Actor in Hollywood

"So, like me, open your eyes, express your thoughts, dream about the future, and pour out your heart—you are free."

"Gaze into your heart, and you will find yourself soaring through the sky."

Step by step, gently on tiptoe, the heart sprouts wings and soars into the wind, with Anson's free-spirited singing coming through the microphone, completely unleashed.

Like a child joyfully running and splashing through the rain on a summer day.

"So, don't, please don't, please don't, hmm hmm hmm, doo ba doo ba doo doo doo, please don't…"

"No need to beat around the bush. The night is short, it's destined, oh, oh oh oh, it's fate, fate, fate, I'm yours, doo doo doo ba doo ba…"

"Hmmm hmm… ho ho ho…"

Carefree, graceful, free, light, and bouncy.

Anson was utterly immersed, letting himself go, dancing freely between high and low notes, so much so that the audience's hearts were riding the roller coaster along with him.

"Oh, I'm yours."

"Oh! I'm yours… I I I'm yours…"

Gradually, the melody faded, and the starlight dimmed.

Yet, the stirring romance and emotions overflowing in the chest melted everyone. Just as everything seemed to slip into nothingness, Anson suddenly strummed the guitar strings again.

Crash.

Pop.

Anson pressed the strings once more, and the noise disappeared. The bustling, noisy world fell into silence, total stillness, with no sound except for the heartbeats softly tugging at the pulse.

Thump. Thump.

Instinctively, Kristen turned to look at Jack, not knowing why, or perhaps the reason didn't matter. She just followed her heart and naturally glanced over—only to see a sea of starlight.

Jack didn't know where his courage came from, but he didn't look away.

He was staring at the back of Kristen's head, his heart pounding, fingertips sweating, yet silently mouthing the words:

Turn around. Turn around. Turn around.

Then, Kristen turned her head.

Jack was startled, caught in the act of sneaking a glance. His first instinct was to look away, but miraculously, this time he didn't.

Anson's first lyric flashed through his mind.

"I admit you've captured me, and you know it full well."

He tried his best to appear calm, to avoid letting his feelings slip; but clearly, it wasn't a secret anymore. So, despite the shyness, the awkwardness, and the nervousness, he managed to control himself, forcing himself not to turn away.

Bravely, he met Kristen's gaze.

For a brief moment, Kristen froze, staring directly into Jack's eyes, enveloped by a gentle yet overwhelming wave of emotion. And then, a blush bloomed across her cheeks.

Startled.

Kristen looked away.

A sudden, unfamiliar rush gripped her heart, too abrupt, too strange, too intense, making her panic.

Clap! Clap!

She heard applause.

Kristen, startled like a frightened bird, thought she had been caught—but caught by whom and for what, she couldn't say. She sat up straight, scanning the room, realizing her awkwardness—

Clap clap clap, clap clap clap!

Thunderous applause roared toward Anson.

Without the need for words or any prompt, applause erupted spontaneously, filling the entire coffee shop within moments. The rising energy surged like waves, growing stronger by the second.

Kristen blushed slightly, sneaking a glance at Jack, only to find him holding back laughter. Embarrassed yet amused, her lips curled into a soft smile. They exchanged a quick, knowing glance, and their smiles became uncontrollable.

Kristen turned her attention back to Anson, clapping along with everyone else.

Applause, whistles, cheers, and shouts merged into a single wave of sound.

Anson couldn't hide his surprise. 

The performance had been nothing more than a simple serenade, a light and easy tune, meant just to set the mood. He hadn't expected such an overwhelming response or such intense applause. This was completely unanticipated.

However, Anson remained composed, graciously bowing in appreciation.

As the loud applause continued, Anson left the stage, returning the guitar. The café manager thanked him profusely, even offering to waive their bill for the evening.

Clearly, he hadn't expected such a reception either.

When Anson had asked to perform, the manager had assumed it would be yet another guy trying to show off his talent to impress a crush, probably leading to an awkward and embarrassing failure. He had only agreed reluctantly, hoping it would be over quickly.

But the result?

The manager, being savvy, immediately handed Anson his business card, warmly inviting him to come back and perform again in the future.

Anson looked at the card and chuckled but didn't mention that he was an actor. He accepted the card and turned to rejoin his friends, signaling it was time to leave.

At first, Hannah was confused, but following Anson's gaze, she noticed the surrounding patrons whistling and clapping. She quickly understood, ushering the somewhat clueless Jack and Annie out the door.

Perhaps the only person who genuinely wanted to leave was Kristen, whose flushed cheeks burned hot. She desperately needed some fresh air.

As they exited into the cool spring air of New York, a sudden chill hit them, and goosebumps immediately appeared due to the stark contrast from the overheated atmosphere inside.

Anson, ever composed, took off his coat, leaving just his denim jacket on, and handed the coat to Annie, all the while giving Jack not-so-subtle looks.

Jack, ever oblivious, didn't get the hint.

Kristen, on the other hand, understood immediately, her gaze filled with amusement as she snuck a glance at Anson.

Anson noticed and looked back at her, fully aware that Kristen had caught on. He didn't bother hiding his intentions, spreading his hands and smiling openly.

Turning his attention back to Annie, Anson apologized, "Sorry for interrupting your evening."

The coat, though no longer warm, still carried the crisp, fresh scent of pine from Anson's cologne. Annie, momentarily dazed, quickly snapped back to reality at the sound of his voice. "No, no, no. We had a great time tonight."

Pausing for a moment, Annie added, "Your performance was incredible. Not just the singing, but the whole act was so well put together."

"On a scale of ten?" Anson raised an eyebrow.

Annie was caught off guard, then quickly replied, "Nine."

Anson, surprised, exclaimed, "Holding back one point to keep me humble?"

What Annie didn't mention was that in her mind, someone else's performance was a perfect ten. But hearing Anson's response made her smile, pulling her out of the brief daze she'd been in. The night breeze was clearing her thoughts.

She considered returning the coat to Anson but decided against it. That would just make things awkward, and since they were friends, a simple thank you would suffice.

"Even without that one point, you're already plenty proud, aren't you?" Annie's playful charm returned with a teasing glint in her eyes.