"Xander!"
Before Ariel Zimrman could speak, the assistant next to her expressed surprise and joy, "What brings you here? Are you staying here too?"
Then she turned to Ariel Zimrman, "Ariel, look, it’s Master Xander!"
Just a few days ago, Ariel had ntioned in the production crew that Master Xander was her occult consultant, so why did she seem so indifferent upon seeing him here?
Ariel Zimrman threw her a warning glance but said nothing.
Gregory Xander didn’t mind, nodded noncommittally to the assistant, and after entering the elevator, swiped his card and pressed the floor number, then walked over to stand beside Ariel Zimrman.
The elevator was silent for a while, and finally, he spoke,
"I ca to apologize."
Ariel Zimrman felt a sharp jolt in her heart but continued to stare straight ahead, acting as if he didn’t exist.
Gregory Xander continued,
"I noticed you blocked . I initially considered using another number to call you but decided that I should explain face-to-face."
The hand holding Ariel’s phone tightened slightly, but she remained silent.
Seeing her like that, Gregory Xander thought of the ruined cake, and his voice unconsciously softened as he said,
"There was an unforeseen incident that night. I was called away on duty and couldn’t make it to our eting in ti. I’m sorry."
Ariel Zimrman listened quietly, her throat constricting with a strange lancholic sensation which she tried hard to suppress.
The assistant had been completely silent, holding her breath in an attempt to be invisible since Gregory Xander started speaking.
In just a few monts, the elevator had arrived at the floor where the crew was.
Just as Greg assud Ariel wouldn’t respond, she surprised him by speaking.
Her voice was calm, almost cold, unlike its usual softness, she said,
"It’s no longer important."
As she spoke, Ariel finally turned to look at him.
All her emotions were gathered internally as she looked at him with a steady gaze, unlike before, she said,
"I’ve received your apology. I forgive you. You can leave now."
As she finished speaking, there was a ding, and the elevator doors opened.
Ariel Zimrman, with her assistant, walked straight out of the elevator and down the long corridor without turning back.
Gregory Xander listened as her footsteps hit the hotel’s thick carpet. Though nearly inaudible, they rung clear in his ears.
Until the elevator door closed again and her footsteps were completely cut off, Gregory Xander stood inside the elevator alone, showing so regret on his face after a long silence.
...
anwhile, the assistant finally realized who Ariel and her manager referred to as "that person" earlier.
She cautiously looked at Ariel Zimrman walking ahead, wanting to ask but fearing to do so, until she escorted her to her hotel room door and finally mustered up the courage to inquire,
"Ariel, that Greg..."
Yet, just as she began speaking, Ariel abruptly interrupted her by swiping her room card decisively.
Ariel turned to her and simply said,
"I’m a little tired today. You can go back now. Tomorrow morning, I’d like so buns."
The assistant responded instinctively, "Buns? From that favorite shop of yours, right? Okay!"
Ariel forced a smile and beckoned her farewell,
"Goodnight then~"
After speaking, she closed the door with a click, leaving no room for further conversation.
The assistant stared at the closed door, glanced at the other end of the hallway where the elevator was, hesitated for a mont, and eventually sent a ssage to the manager.
This was beyond her handling, better to leave it to the manager.
After all, he earns more money,
Let the one who earns more do the worrying.
...
Not knowing what the manager intends, Ariel Zimrman went to work the next day as usual.
Today’s scene involved the male lead insisting on rescuing the female supporting role despite his injuries, leaving the female lead behind, leading to intense conflict between the two.
Ariel Zimrman’s emotions exploded more fiercely than the day before,
"Haven’t you suffered enough because of her?! Is she so important to you that you’d risk your life?!"
Max River, with bandages around his hands, maintained a facade of perseverance and determination,
"I have reasons I must save her. Trust , once I return, I’ll explain everything to you."
Saying this, he mounted his horse, which quickly turned and departed, kicking up dust with its hooves.
Ariel Zimrman, initially seated in the carriage, staggered out as she saw this, lifting her dress as she stumbled and chased after him, simultaneously crying out her agonizing plea,
"Don’t go... Lucen! Co back! If you leave today, I won’t wait for you any longer..."
While shouting, she continued chasing the horse, yet the man atop never looked back.
She ran clumsily, eventually tripping and falling hard to the ground.
The fall was so severe that her hands bled upon hitting the ground.
The surrounding crew was shocked, but Ariel Zimrman seed oblivious, remaining engulfed in her emotions, lying on the ground, gazing at the distant figure with despair and sorrow, tears bursting forth,
"Lucen! Co back... Bastard! You’re a bastard! Sob..."
There she sat, desolate and grief-stricken on the ground, crying bitterly in despair.
Director Ian and the crew were dumbfounded, quickly shouting cut and rushing to treat her wounds.
Ariel was still crying, seemingly unable to escape her emotions, making Director Ian personally inquire.
Ariel didn’t want to admit she had imrsed herself too deeply, rely saying between sobs, "My hand hurts so much."
Director Ian chuckled helplessly, promptly arranged for her wound to be treated, and discussed reshooting the scene.
Ariel agreed to everything.
She was engrossed in her work, unaware of a figure present at the shooting site in the distance, sternly observing the recent eruption of her emotions.
Soon, a close-up shot was arranged for her, and Director Ian sought to continue filming the next scene while Ariel was emotionally heightened.
However, at this mont, dark clouds suddenly gathered in the sky, and without warning, rain began to pour.
The crew quickly activated ergency protocols, but Director Ian was thrilled at the unexpected rain, discussing with Ariel Zimrman about incorporating rain into the next scene.
Though Ariel appeared delicate, she was never pretentious about her work, agreeing effortlessly.
Director Ian wanted her hand wrapped to protect it from water, but Ariel didn’t want to delay the shoot, "Let’s just film this way; it feels more real."
The site imdiately buzzed with activity as caras were set up, Ariel resud her position on the ground, exposed to the downpour, while continuing to mourn the distant figure on the main road,
"Lucen... I’ll never trust you again... I won’t wait for you anymore..."
She stumbled, struggling under her maid’s support to rise.
This was ant to mark the completion of an emotional transition, from heartbreak to disappointnt, then to calm, as she faced utter disappointnt toward the departed lover amidst the torrential rain.
Ariel was absorbed in her emotions when suddenly, the rain above stopped.
Initially, she assud the rain had ceased, but soon realized sothing was off.
The rain hadn’t stopped.
It had only stopped above her.
The crew, including Director Ian, was bewildered, except for Ariel who looked up at the small patch of gray cloud above her.
Inwardly, she had a bold yet absurd guess...
```
Reviews
All reviews (0)