Stephen Hawking

….

…We? - Stephen Jr. opened his mouth again, the words getting stuck in his throat.

He should have known something was off - the old man had been watching the same movie clips over and over since yesterday, as if possessed by some obsessive madness.

And as if on cue, the window rolled up with quiet finality, shutting down any chance for further discussion.

….

Knowing he had no choice, Stephen Jr. exhaled and climbed into the front seat of the car, shooting Christopher and Anne a reluctant but goodbye nod.

The car began to move smoothly.

Stephen slouched in his seat, completely unused to this type of situation.

Behind him, his grandfather sat like a statue, hands resting on his cane, as if he were the ruler of this small, mobile domain.

"Where does this young director live?" His grandfather asked suddenly.

Stephen Jr. felt more trouble brewing inside that casual question.

However, he at least confirmed something by now.

If you liked the movie that much, you should have just said so. Why drag everyone around like we are on leashes? - He cursed silently.

"Not far." - yet there was no such harshness as he answered.

"Let's go." His grandfather ordered, as if the matter was already settled.

Stephen Jr. sighed inwardly. "...Okay."

He gave the driver, seated beside him, a few quick instructions, and the car smoothly changed direction.

Just as they were five minutes away, Stephen Jr.'s phone vibrated in his pocket.

He pulled it out and glanced at the screen - [Chris].

He answered. "What is it?"

His tone was whispery, pressing his hand over the speaker to muffle the sound, wary of his grandfather overhearing.

["I just got Keanu's number from Grace. Turns out Regal's out for dinner with him and left his phone at home."] Christopher cut to the chase.

Stephen Jr.'s heart plummeted at that. "S-so you are saying he isn't at his office right now?"

["Obviously."] Christopher replied flatly.

Stephen muttered under his breath. "...I am dead."

["Wait. Don't tell m–!"]

Christopher started, but his realization was cut off by the driver's interjection from the other side.

"Should I take a right here, Sir Jr.?" - the driver asked for directions.

Stephen Jr. yanked the phone away, his head snapping toward the driver. "Yeah, yeah—no, wait, take the left here." His words tumbled out, all over the place.

The driver nodded, and the car smoothly veered left as instructed, and Stephen Jr. returned the phone to his ear.

"Okay, text me Keanu's number. I will call you later." He cut the call and shoved his phone back into his pocket.

His grandfather's eyes were locked onto the windows, gazing at the moving surroundings.

Still, he felt an imaginary sweat sliding down his neck.

Trying to distract himself and break the tension, he turned toward the window-!

?!However, his gaze caught on something.

Wait… is that? Stephen Jr. thought of connecting the figure's structure he remembered, and immediately he ordered. "Stop here."

Heading his call, the driver's foot hit the brake, and the car slowed, pulling over to the side of the road, stopping just in front of a convenience store.

Stephen Sr. in the back remained silent, but his sharp eyes bore into the younger one, silently demanding an explanation.

"I am hungry." He blurted out, reaching for the door handle. Without hesitation, he yanked it open. "I will grab something from the store."

Before his grandfather could utter a word, Stephen Jr. was already out of the car. He didn't look back, didn't pause to see the other's reaction.

He was taking the risk - on his own now.

His feet moved quickly, his heart thudding in his chest, praying he was right.

Just moments ago, as the car had been rolling, a flash of movement caught his eye. A familiar figure is stepping out of the convenience store.

Please… let it be him. He thought and quickened his pace.

He wasn't sure if it was luck or fate, but either way, he couldn't stop now.

….

Meanwhile, Regal was having his peace moment with his sister and her boyfriend, completely oblivious to the tension simmering - their brief outing had created chaos in the lives of the three people.

"So this is what you meant by dinner? A convenience store meal?" Seren shot Regal a pointed look with sarcasm as they walked out of the convenience store.

Regal shrugged. "Hey, little sis, I am saving your money."

Seren's eyes narrowed into slits, but before she could unleash a retort, Keanu wandered over, carrying a plastic bag overflowing with instant noodle cups.

He grinned. "Good news, they had the spicy ones left!"

Regal nodded in affirmation. "Hu-hum…"

Seren pinched the bridge of her nose, her patience teetering on the edge. "Why am I even here?"

And just then, in the distance, Stephen Jr.'s eyes zeroed in on Keanu - relief washing over him as he spotted the familiar face with two others.

Immediately, he broke into a run in their direction.

He has found him!

His stride only quickened at that as his gaze locked firmly on Keanu, not because he was the most important person, but because he was the only familiar face in the group.

"Stephen?" Keanu blinked in surprise.

At that, the group also turned toward him, confused by someone's abrupt arrival.

Stephen Jr. came to a halt just short of gripping Keanu's shoulders. His voice broke, carrying an edge of frustration. "Do you have any idea what kind of mess you have indirectly caused me?"

Keanu frowned, clutching his bag of instant noodles. "What mess? I was just grabbing dinner."

Before Stephen Jr. could respond, Seren stepped forward, placing herself firmly between the two. "I don't know who you are, but kiddo, you are being really rude."

"For once, I have to agree with you, Seren." Regal chimed in, stepping up beside her.

