Aurelia
I was typing. My fingers attacking the keyboard in a blur when my phone pinged and lit up with a notification. I paused and picked it up.
"Bay Coat College professor; Aspen Cruz been hospitalized after a hair saloon accident"
I stared at the phone for a good two minutes, frozen.
I needed no ghost to tell me that a freaking psychopath named Jayvion was behind the so-called accident. I can't believe he seriously avenged something that happened years ago. Someone was hurt, because of me. My heart picked up the pace. What do I do?
I dropped the phone trying to convince myself that Aspen deserved what he got.
My phone vibrated for the second time and I jolted back to reality, startled.
"I erase those who give you insecurities"
Just that single line. It sounds more like a warning than a reminder.
I was still drowning in my own reverie when Freya called.
"Relia, did you see the news?!" No greetings, just a shocked question.
I took several breaths to calm my racing heart before replying.
"Yeah I just did. It's awful" liar, I feel great.
"The universe is favouring you, Relia. That notorious jerk made your college life a living hell" I could practically see her furrowing her brows in anger.
"I know right. He deserves what he gets" I genuinely smiled.
"Enough about that jerk. How about your book? I'm sorry I didn't drop by these days. I'm too busy" she sounded really apologetic.
"I'm almost done. Thanks to my editor. And don't worry, I understand. We're adults now, we have our engagements here and there" I didn't know what else to call Jayvion apart from editor. Stalker? Villain? Of course not. Freya would freak out.
"Woah!! I'm so glad then!" She beamed.
"Gotta go, Relia. I'm baking!!" She rushed her words and ended the call. She's always like that.
~~~
The next week was a blur. No messages from Jayvion unless the candid pictures he sent of me-- unaware and going about my day, counted as messages. He also breaks in at night, annotate my manuscript and leave some notes for corrections. Thanks to him, I was already on chapter forty. Two more chapters and I'll be done with Ink and Blood.
The international literary celebration is tonight. Every author across the city is invited. I pulled at my hair in utter frustration. I am truly not ready to attend any event.
Just then, my phone began to ring and I glanced at the caller ID. Dahlia. The lady I met at my book signing. The one who asked her boyfriend to gift this house to me because she's a fan of mine.
"Relia!!!" She called, the moment I picked up.
"Dahlia! How've you been? How's Nick?"
"I'm fine. Nick is also fine. He's sending his regards!" I could probably see her grinning.
"Aww, thank you" I cooed.
"Relia, can I tag along to the event? There are authors I've been dying to meet" she must be pouting her lips as she asked.
"Sure, why not " at least, being with her will lower my anxiety of being in a public gathering.
"Really?! Thank you!!! I'll come pick you in twenty minutes. Let me get ready!!" I didn't even know when she'd hung up. She must be really excited. I love the girl and her vibes. The fact that she also goes crazy over fictional men just like me. The only difference is that she chooses the heroes while I go for the villains.
I suddenly remembered that one villain on my life. It's been a week since he texted me. A week since Aspen got hospitalized, a week since we met. After that, he's strangely quiet. Some nights, I wake up and feel his presence; other nights it feels cold as if I'm utterly alone.
I kind of...missed him. Yeah, kind of.
Dahlia and I arrived at the event few minutes after 8. The massive hall was decorated in a literary-themed brown and cream decor. Slow music echoed in the background as authors in suits and evening dresses chatted. Their jewelry and sparkling gowns stole he light from the chandeliers. Anyone who got a glimpse of this hall will know that it's a gathering of the most influential authors of the literary community.
"...knew that's how it'll be. OMG! That's Anne Bloodworth. Author of Upon our Arrival!" Dahlia squealed beside me and I smiled.
"Let's get in" she hooked her arm around mine and we walked in. Dahlia rushed to meet Anne Bloodworth while I met some authors I personally know. Grey Donovan; a thriller writer, Kate McClure; a dark romance author, and others.
Truth be told, I'd befriended all the dark romance authors, but I never so much as glanced towards the fluffy romance crew. Their way of thinking is a way too plain.
'...they live happily ever after' that's how their novels end.
Too soft. Too bland.
"When should we expect your new book, Ms Blackwood?" Grey Donovan asked, smiling at me. The other three authors all gave me expectant looks. Right, I have to be serious.
"In two months" I replied with an obvious fake smile.
"Wow! That's soon" Kate exclaimed.
"Spoiler, I spent much time since my last publication" I whispered and they all laughed.
"Not gonna argue with that. And your agent didn't eat you alive?" Tyler McCoy asked.
"She knows better. I'll put one of the killing scenes from my book into practice" I deadpanned and they burst out laughing.
"That'd definitely be the end of your career" Kate said, laughing.
"Breaking news, the writer who recreated a violent scene from her book now blacklisted in the literary community" Grey added and we all laughed. It was fun than I thought.
I heard my phone buzzing with a call from an unknown number and my heart leapt with something I couldn't quite name. Could it be him?
I debated to pick or not but I did.
"My Little Writer" deep velvety voice rang into my ears and my breath hitched.
"Turn to eight o'clock" he said. I hesitated, then slowly turned to the left.
There he was. Standing in a shadowed corner of the room. The laughter and noises faded to a distant hum as the world narrowed to him.
Messy brown hair, amber eyes flickering under the golden light, all black suit, the phone still on his ear, that sexy smirk that infuriates me yet I love so much plastered on his face.
It's him. It's Jayvion. A lump rose from my throat but I forced it down with a gulp. I'm not gonna cry. Not because I missed him. I'm not....I don't...