From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Time flowed silently, like sand through an hourglass.

On the big screen.

Michael finally looked up at Mia.

Mia gazed at Michael quietly, unable to conceal her apprehension and unease.

But this time, a mask separated them, like a suit of armor, drawing a line; though their eyes met, an ocean lay between them.

In the audience, Gloria was stunned—

She, like everyone else, couldn't see Michael's expression; his face was hidden behind the mask, turning the slightly solemn atmosphere comical.

However.

Gloria could see those eyes, looking out from behind the mask, as if able to pierce the big screen and engage each audience member face to face.

A vast expanse of blue, tranquil and profound, magnificent and dazzling, so affectionate yet so fragile; in fact, there were no tears, no sadness, no disappointment, quite the opposite, a faint smile appeared, yet behind that gentleness, one could deeply feel the heartbreak of loneliness and the bitterness of disappointment.

Deeply, just like that, deeply gazing at Mia, and also at every audience member.

Without words, without even expressions or actions, Gloria could hear Michael's inner voice, creating ripples deep within her soul.

Caught off guard, Gloria was completely captivated.

The entire screening room was silent, not a sound to be heard, even the trivial noises of breathing and heartbeats disappeared; everyone involuntarily held their breath, watching the pair of blue eyes hidden behind the mask on the big screen, quietly listening to the sound of time's hourglass slowly emptying.

Actually, it wasn't dislike, nor was it heartbreak; it was fear.

Precisely because the affection was too strong, the emotion too intense and overwhelming, that after experiencing disappointment and hurt once, fear began to grow.

Carefully drawing a distance, afraid of being disappointed again, afraid that the emotion they had cherished would crumble and vanish into thin air.

The more it was like this, the more it exposed their feelings and unease; the emotion was so intense and overwhelming.

Gloria couldn't help but feel a bitter taste in her mouth; she hadn't anticipated, nor had the other audience members in the screening room, that 'The Princess Diaries' would offer such a moment.

That slightly comical mask was a stroke of genius, those blue eyes transforming a fleeting moment into eternity, lingering for a long time.

Emotions surged in her mind, a mix of feelings, diving headfirst into the movie like a moth to a flame, falling and sinking uncontrollably.

Gloria felt it, and Mia on the screen felt it too.

She gazed into Michael's eyes, trying to find the strength to continue speaking.

"I'm still planning to go to the Genovian National Day Ball, and I'm inviting you to come with me."

"It'll be fun, you know, I'll be wearing a fancy dress, and I can't breathe… Lily has a date too…"

Michael didn't rush to speak, the right hand holding the mask was slightly stiff.

A pause, the air seemed a little quiet and a little cold.

Then, Michael said, "Josh should look very good in a tuxedo."

Mia was stunned, she was a little flustered, her pupils shaking violently, "Oh, uh, but, look, the thing is… I really want to share this moment with you."

Michael still didn't move.

The eyes behind the mask seemed slightly blurred, a glimmer could be faintly seen, but it was unclear, impossible to discern.

His right hand stubbornly and stiffly remained in front of his cheek, blocking all changes in expression, drawing a chasm between the two of them.

"You don't have to wear a tuxedo, you can wear sweatpants, I don't care," Mia continued to try, still trying, her voice carrying a hint of pleading.

Finally, Michael lowered the mask.

His face was calm and composed, with a faint smile, the corners of his mouth turned up at Mia, "Mia, you don't need to worry about me. I just don't think I'm meant for royalty."

Michael thought Mia's invitation was a form of pity.

And he didn't need it.

Michael met Mia's gaze, expressing his gratitude with a smile, then placed the mask back on the table, looked around, and realized that the envelope was still in his left hand; he gestured to Mia, gave a clumsy and awkward bow, turned and walked away.

Mia watched Michael's departing back, her shoulders and smile slumped, filled with sadness and heartbreak.

Eventually, we all need to learn to grow up, and we need to learn to face the pain and scars of the growing-up process, even though it's not easy.

But at least, Mia was learning.

If there were no accidents, Mia's life would return to normal like millions of teenage girls, and all things princess and royalty would be far from her daily life; however, a small accident occurred: Mia found a letter left by her father in the diary that the Queen had given her.

"My dearest daughter,

Today is your sixteenth birthday, congratulations.

I give you this diary, so that you can fill it with your unique thoughts, unique thoughts about the good life; in my family, it is a tradition that when children reach a certain age, they pass on wisdom, just as my father passed it on to me, and now I pass it on to you.

Amelia, courage is not the absence of fear, but the realization that something is more important than fear; perhaps courage cannot conquer all, but fear accomplishes nothing; from now on, you must embark on a journey, choosing between who you think you are and who you can become; the key is to allow yourself to embark on that journey.

I also want you to know that I deeply love your mother and still think of her often.

Happy birthday, my Mia.

With all my love, Father."

Mia curled up in the chair, hugging her knees, her watery eyes staring ahead, filled with confusion and hesitation.

In the screening room, the sound of quietly wiping away tears could be heard, because of the father's love for his daughter, and because of the unease and apprehension of every teenage girl.

The Genovian National Day Ball began, and Mia became active, it seemed she had a plan.

But unexpectedly, San Francisco was suddenly hit by a torrential rain, and Mia's Mustang had problems again.

First, the convertible roof wouldn't close, and then it broke down on a hill in San Francisco, leaving Mia stranded and helpless in the rain.

In the pouring rain, Michael, who was alone at home, heard someone knocking on the door—

Could it be Mia?

Just as the entire audience was anticipating, Michael opened the door, and standing before him was… a deliveryman with a goatee, delivering a pizza.

Michael looked puzzled, "I didn't order a pizza. I'm sorry."

The deliveryman flashed a big smile, "So, is there a second Michael Moscovitz on this street?"

The smile on Michael's lips froze.