The assistant blinked, then gave a soft nod. "He's in the waiting room. This way, Miss Ruby."
Ruby followed her through the long hallway until they stopped at a door. The assistant pushed it open with a soft creak.
And there, in the middle of the fancy waiting room with its soft chairs and warm lighting—sat Karl, completely at ease, like he had made himself right at home.
His legs were stretched out across two chairs, a soft blanket draped over his shoulders like he was in a hospital ward, not a production studio. He was sipping chocolate coffee like it was vintage wine, holding it with both hands. A magazine was on his lap—opened upside down—and on the floor beside him were not one, not two, but four empty chocolate cups stacked like trophies.
"Ahhh~ I feel alive again," he sighed, completely unaware of Ruby standing at the door.
The assistant cleared her throat.
Karl looked up.
