First Sight

Gemma woke up when the sun was already hanging high in the sky and it was getting boiling in the attic.

Even though Gemma had opened the window wide before she went to sleep, the breeze that came in from there could no longer relieve the stifling feeling that made Gemma sweat.

Gemma got up and sat for a moment on the bed. She looked around the attic, which was now her room. The room measures three by five meters with a low sloping roof. Luckily, Gemma has a small body, so this room doesn’t feel cramped for her.

A wardrobe full of the clothes that Gemma mostly got from the flea market stood firmly in the corner. Dressing table on top of which were scattered make-up tools. A bookshelf is full of books Gemma took from the library. She had read most of the books there and it was time she changed for some new books.

Gemma brought a few books she could carry, then descended the spiral staircase that led her to the small room behind the administration desk.

“Good morning.”

A soft voice that was familiar to Gemma’s ears greeted her as Gemma reached the main room of the library.

Gemma frowned.

“You mean good afternoon,” said Gemma, placing the books she had brought onto the book return table. Usually, Gemma didn’t like being teased like that. But this was Purity, the middle-aged librarian who didn’t mean to offend her.

Purity smiled. A smile that Gemma couldn’t help but return.

To Gemma, Purity is a cold angel but a heart of gold. How could she not, she allowed Gemma to stay here without paying the rent, and only on one condition: Gemma was not allowed to bring her friends to stay over. Which doesn’t matter, because Gemma doesn’t have any friends to stay with.

Gemma sat on the chair opposite Purity, then put one foot on the chair.

“Gemma,” Purity rebuked, softly but deadly.

Gemma grimaced, quickly lowering her legs as she looked around to see if anyone had caught sight of her behavior.

The library this afternoon was busier than usual. Maybe because today is Sunday. Gemma already knew almost all the library visitors, because the ones who came were always the same. Gemma has memorized the type of reading that each visitor likes.

So Gemma tilted her head in wonder when she saw someone she had never seen before.

“Who’s he?” Gemma asked Purity, who only looked up briefly to see who Gemma was referring to.

“A recent visitor. He just came and signed up to be a member,” answered Purity, who was busy with her job of putting plastic covers on newly arrived books.

Gemma stared at the man for a long time. His short, slightly messy black hair didn’t match his immaculate attire. A flannel shirt tucked into a pair of jeans. He wore an ugly belt, and his square glasses had a very odd fit on his face.

That man seemed to know that Gemma was watching him. He turned his head, and their gazes collided.

Gemma is not a woman who likes to steal glances and feel embarrassed when caught watching someone. She always acts normal if it turned out that the person she was observing was looking back at her.

But somehow, when Gemma’s eyes met the man’s, Gemma felt her face heat up.

Maybe because she didn’t expect the strangely dressed man to have such a handsome face.

Gemma stared at him for a moment before finally looking away. She tried to catch her breath and pretended to notice what Purity was doing.

“Good afternoon. You work here?”

Gemma almost jumped from her seat. She didn’t expect that man to come and talk to her.

Gemma lifted her head slightly to meet the man’s eyes again. It’s true, this man has beautiful eyes.

“Yes, what’s up?” Gemma asked, trying to sound casual.

The man just looked at Gemma from head to toe.

Gemma hadn’t changed her clothes last night, and she hadn’t showered either. Gemma just ran a hand through her hair before coming down here.

“I think I’ve seen you somewhere,” said the man, having satisfied judging Gemma’s appearance with his gaze.

Gemma raised an eyebrow. Is this guy a fan? If he enjoyed going to the illegal nightclubs in Ayria, he should know Gemma. Gemma had performed in almost all of those places.

Gemma couldn’t ask him openly here. First, because her activities are unlawful, and because of the first reason, there is a second reason. She didn’t know who she was talking to right now. He could be from the government.

“But I never see you before. So you must have the wrong person,” Gemma denied. She put her hands on the table and tried to smile kindly.

The man looked at her for a moment.

"I guess so," he said. Maybe he had given up trying to dig up his memory of whether he knew Gemma or not.

The man headed to the book-borrowing table, and Purity swiftly served him.

Gemma no longer looked at him, for the atmosphere was already awkward. She stood up and decided to take a shower when someone shouted.

"You!"

Gemma turned quickly, thinking that man was calling her again. But no. Two men had just arrived. They stood in front of the entrance with angry faces.

"So, you live here!"

*