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 in

The man chuckled softly.

"Mr. Reynolds, what's so

his throat, suddenly serious,

Reynolds was fibbing, but she

signing, initially scheduled to end

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

"Thanks, Mrs. Cole."

standing gracefully before

them smiled at

moment, Madge was dazed; they looked like a perfect pair,

those unrealistic

For Roseanne, she wrote-

winds and waves shall some day come, to sail straight across

For Owen, it was-

highest peak, and

insisted on treating them

said, "How can we let you?

saying, "A special

Norris was left speechless.

Worth it? Of course!

like to eat, and

he turned to

not picky, whatever

naturally fell

for a

None of them objected.

On the way-