Whispers of My Sweetheart

Chapter 5 ~ The Surprise Aftermath

While waiting for the applause to die down, Zhi-Jian scanned the room. When he glanced over the strange foreign woman, he wasn’t surprised to see that she was the only one not clapping. Zhi-Jian smiled at his co-stars but his eyes, having registered a strange look that his brain hadn't, moved back to her.

'Why does she look shocked?' He pondered briefly before stopping himself, 'Pfft I don’t need to concern myself with her.'

Meanwhile, Aster sat there stunned barely taking in the translation someone was repeating of the speech.

Zhi-Jian rested his hand on his chest as he thanked everyone for waiting patiently for him to return from his unplanned hiatus. He spoke of how glad he was not to be replaced, as he had been and was still greatly interested in this particular drama. He stated encouragingly how he believed the group would go on to create a show they all could be proud of. At the end, he gave a low bow to show his sincerity followed with a moderately loud ‘Jiayou’ cheer which everyone enthusiastically applauded too.

The food was brought out soon after, breaking Aster from her trance. Andy was lucky he wasn't here otherwise would be receiving punishment from her for not warning her about the idol. He was going to get an earful next time they spoke, Aster promised herself.

Chao Wei-ting and Lucy wanting to welcome Aster properly were constantly serving her from the various kinds of dishes that the wait staff were rotating around the table. As she ate, Aster mentally kicked herself for not recognising the jerk as Blake Liu (Zhi-Jian). Granted it was hard to get information internationally and there had been next to no news once his year-long break started. And he did look slightly changed but she couldn't put her finger on what it was.

She mulled over every interaction she had had with him. He was different from how she imagined, to say the least. She knew better than to believe he was exactly like the characters he played, but she had seen videos of him and his expressions and mannerism were the same, that she had fooled herself into thinking he would be nice.

She looked at him sitting a diagonally across from her. He was eating while smiling and conversing with the person next to him. 'He certainly plays the part well,' Aster thought. It was then he glanced over the person's head, locking eyes with her. The smile dropped momentarily, and a tiny frown creased his eyebrows, then it was gone, his attention returned to the other person. It left Aster feeling like he had heard her thoughts.

As much as she was now loathing him, she hated the way she had acted. It never occurred to her that one of her favourites would be in the show or that she would get to meet them.

Surely something should have tipped her off as to who he was. She had rewatched her favourite drama that he was in not long after meeting Andy. Talk about 2nd lead love Aster thought remembering it.

His suit, she looked from the corner of her eye, was just like one he had worn in the drama she saw before the accident. Maybe it was actually because she hadn't seen any of his other dramas since before then.

It was something that had belonged to just her, forever enjoying the shows in private so it didn't hurt as much to remember about. But, any memory belonging to pre-accident times always ended with thoughts of how her life had changed in that split-second.

Now she sat there, feeling sorry for herself for not having known who he was and worse because of the accident. When the toasting and drinking began threw back every glassful poured for her. Much to the surprise to those gathered, she handled them well for a while but in the end, she started to become too drunk. It was soon after, Chao Wei-Ting and Lucy decided it would be best if they took her home.

*~*~*

Zhi-Jian stumbled into his apartment later that evening, tired and somewhat more drunk than he had planned to get, thanks to the cast deciding to play a drinking game. He knew he was beyond tipsy but he wasn't completely drunk as he could still control himself, just in swaying staggered kind of way. Unlike that silly western woman who had the audacity to get so drunk that she had to have two people escort her home.

He mused to himself how all except her had appreciated his speech. He had tried not to notice how she stood there blanked faced.

Managing a glass of water and a shower before climbing into bed. His last thoughts were almost prayer-like as he drifted off to sleep. Dreams stay away…

*
At first, he thought that they had as he slept so soundly to start with, that he did not even realise he was walking within one. The images and sensation drifted in slowly to surround his unconsciousness.

Step after step, he moved slowly through the memory like it was jelly, breaking apart only to drag on the sides. In front of him sway the green fabric encouraging him to continue on, leading the way to an unseen exit he knew was there. Peeking in and out from under the green lace was a crooked mark taunting him. Had he subconsciously noticed those jagged lines this evening?

He reached out for that shoulder, only for the mark to disappear along with the green dress. Instead, before him was a slightly plumper version of the figure in a creamy white strapless dress. He barely had time to take in the ribbon that laced up the corset of the dress or the lightly jewelled covered, ruffled layered skirt.

The figure had moved a small bit, looking back over her shoulder and he felt himself instantly lock eyes with her. He held them for the briefest of moments before the pressure that had been holding him back suddenly released. He now felt as if he was falling face first, smacking into a water-like surface, causing his breathing to become short and uneven.

As he struggled, he heard whispers from conversations, barely making out a word from each sentence as their voice faded in and out. Finding it harder and harder to breathe, he put his hands on either side of him and with a gasp pushed up.

Next thing he knew, Zhi-Jian was sitting up in bed. His breath was still ragged but at least it was now back under his control. His heart continued to pound hard and fast. It felt as if he was recovering after finishing a long run, or in this case a weighted walk.

And it was all because of the brand new dream.

He tried to grasp at the lingering images but they slipped away. Giving up with a sigh, he laid back and placed a hand on his heart, telling it to slow down. Gradually, he began to drift off again.

*

At the same time, somewhere across the city, a woman sat up in her bed with tears rolling down her cheeks. Bringing her knees up and resting her head on them, Aster sobbed. Body racking, heartbreaking cries, all alone.

Hey
Well, I can spend ages apologising for taking so long, (and I am sorry 😔) but I'm sure you will all understand as it's a busy time for everyone.

So what you all think?

Tried to keep it short but it got away on me in parts. I originally had written out Zhi-Jian (Blake) speech but I decided to change it from be dialogue to over due to a number of factors (translation being one).

I wish to take this chance to wish every one a Merry Christmas 🎄 or 🎉 Happy celebrations and holidays with what ever you celebrate!

Stay safe and have fun

🌹🌷 NZFantasy 🌷🌹