Office Diaries - Chapter 178

On the set, a very “intimate” interview was ongoing…

“Mr. Anter Kim, the book Pathos was such a huge success. But,” the host paused dramatically as she glanced at the audience. ” – it’s totally different from your usual writing style so many of your fans, including myself are wondering what brought such change.”

“I..ehrm…” Peter glanced at the audience but couldn’t see much due to the spotlight and so he turned his attention back to the host. “I just felt like it.”

“… Eh?”

JUST FELT LIKE WHAT?

The writer’s blunt answer made the people thought they misheard him even the host and Jun Kim who watched on the side palmed her face backstage as she vowed murder. It was a good thing the host was tactful that she was able to recover immediately and ask another question.

“I didn’t know that you’re such a joker, Mr. Kim,” the host said as she laughed, making the audience do the same. “Well, you are known for someone who does not dedicate his work. This time, however, you suddenly did.”

The hostess held a hardbound copy of the book and opened it a few pages in front to show everyone the dedication page. A big monitor behind amplified the page so the audience could see what was written in it.

“It says here: To the one who holds my heart, Anjee.”

The host raised the book so that the dedication could be zoomed by the camera. The words were just so sweet that most of the people, the audience, and the host smiled or giggled and cooed at how romantic that was.

“This is such a pleasant surprise for us, Mr. Kim. Come to think of it, Anjee was also the name of one of your protagonists so all of us are dying to know who this Anjee that you dedicate your book to is…”

Peter felt the heat on his face and knew exactly how mortified he was. He’d never been subjected to such scrutiny as he was at the moment. He felt like telling everyone to mind their own business but looking at their faces, like they were hanging on to his every word, and remembering what Jun Kim told him that this was his only chance to have Anjee back, he decided to get it over with.

Swallowing his pride and nervousness, he stared at the crowd whose faces he couldn’t see and he took a deep breath.

This is it!

“Anjee…Anj is my best friend.”

His words were met with a chorus of “oooooh,” and Peter continued.

“But to me, she was – is more than a friend. I love her. I’ve always been in love with her,” he confessed, and once again the crowd chorused their delight.

“Does she know about your feelings?” the host prompted and he sighed heavily.

“Yes – no – I don’t know. She’s so dense. She brushes up my feelings as that of friendship every time I confess to her.”

The audience gave another round of audible sighs as they looked at him in pity.

“I see…” The host then turned to the audience. “See folks, I know it’s a sad thing that this handsome writer is already in love with someone else, but let’s not forget that because of that love, Anter Kim was able to create such an amazing story. Let us hope that the girl would realize how lucky she is being loved so much by such a person. Everyone, please let’s give a hand to Mr. Anter Kim,” she continued and everyone gave him a round of applause.

The knots in Peter’s stomach started to ebb away as it seemed that this agonizing interview was finally over. Or so he thought…

“Now, Mr. Anter Kim, we also invited another person to be interviewed today,” the host told him and the writer nodded.

His piece was done. He didn’t care about what happened next. He would just sit there and hope that somehow Anjee was able to watch his confession.

“Everyone, have you listened to the hottest love song today?” the host asked and the audience answered “yes”, making the host laugh. “Don’t Ask Me If I Love you debuted a month ago, and yet the song is still unwavering on the charts until now!”

The audience gave another round of applause as the host looked at Peter again.

“This is such a coincidence too since the name of this newest talent by Oracle is the same as the one you love,” the host continued and Peter’s ċhėst pounded.

“Oracle? But isn’t that…” he murmured with a frown.

Peter curiously tried hard to see the backstage but all he saw was Jun Kim glaring at him, warning him to behave. He had no choice but to sit back properly on his seat and wait.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s all welcome,” she paused dramatically as she gestured towards the mini performing stage on the side. “To sing Don’t Ask Me If I Love You, the hottest new singer, Anjee!” the host announced, and amidst everyone’s clapping and cheers, the curtain on the far side of the stage opened and a slender woman, the one Peter had been wanting to see for months stepped out of it carrying a microphone in her hand.

“Anj…” Peter whispered, mesmerized as he watched Anjee hold the microphone near her rosy lips.

For a moment, he thought she glanced at him, but the singer had closed her eyes already as the music started. Peter was not able to do anything but watch, mesmerized, and surprised as she opened her lips to sing a song that had been very familiar for he had been listening to it a lot lately.

When you look at me my heart race

Was it just an illusion or was there really tenderness on your gaze?

You act like I’m someone you adore

But there were times when you hurt me and ignore…

Everyone was quiet while she sang the song. But when she reached the second chorus, the audience started singing along. Peter still couldn’t believe that the song he had been listening to lately was sung by her. He had thought she found work as a songwriter but had no idea that she was also the singer herself.