A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

“I hope you don’t mind, Goddess; we just threw this together last minute.”

Baxter’s voice rang out, “Hey, Hala, you around?”

buxom girl zoomed past Baxter, tossing an ashtray in his direction, “What’s with the yelling? I’m in the middle of a plot outline here!”

“Spare me, Hala!” Baxter ducked and dodged. “I’m just introducing the newbie, Matilda. Or as most know her as, Dawn.”

“Oh, I’ve heard about her.” Hala glanced up at Matilda and smirked with a welcoming grin, “Hey there, we’re pretty chill here. Make yourself at home.”

The geeky guy with a green dinosaur hoodie scooted over with his chair, rolling up to Matilda, “Are you joining our merry band of misfits?”

Matilda returned the smile, confirming her new role. The vibe was casual and cozy, just like a down–to– earth family gathering. No sooner had she sat down than the gang started sliding her packets of instant coffee.

“It’s a rite of passage here. We survive the late nights on instant coffee,” Baxter said with a chuckle. “If you need more, just spin your chair around and help yourself from the box.”

Twisting around, Matilda’s eyes landed on a mountainous box stuffed with… instant

coffee.

“Is it really that bad?” she gulped.

“You bet,” Hala chimed in without looking up from her keyboard. “I used to boast at proud E–cup, but ever since I joined the studio, I’m down a whole size.”

Matilda couldn’t help but think that was still pretty impressive.

Surrounded by a quirky cast of design nerds – from Yoshi in his pajamas to the curvaceous Hala, the tomboyish Luna, and Baxter, who’d first brought her in Matilda felt right at home. Soon enough, she was handed a steaming mug of coffee.

“This place isn’t like those flashy, shallow joints out there. We’re all easy to get along with,” said Luna, glancing over at Matilda, “Except when it comes to lending money.”

Baxter burst into laughter. “Yeah, we’re all buddies until money’s involved. Then it’s like, ‘Who are you? I don’t know you.”

10:05

Matilda’s first day at the studio stretched well into the night. Her desk was buried under a pile of drafts as tall as a small hill, which effectively cut her off from the world. Around eight in the evening, Baxter came around with a pot of coffee, pouring a cup for everyone. As he reached Matilda, the paper mountain trembled.

Startled, Matilda watched as a man with glasses emerged from the heap, dark circles under his eyes like badges of honor.

“Look who’s up, our very own vampire,” Hala clicked her tongue, “Waking up earlier than usual. He’s usually not up until ten at night.”

“Must be Dawn’s presence. He can sense the living amongst us,” Yoshi joked, likening Orson to a canine. He nodded towards Orson, “Take a look to your left, man.”

The man known as Orson, groggy and disheveled, squinted at Matilda with sleepy eyes, “Huh? We got a newcomer?”

His voice was unexpectedly alluring, deep, and resonant.

“Cold as ever, Orson,” Luna feigned a heartache, “Come on, do the customary greeting.”

Orson rummaged through his drawer and flung a packet of instant coffee Matilda’s way, “Nice to meet you…” NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

But he noticed something off. Matilda hadn’t reached out to take the coffee. Was she not a fan of the flavor? Orson swapped it for a different variety, yet the reaction was

the same.

Confused, he looked up only to find Matilda staring at him, her eyes brimming with

tears.