LOVELY WRITER 2

 CHAPTER 2

Today Hin woke me up earlier than usual. Of course, I have to control my mood. I wanted to get up to grab the knife and stab it to the best of my ability, after he pressed the bell fearlessly and woke me from my sleep. I finally went to take a shower and changed clothes. I just took my hanging clothes because my head still felt dizzy.
I spent all night printing new manuscripts. I just woke up at six in the morning, and woke up at seven in the morning, if I weren’t a novelist, I wouldn’t have survived. Maybe out of habit otherwise I’d pass out.
Well, if I’m not satisfied, I can’t stop. Only erased once, but had to reprint a very large number. I finally stopped to get a cup of coffee and rested my eyes, but if I wasn’t done, I had to go back and carry on.
Yesterday I sat at the computer all night, but only finished half of my work and only slept for three hours, but that bastard dragged me down and put him in the car. Then step on the gas pedal with its strength.
In the end, I had to open my mouth to ask. Then he turned around to answer her, because he wouldn’t be able to catch up with her time.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself P’Gene.”
I looked up, “What do you mean? Did you forget you didn’t tell me in advance, I’m not fine. I don’t have the energy right now. “
“But I have received his approval. When I called to confirm with P and P then answered ‘okay’ too. “
“Funny! I never spoke … wait .. “
I think back and remember it, last night I remember Hin called me while I was printing the script, my cellphone rang so I grabbed it with my free hand, and my other hand was busy tidying up the script.
And I opened my eyes, “You know when I work, I don’t really pay attention to what I say.”
The driver blinked repeatedly. But it is a very frustrating act. “Oh, so I don’t know P answered that himself, hahaha.”
“Damn, you were clearly on purpose.” I tried to pinch him he really pissed me off.
In fact, it was frustrating for me, my sleepiness couldn’t go away and I had to meet the main character for my novel.
It’s been a few days since my first meeting with the director for the first time while casting. At that time both the director and Hin also talked about today’s meeting, but because I was busy with my new life, once we parted I forgot about it. I was determined to let Hin take care of it on her own. He kept me informed about the progress.
For the actors, the novelist’s presence didn’t matter at all, but at this point, I was dragged into the car, driving to the meeting place. This damn hin will have to get hit from me one day.
The meeting place is still the same as the elegant WK Entertainment building. The distance is not too far from the condo. But it takes time because you have to pass through a congested area. Even though it’s not the time to go to work or come home from work, the car is still not empty. So I took this opportunity to recline the chair, put on the headphones and sleep in my own world.
I don’t know how much time has passed, I woke up because Hin shook my shoulder hard to wake me up. I tried to get over my headaches due to sleepiness and dizziness. I just followed Hin’s steps into the building, at first I didn’t think much because my brain was still not working fully, so when I entered the elevator and waited for the door to open, my consciousness started to recover.
“Damn it! Did you tell me the topic of this meeting? “
“I just explained the point, the director prepared the camera and told the actors about the details of the series. Each actor will be trained in the workshop. The production house wants to hurry up and record their activities in scraps, so as not to waste too much time, especially during times like this. “
“Ohhhhh.” I extended my voice. “You really know the details, then why don’t you want to come alone to replace my position?”
“P is a writer, can’t you do it yourself without having to fight first.” Hin felt annoyed because of my indifferent attitude.
Previously I always told Hin that I didn’t know much about this job. I’m just going to sign a contract with the production house and then leave, I trust the production and director more than myself. Those who know more about how it works, if it wasn’t a matter of meeting or something important, I wouldn’t have come. This is my busiest time, because I have to work on a new script. When I get a new idea, I’ll focus on it until I don’t think about anything else.
“In ten minutes, the meeting will start. Let’s go in and wait inside. “ One of the staff showed me the way to a room.
The door is a murky stained glass door, she knocks on the door gently asking permission before pushing the door, I followed her, but I stopped when I saw the atmosphere in the room clearly that was already filled with many people.
There are ten minutes left to start the meeting, I think the room is still empty it turns out there are many people including me and Hin. someone came up to me.
“Oh Khun Gene, hello .. Nong Hin too.”
“Hello.”
We raise our hands to salute the greeter. He was the assistant director who met at the casting, because he was the only person who knew me so he brought us to introduce ourselves. I try to show my face as politely and formally as possible.
