Wings & Dreams

Interviews

A bespectacled woman with her black hair that was bunned gave me a deadly look. I gulped, and hurriedly examined the atmosphere around. There were two other men sitting beside the woman, but what made me most nervous was the middle-aged woman.

"Clara Stockholm?" The woman's voice sounded scary, I thought as I walked between us. I nodded and picked up one of the available chairs near me. "Yes, Miss Lucy."

"You're 18?" Ask me while raising his eyebrows. The other two men were just watching me, as if I were their prey. "Yes" I answered nervously.

The sound of a pen click filled my mind. The woman named Lucy was busy writing things down on her paper. I could see another pile of paper that was being seen by the man to his left. His eyeballs moved quickly, then with a single nod, he turned the page.

That's my story, my mind. What will the result be like?

"Clara Stockholm, age 18, lives in the central Ratterdam City area, has no parents?" Ask Lucy again. I nodded with a smile. "Yes, ma'am."

"An 18-year-old girl but her readers are already thousands?" The other man on Lucy's right turned to me. His body was muscular, and his yellow teeth were shown to me. "Edward, what do you think?"

"Hmm, that's fine" replied the man who turned out to be named Edward. His eyes still looked at my manuscript which was hundreds of pages in number. "The story is too...ordinary and rather boring...?"

My heart was immediately pierced by his words. I lowered my head and bit my lower lip. "But, when viewed in terms of vocabulary and tidiness, I give it an A." Edward placed the pile of paper at the end of the table and folded his hands. His eyes landed on my face. "Please, Clara. Explain why you want to publish your manuscript with us."

My hands were shaking, but I was getting nervous. I've prepared whatever I need to say. As a writer, writing things down on paper is common to me. I imagined myself going through the interview casually and talking to the lithe. However, what came to my mind right now was Jon's happy face as I preached the good news that I was accepted for the interview.

"I. as the number of my readers began to increase at that moment..." I started my explanation. "Someone said that my script was good and could be directly published"

"Who would say something like that?" Cut Lucy. His eyes are not out of my face. "First of all, you are still very young. Second, your fantasy story is too ordinary." He grabbed one of the pages of my manuscript, then began to read the contents. "Both of these Fae ended up living happily ever after, with no problem at all." He laughed a little. "Don't that sound boring?"

My face immediately blushed. "But-but! Read the core of the problem-"

"Nobody needs to be read," said Lucy again. "Your interview is done. You can take back your script." He threw the stack of manuscripts on the floor, producing a loud thump. I bit my tongue, then picked it up quickly. I think my tears are starting to spill. Without saying anything more, I stomped my feet and slammed the door hard.

"Boring?!" I screamed in annoyance. "If only that unlucky woman read well my story-"

I hurriedly wiped my tears, then forced a smile. "It's nothing."

"You were clearly crying earlier," he muttered while embracing me. Now, we've walked out of the building and headed to the nearest restaurant. "That means the interview was not successful" he continued.

I hate to hear that painful fact, let alone right out of Jon's mouth, so I just fell silent. Jon ordered food for both of us. When his servant was gone, he continued his conversation. "You want a story?" He took my hand, then stroked it with his thumb.

I rolled my eyeballs. "Maybe. Ja. Nook. I don't know" I was about to take my hand off, but Jon swiftly held it back. I look at him impatiently.

"Clara, don't hold your own. I'm so worried about you-"

"Yes, I'm worried! I'm so happy with that woman!" This time, I could no longer hold back my anger and tears. So, let go. "You know what that means when I fail?" I said in between my sobs. "That means I can't make my own money. I had to go back to that remote village and stay alone with Grandma until she starved to death!"

Without me noticing, everyone's gazes led to my screams. My body is shaking, the shame is back on me. Jon fortunately noticed it, and immediately pulled my body. "Let's get out of here."

Jon led me slowly. Our apartment was fortunately adjacent to the restaurant earlier, so I did not have to face the strange gaze of people when I saw a girl who was busy crying.

Jon closed the door to his apartment room, then hugged me. I let out tears and hugged her back. Silence was created between us. Jon's body shape is very familiar. His abdominal muscles that I could feel, as well as his heartbeat that sounded inside his chest. Jon kissed my head and my body no longer shook.

"You're 18 years old, Clara," he said slowly. He fumbled my back. "Your life's journey is long. I'm quite an adult. I can find a job. We'll live together."

That word made me smile. Lives with Jon in the apartment. My heart was beating fast again. I also felt Jon's hand no longer palpate my back. He let go of her little snuggle, then brought her face closer.

"Live together" I said just before he kissed my lips. All the feelings of worry disappeared. I was so late in my feelings for him. He carried me, still not letting go of my lips. When he was on the couch, he took off my dirty jacket. I felt the wind tingling on my open shoulder.

Now his body is above me. He kissed my shoulder and whispered, "Forever."