Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Depressed Kate (Part 1)
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Move the camera a little closer and play it again… Yes, that’s right, this distance… Hey, Emma, don’t fidget, stay still, it will be over soon… Wait, play that last shot again… Damn, I can’t see clearly, try again… Okay, that’s it, but we need to insert Red’s shot in between; otherwise, it will be too long… Everything else is fine… Emma, don’t move… That’s it, you can continue, if there’s anything uncertain, ask me tomorrow.”
Hanging up the phone, Adrian rubbed his eyes. Although the video phone in front of him was the largest available screen, it still seemed too small to him. Staring at it for too long quickly led to fatigue. There was no other choice; remote editing through video phone was the best solution they could devise.
It was nothing significant, just that efficiency was slightly lower than doing the editing himself. Anyway, he could train the abilities of those editors, and if needed, he’d spend time revising it when he returned. Revisions were always easier than creation. Adrian comforted himself with this thought. Besides, other aspects of the film production were being handled by professionals, like how Thomas Newman had agreed to compose the film’s score.
Another issue was the short call duration. He could only spend 2 to 4 hours daily connecting with the studio via video phone, which was already inefficient. This, in turn, meant the originally planned post-production completion by the end of August might be delayed significantly. Adrian considered extending the working hours, but eye fatigue was a problem, the time difference was another, and Little Emma was the third.
“Hey, Emma, we agreed you could stay by my side while I work, but you can’t disturb me.” Adrian turned his head and sighed at the little girl tugging on his pants.
Emma blinked, seemingly not understanding, but she noticed Adrian wasn’t happy and pouted, looking a bit aggrieved as she held something up to him. “Apple.”
“For me?” Adrian was slightly surprised. The little one nodded immediately and looked at him pitifully. Adrian sighed, reaching out to stroke her head. “Alright, thank you.”
He said, cupping her face and giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. Little Emma blinked again, then her lips curled up suddenly. Although the motion was slight, it was as beautiful as a blossoming bud.
Adrian was momentarily stunned and then excitedly picked her up and ran outside.
“Hey, Mrs. Marson, the little one smiled.” Adrian called out loudly upon reaching the living room.
“Emma smiled?” Mrs. Marson, who was tidying up, looked up in surprise, immediately dropping what she was holding to hurry over.
Unfortunately, Adrian’s previous excitement had scared the little girl. Now, with the presence of Mrs. Marson, a stranger, Emma shrank back, circled around Adrian’s neck, and timidly peeked out at her surroundings.
“Damn, I got too excited just now.” Adrian said, a bit annoyed. Even though Emma had lived with him for several days, and her facial expressions and reactions had slightly improved from the initial numbness, she had never smiled, as if this emotion had been lost. And now, she suddenly smiled, albeit a small gesture, but it was enough of a surprise.
“It’s okay, as long as she smiled, it shows progress is going well,” Mrs. Marson comforted him, “It’s a pity Mr. Russell isn’t here; otherwise, those gentlemen and ladies could be silenced.”
“Doesn’t matter, do I need to care about them?” Adrian nonchalantly waved his hand.
By “those gentlemen and ladies,” Mrs. Marson was referring to Emma’s uncle and aunt. After the Watsons’ accident, there were still many affairs to handle, and Adrian attended several gatherings with Emma. Honestly, he felt awkward in those settings, being an outsider, but there was no choice as Emma, though recovering, refused to leave his side.
So, after attending a few gatherings, some gossip-loving women inevitably talked behind his back. While they never said anything in front of him, they had no qualms doing so privately. After two or three times, Adrian subtly suggested to Old Rasek that he’d prefer to attend fewer of such occasions. Having heard some of the gossip, the old man agreed to his request.
“Alright, I’ll take the little one to a nearby park; would you like to join us, Mrs. Marson?” Adrian asked. Lately, he made it a habit to take Little Emma out and let her interact with more people.
“Okay, please wait a moment as I tidy up a bit,” Mrs. Marson nodded. “Honestly, Adrian, you’re a gentleman; I wonder which lucky girl will get to be your girlfriend.”
“Thanks for the compliment…” Adrian was about to be modest, but suddenly froze. Then he slapped his head with a palm. “Oh no, I forgot!”
