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Chapter 9 A New Chapter of Sunlight
I had no idea when Mason left, nor did I care.
The renovation and rebirth of the “Sunlight” consumed all of my attention.
Granny’s craftsmanship combined with my business vision slowly brought life back to this place that had once symbolized a failed love
story.
I registered an account for “@Sunlight,” not to cater to any particular “star,” but to document the transformation of this place, from
the inside out.
The weathered walls were painted a warm off–white, the decaying railings replaced with sturdy raw wood, the overgrown garden now home to resilient succulents and climbing roses, and the patio was furnished with comfortable wicker chairs and table… Each post featured crashing waves and Granny’s grumbling about costs. The authenticity–flaws and all–resonated. City–weary millennials booked steadily. Not luxury resort numbers, but enough.
I no longer spent hours perfecting images to maintain a flawless online image, instead choosing to showcase the real, raw, yet vibrant
life by the ocean.
This authenticity, combined with the story of “rebirth from ruins,” attracted a fair number of young people weary of the city’s noise.
This
Reservations started to trickle in. While we weren’t exactly flooded with guests, it was enough to sustain our quiet life here.
One afternoon, I received another call from Wendy.
Her voice was tired but much calmer than before:
“Things have been temporarily settled with Mason. The cost was high–he lost the Cartier deal, and the Netflix new series are now off the table for him. Now he’s picked up a small indie film project. It’s a chance for him to ground himself a bit.”
“Mm.” I responded with indifference, not surprised at all.
“Suzanne’s been let go. The industry’s pretty much… well, you know.”
Wendy paused, then her tone turned serious.
“Cecilia, I didn’t call you to talk about Mason. I want to ask you if you’re really planning to settle down with the motel? You’ve got too much talent to be hiding out here.”
I stirred my coffee, gazing at the endless horizon where the sea met the sky.
“Wendy, this place is great.”
“I know,” Wendy quickly responded, “I’m not asking you to come back and clean up Mason’s mess.”
She sighed with relief before continuing, “I’ve signed a new kid, his name’s Leon Lockwood. He just graduated from film school. He’s full of talent but he’s a bit wild and his team’s having a hard time keeping him in check. He’s seen the proposals you did for Mason, and he really admires your vision. He… he needs someone who can truly understand him, and also keep him in line.”
Wendy hesitated for a moment before asking, “I know you don’t want to get involved with anything related to Mason, but Leon is a fresh start. He has no ties to any of that. Could you just help me out? Maybe as a remote consultant? No office hours, just an occasional piece of advice? I promise the pay’s more than fair.”
The scent of coffee mixed with the salty sea breeze, and with it, a spark of interest, that deep–rooted drive to create, awakened in me
once more.
But this time, the project wasn’t for Mason.
“Let me think about it.” I didn’t give her an immediate answer.
“Sure! Sure! Take your time! No rush!” Wendy’s voice brightened, her relief palpable.
After hanging up, I leaned against the railing of the patio, my mind a swirl of conflicting thoughts.
Chapter 9 A New Chapter of Sunlight
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Granny came out holding a tray of freshly baked cookies, glancing at me with a knowing look.
“Another call from that Wendy? She wants you training her new cash cow?”
I chuckled, picking up a cookie.
“Granny, with that mouth you could ghostwrite for Weekend Update!”
“Hmph, don’t I know you?” Granny snorted.
“Your thoughts are all over your face. If you want to go, just go. Don’t spend your days here with this old woman and this ‘broken‘ motel. Young people should go out and make something of themselves.”
“Granny, this isn’t a broken motel. It’s our ‘Sunlight.“” I corrected her seriously.
Granny didn’t respond but pushed the plate of cookies closer to me, her lips curling up slightly.
A few days later, as I was checking the upcoming reservations at the front desk, the gate to the courtyard creaked open. The seashell wind chimes hanging on the door rang out with a clear, melodic sound.
“Hi, do you have any rooms available?” A voice, bright yet laced with a touch of lazy charm, called out.
I looked up.
The boy–no, man–stood haloed in sunset, his backpack slung carelessly. Over six feet in a paint–splattered white tee, he moved like
someone accustomed to open roads.
The golden glow of the setting sun outlined his strong silhouette, and he looked like a vibrant plant, eager for sunlight and rain.
“Yes, we do.” I set my pen down and flashed a professional smile.
“May I ask how many people? How many days are you planning to stay?”
He grinned, revealing a set of straight white teeth. His smile was clean, but with an unmistakable touch of cockiness. His gaze didn’t shy away from mine; it held a curious, almost daring quality.
“Just me. As for how long… Depends.” He drawled, stepping inside. His bag casually dropped at his feet as he took in the revamped courtyard and patio. His whiskey–colored eyes returned to me, his expression laced with a playful grin.
“Nice place. Looks better than the Yelp pictures. Boss… or should I say, ‘Cece‘?” He raised an eyebrow, testing the waters.
“You must be the Leon Wendy mentioned?”
The sea breeze rushed through the open gate, tousling his hair, carrying with it the essence of sunshine and freedom.
Leon Lockwood.
The name instantly popped into my head.
The last rays of the sun bathed the courtyard, casting a long shadow behind him. The sound of the waves continued, but now it seemed
to carry a new rhythm.
I looked at his youthful, energetic face, at the ambition and curiosity gleaming in his eyes, and I felt a flicker in my chest. A spark, long extinguished, suddenly reignited by the winds of the sea.
Some stories end.
Others simply turn the page.
Chapter 9 A New Chapter of Sunlight
