Artem "Two Hearts as One"/Rewards

Story Summary

Stellis University is having an anniversary celebration and the Faculty of Law decides to put a stage play. The MC is recommended to be the lead actress by the curator of the Film Museum, the museum she volunteered at before to prepare a birthday surprise for Artem. Initially hesitant, she accepts the role after she finds out that Artem will be the lead actor. Meanwhile, Artem finds out that his mother recommended him to act in the school’s celebration stage play. He rejects the offer, but then suddenly agrees to do it after knowing that the MC is the female lead. Meanwhile, Artem and the MC starts tackling a finance case.

Artem and the MC goes to the Film Museum to borrow costumes and props. They decide to do Othello and rent its props as it’s the only set of costumes and props left. However, Artem does not like the idea of playing Othello, who distrusted his wife, Desdemona, and who subsequently choked her to death. It’s the opposite of how he trusts the MC. Nevertheless, he decides to still proceed forward since he does not want to leave her alone in this play.

Artem and the MC practice their lines during a break from work. A client call interrupts them, where the client worries of leaks and the MC’s level of professionalism given her age and experience. Artem dispels the client’s worries. After the call, he discusses with the MC that there is a lot of internal conflict within the client’s company, hence the worries. The MC then remarks that the client is like Othello because he’s lacking confidence. She also thinks that Othello’s mistake was not communicating with Desdemona. Artem and the MC share that they don’t want there to be a misunderstanding between them. Meanwhile, rehearsals start in the school theater. While in the theater, Ingrid Rosworth approaches Artem with the intention of inviting him to join Baldr. Artem declines. Shortly after, Artem and the MC start fitting costumes for the play. They then share a moment while Artem fixes the MC’s costume. After a while, the MC finds out she lost her bag.

The MC’s bag is found, but she is a bit paranoid about the contents of the flash drive inside her bag even though it does not contain any confidential documents. Later in Artem's home, they start to practice lines. They rehearse the choking scene, which both of them are having a hard time. The MC prods Artem to act angry, just like when he criticized her before when she lost her license. He tells her he wasn’t angry back then and that he was just worried. They rehearse the scene, but a call interrupts them. It is Ingrid Rosworth, and she is calling the MC to try to poach her. The MC promptly rejects her. Artem then reveals that Ingrid also tried to poach him while they were in the theater. He thinks that Baldr will try to stir up trouble so they should be cautious.

It’s the day of the stage play. Artem is briefly summoned by their client. There have been leaks. The client accuses the MC that she’s the one responsible for the leaks. Artem tells the client to present evidence, and if she is the source of the leak, then he will take responsibility. However, if there’s no proof and the client continues to smear her reputation, he will hold the client legally responsible. Meanwhile, the MC worries that during the time her bag got misplaced, Ingrid Rosworth might have checked her flash drive; even though there are no confidential documents there, Ingrid might have been able to deduce details about the case based on what the MC has been studying recently. She thinks of telling Artem, but he tells her to not worry about the case for now. She also thinks that it’s unlikely for Baldr to do anything. She sends a SMS to Ingrid.

The stage play starts. In between an act, the MC checks her phone and confirms that Ingrid is completely unaware about the leak. She wants to tell Artem immediately but cannot find an opportunity. During the choking scene, the MC becomes emotional and cries. Surprisingly, Artem sheds a tear, too. For a brief moment, he breaks character to ask her why she’s crying. The play concludes successfully. A week later, Artem and the MC discuss about the finance case. The leaker is revealed to be someone close to the client. Artem asks the MC why she cried during the play. She says she was feeling guilty and thought she was a suspect. He reveals that he cried because he did not want to see her sad. They then promise to be partners with no misunderstandings and doubts between them, like two hearts as one.

Illustrations

DespairIt's not just your life I'm taking, but also your shattered heart from my betrayal.

Peace of MindI wish to borrow some of your courage, but hope to also give you courage when I'm by your side.

Video Call

Video Call		Artem: Two Hearts as One (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Artem: Hey, it's the weekend. Are you home?

Artem: Me? I'm at the famous pastry shop on Orchidshine Street. They've got some new pastries. I sent you photos of them.

Artem: Pick out the ones you like and I'll bring it over.

Artem: It's no trouble. Your place is on the way home. But if you'd like to go shopping, Orchidshine Street is a great choice.

Artem: It's the Venice Cultural Week here. Many Venetian craftsmen are here, so it's lively.

Artem: I walked around the booths just now. There were artisans making stained-glass paintings and performing artists dressed up as sculptures to trick tourists.

Artem: What's amazing is that the event organizers shipped several gondolas over from Venice. Visitors can buy tickets at the pier and take a gondola tour of Stellis River.

Artem: Yeah, gondolas are the little boats from Venice that have been around for over a thousand years.

Artem: If it weren't for this event, you'd have to go to Venice to ride in one.

Artem: Well, you coming? Hmm? You want to ride in a gondola with me?

Artem: Of course I will. How can I say no to you? Besides, this is a rare opportunity that I can't pass up.

Artem: Then let me know when you're ready. I'll send a car over.

Artem: I'll go buy the tickets first. The line for the gondola is really long.

Artem: Right, don't forget to take a look at the pastries. We can eat them on the gondola.

Artem: See you in a bit.

Story Locations

Themis Law Firm
Law Firm

Stellis University
Film Museum

Stellis University
Lecture Hall

Themis Law Firm
Artem’s Office

School Theater

Theater Backstage

Artem's Residence

Client company

Main Character's Residence

Story Characters

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Celestine Taylor

Kiki Bennet

Ingrid Rosworth

Staff

Classmate A

Classmate B

Client

Law School Dean

Story References

The Artem "Two Hearts as One" story contains brief mentions or references of events that took place in the following:

• Days to Re-Live Forever event story