Let Me See the Snow

By Riley Oliver

Whenever a life was glanced back upon, a person’s journey would appear like a tapestry of experiences. The light yarn resembling that of cherished moments, the dark hues reflecting those heavy moments that were so life altering. Let Me See the Snow is the raw tale of a man who lived his first three decades in a whirlwind of haste as he retired from corporate world, then forced to come to terms with only having one final year to truly experience what life had to offer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Riley Oliver
• Release date: Apr 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463217108

Riley Oliver

Best known as a book addict at high school, and still now. I love writing stories so much that I couldn’t live without it. My first work, Let Me See the Snow aim to resonate with my readers and hopefully, able to deliver my message out there. View my latest work at www.rileyoliver.space.

Book preview

Let Me See the Snow

By

Riley.Oliver

Let Me See the Snow

Copyright.2018 by Riley.Oliver

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be constructed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organisations is entirely coincidental.

Prelude

5 beats per breath.

80 heartbeats per minute.

4800 hearts per hour.

Typical adults have over 3 billion heartbeats throughout their course of lifetime.

Some used this information as trivia, showing off their knowledge while completely unaware to realize their goals in life. Some awed at the significance of these numbers and treasured every moment. Most wouldn’t even bother about it.

As for me, I fear such trivia. Why? One might ask. I viewed it as a countdown clock. My version of a doomsday clock.

Chapter 1

I stood across the road and noticed a few couples chatting outside a local small coffee shop, Café Bistro. Every evening, it filled with self-acclaimed connoisseurs, but not today. Perhaps it was Monday. The logo allured me with its Revista font design, summoning me to visit the shop.

Before the light turned green, few people started crossing. So do I. I avoid any unnecessary eye contact. Who would want to waste a few seconds there?

A distinct punch pierced to the right side of my abdomen. It was painful. Nevertheless, I act as if nothing had happened. It might be the stress accumulated in my body, I thought.

My feet stuck on the ground as my consciousness whispered, Don’t fall for the trap! They’ll suck your money away.

I resisted and went in. Welcome, a voice called out, followed by a door chime.

Holy. I closed my mouth as I took a closer inspection at the price tag on each cake. I scratched my head, pretended to glance at the cake while searching for a way out.

Sir, would you like to have our daily special? We have a 70% discount after 6:00 o’clock in the evening, the staff said followed with an innocent smile.

Make it to a portion for two, I replied instantly.

I see! Is it for a celebration? she asked with enthusiasm.

Sort of.

The cake was layered with alternating vivid red cherry, white cream cheese, and caramel sauce. Its topping laced with cream cheese and chocolate frosting. The cake was vividly astonishing, perfectly fit inside small gift box.

She put it inside a paper bag. The mouth-watering cake. Totally irresistible.

Thank you and have a nice day! The staff waved her hand.

I replied with a nod.

It was totally night as I stomped outside the shop. I looked at a 3cm x 4cm monitor strapped on my hand. Highest was 132, lowest was 83 with an average of 106 throughout the day. I pressed a button at the side, which the screen showed 299,995,328. 299,995,327. The numbers continued to rain.

What are the perks diagnosed with irregular heartbeats? One, knowing the exact moment when the heart will stop. Two, I was trained to be optimistic every single day.

Yup. It just reached 300 million, I convinced myself. My right hand emptied while my left hand carried the paper bag. Inside, the portion was for two. No candles. It was sufficed for someone like me.

Definitely a weird way to celebrate, I laughed.

After all, my heartbeat only left with a tenth of a typical adult. If I’m lucky, seven years maximum. That’s who I am, a thirty-eight years old bachelor selling body and soul to corporation for living. Nothing to be proud of. Nothing left to reminisce.

Chapter 2

It was another fifteen minutes-walk until I saw a familiar building. It was a three story-tall building with Victorian vibe surrounded it. At night, the building was pale gray as if it was bleached by detergent. I owned a small fraction of this building-one living room with kitchen, one bedroom, and toilet. My apartment was located near the staircase at second floor.

I turned the doorknob and walked in.

I’m home.

There was no reply back, of course. Nor any echo. It was a part of the practice I inherited from my parents’ culture.

I flicked the switch on; the light made the living room alive.

There was an office table for work and a round bar-like dinner table for eat. The sofa occupied the corner, fitted for two people at most. There was almost nothing inside my living room. I must admit I was born to adapt in these kind of environment. A minimalist to the core.

My stomach growled as I reached out for leftover frozen barbeque chicken and a can of beer in the refrigerator. I set the timer to fifteen minutes and shoved the chicken into