Young Stephen Jr. flinched slightly, taken aback by the sudden interruption, but he didn't argue. "I… I apologize. I didn't mean to come off that way. I am just in a rush."

With a deep breath, he turned his attention back to Keanu, regaining some semblance of composure. "Where is your friend Regal? Is he with you?"

Wasn't he supposed to be with you? He thought as Christopher informed him they were together.

Keanu, still confused, pointed lazily over his shoulder. "...well, that's him. Regal."

Stephen Jr.'s gaze followed the gesture, landing on Regal, who raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled."You were looking for me?"

"Probably caused some trouble again…" Seren murmured under her breath with a teasing tone, trying to pull her brother's leg.

Regal shot her a brief, almost imperceptible look.

"Read the room, girl." He muttered, as if dismissing her comment.

Stephen Jr., now face to face with Regal, pushed forward with a calm but direct approach.

"I am Stephen." He introduced himself, offering his hand in a brief handshake.

Regal accepted the handshake, not showing any emotion. "I take it you are the one who watched my movie at the screening yesterday?"

Stephen didn't linger on the small talk. He cut to the chase. "Do you know Stephen Hawking, the actor?"

"Of course, I would know him." Regal finally chuckled at that, showing some emotion - clearly finding humor in the question.

Even Keanu, and surprisingly, Seren - who had little interest in movies - knew that name.

Was there anyone who didn't? Especially an aspiring director like him?

Now that would be a crime.

Stephen nodded. "Well, here's the thing... it's a bit absurd, but he is my grandfather."

"...." - "...." - "...."

For a brief moment, the three of them simply deadpanned at the young boy as if spouting utter nonsense.

However, Regal's thoughts were immediately overcome as he used [Insight] on Stephen Jr.

And just like that, a flicker of surprise rose in him.

But it quickly faded, as he merely nodded. "Okay..." - He wanted to know what he was supposed to do with that information.

"He watched your movie clip..." Stephen pressed on, still unsure whether the other party believed him yet. "Not just that, he liked it a lot and wanted to meet you."

Regal was now fully piqued by Stephen Jr. responded. "Okay..." - with the same answer, now wanting him to continue.

Stephen Jr. leaned in with finality. "He is currently waiting in the car behind."

"...." - "...." Keanu and Seren exchanged looks, trying to digest what they had just heard.

Stephen Hawking - the two time Oscar winning actor.

Was he actually waiting for Regal in a car?

Or was this some elaborate joke? A scam? A setup?

They couldn't quite wrap their heads around it and struggled to piece together the strange conversation.

Neither of them could make heads or tails of it, and the sheer absurdity of it all left them momentarily speechless.

What on earth was going on here?

But Regal continued his unfazed act - which the duo could all well recognise.

"...so what now?" He asked.

"...." - "...." Keanu and Seren almost stumbled and simply wanted to facepalm at his lackluster response.

Even Stephen Jr. flinched at Regal's unexpected response - unsure whether the guy was playing it cool, was actually unfazed by the bizarre turn of events, or was simply treating him like he was a fool.

But for now, Stephen Jr. just decided to push forward. "If you don't mind, could you come with me to the car and have a conversation with my grandfather? This could also be helpful for you guys."

"...." Regal paused for a second, looking in the distance, his expression thoughtful. "Huh… I don't think that's possible."

Stephen Jr. blinked, confusion creeping across his face.

He hadn't expected that response - was it the absurdity of the situation that made Regal hesitate? Asking someone to get into a car with a complete stranger was already pushing the boundaries of normal.

So, Stephen Jr. could understand the hesitation, but that doesn't mean it sat right with him. But what he was unaware of is that the reason Regal didn't exactly reject him. And soon enough, he would understand why.

"Because…" Regal smirked ever so slightly, an almost knowing glint in his eye. "It won't be necessary."

Stephen Jr. was about to ask what he meant but stopped, noticing Regal's focus was elsewhere - on something or someone across the street.

His figure emerged from a sleek luxury car, leaning on a cane, and every step he took seemed to command attention.

Stephen Jr. was now fully surprised as his grandfather soon reached their spot while his gaze fixed directly on Regal, unwavering and sharp.

Regal, unperturbed by the intense scrutiny, met Stephen Sr.'s stare with the same directness.

...this is interesting. He thought completely amused by himself about the luck he had today.

===

[Name:] Stephen Hawking. Senior

[Traits:] Work Driven, Perceptive, Dominating

[Acting Grade:] SS -

[Unique Skill:] Foresight

===

Regal took a step forward, but there was still some respectful distance between him and the other, who stood motionless.

"Wanna talk?"

However, there wasn't anything formal as Regal asked and casually gestured towards the convenience store behind him. "It's a decent place. Trust me."

Feeling no disrespect from the young star, Stephen Jr. nodded in affirmation. "Sure. Why not?"

However, junior Stephen, standing a few feet away, couldn't hide his shock - his jaw practically dropped as he processed the exchange.

He had no idea what was going on - how come they seemed like this was not the first time they were meeting.

Alas, there wasn't even time for him to figure it out, as the next moment the two of them walked in the sink towards the convenience store.

….

.

[To be continued…]

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