Shelf #018
Kuu came along the corridor of Julienna's suite the moment Sebastian disappeared from sight. He knocked on the door. It opened and Julie was there.
"Hiya. ." Julie greeted, holding the door for life. There definitely was something awry going on, but Kuu didn't notice this.
"Hi. ."
He kissed her gently on the cheek, then he kissed her lips.
"I always felt to be able to do that is such a wonderful thing," he said. There was a slight pause in the air, and Julie spoke nervously.
"You've got go, Kuu. Right now," she whispered.
"Why?"
She didn't want this. She had to be honest for him.
"Because, my boyfriend who I had for a very long time wanted to break up. . And. . Who I thought was in America, is in fact in the next room just now."
Kuu was duly shocked.
"Your boyfriend?"
"Yes. . ."
Then a voice came from the opposite room.
"Who is it?"
Then drifted in was Jeff. He was a very famous film star and looked the part –– well built, very handsome. Unshaven, he had magic charm, whatever he said. Over a t-shirt, he wore a silk shirt, which he unbuttoned as he talked.
"And you are?" he asked.
"Ahm. . . Room service," Kuu replied.
"How you doing? I thought you guys all wore those penguin coats," he said smiling teasingly, mocking at him.
"Well, yes –– usually –– I'd just changed to go home. But I thought I'd just deal with this final call."
"Like that earring and watch by the way –– never thought you guys could afford such sparkling things. Must be with the salary around here, huh? Five star right?"
"Uhm. . .T-there was a special occasion this day. We had just finished."
"Oh great. Could you do me a favour and try to get us some really cold water up here?" he asked.
"I'll see what I can do," Kuu said. Jeff smiled. There was a hint of yellow on his teeth.
"Still, not sparkling."
"Absolutely," Kuu said as he nodded. "Ice cold still water."
"Unless it's illegal here in Japan to serve liquids below room temperature: I don't want you going to jail just to satisfy my whims ––"
Then he quickly darted to the other of the room and threw his shirt.
"No, I'm sure it'll be fine."
"And maybe you could just adios the dishes and empty that trash."
"Right."
And Kuu did just that. He scooped up two used plates amazingly in just one arm and head to the bin. Julie couldn't take this sight anymore. It pained her.
"Really –– don't do that –– I'm sure this is not his job," she said as she walked in front of Kuu.
"I'm sorry, is this a problem?"
Jeff looked at both of them. "Is something going on here?"
"Ah – no. No. It's fine," Kuu said.
Jeff smiled and walked towards him, curious. "And what's your name?"
Kuu took a moment and thought of only one name. "Ahm. . . Lory."
Jeff slipped him a fiver. "Thank you, Lory."
Then he faced Julie. "Hey babe ––"
He grabbed her waist and pulled her close to him. He lifted her up and kissed her.
"Lovely hair, lovely red dress – Wow! Mm sexy. Nice surprise, or nasty surprise?"
Julie blinked. "Nice surprise."
He kissed her.
"Liar," Jeff said with a snicker.
Still holding Julie up in his arms, he turned his face to Kuu. He just stood there as silent as a cat witnessing this display of affection. It crushed his heart seeing this.
"–She hates surprises. So what are you ordering babe?"
"Ah-I. . I haven't decided yet," Julie spoke almost a whisper. This was just too much to bear with Kuu secretly in pain watching. . .
"Well, don't overdo it, darling. . I don't want people saying, 'There goes that famous actor with the big, fat girlfriend.'"
He wandered off to the other side of the room and took off his shirt. "Gotta take a cool bath honey! Come!"
"I-I don't want. Just go," Julie called out. They caught their eyes in silence and pain mirrored pain in those depths.
"I. . I'd better leave," Kuu said. Julie just nodded.
"This –– this is a fairly strange reality to be faced with," Kuu whispered. "To be honest, I don't realize. . ."
Julie whispered back. "I'm so sorry, Kuu. . . I don't know what to say. . ."
"I think. . Goodbye is traditional."
He opened the door and just in time, a room service person passed by. He dragged a cart of empty dishes. Kuu stopped him and placed the dishes and the bin. He took the door and without looking at Julie, he closed it.
At the corridor he walked in a daze, so crushed to pieces. After a moment of silence he heard Julie behind him.
"Kuu?"
He turned around, and saw Julie standing on the door. Her hands shook as she curled them. Her eyes just stared back at Kuu. They glued only to him, and Kuu saw flickering pain and shock on them. She had been quietly watching him walked away at the door. She blinked back, and tried to keep the water in. Looking at his eyes at this distance, her heart just ache so much. She could make out a faint voice out from her.
"Kuu. . I really am sorry. . I'm sorry. . ."
Kuu stared back painfully at her eyes. He couldn't take how his heart felt right now when he saw those eyes blinked and tried so hard to hold those tears in.
"How could I ever betrayed you?" she whispered.
"It's okay, Julie. ."
She promised him, but now she broke it. Her tears just freely fell.
"J-just –– please, please. . . Don't hate me. Please don't hate me, Kuu. . ."
Kuu fought back a smile. His lips only curved slightly though. Damn he wanted so much to kiss those tears away.
"How could I?" he said softly.
". . Kuu. . ."
"I couldn't ever hate you, Julie. . . You know that. . . And that's the hardest part."
"Kuu. . ."
". . .You go. He's waiting for you. ."
"Kuu. . ."
"Have a good night. ."
Kuu walked away. He pushed the button of the lift, and still felt his Julie watching tearfully. Kuu turned his head to the side and their eyes met for the last time. She still never closed the door. It was too painful to see her still standing there. He knew that there was still more of the true feelings of the heart left unspoken. He did not need know them, as it was finally clear in her teary eyes.
For a good few seconds they stared lovingly and painfully, then Kuu went inside the lift.
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