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 vigorously

The man chuckled softly.

Reynolds,

cleared his throat,

felt like the Mr. Reynolds

to end at four p.m.,

line, presenting the book to Madge- "Thanks for all the hard work, Mom, can I get

"Thanks, Mrs. Cole."

her daughter standing

at

moment, Madge was dazed; they looked like

shook her head, dismissing those unrealistic thoughts, and

For Roseanne, she wrote-

day come,

For Owen, it was-

peak, and see all mountains small

insisted on treating

"How can we let you? It should

in his hand, saying, "A special autograph from Mrs. Cole herself, surely that's

Norris was left speechless.

Worth it? Of course!

Madge what she'd like to eat, and she said anything was

he turned

not picky, whatever

gaze naturally fell on

for a moment, "...How about

None of them objected.

On the way-