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1764 Words
What did I say was supposed to happen at this event?
I watch the main characters from the book create one of the epic scenes I read about.
Olivia Noah in Emerson Warren’s arms while I watch from the sidelines.
Yes, that was it!
SO HOW THE HELL DID I END UP WITH EMERSON WARREN HOLDING ME?!
Let’s backtrack.
-
Alright.
It’s been three days since I ended up here, and I still have no idea how it happened. One moment, I’m driving through an intersection after finishing my shift at the convenience store. The next, headlights blind me as another car barrels straight toward mine.
Then… I woke up here.
But that’s beside the point.
Standing in the middle of my living room, my mouth slowly falls open as I take in the penthouse that apparently belongs to me.
It’s breathtaking.
Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch across one side of the apartment, revealing a panoramic view of Orchid City, where glass skyscrapers glitter beneath the afternoon sun. Marble flooring runs throughout the open-concept space, broken only by an enormous cream-colored rug beneath a sleek marble coffee table. A curved ivory sofa faces a wall-sized television, while shelves lined with books, awards, and carefully placed plants make the home feel lived in rather than merely expensive.
The kitchen is just as extravagant. White marble countertops gleam beneath hanging pendant lights, and every appliance looks so high-tech that I’m afraid I’d accidentally launch a rocket if I pressed the wrong button. Beyond it, a floating staircase leads to the second floor, where the bedrooms overlook the living area through glass railings.
The entire place feels elegant.
My gaze drifts to one particular wall.
A massive framed photograph hangs there.
I’m standing at the center, dressed to the nines in a stunning black evening gown, smiling confidently as flashes from countless cameras illuminate the night around me. Awards line the stage behind me, and the city skyline sparkles in the distance.
I look successful. Confident. Beautiful.
Yet… the picture feels painfully empty.
There isn’t a single person standing beside me.
For a moment, I stare at the woman in the photograph before quietly tearing my eyes away.
Dahlia is still watching me. The moment our eyes meet, I see the tears threatening to spill over again.
Not the good kind.
“This is all mine…” It’s more to myself than her but I see her shaky hands reach for her phone.
“Are you sure… I shouldn’t call the doctor? You don’t seem normal.”
“Ah! I’m just messing with you!” I laugh out, louder than I expected. That only makes her clench her phone tighter. “Dahlia, come on… I'm joking.” When she still watched my suspiciously, I sigh. “Alright, I'll prove it to you.”
“How?”
“You hide your favorite alcohol on the top shelf in the kitchen where you also keep your sweets so you don’t reach them but you also bought a stool just so you can reach them. I caught you stalking that cute lawyer guy’s last week and you’re currently working on a novel with him as the a side character.” I honestly shouldn’t know this but these memories tell me that I do so…
“You’re really alright?” Dahlia approaches me, kitten heels tapping the marble floor as she does. “You’re not going to faint again, are you?”
“I’m fineee!” I hold her shoulders and shake her, a part of me doesn’t like seeing her sad. “And I’m not going to faint either.” For a moment, I think she doesn’t believe me because she’s still squinting at me but then she sighs and gives me a hug tight enough to crush me.
“Don’t ever get into an accident again!” She mutters into my hair.
I chuckle, “I don’t plan to.”
“Good!” She tosses her small black branded bag on the sofa then sprawls out as she stretches, “It’s not like I don’t believe you but I’m staying with you until I’m totally convinced you’re fine!”
“Please do. This place is too big for- ahem! I mean I don’t want to be alone.” I chuckle. Thankfully she didn’t catch it. She’s on her phone.
Speaking of phones, “Where is my phone?” I haven’t really needed one since she’s been with me most of the time.
“I left it on your bed when I stopped by to get you clothes.”
“Okay!” I turn to the beautiful staircase winding to the second floor. This staircase is one of the reasons I bought this house. I remember seeing it for the first time at golden hour, because it is decorated with glass flower petals of different colors, it casts a rainbow glow when light passes through them. Next was the spaciousness and then the neighborhood.
My bedroom is at the end of the corridor on the right.
The moment I step inside, a familiar scent greets me; a rich blend of delicate florals, warm honey, and subtle spices. It’s elegant, comforting… and definitely far beyond anything I could have afforded in my old life.
