here goes… Sleep, little baby…" Bella Lim's melodious voice rang throughout the room as she tenderly caressed her little pumpkin's hair. She watched as the little brother of her fell into a deep sleep. Then, carefully she lifted him up and gently put him down on his bed.