Become a Star

Ilya Turner is an emblematic American literary author with a record of winning all three major literary awards worldwide. As the pride of Americans and the recipient of their love, Ilya was known for his love and care for humanity in his works across the board, despite his pragmatic yet articulate words.

But ironically, Ilya Turner was very temperamental and did not enjoy human interaction. Those who met Ilya were confused because of the sense of disparity between the author’s works and his actual personality.

That was why some critics evaluated Ilya Turner’s works as a ‘confession for being unable to love humans.’

Even Ilya’s supporters could not refute that comment. Just like how people only saw what they wanted to see, there were many who said that Ilya and his novels should be seen as separate entities.

However, since Ilya hated people, he rarely appeared in public. So most people imagined and fantasized about what the author was like behind his mysterious veil.

The literary industry further promoted the mysticism to protect Ilya Turner—an American asset and treasure. The more Ilya was shrouded in mystery, the more his works would sell and be loved by people all over the world.

{Have you thought it over?}

Ilya frowned at the rude guest who came to visit the shop today as well. Ilya didn't like the guest's attitude and bold demands. It reminded him of creditors and loan sharks.

{Why should I think it over?} He responded.

{You like to think deeply about things.}

{You don’t want me to just think it over. The truth is, you’re shamefully forcing me to make a decision. Don’t pretend otherwise.}

Ilya leaned back on the sofa and turned off the radio.

The music that played from the old radio turned even the trendiest of songs into old-fashioned songs because of its outdated hardware. Surrounded by books on all four sides of the room, Ilya’s expression was so dry that one would expect his facial movements to make the crunching sound of dead leaves.

{Teacher, your favorite piece of work will be made into a movie. Plenty of your other works have already been adapted onto the big screen, so I don’t understand why you keep refusing this one.} The visitor said.

Ilya sneered and looked out the window. Unlike the usual noisy street with sounds of people walking by, this place was as quiet as a graveyard.

{If you don’t understand why, then you don’t even have the right to make this request.}

{Indeed, I don’t understand. After all, it’s not like Confession of White was published under your name.}

The novel Confession of White was Ilya’s only novel which he published under the pseudonym L. Dmítri. In truth, this one novel earned him several times the royalties of the other novels he wrote in his lifetime combined.

Like what the guest had mentioned, Ilya’s favourite novel was Confession of White. Of course, the royalties weren't the reason behind his love for the novel.

Even though he had only ever written literary works, Confession of White was a novel that Ilya wrote by pouring in the anger, twisted violence, and guilt which he kept hidden deep inside of him.

The novel was made up of an unintentional arrangement of words and sentences that Ilya vomited on paper for days and nights throughout an entire month, as he had no other ways to express the bottled up emotions inside him that threatened to burst out one day.

In a certain way, it was the most unprofessional and sloppy piece of written work he had ever made, but it was also a confession that showed the true side of the novel’s author, the man named Ilya Turner.

He had to publish the novel that was born from the eruption of his emotions because of how much he loved it.

On the other hand, another side of him didn’t want anyone to read this shameful confession, and it dominated his feelings.

Thus, Ilya didn’t publish it under his real name and released it under a pseudonym.

L. Dmítri was an author whom no one had ever seen or heard of, so Ilya was somewhat relieved when releasing it, as he thought no one would read it.

However, contrary to his wishes, Confession of White became a bestseller just two years after it was published.

A famous actor mentioned in an interview that he had recently read this novel and shared his opinions on it. The attention that the novel received was proportional to the actor’s popularity, and Confession of White quickly turned into a world-famous piece of artwork.

‘I want to tear that bastard into little pieces and murder him, and even that won’t be enough.’

Despite making Ilya’s novel a world-class bestseller, the author wanted to kill the actor instead of thanking him.

From that day onwards, Ilya never watched any movies or show which starred the actor in question.

It would be ridiculous to say that the novel became a world-class masterpiece only because a single actor recommended it. The high-quality content and beautiful sentences were what led to a rise in popularity after the initial attention, but Ilya still condemned that actor and blamed him for everything.

Even ten years after the novel’s release, the world’s curiosity about the mysterious author L. Dmítri did not diminish. The content was dreamy yet cruel, and there was no way that such a sorrowful novel could be the work of a complete newbie and unknown author.

Thus, people began to act like detectives and did some investigations by tracing the authors belonging to the publishing house that had released Confession of White, and making a list of every single writer who could potentially be L. Dmítri.

Needless to say, Ilya Turner was also on the list. However, most people were skeptical and didn’t believe that Ilya and L. Dmítri were the same person.

First of all, their writing styles were very different. Those who did not know much about the mysterious author Ilya Turner believed that he—who writes texts containing warmth and love for humanity—could not write such a radical and brutal thriller.

Furthermore, those who knew Ilya also denied the speculation. They claimed that although Ilya was cynical, he was also very rational.

At first glance, madness surged out of Confession of White to such an extent that people suspected the author was on drugs.

It was a work driven by fear and a storm of emotions. But at the same time, it was very dreamy. The sentences were beautiful and the composition of the content was perfect.

Other than the perfect composition, Confession of White had no other similarities with Ilya’s works which were warm, rational, and level-headed.

Furthermore, Confession of White and Ilya himself had nothing in common except for the fact that they shared a common hatred for humans.

Perhaps that was the most important and essential clue that linked Ilya to Confession of White, but people could not see the trees for the forest. They were deceived by the forest’s greenery and could not see the trees along with the animals that ran wild inside it.

