龙艺创作: 小说, 歌曲. A Long Yi Production

Abstract for Chapter 4: The Earthquake
The aftermath of an emotional evening at the cinema finds Kelly Young facing the stark realities of her professional life as Steve Yoon arrives in Palo Alto for what may be their last project together before his return to Toronto. When the USPTO delivers a devastating rejection of their patent application, the atmosphere shifts from professional focus to palpable tension, especially as Steve grapples with the added pressure to gather new data. However, the day takes a dramatic turn when an earthquake rocks the building, thrusting them into a life-or-death situation that ignites a primal intimacy between them. In the chaos, they cling to one another, forging an unspoken bond amidst the falling debris. After the quake, Kelly invites Steve to her apartment, a small refuge that momentarily shelters their connection from the realities of their lives. Their shared experience deepens as they venture to San Francisco, where they find solace in nostalgic songs and discussions of their lonely existences. Yet, as the day comes to a close, the weight of their roles and commitments reasserts itself, forcing them both to confront the painful boundaries of friendship and desire. With a bittersweet farewell that includes a soft kiss on the cheek, the gravity of their connection hangs heavy in the air, leaving Kelly to wrestle with the tumult of emotions stirred by a man she cannot fully claim, while Steve is left contemplating a profound yearning that feels precariously out of reach.