When the Orion Glows

CHAPTER 6.2: Firm Carcass

The sunsetted, and both Lyndon and Stella quietly separated to sleep in their own room.

Lyndon's Room

I must be crazy.

We just separated a few minutes ago. And I already want to see her again. I can't believe I confessed to her like that.

Stella suddenly barged in Lyndon's room, embarrassedly holding her pillow.

"What's wrong?" Lyndon asked, "did you have a nightmare or something?"

Stella scoffed, "I don't have dreams nor nightmares."

Lyndon awkwardly avoid his eyes way out and slowly moved to the other side of his bed.

"You want to sleep beside me?" Lyndon timidly asked.

Stella didn't reply and just bashfully moved toward Lyndon's bed.

In small bed, they both cramped themselves in both edges of the bed stiffly leaving a narrow space between them.

"Aren't I gross? That an old man like me confessed to you like that?" Lyndon said while facing backward to Stella.

Stella sneered.

"I don't remember you being an old man after seeing you sobbing in front of me, Mister." Stella replied, "Besides, I'm actually much older than you think..."

Stella turns around and faces Lyndon's back.

"My star is 100,000 miles away after it exploded and it takes tons of years as well for me to land here." Stella calmly said and grabbed Lyndon's shirt from his back, "that's why now... I only have a few days I think after spending the five years here."

A few days left she said....
Deep inside me, I can only feel the regret overwhelming me that I started doubting myself if I really did try myself to find her five years ago.

Those years have been wasted,
if I only met her much earlier or even right after I saw her at the park, I shouldn't be faintedo and lost her. 

If only back then... if only...

Lyndon quietly sobs without looking back and

Stella can't do anything but listen and comfort him.

They spend their Christmas cheerfully together.

They made an album and took a lot of pictures together as well.
Even though Stella cannot capture by the camera because the lens can only capture lumen blur from Stella's celestial body. However, they still continued capturing it as Stella still represents the light one the picture together with Lyndon in one frame.

The time may have passed, and humbly enjoying themselves together.

It still doesn't change the fact Stella's running out of time.

When every night comes, they fret that Orion's constellation will gradually fade in the sky. Thus, as long as it continues glowing, Stella can remain with her celestial body.

Nevertheless, their fate is like the wheel that kept changing, the dynamic of their emotion sometimes they're happy, and sometimes they're not.

There's a time that they're energetic to work together at Queen and there's a time where Stella needs to remain on bed rest for weeks because her celestial body became frailer and about to cease.

January 1st...

Queen's Restaurant

"Another wonderful year! Let's work harder from now on!" Rey cheered and proposed a toast to his employees.

Stella and Lyndon quietly drink their wine while enjoying watching others. 

"You've got skinnier, Stella" Rey drunkenly approached Stella, "Are you sure this old man is taking good care of you?"

"Yes." Stella gently replied, "Actually, it's plenty that I deserved.

I'm really grateful."

Lyndon embarrassedly listened.

"Oh yeah! you're a painter, right? Lyndon?" Rey said while putting his arm to Lyndon's shoulder, "why don't you make a portrait of her as a gift?"

Lyndon snapped and harshly removed Rey's arm from his shoulder.

"You're drunk. Rey." Lyndon menacingly replied, "It's late so we'll be heading out now."

Lyndon and Stella went home after the party.

Lee's Resident

Stella halts at the entrance door, "Mr. Lee. No... Lyndon." She gracefully smiled, "paint me...."

Lyndon melancholy avoid eye contact and stare at his palm; he clenched.

...

.........

...............

"Okay... I'll do it." Lyndon desolately replied.

End of Chapter 6