Elisa wasn’t sure if Louis had heard her clearly. His face was adorned with an oxygen tank, his breath weak, and he took a moment before responding with a faint “Hmm.”
Elisa smiled, “I have good news to tell you. The movie we shot together, ‘The Ghost,’ has been nominated for an international film award. I’ll be heading to the film festival in a few days to receive the award. How do you feel about that?”
Louis’s lips trembled, and he managed to utter, “I like it.”
His voice was barely audible. Elisa leaned in, “Hmm? What did you just say?”
Struggling for breath, Louis slowly said, “I like the little crybaby.”
Elisa heard it clearly, and her body stiffened. She felt a sharp pain in her heart, and the sensation spread through her body, even making her throat ache. It took her a while to speak.
At that moment, Louis had lost consciousness. She only heard the question in Elisa’s voice, “Do you like it?”
Yes, he did.
“I like the little crybaby…”
“I like the candied hawthorn skewers that appeared just right at the amusement park…”
“I like the wisteria tree at the orphanage…”
“I like Elisa…”
Tears uncontrollably streamed down Elisa’s face as she crouched down and held Louis’s hand.
“I like you too. I like the you who carried me home when I was eight, the you who gave me candied hawthorns, the you who called me a crybaby, and even the you who became a fool. I like all of you, whether you are Brother Li, Autumn, or Louis. You have never been a burden to me… You are the moonlight, and the vermilion mark over my heart is also you.”
Louis said she was the surprise he would only encounter once in his life, but wasn’t he the same for her?
Louis fell asleep again. When he slept, the pain seemed to lessen. When he slept, she could finally touch him.
Elisa touched Louis’s gaunt chin and pale lips, her voice choked with emotion, “You can sleep, but don’t sleep for too long. If you sleep too long, you won’t be able to see me. You like me, don’t you? If you do, then hold on tight. This time, you can’t let go of me. You promised to carry me home. You can’t break your promise. I’m still waiting for you to marry me…”
Elisa looked at the heart rate monitor beside her. She could understand the data on it. Louis’s condition was deteriorating by the day, and all his vital signs were very poor.
The 20th was approaching quickly, and the surgery was scheduled in ten hours. The film awards ceremony was on the 21st, just a day apart. She had to go out of town to receive the award.
Miss Hannah had called her many times asking if she wanted to go. This film festival was crucial, and the event would be broadcast live on all major screens. This was the first domestic film to be nominated internationally, and the chances of winning were one hundred percent. It all depended on how many awards they would receive. The director had already arranged the itinerary; Elisa just had to confirm.
“Go. Get my ticket booked and prepare the evening gown.”
“Okay, Miss Powell.”
The call ended, and Micah had already started preparing. The surgical agreement had been signed three days ago, and the entire White family had gathered.
Elisa made the call in front of them, and Brittany, who was nearby, heard every word clearly.
“Sister Elisa, are you leaving? Today is the day my brother is having surgery…”
Brittany couldn’t hide her worry. Although she would often argue with Louis and even say “I don’t need a brother like you” when they quarreled, her brother was still her brother. He would support her, protect her, and fulfill her small wishes.
Although they had only recognized each other as siblings a few years ago, blood ties were a strange thing. She didn’t feel him as a stranger at all.
“I can’t stay with him until the end of the surgery today. I have to leave to claim the honor that belongs to him and me.”
Brittany looked at Elisa in front of her, not understanding how she could be so calm, as if she didn’t care about Louis’s life or death.
“Sister Elisa, aren’t you afraid that my brother won’t make it? This might be your last time…”
She couldn’t finish the rest of her words.
Elisa shook her head with determination, “No, he promised me that nothing would happen. I believe him. I will come to see him as soon as I claim the award.”
The first two times, whether it was whenLouis fell and became a fool when he was a child, or when Finn shot him in the chest, he managed to pull through and find his way to her.
