Break Time

The rest of the week became a blur as Jian stayed up most nights working on the dresses and as Friday came it was clear she wasn't resting well. She sighed closing her eyes leaning back on the seat while her mother drove.

"Jian, I understand that this project is important so please take care of your health. I do not wish to see you staying up past 10 on a school day especially since you get up early in the morning, is that okay?" Jessica asked as she drove Jian to her catalog shoot on Friday afternoon. Jian nodded saying, "I understand."

Jessica sighed saying, "I am not saying to stop working completely just take a few hours off on weekdays for yourself, alright?" Jian nodded and gave her a small smile as she waited for her to park.

"Is John dropping you off later?" Jesscia asked and Jian nodded saying, "Yes he's staying the night." She nodded before Jian got off and she drove out. Jian sighed talking a glance at her phone's camera. "I do look a little haggard," Jian thought as she walked towards the building. She went inside and waited for the elevator as two familiar figures approached her.

"Jian," she heard John excited voice, and she smiled saying, "Hello," to the tall man who walked next to John, and she turned to him continuing, "Johnny."

"You here for work?" John asked and Jian nodded before saying, "It's a small shoot, when will you be done?" John sighed as he looked behind them before saying, "I don't know yet." He moved closer whispering in her ears, "he's been very moody today," before he rested his head on her shoulders, and she giggled as the elevator doors opened.

John sighed as he lifted his head and they walked inside as Jian said, "It'll be alright, I will go to the cafe, I might need a quick bite since I came here immediately after school."

She pressed a button as John said, "19 please." Jian nodded as John smiled saying, "I'll join you, let me know when you finish." Jian nodded as the elevator soon stopped and she smiled getting off as John waved at her with a pout.

"Johnny expect a workload increase by 10-fold starting Monday," Cyrus said as they waited for the elevator. "But uncle-" John tried to reason with him but he was met with a cold glare and Cyrus said, "Johnny do not test my patience." John sighed looking at the figure walk out as he glared at his uncle's back.

...

Jian sighed she was done within an hour which was quicker than normal, so she left the building and headed to the cafe.

"Good afternoon," the shop attendant greeted cheerfully, and Jian smiled at him as he asked, "Were you here last week?" Jian nodded asking, "You remembered?" He nodded saying, "I thought I was dreaming since you were so beautiful."

Jian smiled politely as he asked, "Too much huh?" She nodded saying, "A little too flirtatious, anyways, a green tea and a croissant please." He smiled as Jian paid then walked over to the bookshelf. She picked up a simple book before sitting down and sending a text to John.

Jian had been there for close to an hour and there was no response from John yet. She sighed as she closed the book.

"Excuse me," the shop attendant said as he placed a cup of tea and a brownie on the table saying, "This is on me, should I recommend another book for you?" Jian nodded as he took the book and walked over to the shelf placing it away before bringing another one to her, "I think you'll like this it's about two lovers that met by chance years after they thought the other wasn't alive."

She took the book saying, "I wouldn't have thought you would read romance." He laughed saying, "Not often but this is one of my favorites." Jian nodded as she opened the book, and he took the empty plates away.

The time passed as read while waiting. She was only a third of the way done when she heard, "Jian, what is the fair lady reading?" She smiled looking up at John who was looking at the book. "It's a romance novel I believe, my good sir," she said her tone similar to his and he laughed sitting down asking, "Are you enjoying it?"

"I did, I might come back to finish it another day, how was work?" Jian asked and he sighed putting his head down saying, "He increased my workload and the whole meeting all he did was criticize, he picked at the smallest details. I don't want to go to work next week."

Jian smiled as she gently pated his back. "You must be exhausted, huh?" John nodded and she smiled saying, "How about a movie night today, and no working on the show?" He turned his head towards her frowning and Jian sighed explaining, "I haven't been sleeping much this week and mother's not happy about it, plus you are probably also exhausted from traveling so much too."

He sighed asking, "Alright, you wanna go now?" Jian nodded as she got up putting the book away while John waited for her before they walked out the building. The two arrived home soon after and spent the evening just relaxing.