The Woman in His Story

Chapter 3

Ian sighed when he saw Melanie standing in his new apartment. He wished he didn’t have to tell her where he lived. She was constantly throwing herself at him, and it was annoying. Melanie was the typical blonde bombshell. It was like she went to a plastic surgeon with a Malibu Barbie doll and told them that’s what she wanted to look like. Ian had no idea what she even looked like without makeup on.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you today,” he said, walking to a stack of boxes.

“Oh, well. I thought you might want to have lunch and go over a few things about the new book?” said Melanie.

She walked over to him, putting a hand on his arm, “We can celebrate your new place. . .Unless you want to stay in and celebrate?”

Ian removed her hand from his arm.

“Melanie, I took two days off so that I could unpack and settle into my new apartment, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do,”

“Okay, I’ll order us some lunch then,” she said, pulling out her phone. “What do you feel like eating?”

Ian took a walk to the table where Melanie had left her handbag. He picked it up and passed it to her.

“ Oh, great! You changed your mind! There’s this amazing French restau -”

“Melanie. I am on leave. I may be a writer and work on my own schedule - but being on leave means that I do not want to talk about work. Also, if there are things you want to discuss, send me an email or drop me a text. You can’t just come over unannounced,”

Ian didn’t know whether to laugh or feel bad. Melanie was obviously taken aback by what he said. Ian was certain she would be frowning if it wasn’t for the botox - but right now, she had this weird look on her face between a pout and a squint.

“Oh, uh - I just thought we could celebrate. You have a new book deal and a new apartment. . .”

“I’m sorry. I appreciate that, but I want my new apartment to be my personal space,” said Ian firmly.

“You never said anything before,”

Ian huffed in annoyance. Why couldn’t she get the message? It’s not like he invited her to his old apartment, either.

“Well, now I am. Look, Melanie, you have to understand, the new book deal is great. I am beyond thrilled with it - but it also means that I will be busier than ever before. It also means that I need a creative space to work, free from everything else. This is why I got a new apartment. You are my publisher - and yes, we will have to meet and discuss issues as they arise - but let’s agree to do that away from my apartment. If we need to meet, then we can contact each other and agree on a time and place if not at your office. How does that sound?”

Melanie opened and closed her mouth a few times like a fish trying and failing to find a response. When she hadn’t said anything, Ian started walking towards the door.

“Well, I really have a lot to get through. I guess you’ll drop me an email if there’s anything?”

Melanie smoothed out her pencil skirt and placed her bag on her shoulder, plastering a smile on her face.

“Yes, of course. I hope you enjoy your new place.”

“Thanks,” said Ian.

Melanie walked out into the hallway and turned around.

“Bye,” said Ian with a small wave as he closed the door.

“Bye,” she whispered.

Melanie kept her head high as she walked to the elevator. She had been attracted to Ian from the minute she saw him and couldn’t believe her luck when she had been assigned to him. Every single time they were alone together, she tried to hint at more than a professional relationship, but he was completely oblivious to her charms. She knew that he was single - and straight - so what was going on? Melanie knew she looked good. Men practically drooled as she walked past. So, why was Ian indifferent? Was it because he didn’t want to get in trouble with the company? That was probably it. There’s no way he could not want her.

She stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor. As she lifted her head, she saw a chubby girl with glasses trying to hurry toward the elevator dragging a garbage bag.

“Hold the elevator, please,” she shouted.

Melanie looked up as the door closed. She could have held the door open, but she didn’t. She was in a bad mood, and the last thing she needed was to be in an elevator with a bag of stinky garbage. Anyway, the girl looked like she could benefit from using the stairs.

Vanessa groaned in annoyance. That woman obviously heard her but still let the elevator doors close. She didn’t mind waiting for it to come back, but she did mind the rudeness.

“Why must there be people like that in the world,” she mumbled to herself as she waited.

Vanessa would have taken the stairs, but she had a garbage bag filled with books. It was way too heavy to lug down to the underground parking. She also did not want to risk the bag tearing. It was the only thing big enough to pull all of them in. Vanessa was still grumbling to herself when she heard an apartment door open and looked up to see Ian stick his head out and look on either side before stepping out.

“Checking for traffic?” she chuckled.

Ian’s face turned pink as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“I was making sure my publisher left,”

“Tall, blonde woman in a grey pencil skirt and white blouse?” asked Vanessa.

Ian nodded.

“Yeah, I saw her take the elevator as I was leaving my apartment,”

“Maybe I should wait awhile before going downstairs,” sighed Ian.

Vanessa giggled, making Ian look at her with a smile.

“What?”

“Are you that scared of your publisher? Or are you avoiding her because of something else?”

“No, no, no. Nothing like that. I mean, she’s good at what she does -”

“You don’t have to explain to me. It’s cool. I just thought it was funny,” said Vanessa.

Thankfully, the elevator opened, and she stepped inside awkwardly, lifting the bag at her side. Ian stood with his hand on the door, leaning in.

“I agree, it is funny, but at the same time, it’s kinda annoying. She’s always trying to flirt, and I’m not interested… And she wanted to go to lunch, and I told her I’m busy - now if she sees me leaving…”

Vanessa didn’t know what to do, but she really didn’t want to hear about his blonde, busty publisher who was interested in him.

“Ian?”

He looked up, startled.

“Are you getting in the elevator or not?”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry,” he said, stepping in fully.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure she would have left by now. Where are you heading?”

“I was going to try the corner bakery,”

“Marco’s?”

“Yeah. You know it?”

“You will not be disappointed. I recommend the cronut or the cannoli - the originals are best, but the flavored ones are popular too. Depends on your preference,”

“Seems like you know the place well,” said Ian as the door opened to the underground parking. “Here, let me help you with that,”

Ian grabbed the bag from the floor, not expecting the weight. “Whoa”

Vanessa laughed, “Now you know why I was dragging it. My car’s right here,”

She unlocked her car and opened the trunk.

“I’m donating some of my old books to the children’s home nearby,”

“That’s pretty kind of you. You know the area quite well for someone who’s just moved in,” said Ian as he closed the trunk.

“The apartment I moved into used to belong to my best friends. I used to spend a lot of time around here with them. Marco’s was our favorite place to grab coffee and cake - they were the ones who introduced me to the children's home as well.”

“Aah, that explains it,” said Ian. “Maybe you can show me around when you have time? I’m not used to this part of town. The last apartment I had was the size of a shoebox. Everything feels so fancy around here.”

“Yeah, I completely understand how you feel about the apartment. My last one was none the better. However, the people around here are friendly. I mean, you’ll get bad eggs here and there, but generally, you’ve moved to a great location. I work from home, so just let me know when you want to go exploring, and I’ll clear out some time in my schedule.”

Vanessa was internally panicking. What was she saying? Was she offering to be his tour guide? ‘Clear out some time in my schedule’. How lame did that sound?

“Awesome. Well, I’ll leave you to it then,” said Ian, heading back to the elevator.

“I thought you were heading to Marco’s?”

“I am - but I’d rather walk than use the car. I just forgot to press the button for the lobby in the elevator,” laughed Ian.

Vanessa shook her head and smiled, “You’re just killing time and making sure that Blondie has left the building,”

Ian pulled his face and made Vanessa laugh even harder.

“I even forgot about her. Why did you remind me?” he said, walking backward as the elevator door opened,

“Somehow, I think she would be difficult to forget,” said Vanessa loudly, her voice echoing in the parking lot, startling her. She held her mouth and looked around, making sure no one was there to witness it.

Ian laughed loudly and waved.

Vanessa cringed as she got into her car. Why did she have to make a fool of herself all the time?