Man of Fiction

A few days later

"Please give a round of applause to our new General Manager, Helga Rooney!"

Madame Helga walked up the platform with a proud smile. Every member of the Blates Luxury Staff Hotel not only clapped, but stood for their new boss. Emily Rose applauded the loudest, shouting her name like she was in another Fan Meet. A man gave the new General Manager the microphone, and Helga faced her colleagues with fresh new eyes. "I never thought that this day would come," she began. "Thank you all for putting your trust in me. I'm going to make this short, since we still got some work to do."

They clapped for her again and some whistled for her achievement. Helga's rise to the position has certainly brought a new ray of hope to the people of Blates Luxury Hotel. Helga promised in her speech all the revisions that she has been pushing. With the new power that she has possessed, Helga Rooney could finally give the hotel employees more benefits, like a discounted gym membership and paid leaves. The operators of the hotel cheered in excitement, her promises bringing more motivation for them to work.

"Now, let us all get back to our posts!" Helga commanded. "We have guests to serve!"

Everyone stood from their seats, giving the loudest round of applause that they could muster. The department heads also clapped for their new boss, wearing satisfied looks. Helga bowed to everyone, her blonde hair bouncing with her confident movements. She headed down the platform and was united with Emily. The brunette followed her closely to the General Manager's office, which became their brand new home. Emily already missed the Administrative Department, which was currently being handled by one of Helga's trusted staff members.

Helga sat down at her seat and sighed. "This space is a whole lot smaller, don't you think?" she commented.

"We're the only ones here," Emily noted. "Would you like some coffee?"

"There's no need," Helga said. "But thank you anyway. You can go back to work."

Back to work. It's time to tell her, she thought.

Instead of going back to her new desk, Emily walked towards Helga's. She stood before her, until her boss took notice. Madame Helga looked up expectantly at her. "What is it, Emily Rose?" she asked. Emily pulled out a white envelope from the inside of her blazer jacket and placed it carefully in front of Helga Rooney. The new general manager took Emily's resignation letter and gave her a confused expression. "What is this?"

"As you can see, I plan to quit this job." Emily said, standing adamantly. Helga crossed her arms, staring at her envelope in disbelief. The brunette felt sweat developing behind her back and neck. For a moment, she felt bad giving in her resignation at a victorious time for her boss. But she figured that she would have to do it eventually. She learned the hard way that it was not wise to draw things out. Madame Helga exhaled deeply and asked, "Can you state your reason?"

Emily Rose clasped her hands together, thinking of the Author's offer. "This job isn't my truest passion, and you were right about me." she explained, directing brown eyes at her green ones. "The reason why I struggled from the beginning, was because my heart was not fully in this. I only took this because I needed a stable job that could produce money. I also thought an office job would do my parents proud.

In the end, I still was not happy. I tried to make others happy. but they grew unsatisfied with me. It sounds typical and invalid, but I'm quitting because there is something I'd like to pursue. I do not want to explicitly share the details, but all I can tell you is that it is something that I was scared to do because it was not deemed...practical. Now, I'm confident to say that I'm ready to take my chances and reach for my dreams."

Rooney's disappointed look softened. She sighed and stretched her red lips into an admirable smile. "To be honest with you, I'm kind of saddened by this." she said. "We were finally getting along. I was hoping to continue on this new chapter of our work, with you."

"Your partnership means a lot to me," Emily added. "I will never forget you and everything that you have taught me."

"I'm glad to hear that," Helga continued. "You have a point, though. Deep down, I knew this corporate world wasn't the right fit for you. I've wanted to let you go for so many times, hoping that you would realize it too. Now that you do, I'm oddly hesitant even though I think this is the best decision you have ever made."

"Madame?"

"I will accept your resignation," said the Madame. "I sincerely wish you all the best in your endeavors, Emily Rose. You have a bright future ahead of you, my dear. Just promise me that you will stay for the rest of the work week."

Emily smiled, grateful for her boss. "I will," she said. Madame Helga smiled back at her subordinate, but she was not sad anymore. "I'm proud of you, Emily." she said.

******

Gareth removed his apron and sat on the bench. There was a great influx of customers at Mavon Mart, and he did not know how long he was bagging groceries and how many he actually bagged. To his annoyance, the exhaustion came to him quickly. He then thought of Leon and HIram, contemplating on asking them about gyms and how they worked. He needed to get back in shape, as soon as possible.

"You doing okay, Gareth?" Mr. Manny asked, entering the locker room.

"I'm just a bit tired," the monk admitted. "It's not a big deal."

His boss smiled, as he opened his own locker. "You are speaking casually," he observed. "It means you are finally warming up to me. That's good!" Gareth nodded, his panting hindering him from speaking more. Mr. Manny changed into a new shirt and used some strong-scented body spray. He still could not get used to the powerful smell and he was tempted to clog his nose--but he did not want to offend his superior.

