In Sapphire's Room

“Yes mum, Carlos chatted with me!” Sapphire's cute voice sounded over the phone. 

“That's good, my dear.” Her mum praised. 

“Mum, what kind of agriculturist is he? Does he own a farm as well? What kinds of crops is he into?” She sounded so curious and impatient.

“I'm not sure, darling. I know he's hardworking and good-looking. Carlos would be a good husband for you, my dear.”

“So he's also good-looking, huh? I can't wait to meet Carlos already.” she replied sarcastically.

“Have you guys picked a date for the meeting?” her mum asked over the phone.

“Yes mum. It's 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. At Blue Bird Hotel.”

“Wow! That's great! Who picked the venue?”

“He did, mum. I've always wanted to check out that hotel too. I heard they serve the best food in the whole of Los Angeles.”

“Just be a good girl, okay? And make mama proud.” Fiona, Sapphire's mum persuaded. She has an outstanding talent at that.

“Okay mum. I'll try my best.” Sapphire replied.

“Alright, bye now.” Her mum muttered and cut the call.

She stared at the screen of her phone and cut the call.

“Doesn't she ever tired of hooking me up?” Sapphire murmured underneath, concentrating on the work on her table. On it were cardboard papers and pictures of Gabriel Anderson; her favorite actor and teen crush.

“Oh well, as long as I'll go to a fancy place and get a free meal out of it.” She joked, smiling at herself as she drew domestic animals on the cardboard. 

And for a minute, she got confused. It's obvious that her mum seems to be good at distracting her, after all. Thinking about what animal to draw after a cat and a duck, Sapphire walked to the reading table by the corner of her small, pink room.

Going through the laptop to check her email messages, she got notifications from 'I love actor Gabby's' Facebook page. Then her blue, doe-like, button eyes caught something interesting on the screen.

Gabby's new video. 

“How would I ever miss this?” An exciting voice cried in her mind as she ended up with a small blush.

Immediately, she downloaded it to watch. “I know Gabriel is an upcoming actor, but I'll support him the best I can.” Sapphire said to herself.

"I know the questions on your minds would be... Who is Gabriel Anderson?"

Two years ago, a high school student came to meet her for support. His parents were so poor that they hardly offered three square meals, but Gabby managed. He's a bit funny and witty, but Sapphire love Gabby because he's talented. She had been supporting him like an elder sister since then. In fact, she enrolled him into an acting school just to make sure he gets the best out of life. Sapphire is not rich exactly but as long as she's able to feed herself, she's satisfied.

Going through the like-hate comments from viewers gave her mixed feelings. Sapphire hated the fact that someone would stupidly bad-mouth her Gabby. At least, if they don't like his movies, they should go to hell or, better still, not comment at all. 

She replied some hate comments with insults while others, with motivational advice. It depends on her mood. 

Scrolling through the comments, there were about a thousand more, and she would like to go through every one of them. Yes! For the love she has for Gabby. Sapphire looked back to the reading table that was messy with colorful cardboard and Gabby's latest pictures which made her even more frustrated. 'But who cares?' A slow hiss escaped through her mouth as she grabbed her handbag from the shelf. Opening it, she saw an apple.

It looked big, and juicy... Sapphire wondered if he's okay. Her mind couldn't help but to remember the old man she helped earlier.

***

(Flashback)

Sapphire's P.O.V

“Receive treatment sir, please stay.” she begged, holding his hands that were still trembling.

“There's no need for that, my dear. I'm alright now. You've helped me with enough. I'll just have to go home now and take a proper rest.” he begged.

“Oh... But you should have stayed a little, sir. For today at least.” While she convinced him, it looked as if he had already decided. 'Maybe he was in a hurry or something.' She thought.

Out of his old leather bag, the strange old man brought out a wallet. 

“How much is my hospital bill?” He asked her, but she stopped him from paying back.

“It wasn't really much, sir. You don't need to worry." Sapphire replied him with a smile on her face. Yet, the elderly man was serious about paying her back for literally everything because she saved his life and he was grateful. He wished he had enough on him to pay her with.

"I did it for you sir, it was nothing… really.” Sapphire lightened his face with an assuring smile. 

After hearing this, the elderly man opened his bag and brought out a big red apple. 

His shaky hand handed it over to her.

“Take this apple.” He offered. 

Sapphire stared at him blankly, not knowing if she should collect it or not. She knew that collecting things, especially eatable things from strange, old people, could be dangerous. Seeing the red apple reminded her of snow-white and her evil stepmother but, this old man looked too nice to do that.

A thrill of fear stricken through her mind as she looked at the apple.

“This was going to be for my wife, but I want you to have it instead.” He said with his hands, still trembling at it. 

“Why are you giving me something that's meant for your wife?” Sapphire complained. “Your wife would scold you for sure, sir!” She explained, making him see reasons she can't collect the apple.

“No, you saved my life. My wife would understand when I explain things to her. She won't scold me, so please, accept this as a token of my appreciation.” he begged.

“Then I won't decline your offer.” Sapphire muttered and collected it with a grateful heart.

“I actually love red apples.” She explained to him as they walked outside the hospital, side by side.

Sapphire stopped a taxi to take him home and also paid for his transport.

(End of flashback.)

Remembering this, she sighed. Her perfect set of teeth deepened into the red juicy apple, as she gave it a good chew.

"Hm... this is actually delicious." She mumbled as a bright smile formed on her pink lips. 

"It's so worth it. Really." Sapphire muttered as she ate the apple.