Everyone in the room introduced themselves to each other and they ended up introducing me at the meeting, of course there are some people I already know too.
“Nong Nubsib and Khun Gene already met the casting, right? Next to Nong Nubsib is Nong Aoey, he will play Namcha. “
My eyes automatically followed the hand of the woman who guided me, the first second, my eyes met Nubsib’s sharp eyes, I realized that I still remember. The deep memory of the previous day, I was a little speechless. Nubsib looked straight ahead and then slowly smiled, his attitude and expression still looking like the prince he did yesterday. I took a deep breath and just nodded, then looked at the other person next to him.
“Hello, P’Gene.”
Nong Aoey greeted me with a big smile and raised his hand in salute. Her lips are small in the shape of a curve, when she smiles, there are dimples. His eyes are wide and bright, he’s like the kind of person who is cute and lovable. It is very suitable to play Namcha for my novel.
I respond with a generous smile to the person who calls me P. “Hello Nong.”
“Then the next is Nong Sai Mok, he will play the role of Captive. Nong Dare as Mel and Nong Amp as Rainie. “
“Ah, hello.”
I turned around to greet the other lead actor, who raised his hand in respect, it made me feel like an old man.
“Sit down first until the producers come.”
I headed for the chair indicated by the assistant director. I sat opposite the actors. And Hin sat behind me, because she was acting as my assistant, I turned around to signal her to prepare to record all the important information.
Ten minutes later a man pushed open the door to the meeting room. That person is a producer according to the assistant director. I didn’t see him on the day of the casting, maybe he wasn’t asked to come or maybe he was busy.
“We plan to start shooting the Bad Engineering Series this September. As the team explained the day before, and as you know, the shooting will not be done by story chapter, the scenes during shooting and the direction will be random, so I asked the team to contact each manager of the actors who will have a schedule on each shot. Some parts of the novel will be tweaked to make them suitable for broadcast on television. “
I listened to the producer handing over the documents while talking.
“This series has received attention. But there may be other promotions added, for example, a small event. Or an opening ceremony at a department store, an interview with the media. I want to ask all the actors to work together too. Another thing, the script in the Bad Engineering series doesn’t deviate too much from the novel. “
“…” I moved slightly as the speaker turned around.
“Here, I am very grateful to the author. In another case, I would like to ask your help in assessing the character of the children who will play. That’s natural, because you have more views for each character than anyone else. The actors will be able to play better if they can understand the characters. That way, the ranking will probably be good too. For promotion through social media, there are already people who are responsible. “
The corner of my mouth twitched. When he said that, what could be done other than nodding his head?
“How do you agree to help them?”
“Yes …” Other authors may be happily interested and receive full feedback.
But I’m … a little embarrassed. This is one of the challenges for me because I don’t know how. Will I help as much as they want? I’m not good at entertainment. As far as I heard, he just has to sign a contract and leave. Just like when I submitted my story to a publisher, he would ask the author’s opinion, but if they don’t like it, they won’t follow him, he has the right to refuse.
After a while, the producers moved on to other stories, which were not related to the author. It seems I feel too comfortable, so quiet in this cold air-conditioned room makes me sleepy, because I only slept for three hours. It really affected me, when I wasn’t playing with my phone or doing anything, my eyelids became heavy and almost made me fall. At that time my eyes turned to Hin who was behind, seeing her bright face, making me feel very annoyed, I turned around and tried to get rid of my sleepiness by taking a pen and drawing in the corner of the paper without anyone seeing me. I drew Hin being stabbed with a knife.
Because I can’t stab him for real, so stab him in pictures. Add a drop of blood to it. A few extra liters
“Hah…”
“…”
But when I lifted my head I had to stop, the pen in hand stopped moving. When I saw the tall figure opposite him was staring. Looks like it has been a while ago, but I don’t know. Nubsib looked at the picture I made, then, his charming eyes moved to look at me. At first glance, I thought he didn’t stick with me, because the character and image of Nubsib in my eyes was like that. But apparently he smiled at me.
Now, I was laughed at by a child.
I deliberately changed my sitting position and coughed slowly, turning my expression serious, and slowly my hand covered the image I had drawn. I thought about how this easy kid found out that I was bored.
Oh no, let me go back to sleep.
