ALL NOVEL Chapter 103: The Interview!
[POV Hu Qiang]
Last night was strange, though we spent an entire day together I wanted to stay with her, right by her side for every second of my life.
I always felt this unsaid emotion in my heart that-
'My days with her are numbered!'
I am not a superstitious person by any means but when it comes to her, I feel helpless. In fact, I am helpless!
[Sigh...]
As I walked towards the front door, I saw Lucy's car parked there.
'She is here early.'
I walked in without any further-a-do.
"Good morning Lucy, Zhang Wei."
"Oye! Did you go out to buy breakfast?" Lucy called out as Zhang Wei took the grocery bags into the kitchen.
"Even if I do, you won't get a piece of it, Lucy, so back off."
"Are we this sensitive so early in the morning? Hold your horses' old man, I am here to meet my favourite model of the century. So you can get in line." she teased me. She knew well how much I care for Bai Chang!
"Jokes apart, why are you here so early in the morning?"
"Isn't it obvious, I am here to prepare for her big interview at brunch."
"Huh!"
'Another interview,' I thought to myself. Why is she going all high profile? There have to be some reasons behind this move of her.
"Are you going to cook?" Zhang Wei peeped out of the kitchen area.
"Coming," I hollered back to him and walked inside.
*******
After breakfast, everyone gathered around the living room.
"Elizabeth, are you all prepped? Do you want to give any other directions?"
"No, I am fine. Lucy after this interview I will be on tour through Europe. Then I will attend the charity auction of the House of Orléans. We will meet there as discussed."
"Yeah, go it gal, you enjoy your trip." Lucy waved at her while playing with Xiao Wei's hair.
"Elizabeth, tell me, how did you turn this stubborn fool into a hen-pecked husband? Even I want such a man in my life."
"You will die single, you jealous hag!" I retorted to her subtle jibe.
"Language dear," from the other side of the room Bai Chang warned me.
"I apologise."
"Woah!" Lucy looked at me then at Bai Chang and as she was about to say something, she mulled her words and decided to just keep silent this one time.
'Phew!'
I wiped off my invisible sweat.
'She really got me by my collar there. I hate Lucy for taking a joke too far, she has always been such a troublemaker towards me. I really have no idea on how I offended this disaster of a person?'
[Ding Dong! Ding Dong!]
"I will get the door," Lucy ran towards the door.
After a few moments-
"Here, this way, please. Watch your equipment around the corner."
"David, you really owe me one, as I am getting you this exclusive. Treat me a little better next time, will you?"
"Yes. Yes, I promise I will"
The interview team was here and so were the professional photography team.
"Good morning, Elizabeth. It is my absolute pleasure to meet you face to face. I must say, you look more beautiful in person."
"Good morning David. It is good to have you here for my debut interview. It is my privilege to have you here. Please come inside and make yourself comfortable. I will introduce others to you shortly."
"Sure. Sure."
"May I offer you something to drink or eat?" Zhang Wei asked them.
"Some water will do, for now, thank you for your hospitality," an assistant to David spoke up.
"Everyone please loosen up, move around and familiarise yourself with the property, we will start with the interview whenever you are ready," Bai Chang assured them.
------
The people and crew from the various studios got acquainted with each other and then they moved on to capture the stills around the property and the light influx as well. Finally, after looking out for half an hour, these people decided on a place to shoot the interview. It was the gazebo in the garden.
------
"Betty, take a few still shots to check the lighting with the subject inside the frame."
"Yes Sir'
"David, do you want me to change in some other outfit?" Bai Chang asked him.
"I would love to see you in other options. Don't get me wrong, you look way more ethereal than I could have imagined but if you suggest a change, I would like to see you in that too as I trust your judgement."
"Thank you, David, give me a few moments, I will be down in a jiffy."
With that, Bai Chang went upstairs to change while downstairs the crew set up their equipment and checked their final set-up.
----
After about half an hour Bai Chang came down.
This time she was wearing a pastel-toned peach dress with dandelions printed all over it. The dress ended just above her knee and it sported a closed collar with ruffle scarfs around the neck.
She looked chic, as well as peaceful. To me, she appeared as a combination of many things but at the same time it had this balance, it transcended fashion.
"Wooowww….!"
"I am speechless, Elizabeth this, this, this is simply… simply perrfectt!" David stuttered.
"Then let's begin"
"Sure. Sure. Elizabeth please have a seat," he licked his lips and took his position behind the camera.
"Lights! Camera! Rolling!"
[Clump]
David started the interview promptly.
"Miss Elizabeth, may we know your full name?"
"My Real name is Shui Bai Chang, and Elizabeth is my baptised name that my parents left behind for me."
"We know that Chinese names have their own meaning and value. So what does your name mean?"
"Well, Shui means 'water'. This is my family name or surname you may say. My first name is Bai Chang which means 'Pure, smooth and unhindered'. So you may say that the complete meaning would be 'to be as pure, smooth and unhindered as water itself'."
David had a thoughtful expression on his face.
"A very good name and beautiful meaning. I must say it is as beautiful as you."
"Thank you, David, for the appreciation."
"Okay let us talk about your outfit today, I have to ask this, did you design it yourself?"
"Yes, in fact, I will let you in a small secret of mine, i.e. most of my dresses are designed by me for myself. This little piece that I am wearing is one of the spring collections I designed."
"Woah, really!" He was so excited, "please excuse my manners but your designs are really… how do I put this? They feel like out of the world but strangely it feels harmonised with the world, especially when you wear them yourself."
"I can't help it, I love to wear dresses that are customised specifically for me."
"May I take this urge to be your driving force to design clothes."
"More than an urge it is more like breathing. As the process of breathing is embedded in our cores. I feel designing my own outfits is embedded within my life."
"What a beautiful way to put it together!"
I could see that the people within the crew were also influenced and impressed. They should know the awesomeness of 'My Queen' , my wife.
"Then Elizabeth, what is your take on life, I mean your philosophy?"
"Hmm….I have never thought about it specifically, now that you asked, I think it should be just living my life at its fullest extent doing all that I love to do."
"Please Eli, may I address you as Eli?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Your answer right now was very generic. Everyone is living their life. How is it any different from a regular average Joe or Jane walking down the streets?"
"Well, to be truthful, living life may be generic to others but for me… it is a hard-earned luxury. And before you ask why, I will explain myself.
My life was not a fairytale, as a matter of fact, no one's life is a fairytale. But mine could be put under misery. I will re-tell some milestones in my life.
I lost my parents at the age of five. I was autistic till I was 23 years old. I am currently 24 years old as of this past month. I was in a coma for the past three years. I woke up in the hospital just eight months back.
We are sitting here talking to you is a luxury.
And the best things are saved for the last, that is, even I am not sure how long I can stay awake this time. Even my family is not aware of this fact. So while I am recording this interview with you, I am preparing my family for the worst-case scenario."
Silence prevailed in the place.
[Chirp Chirp, Chirp Chirp Chirp Chirp]
The sound of the birds chirping was equal to long nails screeching on a chalkboard.
I had goosebumps all over me.
I looked towards her and she looked back into my eyes.
After some time I realised she is stating a fact.
'Our days together are really numbered!'
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Author's note- (if you see this note that means it is still valid!)
Do not read the following chapters yet! re-edit is in progress.
From April 1 we will have regular updates of new chapters so till then bear with me a little more.
Thank you to all my readers for their support and well wishes through these trying times of my life this past month. My mother is doing slightly better now so I will once again resume my writing passion and my duty towards such beautiful readers.