"I have a question, sir." he began, ignoring the scent filling the air.

"What is it, Gareth?" Mr. Manny asked, combing his hair. His employer's reflection eyed the hesitant bagger, his eyes open and kind as ever. "I know that we agreed on a two-month term," Gareth said. "But I was wondering if we can extend it to…"

Mr. Manny closed his locker, his kind eyes gleaming at him. "Would you like to extend it to six months???" he finished for him.

"I was thinking of staying until a year," Gareth corrected. His boss gathered him in a huge bear hug, squishing the monk with his beefy arms. Gareth smiled, feeling his superior's genuine happiness. "Of course you can!" Mr. Manny squealed. "I was actually kind of disappointed that you would not be here for long. You are the most honorable employee I've ever worked with! So yes! We can extend your contract, for as you would like!"

"Thank you sir," Gareth said, patting his muscular arm. Mr. Manny quickly put him down, with his grin still on his optimistic face. "There is another thing that I would like to ask about," the monk continued. He thought long and hard about whether or not he should push through with it, for he was not used to asking for favors.

"Oh Gareth, please!" Mr. Manny giggled. "I am already seeing somebody else!"

"I want to look into new apartments," the monk answered, ignoring Mr. Manny's teases. "I've been staying with someone for a while now, and I don't like to intrude any longer. I want to find a new place and I just do not know where to start."

Mr. Manny delightfully grinned at him, again. "There's actually some available apartments in my building!" he said. "I can arrange a meeting with my landlord for you!"

"That would be wonderful," Gareth told him. "Perhaps in a few days?"

"Of course!"

Gareth wore his black jacket and stepped out of Mavon Mart. At the entrance, he found Emily. He tried to give her his usual wistful smile, but her confession kept on bombarding his mind. It never occurred to him that she would actually develop feelings for him, and he had trouble finding the right words to respond. Emily did not approach him, like she usually did. She walked ahead, beckoning him to follow. "Come on!" she called. "We have to go somewhere!" The monk blinked at her sudden movements. He moved to her side and asked, "Where are we going?"

"To City Hall," Emily answered, arriving at their bus top. "You plan to register your citizenship, right?" Gareth remembered that he forgot his birth registry in his locker. He did not expect Emily to take him there, any time soon. "Of course," he replied. "Just give me another minute. I left the necessary documents."

The two rode the bus that brought them to Hembrandt's Capital. Nothing has changed between them, since they got back. They sat down together watching the scenery change through the bus windows. Gareth peered over to Emily, who seemed calm for a woman who just confessed her feelings. Western women are probably confident about dating, he thought to himself. But then again, Emily Rose was not like the typical western woman.

They were greeted once more with the busy phones and the ruffles of important papers in City Hall. The office was nearing the end of work hours, so there weren't many customers in the vicinity. As they walked on, they ran into Petunia, who was the Chair of Travel Permittance. "Good evening, Madame Petunia." Gareth greeted, bobbing his blonde head. Petunia smiled at him, her blush-on turning from a carnation to a cherry red. "It's so good to see you!" she said. "Did you manage to get your birth registry?" The blonde man held up the large envelope, which contained all of his documents. "I have it right here," he said.

"Congratulations!" Petunia cheered. "Welcome to Hembrandt!"

They said goodbye to the office lady and they pressed onto the Citizenship Registry Office, where he could finalize his application. Alone, Gareth met up with an old man, who took a good look at his birth registry. He gave the monk a hand, asking for his probation notice and temporary certificate. Gareth returned these papers to him and he observed the officer bring out a new certificate, which was going to be his official Citizenship Certificate, and a dark green booklet that was supposed to be his brand new passport. The officer scribbled his signature on both documents and placed their respective stands. He slid them to Gareth and said, "Follow me. You need a new photo for your new official state I.D."

Gareth followed the man to the photo booth, where he first took his photo. He held up his old identification card, where he had a serious look on his face. He sat before the camera, where the officer was ready. "You can smile, but no teeth." the old man instructed. In three steady seconds, the monk stretched his mouth into his signature smile.

It was the very first time he smiled for a photo.

He and Emily left the premises, with his new documents in hand. Emily complimented his brand new photo. They took another bus back to Opal City, where they were able to sit next to each other again. Gareth expected another silent ride with the brunette, but she decided to start a conversation with a topic that really surprised him.

"I plan to accept the Author's offer." she said. "I sent in my resignation to Madame Helga this morning."

Gareth nodded to this. "So you plan to become a writer, like her?"

"Yes,"

"That's good," he commented. "You deserve to pursue what you want."

"I'm going to email the Author tonight," she said, looking out at the window. "When I take on the job, that means I have to leave my apartment."

Gareth then remembered something important that she needed to know. "There's also something I'd like to tell you," he said. "I...plan to move into a new apartment."