Finally the meeting ended. I just have to talk to other people. There are fewer people in the meeting room. As they gradually walked out of the room, I hurriedly asked permission to go to the bathroom and raised my hand. I just pretended because I didn’t want to stay any longer.
But when no one saw, I grabbed Hin by the neck and rushed out immediately, I was so sleepy that I wanted to fall.
“Oh, P’Gene, my neck has been torn.”
“Leave it! I might as well lose your head. “
“Are you still in a bad mood? The meeting has ended “
“I’m pissed off, you know that.”
I glared at him, he stretched out his hand to pull out the wallet, and took a coin out of it, using the water vending machine in front of the bathroom to pick out sweet coffee.
After drinking coffee, I feel much better. Maybe I’ll stay here for about ten minutes, until the people in the meeting room head back to the elevator down and take their cars away.
“But… it looks like he summarized the novel P quite simply. He considered P lucky, because he already had a publisher. So there are people helping to promote it. “
“Is it true?” I stare at him, leaning against the wall before lifting the coffee can.
“The writers who have the right to express their opinion can be said to have heard clearly about this opportunity. It won’t be that easy. “
A sigh came softly from my mouth, “I know.”
I also thought to myself that I couldn’t continue to depend on him. I was given all chances.
“P, have to follow that. If this series comes out well, P’s pen name will explode and be noticed by many. Your face will be recognized by many people. “
“Wait a minute,” I convulsed. “So you mean I have to continue writing the boyslove genre?”
“Ah, I forgot before that P was a horror genre writer.”
“You know it.”
“The Boyslove genre that P wrote is more famous than that.”
It’s not wrong, I tried to calm the thought. Suddenly he picked up the phone and saw the time, he said he would send a memo from the results of the meeting earlier and would arrange for the next meeting.
I didn’t answer anything, looked at it a little and chose to close my eyes and lean back.
Leaning against the wall to rest my eyes for a moment. I decided that I was running out of coffee and that I would be right back to sleep. I’m going to try to sleep now, maybe the third time. Then I’ll wake up later, planning to keep thinking of ideas for my new novel scene. But when I opened my eyes again, I was surprised that I nimbly jumped.
“Shia!”
“Ouch!”
“Khun Gene.”
The new face automatically raised its hand to reach the back of my head, from drowsiness and dizziness to star-gazing.
“Is P all right?”
He held me tight. After opening my eyes, I found a tall figure, fitting that figure. Nubsib stood in front of me then took a step away.
The actor moved closer, as if observing, but it made me feel like I had a heart attack, my body automatically retreated, but forgot that there was a wall behind me, so my head hit the wall right away. Nubsib’s face looked very surprised, seeing my attitude, he was shocked and moved closer.
“Let me see.”
This person spoke, then raised his hand closer. He used his right hand to pull me away from the wall, after that, he tried to grab the part of my head that was hit, I tried to push his hand away.
My face may have turned red, so I tried to remove his hand.
“Wait a minute.”
“The impact is quite strong. Maybe swelling. “
“Yes, maybe.”
“By the way, put ice on it so it doesn’t hurt.”
“Okay, I know … you can go.”
In the end, I said that I was ready to let go of her wrist. It was like Nubsib would see my messy face, so he showed a guilty expression. Blatantly moving as far as I wanted in the end.
Without a tall figure standing in front of me, I felt more comfortable breathing. I don’t have any intentions, but number eighteen is a student. He’s twice as tall as me.
“Forgive me.”
At first I was still quiet, but when I heard an apology, I waved my hand. “Yes, it is okay.” The goal is that the guilt disappears. So I don’t want to say much.
When my consciousness returned, I had time to observe this person more clearly. A little worried, he has a new image besides being handsome. She didn’t make him look weak but looked more polite too, the clothes he was wearing right now were not ordinary clothes. The bad boy follows the appearance of the man in my novel like the day before.
Despite wearing a simple t-shirt, it looks like he will be getting ready for the photo shoot. Like the prince who was secretly disguised and playing outside the palace. What are you doing?
Those sharp eyes are still staring at me. I became a little uncomfortable, but I tried to send him a smile.
Hin, where have you been? This kid came to approach me again. Don’t you see it?
“Are you going to the bathroom?”
“Not.”
My eyebrows go up and look left and right. To the right is the wall at the end of the corridor path. Left … “Oh! Looking for a drink. “
“No, I came looking for Khun Gene.”
