Episode 7: Sunshine and Solitude

Yolie came out of her room with a bright pink bag on her elbow. Her face was also caked in way too much red, blue, and purple makeup.

Aurelia forced herself to smile as she averted her gaze. "So, where are you off to?"

"Lucian asked me to help with their shoot, so of course, I said yes."

Sweat beaded her brow. "I see. Take care then."

Yolie waved as she practically skipped down the stairs.

When Aurelia got into the kitchen, Keith was standing by the stove, keeping watch over a sizzling pan.

Keith frowned when he saw her. "Are you okay?"

Aurelia pinched the bridge of her nose. "Have you seen Yolie this morning?"

"No, I've been in the kitchen since I got out of the shower and dressed."

"She looks like a clown."

Keith glanced back at the pan before saying, "Maybe she's dressed up to work a kid's party?"

"She said she's going to help Lucian."

"It's probably for a character then." Keith smiled. "I wouldn't worry about it too much."

Aurelia sighed. "Right…"

Not long after that, Keith's breakfast finished cooking. He plated half for both of them. Aurelia sat down while Keith got them drinks. He then joined her, sitting across from her. They ate in silence, neither of them wanting to broach the subject of Yolie again.

Keith cleared his throat. "What are you working on today?"

Aurelia swallowed her mouthful of food before saying, "I need to write up a review for this story about college students who got lost while staying a cabin."

"Sounds interesting."

"It actually is," Aurelia said before talking about the premise of the book.

"It sounds intriguing. I hope your review goes well."

Aurelia smiled. "Thanks! How about you?"

"I'm going to try and finalize my code for that demanding client. I want them out of my hair."

"Good luck! I hope they leave you alone once it's done."

Keith smiled. "Me too. Thanks!"

They lapsed into silence as they finished their breakfast.

Afterwards, Aurelia put the the dishes in the sink for the robots while Keith got ready to work.

Once he left, Aurelia went to her desk to write up her review. She quickly became immersed in writing about the book she had finished last night. She couldn't stop gushing about how good it was, especially for such a short read. She praised the author's writing style, as well as the pacing and plot. By the time she finished typing up her thoughts, she felt refreshed and energized.

With that done, Aurelia decided to read that book she'd taken off of Maza's plate next. It would make Maza look bad if she failed to meet the deadline, so it was best to get it done early. Besides, Aurelia wanted to support her friend.

Aurelia laid down on her bed and opened the file for the book.

The book opened with the main character carrying a flashlight as they ventured into a dark, musty basement. The atmosphere was eerie and suspenseful, immediately drawing the reader in.

As Aurelia continued to read, she found herself engrossed in the story, unable to put it down. The plot was thrilling, with twists and turns that kept her guessing. The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy to root for them.

By the time Aurelia finished the book, she was exhilarated. She immediately wrote up her thoughts, eager to share them with the world. This was a book that deserved to be read and appreciated by everyone.

Aurelia sent Maza a heart emoji. Thanks for letting me take that book! It was great! Any horror fan would love it!

Maza responded with a thumbs-up emoji. Glad you enjoyed it!

Aurelia then turned off her terminal before deciding what to do next. The day was still young. She should try to get some more work done, even if it was menial tasks.

And so, she organized her emails, responded to messages, and sorted through a stack of papers on her desk. It was mundane work, but it felt good to clear some of the clutter.

As she worked, her mind kept drifting back to the book she had just read. She couldn't help but feel inspired by the gripping story and the author's skillful writing. It made her want to dive into her own creative projects, but she knew she needed to stay focused on her current tasks.

After a couple of hours, Aurelia took a break and made herself a cup of tea. She wandered into the living room and glanced out the window. The sun was shining, beating down on any poor souls who were stuck outside. Aurelia shuddered at the thought of having to work outdoors today. She was glad she was safe inside, surrounded by air conditioning.

As she sipped her tea, Aurelia's eyes drifted to the piano in the corner. She hadn't played in years, not since she moved out of her parents' house. But now, she felt an urge to sit down and play again. Maybe it was because of the book she had just read or maybe it was because of the pleasant weather, but Aurelia set her mug down on the coffee table before sitting down at the piano. She flexed her fingers before placing them on the keys. Then, she started to play one of her favorite songs.

As Aurelia lost herself in the music, she felt transported back to her childhood.

"Why do I need to do this?" her little self whined.

Her mother sat on the nearby sofa with her arms and legs folded. "Because you're a proper lady, and royal ladies are expected to have an elite, well-rounded education."

"But playing the piano is boring!"

Her mother frowned. "Music is a crucial part of life. You'll thank us later."

Little Aurelia pouted. "If you say so."

Back in the present, a sigh escaped her lips. Deni had always been more interested in music, dance, and domestic affairs than she had. Unfortunately, he didn't get as much time for his hobbies, because he was expected to do sports, tutoring, and other more manly affairs.