Although he did not publish the novel under his own name, it was a well-known fact that the piece of work which Ilya loved most was Confession of White.

Even if it hadn’t been as popular and the royalties were minimal, Confession of White would still have been Ilya’s most cherished and precious piece of work.

{Teacher, It’s your own belief that once an artwork leaves the author’s hands and is released to the world, it awaits a new birth. That’s why you never objected whenever a movie proposal came up thus far.} The guest commented.

{That’s because Confession of White is L’s work, not Ilya’s.}

For some reason, Ilya spoke as though he and L were separate personalities. As though the guest understood Ilya’s sentiments, the guest was unable to conceal the sorrowful expression that appeared on the guest’s face.

{You wanted to shout out your feelings so much that you published it under L’s name. You wanted someone to read it and notice your feelings. Do you know why Confession of White is so popular? Because it’s relatable and people empathize with it. Everyone has emotions that they keep buried in their hearts. They were able to empathize with the main character and express their anger and pain through Lloyd, which greatly shook their hearts. You are not the only person in the world with a wounded heart, Teacher.}

Ilya’s eyebrows trembled at the guest’s words. There was a trace of hostility and vigilance in his eyes.

{Don’t presume that you know how I feel.}

{How would I dare to do that? I am simply conveying the feelings of those who love Confession of White and making a request of you. Please allow us to adapt it into a movie.}

Ilya snorted as though he found the guest’s earnest request to be absurdly ridiculous. In truth, there were as many people who opposed the movie adaptation of Confession of White as there were people who supported it.

They were worried that if the adaptation went wrong, it would end up as a bland horror-thriller film.

Those who supported the adaptation wanted to capture the beautiful fantasy and Lloyd’s appearance with their own eyes. But even these people thought that if the film studio was unable to reach their expectations, they shouldn’t make the movie. Yet, the guest was subtly ignoring those opinions and tried to convince Ilya.

{Seriously, if you weren’t his great-granddaughter, I would’ve kicked you out a long time ago.}

{As if. You wouldn’t have let me inside in the first place.}

Her words were misleading. This was a place where anyone could freely come and go. In fact, if someone wanted to take a rest while walking by, they could come in to take a break.

However, it was highly likely that this visitor would’ve been unaware that the owner of this place was Ilya Turner. She would have simply walk past the shop just like all the other customers.

{At least you’re aware of it.}

{The reason why I respect Great-grandfather is because of you, Teacher. After all, I was only able to read your works thanks to him.}

As she smiled brightly, Ilya saw a familiar and nostalgic face from her expression. They couldn’t continue this tug-of-war of a conversation forever. Ilya also felt the need to make a decision soon, so he asked with a lethargic voice.

{If you end up adapting it into a movie… do you have any plans on how to make it?}

{We have some filmmakers in mind. We will invest and provide 100% of the necessary funds for the film, so you don’t have to worry about the production lacking money or interference by sponsors.}

{I’m not talking about the filmmakers. Lloyd. I was asking if you have an actor who will play the role of Lloyd.}

{We’ll find someone eventually…}

{Not eventually. First, find Lloyd. You seem to think that the battle is over once you get the copyrights, but that’s only the beginning. I will never leave the role of Lloyd in the hands of someone who is unworthy and unreliable. So instead of wasting your time trying to convince me, find someone whom I’ll have no choice but to acknowledge and bring him to me. That way, you’ll impress me and maybe change my mind.}

Ilya’s announcement was a half-acceptance. It was the first positive response he had given to her in two years.

However, Ilya knew that it would be nearly-impossible to find someone suitable to act as Lloyd, so he was making a triumphant face in his mind.

He felt like he had finally found a way to escape the two years of torment.

Ilya thought there was no need for further discussions and urged her to leave. The latter stood up with a regretful expression as she wanted to chat a little more with him.

{By the way, Selena.}

{Yes?}

Ilya called out to her as it seemed like he had something to ask her before she left.

{How is Giorgio doing these days?}

{Father is the same as usual. He’s always cheerful and even got himself a new girlfriend recently. Thankfully, she’s older than me this time.}

In response to Selena’s answer, Ilya shook his head. What he wanted to know wasn’t that sort of private and casual catch-up. Ilya couldn’t care any less whether Giorgio found new lovers after getting three divorces.

{You know very well what I’m asking about.}

{If it’s about that… He hasn’t figured it out yet. He’s being even more cautious now that he only has a single chance left. Teacher, can’t you just tell him the password since you know?}

{Why should I?}

Selena secretly smiled at Ilya’s cold reply. The subtle rivalry between her father and her teacher was born because of her great-grandfather.

And now, it had become a battle of pride where both sides refused to yield or back down.

{Father doesn’t want to get help from you, Teacher. If you want to harass him, you should just tell him the password. Then he’ll toss about in bed for months with a sense of defeat.}

Selena kindly taught Ilya the method to see her father writhe in emotional agony. Giorgio was impeccable as a businessman, but as a father there was more to be wished. In fact, he was a nuisance.

It wasn’t that she hated her father. As a matter of fact, she loved him. But Selena wanted him to come to his senses now.

Her father needed to experience failure in his life at least once. Although most people would consider three divorces as a stain on their lives, they weren’t considered a failure for her father as he had wished for the separation.

{I wonder. Who’s pride and honor would that knock down exactly?}

Ilya’s last whisper was so faint that Selena couldn’t hear it. When she perked her ears, Ilya beckoned for her to leave again.

Selena had to put aside her feelings of regret and leave Ilya’s shop.