I stopped, “Huh? Looking for me? “
“Yes. Initially, I thought I would return. When asked by the team, they told Khun Gene to enter the room. “
“Oh! So what’s your business? Or do you want to ask about the script? “
When I asked that the person in front of me showed a doubtful expression.
“I still don’t understand some roles and characters, so I want to ask Khun Gene.”
“Oh.” I grabbed my glass and turned around to throw the coffee cup in the trash can next to it and moved on my own, this is a “which part?” Job.
“Not now. But I want … can I call you if you are empty. “
“It doesn’t matter if that helps. Just write down my number… no, LINE is better. “ I took my phone out of my pocket and went into the green app and opened the QR code.
Initially, I wanted to number it because it looks more like a job. But I’m the one who’s confused, if Nubsib calls for a consultation and I’m busy or not in the mood, I’ll find it hard to lie.
How many he will ask, if not too urgent, maybe it is more convenient to leave a message on LINE.
“Nubsib!”
But that moment quickly ended when the person in front of me also finished scanning the QR code on his LINE, because someone called him. We both looked in the same direction. I could see someone approaching, another smaller actor standing on the other side of Nubsib, slowly shaking Nubsib’s arm.
“Nubsib, why did it take you so long, are you going back to university again?” He is the one who will play Namcha in my novel.
“Um.” Nubsib paused for a moment. Her eyes were sharp, as if they were plastered with a thin layer of ice. I watched as he lowered the hand that was holding his arm. Their intimate demeanor made me stop moving and feel amazed.
I looked clearly again and then found that this Nong looked very cute and adorable, maybe a few inches shorter than me, his thin arms were wrapped in the shirt he was wearing and a long knit outer that was up to half his feet.
“Oh P’Gene.” At that moment, the person turned to look at me. His voice is made up as if he’s surprised to see me, “Has P’Gene not returned yet? Seeing the director telling P’Gene to come back, at first I was determined to find you. “
I gave a polite smile, “I’ll be back.”
“Oh …”
“Nong Aeoy and Nong Nubsib know each other?” I can’t help asking.
Normally I’m not the one to care about that, but they both played a series for both of my novels. Besides that, in terms of attitude, they are suitable to be used as actors in my novel. Aeoy is slightly smaller than Nubsib, but many people like Namcha. This Namcha actor looks good and is spoiled like a little cat. Looking at them closely with each other, I feel a little happier than before.
“Yes, I and Nubsib are friends.”
“Oh! You guys came casting together. “
“Actually, this is … that’s not it.” The nong smiled. “I overheard Manager P talking to Nubsib about casting, so I applied, I usually only shoot for small fashion magazine commercials. This is my first time acting. “
I nodded at the explanation. “That’s good, if you are close to each other. It will be more comfortable together. “
Big eyed Aeoy is so cute. “Maybe that’s more embarrassing.”
“Haha, but that’s better than humiliating yourself in front of other people.”
“Thank you very much.”
I showed myself to be a good adult. “Okay, let’s meet next time, P must come back.”
Hands raised to receive Aeoy’s respect, but as soon as I turned my eyes towards Nubsib, I paused for a moment, I saw the eyes that were looking at me, I couldn’t read them and didn’t expect him to look at me, so I chose to nod and turn around and walk away immediately.
I heard them talking to each other like no one else was around.
But … Damn, this Hin is really asking to be kicked, where did she disappear?
The meeting the day before was over. Don’t think that the end of filming is over. Every drama or series has tons of scenes and episodes. Next is … merit.
This time, I told Hin to report to the team that Hin could only be present during the second half of the ceremony because of business, business is really business, not an excuse to be lazy.
I left the condo to pick up some clothes and went home the day before. I didn’t even touch my manuscript because I had to sleep in the hospital after eye surgery. and when I was just about to come back home, Hin called me.
“You are really on time.” I accept it.
[I told you that I’ll help you finish work, have you reached the condo? How are you?]
“Hmmm, it’s okay, it’s okay. If I don’t count this pain, I’m actually still strong. “ I answered, put on my earphones and pushed my hand to change gears to reverse the car.
[Okay, then, how about it? Can you come?]
“What if I say I don’t know?”
[Can’t do that, have to come. On the day of the battle, the day before P didn’t come] I snorted.