He studied for any sort of answer from his lady companion, but she was quiet. Emily's thoughtful expression remained unchanged, and this somehow unsettled him. He was waiting for her to be surprised or become sad, but there was no reaction from her at all. "I spoke with my employer," he continued, slowly. "He said there are rooms in his apartment building. I plan to meet with them soon." Emily nodded, her brown eyes still thoughtful. To Gareth, Emily Rose has certainly changed since they met. She used to be so timid and overly-cautious, but the Emily beside him was sure and bold. She has always been a bright person, but she seemed much brighter. Gareth could not help but smile at this.

"I guess that means we are both moving away." she sighed. "Will you help me move my stuff for the East?"

Gareth nodded, smiling again. "It would be an honor."

They got back to Sunrise Apartment and Emily brought out her laptop while Gareth prepared instant noodles and two bottles of Kaze for dinner. Emily read the Author's business card carefully and she typed in the email address before she pressed send. Gareth placed a bowl of hot noodles next to her and he raised his bottle to her. "Rise," he said.

Emily took her Kaze bottle and raised it back to him. "Rise," she said in return. They ate their noodles, when it started to rain outside. Emily scoffed, making the monk raise his brow. "What is it?" he asked.

"You came here on a rainy night, remember?" she said. "Your clothes were stained with mud." Gareth chuckled, remembering their first memory together. "Your fridge used to be empty." he pointed out.

"Now it isn't," she said. "Thanks to your job at Mavon Mart."

"Your cat paw mug is still a sight to behold."

"You really don't get design, do you?"

Gareth laughed at the retort, tapping his Kaze bottle. He has grown fond of the alcoholic taste, and he suddenly recalled the first time he witnessed Emily Rose in a drunken state. She said something between the lines of, 'That ish why… HAVING GARETH OF MOB BOY ORDER COME TO LIFE IS THE BREST THING TO EVER HAPPEH TO MEHHHHH!!!!!!'

He chortled at the memory of her tipsy voice, and it was Emily's turn to raise a suspicious brow at him. "What are you thinking of now?"

"I remembered you getting drunk," he answered. "You said that me coming to life was the best thing that has ever happened to you. Now, I understand what you meant, that time." Emily read between the lines and her face became apologetic. She bent her head down, staring at the empty bowl. "I'm sorry for not telling you about Mob Boy Order, right away." she said. Gareth regret yelling at her that night at the hospital. Things were stressful for her and he only made it worse.

"It's okay, Emily." he assured. "I get why you did not say anything, right away. It was hard to accept at first but, I think I've let it sunk in deep enough."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that if there's no other way for me to go back home," He paused, sipping his drink. "Then I have to make the most out of my life in this world. Rowan would've wanted me to do that."

"Is that what the Author told you?"

He nodded, looking down at the white table. He glided his hand across the smooth surface, recalling how dusty it was when he came. "Does that mean Operation Adonis is over?" she asked.

"It would seem so."

A large thump came from her room. The two exchanged glances and Emily made her way to her bedroom. She saw her closet door wide open, with her clothes and other items exploded into the floor. Emily groaned; they may have been able to clean the house, but her wardrobe was a different story. She knelt to the floor and gathered everything that fell.

Gareth arrived at her doorway and he caught a glimpse of her room. He saw a ceramic figurine of himself, standing on her bedside table. He frowned because the figure version of himself did not have the correct stance. His green eyes traveled to the large poster on her wall, and he saw an image of himself, Cyrus and Rowan. He nodded in approval, because it was nowhere near the ones Alaric Bentlee had in his studio apartment. He hoped that his souvenir was more than enough for the detective.

He knelt down next to Emily and helped her out. "You don't have to," she said.

"I promised to help you move your things." he countered. "Please allow me this. You've done so much for me." Emily sighed and she gave in to his pleas, folding more clothing pieces with him. The rain droplets hit against her window pane, creating some background music for the two. Emily created a pile for her clothes and things, and then Gareth said, "By the way, I think that figurine is fake."

She peered over her figurine, which cost her thousands of coppers. "What on Agapen do you mean it is fake?" she asked.

He smirked, shrugging. "I just do not pose like that, in real life." Emily scoffed, wanting to whip him with the ripped nude stockings that she found in the midst of the mess. They were the same pair of stockings she wore on the night she met the monk. She started that day with so much frustration and she had no idea that fate would thrust onto her a fictional character brought to life. Her dull days turned into days of technicolor, ever since. Gareth chuckled at her ridicule, folding her clothes neatly on his lap.

"By the way," he said. "I want to thank you for everything."

It was her turn to smirk. "You already did. So many times."

"I mean it," he continued. "If it weren't for you, then I don't know what could happen. You had every right to shun me and let me be. But you took your time and energy in this mission. I couldn't have asked for a better comrade."