After what felt like a long moment, Jack was the first one to break the tense silence by saying, “It
seems like you thought I was joking the last time we met, Craig. But, unfortunately, your happy days
are numbered.”
“Whatever, man. Go right ahead, try and take me down. We’ll see if you’re just all talk,” Craig
challenged with matching defiance.
He had already discerned from the exchange earlier that Jack had feelings for Winona. He can’t do
anything to me as long as I stay with her, Craig thought.
On the other hand, Jack was unaware of what the other man was thinking. He only wanted to ruin
Craig’s reputation and life as soon as possible. He shot Craig a glacial look, then took out his phone
and made a call as he walked away.
…
Meanwhile, a week had gone by, and Andy still had not received the calligraphy Elise wrote at the mall
the other day. He even called the Calligraphy Association Museum to ask if they had sent the work to
the Archive, but the employee on the other line fumbled over his words and excuses. Eventually, Andy
grew restless and decided to drop by the Archive himself.
When he got to the S-Class Archive, he saw that the employee had dozed off at the work desk.
Andy rapped his knuckles against the desk, and with two thuds, he managed to wake the employee up.
“Mr. Nixon!” The employee snapped out of his sleep and stood up as he apologized profusely, “I’m
sorry. I didn’t mean to slack off during work hours. I was just really worn out. I promise this won’t
happen again!”
“Don’t worry about it. I’d be sleeping like a log by now if I were you. It’s not the most interesting of jobs,
to be fair,” Andy said with a dismissive wave, not wanting to pick on the employee. Then, without
beating around the bush, he asked, “I had an item sent over last week that still has not been archived.
Why is that?”
“Mr. Nixon, are you talking about Elise Sinclair’s calligraphy?” the employee asked.
“We’re in the S-Class Archive here, so who else would dare send something here unless they’re asking
for humiliation?” Andy countered dryly.
“That’s true,” the employee agreed with a flustered smile. “I’ve been here for half a year now, but I’ve
never received an S-Class item before.”
“So why haven’t you archived it?” Andy pressed. He had only one thing on his mind right now, and it
was Elise’s calligraphy.
“Oh, well, it’s actually because Cody—that is, Mr. Carlson—and his student, Miss Hill, said that while
Miss Sinclair is qualified for the Calligraphy Contest finals this year, she has yet to become an official
member of the Calligraphy Association. So, as protocol goes, we’re going to need to see where she
places in the competition this year and wait for her to be assigned a rating before we can archive her
work,” the employee explained truthfully.
Andy’s eyes lit up. “Are you saying Elise is on the list of contenders for this year’s finals?”
The employee nodded with a blank look on his face. “Yes, that’s right.”
When he heard the confirmation, Andy felt as if he had seen the light at the end of the long, dark
tunnel. For the last few days, he had been using his grandson’s WhatsApp to text Elise, but she never
replied to any of his messages. He was starting to think that he would never meet the genius behind
such intricate calligraphy, but alas, fate decided to humor him with a miracle, for he was finally going to
see her.
There had been a considerable lack of talent in the recent Calligraphy Contests, and Andy only ever
showed up when he was invited as a guest of honor to hand out the awards.
However, now that he knew Elise would be there, he was determined to stay for the entire run of the
competition and watch her at work.
“Alright, I understand. In that case, keep the calligraphy with the utmost care until you can archive it,”
Andy said to the employee. He and Cody didn’t see eye-to-eye, and he didn’t want the innocent
employee at the museum to be caught in their spat, so he let the matter drop for now.
After that, he came out of the museum and decidedly posted a picture of Elise’s calligraphy, which he
had taken before this, into the group text meant for premium members of the Calligraphy Association.
However, he did not provide any context, making it seem like he was trying to keep something exciting
a secret.
Little did he know that everyone in the group text would burst into an uproar.
‘Andy, is this your work? Look at that handwriting! No one can do it without an S-Class Rating!’