“Well, I’ll be gone, ten minutes.”
Just talk to Hin. I concentrate on driving to the meeting place. In fact, I’ve told Hin many times that if it’s not important and doesn’t really need the cooperation of the writer, she needs to let me go. But he still insisted on coming and said that he would come get me any time. It is best to show myself on the day of merit.
I went to the meeting place that Hin told me via LINE, and after arriving I told her. The person immediately came out to greet me, he was wearing a polite white dress and hurriedly waved his hand at me. The car is parked the other way.
“They’re praying now, P,”
I nodded my head to look directly at the place ahead. Blinking because of the hot sunshine during the day
The high arch in the shape of the sun is erected in three colors. Seeing the table for the Phanthong ceremony setting aside all offerings, the smoke from the incense and candles makes the vision blurry, each participant dressed in white.
I saw the person holding the camera to take the photo. Maybe a person snapping a picture to spread in the media for promotion.
“Only after he finishes prayer will I come in,” I decided.
“Okay, P wait in this line for a moment, I stopped by the car and picked it up. There are sandwiches too if you want them. “
“Water is enough. Thank you very much.”
Hin nodded. Then, he blinked again and again. Meanwhile, I received a plastic cup. I took a small sip to cool off. My eyes swept over the atmosphere around him. Beside that there were many empty places. But I chose to stand under a tree, which seems cooler, while opening my phone to find news about this series.
In the editorial group, there are stamps on pictures, tags, tweets, my novel as the main picture. I tried zooming in on a few photos but there weren’t many that appealed to. And then looking at the photo of the director and organizer, there was Nubsib with the other main stars, standing in a pure white shirt. The attached message cannot be separated from words. ‘Giving encouragement to the actors.’
I read the line that came up then ‘Thanks to Nubsib for playing the lead role.’ The latest news that the number of books on the website has been selling a lot in the country … and I’m just wrinkling my nose.
“Gene …?”
“…”
“Gene, Gene !? You are Gene! “
I was still seriously staring at my cellphone then my ears heard a screaming voice calling my name out loud. When I lifted my head, I saw a man in a white shirt. He wears thick frame glasses. I thought hard, he doesn’t look geeky because of his disheveled hair. He stood still, I looked at him a few more times.
“Uh …” I stopped my movements. “Yes?”
“Absolutely Gene! I’m Tum. “
“Tum?” The owner of that name smiled so broadly, then I saw him stepping forward suddenly and stopping in front of me.
“Stop putting on a confused face. Don’t tell me you forgot me. After finishing university in less than ten years. You forget me, like an old man. “
The guy’s thick hand touched my shoulder and patted him lightly while I was still busy thinking about it.
“Tum? … Tum? Tamer Tum !? “
“Hahahahaha. Yes. “ I widened my eyes, my mouth opened in surprise. Staring at the person in front of me from toe to head
When I was in college, I didn’t have close friends but only friends who were studying at the same time. The same person named Tum Penjinak could be said to be a geeky kid. He is a tough boy even though he wears glasses and carries a thick book. When we graduated, I came to consult him who has graduated first and has been successful since middle school, I asked him what should I do?
Not being close, once we were done, we had no contact or anything. We were only in the same group, and it only lasted two years, gradually the group became silent, everyone had a new environment, and that was normal.
I thought while using my eyes to look up and down to observe the person in front of him who still couldn’t believe it.
“Why do you keep looking at me like that?”
“No, I thought that you have changed a lot.”
The words made him laugh. “It has been several years, but you look young. It’s the same as before, but the skin is much whiter than before. “
“Well, I rarely go out of the room.”
“You rarely leave the room? Don’t tell me that you eat, sleep and cause trouble for your parents? “ I wanted to raise my hand to slap this guy’s head.
If it was someone else, I might get angry. But because I knew him and knew what he said was just a tantalizing intention to increase intimacy, so I ignored him. We are both getting older and haven’t seen each other for a long time.
“The joke about not leaving the room has a point, I did it because of work.”
“Profession?” At first, this seemed surprising. Then, he moved my shoulders with all his might, until he got the answer and widened his eyes.
“Khun Gene, the author of this series, he’s talking about this, don’t tell me …”
I saw the face of the person who hung the sentence. Even though she will be embarrassed to be friends with me later, I will pretend not to know her.