The room is every bit as luxurious as the rest of the penthouse. A king-sized canopy bed draped with sheer white curtains sits against the far wall, facing floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the city. Soft cream and gold accents give the room a warm, peaceful atmosphere. Fresh flowers on the bedside table would add a touch of life.
I wonder how long I’ll be here.
If this isn’t permanent… then maybe I should enjoy everything I can before I leave.
My phone is lying neatly on the bed. As it powers on, I wander into the walk-in closet.
Rows of tailored dresses, designer heels, and perfectly arranged handbags fill the shelves. Glass cabinets display elegant jewelry that catches the light with every step I take.
Every single piece belongs to Camellia Holt. Millionaire app developer.
My phone beeps, reminding me of what I was doing here in the first place. I scroll through to see if I have any text messages. Just a few from some concerned clients who hadn’t heard from me and from the manager I left in charge of the app matters.
I shoot a quick text to them telling them before laying on my bed. It’s soft and inviting. It feels like home.
The question I always asked myself all those late night shifts I spent reading ‘Love Me, Someone!’ was,
What would be the first thing I do if I were to visit for even a day?
Visit the Colossal Hand? The me in this novel has been there.
Splurge on random stuff? I’m wealthy now. I don’t feel the need to do that.
So what should I do?
At that moment a notification comes in on my phone. One glance has me smiling like a child.
-
“Dahlia!” I run down the stairs like a maniac and jump on her, rattling her from her nap. Oops.
“Yeah? What’s wrong?”
“Do you want to see Nathaniel?” I immediately see the sleep vanish from her eyes. “We’ve got a gala to attend!”
A text from me to my manager gets us tickets to attend the Warren Discovery Museum’s gala where they are unveiling many new relics and translated texts.
It is the perfect place to see the main characters I’ve imagined in action, especially our billionaire male lead, Emerson Warren and his incredible female lead, Olivia Noah.
What could be better than watching the male and female lead fall in love with each other in real time? Forget Ultra HD screens, this is the real Live Action! I get to watch them from the sidelines. I’m giddy with excitement.
Dahlia insists on driving us in her sports car.
The moment she hears Nathaniel Hayes will be attending, she immediately calls in a personal shopper and a stylist to make sure she looks her absolute best.
Well… we look our best.
I get dragged into the makeover too.
Considering it’s a charity gala attended by billionaires, I don’t exactly complain. The last thing I want is to become the woman everyone whispers about because she showed up underdressed.
The moment we step out of the car, camera flashes explode around us.
Dahlia barely reacts.
Being the daughter of a wealthy business tycoon means she’s used to the attention. Although illustration is her passion, she’s far more accomplished than most people realize. She actually graduated from law school.
That’s where she met Nathaniel Hayes.
He was in his final year when she enrolled, and according to the memories in my head, she’s been hopelessly crushing on him ever since.
Nathaniel now works as the business lawyer for Warren Discoveries, and I already know he’ll be here tonight.
Because this gala happened in the novel.
More importantly…
One of the story’s most iconic scenes happens here.
Olivia Noah becomes completely absorbed in studying a newly displayed relic after noticing one of its symbols has a hidden second meaning. So focused is she that she never notices a waiter accidentally knocking over a trolley of champagne glasses.
The trolley rolls straight toward her.
At the last second, Emerson Warren pulls her into his arms.
The accident sparks a media frenzy that Nathaniel spends days cleaning up, but readers (including me) absolutely adored the scene.
I can still remember Emerson’s line.
“Watch your surroundings, Princess. I still need you.”
He was obviously referring to her help translating the relics…
But that didn’t stop the entire fandom from pretending it meant something far more romantic.
I glance down at my reflection.
I’m wearing an elegant sapphire-blue evening gown that hugs my figure before flowing gracefully to the floor. My chocolate-brown hair falls in soft waves over my shoulders, and the silver earrings Dahlia insisted I wear catch the light every time I move. For once, my bright blue eyes don’t look tired.
Beside me, Dahlia looks effortlessly stunning in a fitted emerald-green gown with a thigh-high slit. Her sleek black bob frames her face beautifully, making her striking rose-colored eyes stand out even more. She looks confident.
Until we spot Nathaniel further down the red carpet.
Then she’s suddenly very interested in pretending she isn’t looking at him.
After enduring one round of photographs and answering a few harmless questions from reporters, we finally made our way inside the museum.
- Writer
