Perfect II: The Art Of Living

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Publishing is an honor… at least for an introverted lad who never spoke to anyone else about his ideas. He is shy. He is rejected along with his bursting imagination. All those ideas have been compromised on black and white; paper and ink. Never has he heard his name the subject of those howls and applauses. That introverted lad never wished but see such in the cover of a book:

Perfect II

*insert name*

A NEW BESTSELLER

(the capitals are really shouting to invoke more drama).

              Ethan stared at Mr Rosa. W-What? P-P-Publishing? P-Paperbacks? He’d faint. He wished he could but he could not. Mr Rosa’s convicting stare held him to feel conscious but his inhibitions slowly drifted along the jolly tunes on the streets. That is too much! Ethan could not move an inch. His whole body froze with the icy words he just heard. He wanted him to reiterate but it was so true to be a canard. Mr Rosa’s face displayed firmness and promise. Ethan wanted to gulp but there, as if, something holding his throat and choking him. He needed to blink and bring his perception back but he seemed to not get enough of Mr Rosa’s steadfast emotion. It wasn’t eupeptic. Ethan tried digesting even that one.

              “You seem beguiled, Ethan,” Mr Rosa concluded.

              B-Beguiled? “W-Well what you stated is truly bedazzling, Mr Rosa!”

              The CEO chuckled and folded his arms. “You should not be shocked, Ethan. You deserve it!”

              Ethan leaned backwards to his rattan chair. He blinked rapidly and rubbed his fingers together. He stared at Mr Rosa as he bit his thumb, trying to think, trying to believe.

              “N-No…” he replied. “Publishing is such a great honor to just be taken over a coffee table!”

              Mr Rosa leaned forward. “I understand your want to be published—”

              “But it is all rewarding when you earn it.”

              “You do.”

              “Deserve is dissimilar with earn. Look, there are so many people whose life deserves to be put on paper and read through monocle or naked eye but there are very few people who earn that honor because they don’t fear enough. You see, Mr Rosa, I am unsure if I can fly with a pair of immature wings.”

              Mr Rosa chuckled. “You need to stop bewildering me with your subliminally witty statements, Ethan.”

              “No they’re not!” he jocularly countered. “But really, I refuse.”

              Mr Rosa widely grinned. “If you insist.”

              Ethan fervidly smiled. He could not know why a grin just popped from his face. Maybe it was because of belief. Maybe it was because of his rudiments. Although whatever ramification it entailed, Ethan cheered to his perfect cup of espresso.

              “How could you say, just help me sort out international articles regarding the LGBT community I was compiling during my stay?” he prompted.

              “I almost forgot. That Technical Hardbound you are writing as well. Albeit you’re leaving tomorrow, I could lend you a hand throughout this night. I also asked Megumi to pile some newspapers for you, Ethan. Pick them up tomorrow by the office and you’re set.”

              Ethan could not grin wider. “Perfect.”