It seems like it’s fine if I nod my head casually, “Geez !!!! Shiaaa … “
“…”
“From the first time, I heard the name of the author is Gene. My son always talks about you, I don’t think that Gene is the same Gene I know. Damn, the world is so small. “
Sentences like ordinary surprises. But I listened and found one thing. “Your son? Are you talking about real children? “
“Oh, let’s join the casting of your novel, maybe you’ve met him too?” He said and laughed.
My eyes widen, is he playing with the younger kids?
“Don’t tell me that person is Aeoy?”
I paused for a moment, he waved his hand, “No, you should be talking about Nubsib, Sib.”
“Nubsib ?!”
“Oh, why are you screaming?”
“Are you supporting Nubsib?” I said, and opened my mouth like a fool.
Three minutes later, I can control my thoughts. This time secretly observing the person in front of me to be more careful than before, he is a normal man and I did not think that he had such a relationship, maybe his height was almost the same as Nubsib. There is a saying that height does not affect horizontally.
“What do you imagine? I think you really are a writer. “ He shook his head, “Not a child like you think. The child here is the child I foster. I work as a manager. “
“Star manager…” I muttered as he explained, my expression slowly easing up. Secretly felt a little relieved.
It’s not that I’m disgusted or anything about sex. But it was like knowing that maybe she did that with someone like a prince, it was a strange thing.
“Don’t use words that have multiple meanings, other people will think like me.”
“Ha ha.” He laughed again, seemingly awkward.
“How does it feel to be a star manager? Come on, tell me. “
Tum shrugged. “You know my brother used to be the owner of a modeling school. When I finished university, I didn’t get a suitable job, while waiting for a call I offered to help him become a manager. “
“Oh! Helping in the family is good. “
“Helping but I don’t really like it.”
“But your son seems kind. Will he have a lot of work? “
“Good!?” He opened his eyes wide. Then, he made a face like he was sneering, “Good boy? Just imagining her makes me really scared, she is far from what you say. Oh, I didn’t know if you dreamed of becoming a writer. Plus writing a very good story and making it as a series. “ He raised his hand and tapped me on the shoulder again. “I read chapter ten, very good.”
“Hey,” I muttered softly, “Why are you reading it?”
“Oh, I’m the manager of Sib. I have to want to know what my children’s work will be. What types of manuscripts do they accept and how the story goes. “
“…” I rolled my eyes painfully. Didn’t say anything
Tum seemed to see that I was embarrassed. So he laughed and sent a mocking expression. But he’s still kind to accept the changes that happened to me. Because we haven’t seen each other for a long time, we talked a lot, exchanged stories, and discussed many topics.
Until finally, the merit event ended. At first, I was a little bored, but knowing that there was at least a Tum was enough to comfort me.
“It’s been a long time since we saw each other. Tonight, let’s spend some time chatting. I’ve changed my LINE account and got a new number. Can I get … “
“P’Tum?”
Tum and I turned to the source of the sound at the same time. Soft bass sound like this is not hard to guess. None other than Number eighteen, clad in pure white clothes without any pattern. His face was handsome and profitable with gentle gazing eyes.
“Oh, Sib, have you finished praying?”
“Umm,” replied the man quickly. She turned towards me and then smiled faintly. “Khun Gene.”
This kid looks so kind and polite.
I thought for a moment before giving a reply from his greeting. I gave a smile and nodded “Hello.”
“It is been a long time?”
“It was quite a while, but happened to meet an old friend.”
“Friend?” Nubsib muttered, then turned towards his personal manager. “Do Khun Gene and P’Tum know each other?”
“Yes, Gene is my college friend. I came to see it. “ Damn it was as if he said that on purpose.
“Oh!”
I nodded my head lightly. When Nubsib didn’t say anything else, Tum turned to look at the friend standing next to him, seen as he moved his hand to pull the shirt on his chest and waved, “Come on, don’t stand here for long. It’s hot, we better go over there. The ceremony is over. We can’t wait for the staff to call us. “
Tum raised his hand, put his arm around mine and the other arm on Nubsib’s shoulder, then pushed to walk, I also moved as if it was easy. When I met my old friend, I forgot about Hin. We walked under the shade where the staff gathered, they greeted Tum and asked us to join.
At least later on the set I don’t feel like a stranger and I won’t feel awkward.