Chapter 00: The Rockeness
April, 13th 2023
My diary entry same as usual. I'm tired of my life. My fans will understand why I take a break from this life, but… will my publisher understand what I decide? All they want is money.
I want to move at the town called Rockenesse. I occasionally spending my time there. Could it be the same?
Diary Entries #101
Julia Harianto
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My name is Julia 'Lobak' Harianto. I'm a famous author and make million of dollars in one book. My life is everyone's dream. I have everything! Mansion, expensive vehicles, and money. Also, I have several businesses, and a girlfriend. She's an actress and a model. Who doesn't want her, anyway?
"Julia, do you hear me?" I looked at my editor and manager, who was siting next to me. "You should attend the show." This is my life now.
Reality-show, launched event, reading event, signed event, and many more. I rolled my eyes. "I only want my day off, Henry. You promised to talk to the publisher?"
Henry stared at me and shook his head. "I promise will talk to the publisher after you attending to this show." Huh, I heard that excuse dozens of times.
I walked towards my bedroom and laying on the bed. I picked my phone and look at some article about my girlfriend. Right, a rumor about her never changed. I rubbed my face roughly and took a deep breath. "Julia, are you in there? Let's go! We have 15 minutes to prepare!" Fuck my life!
I gasp for the air after I read this article. It hurts. I send her a message. Maybe it's the best for us. This relationship only gets worse days after days.
I closed my eyes and let tears streaming down. It hurts, but it also for the best.
*knock.. knock.. knock..
"Julia?! Are you in there?"
I get up and opened the door for my pushing editor. "I want my day off, Henry. I want to take a break!"
"If you want to stop writing, how you can make money? What about your fan and your career?"
The thing only he cares about is my fame. "I'm not stopping writing! It's only a few days' vacation. What's wrong with that?!" I high pitched my tone as we walked to the kitchen. "Beside, I have my investment working well." He followed me to a downstairs.
"Every investment always has a downfall, Julia." He said as I pour water into the glass.
I leaned my back to the fridge door and stared at him. "Seriously, Henry?" He nodding his head. I shook my head and sighed. "I want to break up with her."
Henry rubbed his face roughly and pulled his hair. "Why you would do that?! She will increase your popularity!"
Does he just said my feeling was nothing more than a popularity?! Now, I regret my decision telling him about it. I took a deep breath and drinks my mineral water. "Listen up, mate." I took a deep breath and looked at him. "I'm not stopping writing. It's just… days or weeks' day off! Why you did not understand?!"
Henry stood there silently. He took a deep breath. "This event was important for you career, Julia. How many people want to attend to this show! It's…" sound of heels echoing from my house and faintly, someone called me.
"Julia!" I looked at her, who was walking while stomping her feet towards me. "What the fuck you mean by breaking up?!" Her face reddened and gripped her handbag.
"We over." I take out her house key and put in front of her. "You wanted a backstreet, but I want he knows that you're mine." She holds my hand. I looked at my editor, and he walked away.
"I'm waiting for you in the car." He said.
I stared into her eyes and shook my head. "I love you, Irene. You keep making rumors and it breaks my heart!" I tried to hold my tears.
"Don't believe in…"
"If you respect my feeling. You wouldn't do that. I never ever told you to not interact with another, but you crossed the line many times!"
She did not answer my question. I decide to ditch my editor by lurking my way to my garage and take out my motorcycle and heading to my hiding place.
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I get inside the bar and walked to the barstool. "Welcome to Junho's Bar. What can I get you?"
I took a deep breath and looked at my surrounding. "Fish and chips and a root beer." She raised her brow. "Your first?" She asked.
I took off my gloves and nods. "I often visiting this town whenever I want to be alone sometimes, but this bar." She nods her head and writing my order.
"You the lucky one today because we… closed a bit late because we have a Ladies' Night tonight."
I chuckled and leaned my back to the pillar. I saw three arcades and studied them. "Did the arcade worked, or it's just a decoration?" I asked to her.
She shrugged her shoulder and making my drink. "I asked the owner once, but he doesn't answer my questions." Huh, that's weird. I looked at her face closely and looked at her wrist.
I took off my mask, and some workers gasp and widen their eyes. "Is that her?" All of them whispering about my presence, but her. Who was she? Does she know me?
"Here's your order," she put my root beer, and I take a sip. Hand crafted is the best. "You feel uncomfortable with them?" She's cute and looks kind.
I chuckled and shook my head. I took a deep breath and exhale it slowly through my mouth.
I'm surprised by this town's locals. It surprised them, but did not like the other person in the city. I want to live here, or maybe I can stay for months. "Here's your fish and chip." She puts a cooked fish and chips in front of me.
"This bar fish and chip is the best, mate." A local sits next to me. He's a lumberjack and probably regular to visiting this bar.
I took a bite. "It's great," he chuckles as the responses. Breaking news about my disappearance already spread. Not a single person inside this bar pays attention to the Tv because none of them interest in listening or watching. "You tired with your life?" He asked.
He raised his hand and stood up as he puts money on the table. "This time is my treat. If you want to learn about life, you can search me in this town, kid." He patted my shoulder, then leave this bar.
"He's a sheriff, lumberjack, and mayor of this town." His accent is like his not from here. Maybe I should start a solo tour? What about my mansion? Well, I can think about it later.
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I pack my clothes, gadgets, my diary, and first-aid kit for my motorcycle. Internet is everywhere. I zipped my backpack. I took a deep breath and exhale slowly from my mouth slowly.
A step hearing and lamp suddenly on. "Where you've been?" I took a deep breath and glancing at her.
I picked my helmet. "It's not your business anymore!" I walked to my garage while carrying my backpack to the garage.
"Julia Hartono, I'm did not speak with the statue, right?!" I looked at her and took a deep breath.
"Vacation. If you meet my manager, please tell Henry, I can't do it anymore." I turned on my motorcycle engine. I took a deep breath and leave my mansion. Now I should look for someone to taking care my mansion.