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“Hey, Kate, want to go out tonight? There’s a party at the Cleaver’s.” Her sister’s voice suddenly startled Kate, who was lost in thought.
“Um… better not; I don’t feel like going out today.” Kate shook her head, declining her sister’s suggestion.
“Why? You’ve graduated and are a big star with two movies to your credit, so why stay cooped up at home all the time?” Samantha hinted playfully, though her teasing was hardly concealed.
“First, I might have acted in two movies, but I’m not a big star; secondly, just because I’ve graduated doesn’t mean I can’t read. Is there anything wrong with me staying home to read?” Kate replied seemingly composed.
“Wow, wow, wow, I never knew you were so studious. Two hours ago, when I came in, you were on page 122, and now you’re still on the same page. Such dedication is commendable.” Samantha grinned, mercilessly exposing Kate’s fib.
Kate’s face turned red, but before she could retort, Samantha continued, “Oh, Ed is such a jerk, hasn’t called in forever, making our dear Little Kate so absent-minded…”
“Samantha!” Kate growled in annoyance.
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop,” Samantha raised her hands, seeing the joke had gone far enough. “Alright, Kate, don’t worry, Ed probably has stuff to deal with; he might just show up at the door tomorrow. So, cheer up, come out with me and take a walk to feel better.”
Looking at her sister’s serious expression, Kate sighed in the end. “I know, I just… alright, Samantha, let me stay in the room and be quiet for a bit.”
After a few minutes’ stare-down, Samantha shrugged. “Alright then, I’m off.”
Once the door closed, Kate withdrew her gaze. Looking at the book in her hand, she suddenly lay on the desk, hands buried in her hair. She hadn’t received a call from Adrian in almost two weeks, leaving an empty place in her heart, exactly as Samantha described, absent-minded.
What is wrong with me? It’s just a few days without a call… what days! It’s been over ten days! Never more than four before; call the hotel, and they say he’s checked out! Even if there was an emergency, couldn’t he call to explain? Kate shut the book violently, a hint of resentment on her pretty face. However, this lasted only minutes before she slumped back in the chair.
Fine, maybe I’m just not used to it, just a little bit angry, I just… Kate tried to excuse her inexplicable state, but nothing fit. The huge hollow in her heart couldn’t be filled with anything, and this feeling tormented her to near madness.
Damn! I’ll pack and head to Los Angeles myself; I want to see what he’s so busy with! Kate suddenly stood, starting to pack. Doing whatever she wanted was always her style.
Just then, there was a knock on the door, followed by her mother’s voice. “Kate, there’s a call for you.”
A call?! Kate’s hand on the cabinet door stopped abruptly. She paused for half a second, rushed over to open the door, and asked excitedly and nervously, “Who’s calling?!”
“Who else.” Her mother shrugged helplessly.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Kate was bounding down the stairs, her hurried footsteps echoing throughout the house. Her mother heaved a sigh but said nothing.
Despite her excitement, when Kate picked up the phone, she was surprisingly calm.
“Hi, who’s calling?” She asked politely, though her eyes rolled up in anticipation.
“Hi, sweetheart, it’s me.”
“Ed? What’s up?” She acted casually, though her teeth grazed her lip.
“Wow, that tone, are you mad?”
“Of course not, why would I be?” Her hand fidgeted with the telephone cord.
“Okay, you know about that bus accident reported by the BBC days ago?”
“I’m one of the survivors.”
Kate took about ten seconds to react before exclaiming anxiously, “What did you say?!”
“Calm down, it was just an accident, I’m slightly injured…”
Before he could finish, Kate asked urgently, “Where are you? Are you at the hospital? Are you badly hurt? Oh God, is this why you haven’t called me? Damn, I actually complained, I’m sorry…”
“Kate, okay, Kate, listen to me, alright?” Adrian sounded exasperated.
“Where are you? I need to see you, see you with my own eyes to be sure!” Kate clearly wasn’t listening to him.
“Alright, I’m at Maioridi Street 89, I’ll tell you the details when you get here.”
“I’ll be right there.” Kate said, rushing back to her room, packing quickly, then darting out the door, missing her mother’s calls entirely.
(Still asking for recommendations and collections)