Chances
WESTLEY
“SO, HOW WAS it?” I asked my agent Mark about my manuscript. The anticipation was killing me. It still sounded bizarre to me that I was able to write a whole book while dwelling on my life’s misery.
When his expression looked like he wanted to drop the bad news, I sipped my coffee.
“I read the whole manuscript, and I like it, Harry. For a newbie writer like you without experience, and someone who graduated from fashion design, I admire you, and you have great potential.”
“But?”
“I want you to revise it. Don’t worry about the editor, you can have one from the publisher,” he assured me, but I knew he was still holding something.
I leaned against the chair. Despite the vibe in the coffee shop, I felt like I was brought back to the event which I didn’t want to visit again.
“What should I change?”
“Your characters were great, but I think you should show your readers the deep of your main characters’ relationship.”
“It’s not a romance novel, Mark.”
“I know, but readers are anticipating the juicy details, and may I remind you that romance is still the most read genre. What happened to your main characters’ romance? Give us a satisfying ending. That’s what readers are looking for in a novel. Unless you are writing a duo, trilogy, or a series.”
I shook my head. “I’m not gonna change anything in the plot, especially their romantic relationship.” Because nothing happened after that.
“Then I can’t promise you a good deal with the publisher. I accept your manus because of your father. You should start with your website and blogs to build your readership, and also your page as a writer. You’re already famous-”
“Don’t ever mention that.” I looked away. It was the most horrible experience of my life, and he couldn’t use it as my stepping stone to being a writer.
My step-mom and Harlow got a copy of my video as a cam girl. Good thing, Dad had a lot of connections and his lawyers made sure to file a case against them if they would use that video as a way to destroy my reputation.
“It wasn’t all bad. Think of a brighter side. You got a lot of sympathy from viewers.”
“I don’t need it. That’s why I need to use a pen name because I didn’t want them to know that I am Harry Bloom.”
“You can’t be a ghost if you wanted this career, Harry. You have to be ready for opportunities. Your readers need to know who you are. You have to promote yourself as a writer, and it should start by promoting who the real, or the new Harry Bloom is. And everyone who reads this book thinks the character is Sindy Kate.”
* * *
“SO, HOW DID your meeting go?” Austen was painting a half-naked woman in front of him. And here I was, distracting his concentration.
“Not good news.”
When the word bad came out of my mouth, he diverted his focus from his canvass, giving me a sympathetic look.
“Concentrate,” I warned him. “You have a deadline to meet.”
“Clyve won’t fire me,” he said confidently.
His name alone made my heart leap up to my throat, but the way he treated me the last time I met him during dinner, I knew there was nothing to catch up on. Keene felt guilty about that news when I talked to him two days ago over a video call.
I felt my heart was breaking, thinking that after I confessed what I did was for him, still, it didn’t end so well. I didn’t know what to do anymore, the fact that I couldn’t forget him no matter how hard I tried, or maybe I didn’t try harder.
I wasn’t ready to be out there dating. I started installing HeartRated, but I ended up deleting the app again. I was scared that if men knew it was me-the cam girl, they would look at me differently, or they would only use me in the end. That image ruined the already ruined Harry Bloom, but I didn’t feel any regrets.
I was just so glad that Keene was going to use the tickets and the cash I earned from camming. I couldn’t wait for them to share their experience.
“You’re stalling.”
“I need to revise my story.”
“You still haven’t told me about it.”
“I want you to read it and not me telling you this story.”
“You will see it in every bookstore and ebook form, sis. Trust me.”
“I wish I share your confidence, Austen.”
“Because I believe in you, and you’re not the type of woman who easily gives up because of one rookie mistake. You can do it, and we’re always here for you.”
“Thanks.” I kissed his cheek. “Now, concentrate. I have to go before he sees me here.”
“You can’t run away from him forever, Harry. Your world and his are getting smaller, and trust me on this. It’s converging.”
“Don’t start.” I walked out of the studio, and I must say the gallery looked like already a million bucks. The only thing that didn’t look like a gallery, it did have art in there yet, but the lighting and the interior were like I was brought back to the history museum, yet the modern vibe was still present. It was a complete replica of the personality of Clyve and Austen put together.
I was so proud of them, and I couldn’t wait to see this at the grand opening. Skip informed me that he invited famous painters and artists to exhibit in this gallery to show support for Clyve’s program and causes.
Of course, I was not surprised if Clyve did this for causes because I’d never met someone who had a huge heart than him. He was selfless.
He deserved this. He deserved success.
“What are you doing here?”
I jumped at his voice. Speaking of the devil. My hand was instantly on my chest. and I was pressed against the white wall as I tried to breathe deeply. “You scare me.”
“Do I look so scary to you know, Harry?”
He never called me Harry before, and it felt like he was trying to erase the memory of Westley in him. I knew we were over, but it still hurt a lot that he just gave up on us because of my terrible mistake.
“You know what I mean.”
“What are you doing here? I thought you quit.” He did a little emphasis on the word quit.
“I did, but I came here to see my brother.”
“You should not distract him. He’s working on something extraordinary.”
I took a deep breath. When I looked him in the eye, I knew he was trying harder to hide the anticipation of seeing me. I still saw it before it completely vanished. I was not that dumb to not get why he acted as if he didn’t care. I was not making a move because I wanted to be patient until my divorce was finalized. Then when he didn’t want to pick up what we left off then, I couldn’t do anything for us anymore. Maybe God had a better plan for me. And for him.
“Look, I know I am the last person you wanna see right now, but at least, don’t pretend that you are this cold because I know you no matter how harder you tried to hide your feelings, Linton. And you suck at it.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I poked his chest, and he let out a deep groan. “I think you know exactly what I am talking about. You just choose not to get it. It’s okay. Since you accepted the last job I had, and you have no issue about it, I’m still gonna win you back, Linton. Mark my word.”
“Very well then. I think you should start to be honest if you plan on winning me back.”
My lips spread into a wide smile. “Really?”
His brow arched. “You heard me right. So why are you here?”
I rolled my eyes. “I came to see Austen.”
“And did you two talk about what?”
“Still nosy, I see.”
For the first time in weeks, I saw him genuinely smile at me. “I’m still me. I hope you are still you.”
“Well, how about we talk about it over coffee? It’s on me.”
He chuckled. “I think I can still afford to buy coffee for us, Westley.”
* * *
Damn, I missed this.
I TOLD HIM about my meeting with Keene, the tickets I bought, and of course, the important part, the divorce.
“Wow! I missed it a lot. So, how did you take it?”
I smiled. Deep inside, it was still hard for me, but I couldn’t tie Keene with me longer. Now that he was getting better, he needed a life. And I could see that something was going on between him and his nurse. It was not any of my business, but as long as she would take care of Keene, I would be happy for them.
“It hurts at first, but at the same time, I wanna see him happy.”
“We’re here for you, Westley. I’m here for you as a friend.”