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."

nodded

The man chuckled softly.

Reynolds, what's

He cleared his

like the Mr. Reynolds was fibbing, but she had no

book signing, initially scheduled to end at four p.m.,

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

"Thanks, Mrs. Cole."

see her daughter standing gracefully before her,

of them smiled at her, filled

Madge was dazed; they looked like a perfect pair, none

her head, dismissing those unrealistic

For Roseanne, she wrote-

day come, to sail

For Owen, it was-

the highest peak, and see all

on treating them to

can we let you? It should be

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

Norris was left speechless.

Worth it? Of course!

what she'd like to eat, and

he turned to

picky, whatever

gaze naturally

for a moment, "...How

None of them objected.

On the way-