50. Relieve

The room fell silent for a moment, the air thick with tension as Miss Eve's words sank in. Starla, normally poised, stood frozen in place, her mind racing to process the unexpected revelation. She glanced at William, whose furrowed brow mirrored her own confusion. Miss Eve, radiant and composed as ever, seemed to effortlessly hold the room with her presence alone, her calm demeanor offering a stark contrast to the palpable tension that now enveloped them.

Starla glanced at William briefly, noticing the furrow in his brow that mirrored her own confusion. They had been discussing Starla's carrier when Miss Eve unexpectedly dropped this bombshell. The revelation felt like a sudden twist in one of Starla's own narratives, leaving her grappling with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Seeing Starla's confusion, Miss Eve smiled warmly before speaking, her voice calm yet authoritative. "He is actually a college friend of mine from America several years ago. We've kept in touch sporadically since graduation, meeting whenever he visits London or when I happen to be in his city, like now."

Miss Eve's explanation left Starla stunned. Considering Miss Eve's meeting with Ha-neul yesterday, she couldn't help but suspect that the mysterious friend was indeed Ha-neul. However, wanting to be certain, Starla gathered her courage and asked, "Is it Kim Ha-neul?"

The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment as Miss Eve met Starla's gaze with a gentle nod. Her smile remained warm and reassuring as she confirmed, "Yes, it is indeed him. When Ha-neul informed me he was in London, I asked to meet up. Yesterday, as I was near your apartment, I decided to catch up with him while he was there."

Miss Eve's presence seemed to anchor the room, her serene demeanor soothing the residual tension that lingered in the air. Relief flooded through Starla's being as she absorbed Miss Eve's calm and reassuring explanation. The knots of suspicion that had tightened in her stomach unwound themselves, leaving behind a profound sense of relief. The tension that had gripped her moments ago dissipated, replaced by a mixture of gratitude towards Miss Eve for clarifying the situation and remorse for misjudging Ha-neul. Her mind raced, replaying the moments of doubt and uncertainty she had harbored towards Ha-neul.

Now, faced with the truth that he was simply an old friend of Miss Eve's from college, Starla felt a surge of guilt for having doubted him. She realized how unfairly she had judged him based on her own unfounded suspicions. It was a lesson in humility and trust, one that she would carry with her as she moved forward.

With a smile of genuine happiness, Starla remarked, "I didn't know Ha-neul and you were college friends."

Miss Eve nodded again, her smile warm and reassuring. "That's right. And I promised Ha-neul to support you. If you ever need funding for research for your novel, I'm here to help."

The offer took Starla by surprise. She had always been independent in her pursuits, especially when it came to her writing. The idea of receiving financial support for her novel's research was both enticing and humbling. She glanced at William, who mirrored her astonishment but nodded encouragingly.

"Thank you, Miss Eve," Starla said sincerely, her voice reflecting her gratitude. "I'm deeply touched by your generosity and faith in my work. It means a lot to me."

Miss Eve's smile widened, her eyes glinting with pride. "You're welcome, Starla. I believe in supporting promising talents, especially those with such passion and dedication as yours."

Joy bubbled up inside Starla, echoed by William beside her. Never before had he seen a writer treated with such significance and encouragement. It was a transformative moment, witnessing firsthand the validation and support Miss Eve offered to Starla. William had always admired Starla's dedication to her writing, often glimpsing her late at night, immersed in her work, her face lit softly by the glow of her laptop screen. Yet, he had never fully grasped the depth of her aspirations until now. William couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for Starla.

Their conversation shifted to plans and support strategies for Starla's comeback as a successful author. The initial awkwardness in the room dissolved into dynamic discussion and positive energy. Throughout their discussion, Starla couldn't shake off the warmth she felt from Miss Eve's offer. It wasn't just about the financial assistance; it was the validation of her dreams and the recognition of her potential. It rekindled her confidence, reminding her why she had chosen the difficult path of writing in the first place.

After finalizing the details and expressing their heartfelt thanks once more, Starla and William bid farewell to Miss Eve. They stepped out into the bustling London streets, the afternoon sunlight casting long shadows as they walked.

"I can't believe this," William said, breaking the silence between them. "Miss Eve's support could really make a difference for you."

Starla nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. "It's incredible, William. I never expected something like this to happen today."

"You deserve it," William replied earnestly, his admiration for Starla evident in his eyes. "Your talent is undeniable, and now, with Miss Eve's backing, there's no telling how far you can go."

They walked on, their conversation drifting to plans for the future and the novel that now seemed more tangible than ever before. Starla couldn't ignore the gratitude swelling in her heart, not just towards Miss Eve, but also towards Ha-neul, whose unexpected connection had paved the way for this opportunity.
...

Some time later, Starla found herself in a taxi, navigating the bustling streets of London under the midday sun. The city hummed with life around her, but her thoughts remained consumed by the recent meeting with Miss Eve. As the taxi weaved through traffic, Starla wrestled with conflicting emotions. Guilt gnawed at her conscience over the unwarranted suspicions she had harbored about Ha-neul. She replayed the moments in her mind, pondering whether she should apologize for her mistrust. However, she hesitated, fearing that apologizing might only reaffirm her doubts and cause unnecessary awkwardness.

Instead, a surge of gratitude compelled her to take action. With resolve, she retrieved her phone from her bag and dialed Ha-neul's number. The phone rang a few times before his familiar voice greeted her warmly on the other end.

"Hello?" Ha-neul's voice came through, tinged with curiosity.

"Hi, Ha-neul," Starla began, her voice soft yet earnest. "I just wanted to thank you again for your help earlier. I believe your connection with Miss Eve really made a difference."

Ha-neul chuckled lightly, his voice carrying genuine warmth. "I'm glad I could help, Starla. Miss Eve is an old friend, and I knew she would appreciate your work once she got to know you."

Starla smiled to herself, feeling a weight lifting off her shoulders as she spoke. "Well, I wanted to let you know that I appreciate it too. It means a lot to me."

Before Ha-neul could respond, a woman's voice suddenly interrupted from his end of the line. "Darling, who is it?"

Starla's heart skipped a beat, recognizing the voice instantly. She fell silent, unsure of how to proceed. The brief pause stretched as she hoped for Ha-neul to explain. Her mind raced with questions, trying to read the situation. Was Ha-neul in a relationship? Why hadn't he mentioned anything? The warmth she had felt moments ago evaporated, replaced by a sinking feeling in her chest.

Once again, Starla found herself confronted with uncertainty and suspicion, despite just learning the lesson that being overly suspicious was unwise. Would she repeat the same mistake this time, or would things take a different turn?

The city outside seemed oblivious to her internal turmoil, its rhythm and energy continuing unabated. Starla glanced out the window, watching people go about their daily lives, seemingly carefree. In contrast, her mind was tangled in a web of conflicting emotions.