The Player Meets His Match

Chapter 2: Getting Published

I couldn’t contain my joy as I saw my mom putting away the groceries in the kitchen cabinets and the fridge. We just got home from a day of grocery shopping.

When I got home, she was surprised as I handed her 20 thousand pesos. I opened a bank account and deposited the 20 thousand in. I had the 10 thousand cash in my wallet and I plan to give my dad and siblings some money.

I’m the eldest child in a family of five. My dad is a factory worker, while my mom sells vegetables in the market. My younger sister is about to graduate from high school, while my brother, the youngest in the family is about to graduate from elementary school.

I finished high school a few years ago and was able to enroll in college for one semester, until I had to stop because my dad had an accident in the factory. He couldn’t work for six months, which meant that I couldn’t enroll at the time either.

I decided to find a job, so I can help out with the expenses in the family, and to also save up for my college tuition. I kept telling my mom I will go back to school eventually, but it has been years, and I’m still unable to.

I have worked in fast-food chains and restaurants, usually as a crew or cashier, and it’s usually very tiring. I didn’t think I could handle studying and working at the same time, and I couldn’t afford to stop working either.

My father has come back to work since, but has not been able to do so full-time because of his injury. My contract at another restaurant just ended, and I was about to apply for another job when I decided to make the big leap and contact the publishing house.

I have always dreamed of becoming a writer someday, and I’ve been writing short stories even when I was still in elementary school. In my junior year in high school, I finished my first novel, and I have written a few more afterwards.

I contacted the publishing house and sent the first five chapters of the most recent book I’ve written. I figured if they don’t like it, it’s fine. It only means I’m not cut out to be a professional writer.

When they contacted me, it felt surreal. I initially thought it was a prank, and I didn;t even believe it at first. When they sent me a follow up  email, I decided it must be real, and that is when I visited their office.

When I left that day, I told my parents that I will be applying for a waitressing job. When I got home, I told them the truth and they were so proud of me. I was so proud of myself.

Froilan called and made an appointment to meet next week so I can hand over the rest of my novel. I worked on it all to finish the remaining chapter. When I was done, I couldn’t sleep since I was still in disbelief. I started regretting not taking the leap earlier. I love to write but I wasn’t really sure if I was any good. No one aside from my younger sister has read my books. Well, some of them at least.

She kept telling me that they are so good that I should work on getting them published. However, she’s a 17-year old girl with no writing and minimal reading background. I can’t really rely on her analysis. Thankfully, as it turns out, I am a gifted writer. Froilan said so himself. This gave me the confidence to pursue writing. I have decided that moving forward, I will not work as a waitress, service crew or cashier anymore. From now on, I will be a professional writer.

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I was still nervous but I was not shaking anymore when I arrived at the 10th floor. I went straight to the receptionist Jolene, introduced myself and told her who I was looking for, this time in a louder voice.

I decided to wear jeans and sneakers, along with a long sleeved shirt. This time, the shirt fit me perfectly. I bought it from the advance payment that I received. I still had my hair up in a bun and my glasses on. Jolene looked me up and down once more before picking up the phone to make a call. I guess for her, it’s standard procedure to do that.

As I made my way to Froilan’s office, I ran into Janus once more. I couldn’t help but smile as our eyes met.

Janus: ”Hey, Emma, right?”

Emmy: “Emmy.”

Janus: “Oh, Emmy, right. You look good today.”

Emmy: “Thank you.”

Janus: “Are you here to see Froilan again?”

Emmy: “Yes, I am.”

Janus: “Excellent. So are you a writer? Will I be seeing one of your books on the stands soon?”

Emmy: “Hopefully. My book got signed. I’m here to turn-over the rest of it.”

Janus: “Wow, congratulations. So I guess I’ll be seeing more of you around here, then.”

Emmy: “Looks like it.”

Janus: “Outstanding. Well, it was nice seeing you again, Au revoir, mademoiselle.”

I chuckled and waved goodbye as Janus walked away. Again, he flashed his signature smile and like clockwork, I soon had a blush on my face.

When I got to Froilan’s office, I knocked on the door right away. I was so excited that I didn’t want to prolong our meeting. When the door opened, I saw Froilan’s smiling face as he asked me to come in.

I was surprised when I saw another person in his office. It was a woman who looked to be in her forties. She looked vaguely familiar, and I feel like I’ve seen her before but can’t remember when or where.

Froilan: “Come in Emmy. Please take a seat.”

Emmy: “Thank you Froilan.”

Froilan: “Did you bring the rest of the book?”

Emmy: “Yes I did. Here it is.”

I passed the envelope that I was carrying over to him. The woman who was sitting across from me just kept looking as if she was sizing me up. I just smiled when our eyes met. She was expressionless. Froilan was checking the documents I handed.

Froilan: “Everything seems to be in order.”

He went to pull something out of his drawer. I know what it is. It’s what I’ve been waiting for.

Froilan: “Here’s the rest of the payment for the book.”

I took the envelope and looked at what’s inside. As expected, it’s a check under my name for 150 thousand pesos. I had to control myself from squealing. I calmly put the check back inside the envelope and put it safely in my bag.

Emmy: “I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity, Froilan. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do. I have a few more books I’ve written that I can show you if you’re interested.”

Froilan: “Maybe. We’ll be in touch.”

I stood up and vowed. I was about to leave when Froilan stopped me.

Froilan: “Before you go, I’d like to introduce you to one of the company’s top writers.”

I suddenly realized who I was sitting in front of. I gasped as I looked at her.

Emmy: “That’s why you look so familiar. Ms. Joanna Roberts, it’s such an honor to meet you. I’ve actually met you before, I attended one of your book signing events 10 years ago. You were the reason I started writing. I was inspired by your novels. Thank you.”

Joanna: ‘That explains why your writing style is so familiar. You were mimicking mine.”

Emmy: “You read my story? Oh, it’s so embarrassing. Your books molded me into the writer that I am today. I am honored just to be in your presence and the fact that you read my work humbles me.”

Froilan and Joanna were exchanging knowing glances.

Froilan: “So, what do you think?”

Joanna: “She’ll do.”

I didn’t know what they were talking about, but I did have a lot of questions for Joanna. I hope she doesn’t mind me prying.

Emmy: “I’m sorry for prying Ms. Roberts. Does being here mean that you have a new book coming up? I’ve been waiting so long for that. I can’t wait.”

Joanna just sneered and looked at Froilan.

Froilan: “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Emmy: “Okay. Thank you again. Both of you. I’ll be going now.”

I was almost skipping as I walked out of Froilan’s office. Not only did I make a lot of money, I also met my favorite author. I was so distracted that I almost forgot to surrender the visitor’s pass. I didn’t even care about the looks Jolene was giving me. I smiled at her and thanked her wholeheartedly.

I deposited the check at the bank right away. I’m buying some food to take home. We are celebrating tonight.