Chapter 49
When I came back to the movie theater, I felt dazed.
I hadn't been to a movie in years.
Oscar had me sit down, and soon came over carrying a large Coke and a big bucket of popcorn: "The essential movie combo, for you."
I smiled as I took them from him: "These are things only kids would like."
"But who doesn't want to be a kid?" Oscar had his own philosophy. "If possible, I also hope you don't have to carry so many burdens, so that you could be carefree. Of course, I know that's impossible, but at least if there's a moment when you can relax, I think that's great."
I had to admit, Oscar was really good. He could provide enough emotional support, was good-looking, capable - in every way, he stood out among his peers. Honestly, someone like him could find a better girl.
I lowered my head without speaking, looking at the time on the movie ticket in my hand. There was still half an hour before the movie started. Oscar sat in front of me, getting messages from someone on his phone, his fingers quickly typing replies.
Soon, his phone rang. He smiled at me and walked outside to take the call.
My hands slowly clenched into fists. If he could stay with me through the whole movie, if he could just stay...
And then what?
I didn't even know what I was hoping for. Maybe it was sitting in this familiar movie theater that made all those old memories of waiting flash through my mind like slides.
I had always longed for a unique kind of love.
Ten minutes, fifteen minutes, twenty minutes...
The announcement started calling people to enter. I looked up to find Oscar, gripping the movie ticket in my hand, took a deep breath, and smiled at myself in resignation. It seemed like he wouldn't be able to watch this movie either.
I headed in the opposite direction, against the crowd, toward the theater exit.
"Emily, the movie's about to start. Where are you going?" Oscar appeared out of nowhere, suddenly in front of me, reaching out to affectionately pat my head. "Looking for me?"
The moment I heard his voice, I felt happy. So he hadn't left, and he hadn't set me aside for something else. We could actually watch this movie.
I didn't show much emotion: "Don't you have things to do? If you don't have time, we can watch the movie another time."
Don't have expectations, and you won't be disappointed - that was the rule I'd learned.
Oscar grabbed my hand, his palm dry and warm. Like any ordinary couple, we went back to the table, picked up the popcorn and Coke we hadn't had time to eat, and joined the back of the line: "Work can be handled later, but the movie won't wait for us. Let's watch the movie first."
"What if it's something urgent?" He was much busier than me now. Such a big project, with over a billion dollars invested - it was important. For him to be on the phone for over twenty minutes, it couldn't be something trivial.
But Oscar smiled calmly: "Whatever's urgent can wait until I'm free. The main thing is, this is actually my first time watching a movie. I used to ask my mom to take me, but she was too busy. Later, when my mom wasn't busy anymore, I didn't have time..."
His voice carried a hint of sadness, but quickly brightened up again: "So you see, there's always work to do, but people aren't always around. When it's time to do something, just do it without hesitation. I just heard people discussing how good this movie is. Good thing we got IMAX tickets - the effect is better than regular screens."
He kept holding my hand without letting go. When he leaned down to whisper to me, his breath brushed against my cheek. Maybe it was the theater's high temperature, but I felt my face burning and tried to pull my hand back.
He seemed completely unaware, holding my hand as we moved inside with the crowd, then leaned over again: "I think I just saw a familiar figure. We probably ran into someone we know."
I followed his gaze and sure enough, at the front of the line, I first saw Sophia's smiling profile. She was looking up, talking shyly to the person beside her. Next to her was Gregory, wearing a mask - I couldn't see his expression, only his bright eyes darting around, constantly looking elsewhere.
Oscar chuckled softly: "Emerald City really is small. Running into them here. Looks like they're getting along pretty well."
I was quite dismissive: "Not necessarily. Didn't you see someone hiding like they're afraid of running into people they know?"
Oscar understood, and suddenly his eyes lit up. He called out toward the front: "Gregory, you guys are here to watch a movie too?"
Gregory turned around, his face showing panic for a moment. When he saw it was Oscar, he quickly relaxed, nodded, and awkwardly smiled at us. After getting his ticket checked, he quickly pulled Sophia, who seemed about to say something, and hurried away.
"I'll say, they really did run like a dog was chasing them," Oscar joked to me.
I looked him up and down: "You said they ran like what?"
"Like a dog was chasing them," he repeated, then realized he'd insulted himself, quickly turned his head and spat, "I mean, he looked guilty like he'd done something wrong."
I laughed out loud and didn't say more. I even felt more natural about him holding my hand.
Fate works in mysterious ways. Our movie tickets were for a couple of seats, right next to Gregory and them. No escaping it now. Oscar turned to make small talk: "You guys on a date?"
Sophia's face reddened a bit. She lowered her head shyly: "No, I was just in a bad mood, so Gregory came out with me to watch a movie. Uncle Oscar, you and Ms. Wilson have such a good relationship. It's really enviable."
Gregory's face was a bit red too, his smile somewhat forced: "Right, she was in a bad mood, crying all day yesterday, so I brought her out to clear her head."
I smiled and spoke up: "Clearing your head is good. Movies should be watched by two people anyway. More people would make it crowded."
Gregory's expression turned uncomfortable. He looked at me with confusion, but when I lowered my head, his gaze was full of intensity.
I knew a person's appearance could change, but not their silhouette, and the side profile should still carry traces of who I used to be.
I had said this sentence before when breaking up with him: "Gregory, movies are meant to be watched by two people. Don't you think three people are too crowded?"
How had he answered then?
"There are so many people in the theater, why can't you make room for Sophia? She just doesn't want to be alone. It's no trouble for us to bring her along. Are you really that petty?"
So I broke up with him: "If that's how you feel, I have nothing to say. A relationship with three people isn't just crowded, it's disgusting. Let's break up. I'll make way for you two. This movie about exes is perfect for you two to watch."
Sophia's voice pulled Gregory's wandering thoughts back: "Gregory, didn't we forget to buy popcorn? I want some, is that okay?"
Gregory silently stood up, bent over as he passed in front of us, and quickly left the theater, as if going to buy some. But even after the movie started, he never came back.