Giselle encounters paradise

Recently, Lillian had picked up a new hobby.

Ever since her last conversation with Giselle on Christmas night, she had been calling nonstop every day to chat. There isn't necessarily any purpose behind it but simply aimed to ask about how the day went for each other.

Although in the beginning, it came as a surprise to Giselle, she can't help but revel in this little joy she gets to share with Lillian. Deep within, she enjoyed these conversations as part of her daily routine. However, it is unusual for today since Lillian is calling so early in the morning.

Considering her circumstance, Giselle refused to answer right away and continued to walk towards the subway entrance. Nonetheless, Lillian's calls never ceased to end. Giselle's phone rang louder and louder to disturb the neighborhood. Having run out of patience, she finally answers the call before it causes an uproar.

"Hello? Giselle?" Lillian greeted enthusiastically.

"Lillian!"

"Wow, I had my doubts and wanted to check if you're actually sleeping, but- damn, you answered my call!"

Giselle remained quiet through the enthusiasm, holding her tongue from spitting fire.

"Ah- Good morning!" Lillian greeted again. She had no clue of Giselle's current state and kept jabbering about randomly.

Still, Giselle refused to respond. Noticing her settling silence, Lillian asked if she was perhaps busy.

"You think?" Giselle finally replied.

"What's going on?"

"Lillian!" Giselle sighed again in defeat. She just can't seem to win against this woman's attention.

"I'm on my way to meet my author!"

Lillian caught on quickly.

"Jayce? Why?" she inquired.

"He called for an emergency meeting. He's rushing his schedule to release his book early than planned, so-"

"Really? I didn't hear about it. Well, it's his book. Sounds tough for you though! Do you have to go to work then? Tomorrow's New Year's Eve," Lillian remarked, worrying if Giselle might get busy suddenly.

"No, I'm only visiting him at his place today. Although I received a word from Jayce that it will get busier after New Year," Giselle informed.

Only after hearing it from Giselle did Lillian stop worrying.

"Hmm," she replied, lost in thoughts.

Silence settled again, but Giselle had finally reached the subway entrance. She walked down to her platform while Lillian remained still on the line. She hasn't spoken a word yet.

When she heard the subtle gasps and pants, Lillian's voice resumed talking, casually forcing herself with pleasantries.

Giselle found it weird. It wasn't Lillian's usual voice or tone but these short-end conversations and dragging silences. Perhaps, the biggest suspicion of all is how Lillian is desperately trying to extend her call.

Giselle had no time to appreciate it since she is running late. Due to the weather, her ride had already arrived early and was now getting ready to leave. She quickly informed Lillian to end their call and ran to board the train. Taking one of the empty seats, Giselle checked the time. It was still early than planned. She looked around to find people still traveling at early dawn. She wondered herself carelessly and slipped away the thought of Lillian Grey.

On the other end, Lillian heard Giselle rushing to board the train. She didn't bother to extend any more and cared for her safety. She also refrained from calling her again and waited to do it later since she couldn't discuss the reason she actually called Giselle so early in the morning.

***

In contrast to what she had endured in the outside world, Giselle thought she had stepped straight into paradise because everything in her sight was glowing in white and gold. The walls bathed in pure white while the decors soaked in bright golden yellow. It was such a striking image that purified Giselle's fatigue and tinged her with fresh energy. Nevertheless, standing in the middle of her view was the man himself, dwelling in this heavenly abode, Keyline's best-selling author, Jayce.

Dark circles nested under his eyes, hinting at a lack of sleep for several days. What a contrast to his lifestyle, Giselle thought.

"Hi, Giselle. Come on in," Jayce said and invited. His voice lacked strength and life as he allowed his guest inside.

Giselle thought as if she had entered a museum instead of an apartment. This show-stopper, white-gloved condominium in midtown Manhattan began with a radiant foyer and marble flooring.

Giselle was instantly impressed and at a loss for words. As she traveled down to the living room, she finally found traces of toil and the terrible reality of an author.

The couch in the living room was flooded with books, notes, papers, even including a few hand drawings. Jayce's laptop was still on, and this part of the room warned lack of cleaning. Ignoring the craziness, Giselle glanced around to find the grand dining table with a cut-glass chandelier and golden sconces.

Subconsciously, she let out a gasp. This guy is so chic, Giselle reminded herself and continued to explore the place in awe.

The fireplace provided an abundance of warmth to the entire room, wherein the subtle stench roving inside the house informed that Jayce hadn't taken a bath for a while. What an insult to his apartment, Giselle thought again.

The presence of another soul made Jayce aware of his surroundings. He saw Giselle react weirdly at some point and took a sniff of himself. Surrendering himself to a defeat, he made an effort to clear out some space on the couch for his editor, who came on time to his aid.

Jayce also opened the windows for the clean morning breeze to come in and sweep away his sweat stench. The rest of the house looked neat already and didn't need any purification. Giselle finally took a seat next to a stack of uneven papers. Glancing at it made her grasp the situation, and she knew Jayce must be suffering desperately. Besides, Giselle remembered getting coffee for both, something that her instinct advised. She shared his drink, inviting him straight to the meeting.

Jayce wasn't planning on sitting down, especially after noticing his odor, but he quickly made himself a space far away from Giselle to sit down. He took a sip of the hot drink, dissolving the drowsiness as the caffeine kicked in. But he was beyond exhausted at this point, and the coffee only made it worse. He couldn't decline Giselle's nice gesture and sat through to finish the last sip. Plus, he needed his cup of coffee to keep going.

**

Searching through the mess, Jayce pulled out his manuscript.

Handing the script to Giselle, he gave instructions to follow the marked page and asked her to go through the highlighted content. Followed by a brief explanation of what trouble he's been facing the past couple of days.

A part of the script doesn't seem to satisfy him, even if it sits well with the story. Jayce had been racking until his brain processor overheated and finally broke down. He had attempted to rewrite it several times, but nothing satisfied him. He was in desperate need of another perspective, which is why he had called Giselle so early the day before New Year's Eve.

Jayce apologized for troubling her out of the blue. He had no choice but to feel guilty. It was the first time Giselle noticed him in such a desperate state. He must be really devastated.

Giselle reassured him to let it go. She was glad that he at least gave her a warning the previous night.

Now that she's here, Giselle agreed to share her opinion as his editor. Giselle requested Jayce to give some time for her to go through the manuscript.

Jayce understood and felt relieved. After sharing his trouble openly, he excused himself for a short break. He was planning to take a shower first and get himself cleaned up from this nasty stink. Giselle's fresh presence only made him conscious of his reeking odor. He finished his coffee in one go and left Giselle alone to work.