"Where… am I?"
Darkness stretched endlessly around him, without a single glimmer of light. Nothing could be touched, nothing could be sensed.
Carl floated weightlessly in the void, unable to tell how long he had been here, or how he had arrived. He didn't even know where he came from, only that his name was Carl Al.
The boundless darkness pressed against his mind, forcing him to recall every memory he could. But, unfortunately, there was nothing—nothing at all—except his own name.
Time seemed meaningless here, slipping away silently, endlessly, in a place where not even light existed.
Instinctively, Carl drew energy from the darkness to sustain himself. He did not consciously control it; his body absorbed it automatically, feeding on the void around him.
He had no idea how long had passed, but finally, a faint light appeared in the endless black.
After being immersed in darkness for so long, the sudden glow startled him. Instinctively, he shielded his eyes, but soon adjusted. His body hungrily absorbed the light, far more eagerly than the darkness, as if trying to merge entirely with its brilliance.
Driven by instinct, Carl summoned all his strength and floated toward it. His eyes fixed unwaveringly on the glow, filled with longing and joy, though he didn't know why he felt such emotions.
Meanwhile, at a large public event, celebrities mingled with crowds waving fan cards, phones, and cameras. Occasionally, someone would shout out "Hey!"
The atmosphere buzzed with energy. At the center of it all stood a woman with sharp features and graceful poise. She posed before a massive billboard as journalists and staff swarmed around her, capturing every shot.
"Diwan, look this way.""Diwan, face the middle—we've officially started.""Diwan, to the left, we're from XYZ media."
Despite the countless interview requests, Diwan smiled politely, striking poses and adjusting subtly for the cameras and sponsors.
The event was brief. After taking photos and giving a few interviews, she strolled around the venue, observing the displays and listening to the hosts' introductions.
An hour later, she waved goodbye to the fans along the edge of the event, sending them home early before returning to her car.
Her home was not far from the venue, a quiet and comfortable neighborhood, ideal for someone of her status. By the time she returned, it was just before ten in the evening.
Not wanting to stay in, she changed into casual clothes, removed her makeup, and called her personal assistant for a walk.
Although timid in some ways, Diwan was far from foolish. She walked through dimly lit areas with her assistant, never venturing to the city center. Given her popularity, returning before midnight could be uncertain.
As they strolled along the park's edge, Diwan occasionally watched couples embracing in the streets or in the park. Every time she saw such scenes, she wondered if all couples were this bold, daring to show affection in public.
"Xiaoling, have you ever dated a boyfriend as bold as them?" she asked, curious, glancing at her assistant, who was slightly shorter than her.
Xiaoling had served as Diwan's assistant for nearly five years. Over time, their relationship had become more like sisters than boss and employee. Almost nothing was off-limits between them.
Despite being older, Diwan often teased Xiaoling, and Xiaoling would react with mock exasperation, deepening their sisterly bond.
"Back then, I was still in school. How could I ever be so bold? Even now, I couldn't hide it," Xiaoling replied. "You went to university, didn't you? Surely there were crazier things there?"
Diwan, having attended university, had seen more audacious displays among young couples. Public kisses in front of teachers and classmates were probably commonplace.
"I hate that I focused so much on studying that I never had a boyfriend, never truly enjoyed my college years. If I could do it all over, I would definitely try," Xiaoling confessed, a mix of regret and wistfulness on her face.
"Spring is here… looking for a man to fill that lonely heart of yours?" Xiao Ling teased. Their playful banter was familiar, neither distant nor formal.
"Now that spring is here, plenty of people are pursuing my sister. Look, we both agree, right? She wants love, but it's not something random. For someone like you, don't rush. Wait until marriage, then I'll introduce you!"
Though teasing, the words carried a truth, and Diwan responded with mock irritation, tugging lightly at Xiaoling's hand.
Xiaoling had her own place and occasionally stayed with Diwan. She also had work and studies, constantly learning to improve herself and assist Diwan better.
After bidding each other goodbye near their neighborhood, Xiaoling took a taxi home while Diwan returned alone. The short ten-minute drive was uneventful, with no threats or recognition, and she reached home safely.
Diwan switched on the lights, showered leisurely for nearly an hour, washing away the summer sweat, and then lay in bed, scrolling on her phone before sleep.
Humming softly a tune unknown to the world, she followed her usual habit, letting melody flow freely without thought.
At home, she appeared lively and unrestrained, unlike her composed public self. While cheerful and polite, she never let her guard down completely—slow to warm, careful with strangers.
After her shower, she dried her hair with a hairdryer, eyes fixed on the TV, though it was unclear whether she was paying attention to the show or merely on autopilot, lost in thought.
Just as she was about to finish, the lights in the entire house suddenly went out.
"Ah~"
"Welcome to my new story!🎉 Please let me know how you liked this chapter. If it receives Powerstones and support, I'll be extremely happy and will continue to keep this story going."