There’s a saying, right? The right person will always come around. In their lifetime, Elisa and Louis had experienced life and death, regrets – what hadn’t they been through? How could they be afraid of this surgery?
But what if… What if he doesn’t make it?
“Miss Powell, we’ve arrived,” the driver said.
Elisa’s closed eyes suddenly lifted. She was wearing a black evening gown that resembled a wedding dress, and her high heels clicked as she stepped out of the car.
As soon as she got out, the bright flashes of the cameras greeted her. Elisa squinted, then straightened her back after adjusting to the blinding lights.
There were more journalists present today than in previous years at the film festival. First, last year’s hottest film “The Ghost” had been nominated, and its two lead actors, the domestically popular Elisa and Louis, were in attendance. Second, Louis’s hospitalization had been made public, although the specifics were still unknown, rumors were spreading that he was close to death. However, as Louis had not been seen for a long time, it inevitably led to speculation. Elisa’s arrival brightened the eyes of all the journalists.
She had anticipated the situation. She had hired extra security, so apart from the noise in her ears, she didn’t feel any discomfort. The international film festival was grand, with the live scene broadcasted on large screens in the malls and played on radio and television.
Before leaving, Micah had told her that if Louis woke up within 48 hours of the surgery, he would be out of danger, otherwise, he would either become a vegetable or his internal organs would necrotize. Elisa had rushed on a day-long flight and had already been out for 40 hours, having also done her hair and makeup. She looked up at the sky; the weather was beautiful today. She hoped Louis could see it too. To her, Louis was her sun, warming her life. Her previous life was like a potted plant, well-fed but lacking light and freedom, eventually withered and died. Elisa followed the people into the venue, lost in thought throughout the entire process. Many people on the scene wanted to get to know her, but her cold aura repelled them.
Soon the host took the stage to announce the highest awards: Best Film of the Year – “The Ghost,” Best Director – Mike Rook for “The Ghost,” Best Screenplay – Aoife, Best Actor – Louis, Best Actress – Elisa.
The film swept all five awards. Although many had guessed the result, the announcement still shocked the audience. There were only three people present to receive the awards, Elisa walked up, holding her skirt, looking at the cameras.
“The Ghost” was the first domestic film to sweep all awards at an international film festival, a glory that was no longer just an individual honor, but had elevated to the level of Numbat. With these awards, what kind of terrifying position and future awaited Elisa in the international film industry? As it was being broadcast live, Twitter crashed immediately after the announcement, trending at the fastest rate. Those who had previously mocked Elisa and “The Ghost” were now silent, witnessing this historic moment on the screen.
This unprecedented scene was something Elisa rarely appeared in. Every time she did, she shone brilliantly. Seeing Elisa in this light now, who could still link her to the Elisa who had been previously criticized across the internet? Today, she was radiant, facing the glory, her eyes bright and sharp. This was the most dazzling place in the film industry, the pinnacle where actors reigned supreme. Elisa’s expression was calm; when others received the trophy, they were either happy to the point of tears or shaking with excitement. But when Elisa received the trophy, she began delivering her acceptance speech.
An acceptance speech? Elisa hadn’t thought about it. She had heard that everyone usually prepared a script in advance, but she hadn’t. For an award like this, one time was enough for her. On the first day back, she looked at herself in the mirror and vowed that she would live well, for herself and for “Aoife,” she would help Aoife fulfill her wishes. Looking back on the journey, looking at the familiar faces in the audience, it all seemed like a passing cloud. Standing here, could Louis hear her words?
Elisa opened her mouth, “Here, I thank Aoife, because of her, this film and the person I am now exist. I also thank the two directors for giving this film life, thank Louis, for making me understand the meaning of life, thank you all for your support, thank you all… and then, I want to announce something using this opportunity.”
“From today, I will withdraw from the entertainment industry, leave the film industry. The road ahead is long and arduous, we may never meet again.” After finishing, Elisa held the microphone tightly, bowed deeply to the audience and the countless cameras.