Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

On the third floor, Owen stood by the elevator, ready to head down to find someone.

Ding-dong-

The metallic doors opened.

Roseanne emerged.

"Mr. Reynolds."

"Where have you been?"

They spoke at the same time, but their tones were completely different. Roseanne appeared relaxed, while Owen seemed slightly impatient, with a hint of concern beneath.

"I ran into Corley downstairs and got delayed for a bit. Here... Mr. Reynolds, have some water." Roseanne pulled a bottle from her bag and handed it over.

Owen glanced at the logo on the bag, which was from the imported goods store across the street. Roseanne likely hadn't gone that far, so it could only mean... "Corley bought it?"

"Yeah. I watched his grandparents while he went to the store across the street for some water. They only drink this brand."

Owen took the bottle.

Roseanne peeked into the event hall, "How's it going? Is it over yet?"

Owen shook his head: "Not yet. There's quite a line; it might take a while."

The earlier embarrassment was still fresh in her memory, and she wasn't eager to go back in and get jostled again.

But then...

Roseanne glanced at the book in Owen's hand: "Mr. Reynolds, are you planning to queue up for an autograph?"

"I'll wait till the end. No need to push through the crowd."

Roseanne nodded

The man chuckled softly.

"Mr. Reynolds, what's so

his throat,

felt like the Mr. Reynolds was fibbing,

scheduled to end at

line, presenting the book to Madge-

"Thanks, Mrs. Cole."

to see her daughter standing

of them smiled at her, filled

looked like a perfect pair, none

unrealistic thoughts, and

For Roseanne, she wrote-

waves shall some day come, to sail straight

For Owen, it was-

the highest peak, and

on

can we let you? It should

waved the book in his hand, saying, "A special autograph from Mrs.

Norris was left speechless.

Worth it? Of course!

first asked Madge what she'd like to eat,

turned to

picky,

gaze naturally fell on

for a moment, "...How

None of them objected.

On the way-