‘Come on. Flattery won’t work without common sense. All of you should be familiar with Andy’s
penmanship by now, and there’s no way that’s his calligraphy. Spill, Andy. We demand to know the
artist behind this legendary work.’
‘Paging for Andy. Stop hiding and explain this right now!’
‘Paging for Andy!’
Andy read the series of texts in amusement and waited for a minute or two, then clicked into the
conversation to send in a voice note, saying, “I bet none of you saw this coming! I have discovered a
genius, and she’s the one behind this work of art. She’s also a contestant for the Calligraphy Contest
this year, so all you old fogeys might get to meet her.’
This voice note was met with a frenzied response from those in the group text.
‘You discovered such rare talent and only decided to tell us now? What the hell, Andy?’
‘Andy, this isn’t fair! You have a genius disciple and held out on us until now! That’s some clever hiding
if you ask me!’
‘Disciple? Please! Look at the remarkable talent packed into each cursive and tell me she isn’t a true
master of calligraphy. Mind telling us more about her, Andy? Give us a name or something so that I can
visit her right now to behold talent with my own eyes!’
‘You must tell us!’
‘It’s imperative that we know, Andy.’
At once, Andy panicked when he saw all these demanding messages, and he quickly sent a voice note
saying, “I’m going to make it clear that I discovered her first! Don’t even think about trying to beat me
into getting her as my disciple, or our friendship is over!”
He knew exactly what these old foxes were up to. If he gave them a name, then they would hunt Elise
down before the contest ended and have her become their disciple, then try to hitch a ride on her fame.
Now that he had called the other members out so mercilessly, they did not try to push his buttons.
However, they began booking their air tickets to take a flight to Tissote.
Presently, Andy was pleased when he saw that the group text had quieted down, and he nodded in
satisfaction. He thanked the heavens that he and Cody had had a fight that led to the latter exiting the
group. If he found out about Elise, then he would secretly try to procure her as his own disciple.
In truth, Cody was competent, though he often resorted to underhanded ways to achieve what he
wanted. That, however, couldn’t be helped, seeing as everyone in the industry had different goals and
means to attain them.
Andy was never one to hang around people like that. However, he still tagged all the members in the
group text and typed, ‘The genius is an introvert with mild social anxiety, so I’d appreciate it if you could
all keep her participation in the upcoming finals a secret from the public.
Those in the group replied instantaneously in agreement.
…
On the day of the contestants’ rating day, Tiana, along with Cody and Malia, drove to the Calligraphy
Association.
As the car rolled to a stop outside the building, Cody glanced at Tiana and encouraged, “Just treat this
like how you would any other practice session and take it easy. You have already outdone yourself
regarding your skills, and you’ll do great. Go on, then.”
Tiana eyed the luxury cars that were parked on either side of the street and felt her heart drop to her
stomach. She was so distracted by her own thoughts that her face had a dazed look.
“Tiana?” Cody called out, louder this time. “Are you okay? You seem a little pale.”
It was only then that Tiana snapped out of her daze. She tucked her hair behind her ear and muttered a
little absentmindedly, “Maybe I just didn’t get enough sleep last night. I’ll be fine.”
“You have to be. The Calligraphy Association only does the rating once a year, and you can’t afford to
miss it. So, just hang on until it’s done,” Cody cajoled.
“I know, Mr. Carlson, but what’s with the number of cars today? Are these all parents of the finals
contestants? Some of these cars even have reporters in them, and they’re all carrying equipment as
well,” she pointed out in confusion.
“Don’t you know?” Cody explained calmly, “The heads of all the Association’s divisions are here today,
and I reckon they’ll take part in the rating as well. The press is drawn to the likes of these people, so
make sure you do well, okay?”
“Oh, okay,” Tiana mumbled as she let out a sigh of relief, then nodded with a smile. “Don’t worry, Mr.
Carlson. I’ll do my very best! I’ll be going now.”
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