Artem's Sweet Chapter 01-03
Overview
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Guide
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Script
Artem's Living Room
Take Juan Fowler back to Artem's Residence.
Juan Fowler: Um...
You: Why don't you take a seat first? Would you like to eat something?
Juan Fowler: Uh... S-sure.
Despite sounding calm, Juan Fowler looks a little uneasy upon entering an unfamiliar place.
You: (In the end, he's still just a kid.)
You: Do you like cartoons? Why don't we put one on for you?
Juan Fowler: Okay. I wanna watch "Penn the Pony".
Juan Fowler: C-can I?
You: Of course.
You turn the TV on and select the cartoon he wants to watch.
Soon enough, all the tension leaves Juan Fowler. He relaxes, immersed in the cartoon.
Artem seems worried about something. Talk with him.
Artem: ...
You: What are you thinking about?
Artem: I'm just thinking... Why don't we let him continue watching the cartoon for a while more? We can talk to him again once he completely calms down.
You: Yes, I agree.
You: Oh, yes. Why don't we prepare something to eat for him?
Artem looks at you, his lips moving ever so slightly.
However, he only wordlessly points towards the refrigerator.
Artem: I have some fruits in the fridge. I'll go wash some.
You: (Did he want to say something...?)
Artem rarely hesitates, so it's a little concerning seeing him like that...
You: Artem, were you going to say something?
Artem: No... I just thought that you're really good at looking after children.
You follow his gaze to see Juan Fowler sitting in the living room with his complete attention on a pony named Penn.
You: He looks really tense... I hope he can relax a little.
Artem: You're handling it brilliantly.
Artem: All right then, I'll go wash the fruits.
You watch Artem's retreating back as he heads into the kitchen. The questions in your mind only seem to increase.
You: (Is that all he really wanted to say to me...?)
You: (Never mind. Now's not the time for this. I'll just have to find another time to talk to him about it.)
You: (Forget it. I'm sure he'll tell me whatever that was once he's ready.)
You: (If he doesn't want to tell me... then I suppose he has his own reasons for it.)
You: (Anyway, now's not the time for this. I'll just have to find another time to talk to him about it.)
You shake your head and follow him into the kitchen.
Help Artem prepare the fruits and dessert for Juan Fowler.
You: Let's see what he got last time...
You: Strawberries, apples, grapes... Oh? Are these cherries?
You: (Impressive. Artem's fridge is so well-stocked...)
You: Okay. I'll wash some of each and make a fruit platter so Juan can choose whatever he likes.
You: This should be enough. Now, to wash them all...
You: Done! Now, to put them all onto the plate...
You: (I hope there's something he likes from this assortment!)
The fruits are washed. Talk with Artem.
You: The fruit platter's done!
Artem: Sorry to bother you.
You: Not at all. Here, try one. Is it sweet?
You pick up a strawberry and bring it up to his lips.
Artem: Ahem. Okay.
After a short pause, he awkwardly opens his mouth to take the strawberry.
Artem: It's very sweet.
You: That's good to hear.
It's only after he swallows the strawberry and you spot the remnants of juice on the corner of his lips that you realize what you've just done.
You gently rub your fingers together. You can almost feel the lingering warmth from his lips on them.
You: Ah...
However, Artem lowers his gaze before you can say anything else.
Artem: [Player]... I'm really sorry.
Artem: It wasn't easy to find the time for our date, and now that something like this has happened...
Artem: If you're angry, I...
Artem has always been steadfast and confident, but now, he hesitates.
What he said makes perfect sense, yet it still comes off sounding a little sad to you for some reason.
You: I'm not angry, and I won't be angry about this either...
You: Isn't this just what it is to be an attorney? You got the short end of the stick this time, and next time it might be my turn...
You: But if you really mind it that much, then why don't you promise me something?
Artem: What is it?
You: I want to handle this issue with Juan Fowler together with you.
You: I want to share your burdens with you and help you where I can.
He looks at you for a while, then his lips curve into a smile.
Artem: Then... I'll give you a run down of the situation.
Artem: Octavio Fowler is the executive president of a Pharmaceutical company, and his wife works as a business manager in another company.
Artem: They are both at the peak of their careers and are often busy...
You: (Another busy couple...)
You: So... Were they already willing to file the divorce when they came to consult you about the division of property?
Artem: Yes. Although they have yet to go through the actual process...
Artem: But according to Mr. Fowler's own words, he says that their feelings for each other have faded, and there's no longer any need to continue with their marriage.
You: Odd. Why did he specifically choose to consult Themis Law Firm? Are there more complicated disputes involved in his case?
Artem: No. It was just a simple consultation.
Artem: His wife is a friend of Celestine's.
Artem: Maybe Celestine figured that it would be unfitting for her to handle the case, considering their friendship.
Artem: So she recommended me to Mr. Fowler.
You: No wonder...
Artem: Celestine also seemed quite sad when she told me about this matter.
Artem: She said that the Fowlers were always a very loving couple. Now that things have come down to this... It is a pity.
You: ...
You both lapse into silence for a while, unwittingly looking back toward Juan, who's sitting on the sofa.
You: And Juan only reacted so strongly against their divorce because he cannot find it in himself to accept this, right?
Artem: How about we ask him about his thoughts?
Artem: He looks like he's all relaxed now. I think now's the right time.
You: All right.
