CHAPTER 2
1310 Words
BETTY'S POV
I groaned as the sound of my alarm rang across the room. I stretched my hand to stop the alarm that has been ringing non-stop.
I rolled out of bed looking disgruntled. Another day, another torture of me trying to get my s**t together.
I had started writing last night but haven't put anything good together. I had been stuck in the first chapter.
A happy ever after story?? Is it even possible??. I have this idea that I will be the one to inform people that happily ever story doesn't exist.
“Even if they don't exist. Don't you think people would rather not be reminded of the realities of life" Olivia had argued with me when I had told her what the publisher had told me about writing a happy story.
As I got up from the bed, I went to shut down my laptop which I had left open last night.
I got up to make my bed and proceeded to the bathroom to take my bath while listening to music. Music is what has always kept me sane. Olivia doesn't like my taste in music.
"It's depressing and sad" she always say
"So is my life" I always respond to her
For me, I don't find the songs I listen to sad and depressing. Infact, they act as comfort for me, maybe because I relate to them
As I got back to my room after my bath, I checked my phone and saw that my manager had sent me a message that read
"Meet me at The Bridges hotel by 11am"
"Bridges hotel?'' I wondered to myself.
Why would my manager send this to me. I know Sam won't send me a message without meaning. He has been the nicest manager that I have ever had, even while my stories were being rejected, he had advised me to keep going. But then at a point, he had asked me if happy stories were hard for me to write.
" Can't you just fake write something? It's not something you have to believe in or experience"
"I have tried. I just don't get it" I replied to him.
But reading his message again.
"The Bridges hotel"?.
What potential client are we going to see at the hotel? I hope it's not someone who will act big and then reject my work because meeting someone at the top best hotel in the country isn't a joke.
But then I wondered again to myself what if I will be getting a solid deal today. For a client to suggest meeting at the Bridges hotel, it has to be a done deal already.
The bridges is a conglomerate company, the hotel is just one aspect of their company. They are into the food business, they have airlines. They are into electronics and they also have their own hospitals.
Only the top rich people patronize their business. The Bridges hotel is the best hotel in the country. I can't even afford to buy water there.
"I will meet you there" I replied to the message.
Sam and I don't particularly share a close relationship. I'll define it as more of an acquaintance because we don't really mess with each other's lives even though we know tiny details about each other.
Like I know his mother fell in love with a young guy who is younger than him, I know he is allergic to peanuts. I knew he met his girlfriend at a funeral. He also knew when I was dating Ben and when he had died, he had come to comfort me then.
**********
I got dressed to meet this really important client who had chosen a big hotel for our meeting. Out of excitement, I called Olivia to inform her about my potential meeting.
Olivia had screamed through the phone
"Wait, the Bridges hotel?? What?? I heard it's one of the finest hotels to exist.
"Yes, I have heard all that too"
"Wait, what if the Bridges are the one who needs you??. Olivia asked peaking my curiosity
What would they need a writer for? I asked
"Well, maybe to write something about the company or create a story to sell their company more. But why would they need a sad story writer" Olivia paused
"Well, either way, you have to take a lot of pictures for me to look at" she said
A lot of thoughts ran through my mind as to how anyone would ask to meet me first. Usually, my manager and I usually ask to meet first, either in a small cafe or in their office but I was not in any position to complain or ask questions as I have rent and bills to sort out. I should be grateful that someone already asked for me in the first place.
I got to the hotel before the scheduled time. The hotel looked majestic, its grandeur evident from the moment I stepped through the polished glass doors. The lobby was adorned with sparkling chandeliers and luxurious furnishings. The scent of exotic blooms wafted through the air, courtesy of meticulously arranged floral displays that adorned every corner.
As I was admiring the atmosphere, I saw Sam signaling to me. He was sitting in the lounge.
"You came before time" I asked him
"I wasn't expecting you to come before time. I came early just to give excuses in case you came late" he replied.
I gave him a smile. Sam has always been nice to me. He manages other people but I often wondered if he was this nice to them
"How was your counselling session" he asked.
I had told him about the counselling session that Olivia had signed me up one of the days he had called me if I was up to writing anything.
"Well, I am trying" I replied to him and from my facial expression, he could understand what I meant.
"Let's talk about why we are here. Who are we meeting. Who would schedule a meeting in this huge place"
"I don't know...you would" Sam whispered to me. That's when I realized I had whispered to him while asking those questions.
We both laughed at the realization
"I got a message from Chris Bridge's personal assistant asking to meet with you"
"The Chris Bridge"??
"The Chris Bridge's personal assistant" Sam replied
"Why" I questioned
"I don't know either. He just said he wants a meeting with you. You are a writer, so he probably needs a writer"
"So, when are we going to see him? It's time already"
"I had asked in the front desk and they said they would let me know
Could 'The Bridges' be planning to launch a publishing company and want me on it?? But even if I would not be among the writers they would call, I am not a popular writer??
A lot of thoughts came to my head while I was contemplating for answers.
"I have been asked to bring you" I heard a voice over my head.
It was one of the receptionists.
She led us through the elegant corridors to the designated meeting room. She knocked gently and the door to the meeting room opened, revealing two men in suits sitting down.
One was looking at some document with a serious look while the other was speaking to the receptionist who had ushered us into the room. The receptionist was covering his face by how she was bent while speaking to him.
The man who was reading a document finally looked up, stood up and walked towards us.
"Sam Finn and Elizabeth Craig?? He asked.
" Yes," Sam answered.
He gestured for us to sit and as we were walking towards the chair, the receptionist excused herself revealing the man she was talking with to be Chris Bridge.
I gasped.
- Writer
