ANONYMOUSLY WRITTEN

CHAPTER 2: THE WRONG NAME IN THE RIGHT ROOM

The thing about making a bad decision was that it never felt like one in the moment. It felt logical. Reasonable even. Like the only available option at that point in time. That was exactly what I told myself that night, sitting cross-legged on her bed with her phone in her lap, with the thoughts of Marcus conversation earlier on still weighing heavily on her mind. Adaptation rights, partnership deal. A meeting. Tomorrow. I had stared at the ceiling for a long time, then the thought of Kyler came to my mind, she was the only person awake enough to deal with me that hour, and so, I decided to call her.

Kyler Voss answered before the second ring. She started the conversation first with "Talk, some people sleep at night you know", this is her way of greeting. No hello, no preamble. I had told her everything. The morning at Harlow's. The employee,the mysterious stranger, Mr Hayes. And the phone call from Marcus ,the adaptation rights,the partnership,the postcard, impersonating her own self, the idea of her going with the name "Claire Denton". Kyler had listened without interrupting, which was already unusual. When I finished,the silence on the other end lasted exactly four seconds.

"Absolutely not". Kyler said, breaking the silence

"Ky, as I'd always call her, it's not what you think"

"No. Sane. No. That's madness". Her voice had gone up a full octave. Sane was what ky always called me.

"You're not walking into that man's office pretending to be your own representative. Do you hear yourself right now?".

"It's not that complicated", I said.

"It's literally overly complicated,I mean who goes to an invite impersonating her own self, what happens when he asks a question only Soleil is expected to know? What happens when he looks at you and goes, wait, weren't you in the bookshop yesterday, what happens when he eventually finds out you're sols?. Have you even thought out any of these?. Can't you see the risks are more than your gains?".

"Well first of all", I interrupted. "It's a business stuff not an invite, and secondly it's not a big deal, I'll figure something out before then, I mean people do fake stuffs online, it's not like he's gonna do something about it, it has been my thing for years". "He won't recognize me, he barely looked at me that morning, and if he does, he won't be able to fill in the gap since he didn't see me at my shelf".

"Sane, I know you're trying so hard to sound convincing, but this feels like a trap you set on yourself, I'm just worried babes and scared it might catch up with you, just be careful out there, you can never be too sure".

"Alright, alright, geez, you're worse than my mother. She could nag all day about a bad decision". "So does those mean you agree with all these"?

"Well not fully though, but I could be supportive since it's what you really want, but honestly,I want to ask. What's your main reason for doing this despite the risk?".

"I could say, it's something I've always wanted right from when I started my novel journey,I never knew it would be so close to happening. And I already planned it all out to impersonate my own self. This is more like a promotion for me,a once in a lifetime opportunity a dream come true. Not many people get this opportunity, so I won't dare ruin it for me".

"Oh I get now, you should have told me this from the beginning, and I wouldn't have to scold you this way. You're totally right,but still be careful out there". "You explained earlier on that this guy in question is quite mysterious. If There happen to be any odds, let me know so I'll kick his ass".

I chuckled softly, "there you go, the old you always manage to come out in cases like this, we've been through worst cases, and this too shall pass".

A long silence followed, our breaths could be heard on the call. Ky and I have known each other since high school, it all started from when to being seatmates,to when I got bullied, then later to finding out we lived up three streets apart. We've literally survived the same bad years together, she's always been there. A perfect definition of close friends turn sisters. She was truly like a sister I never had. Life hasn't always been a rollercoaster, but I'm glad we somehow always get each other's back. She's been my biggest supporters over the years, will never trade our relationship for anything.

"See you at morning sane, don't go around dreaming about Mr. mysterious ha, I'm in charge of your hair".

And that was it, the call ended immediately, she always ends the calls first, not even letting me say my goodbyes.

**********

Ky arrived at seven the next morning, early enough to remind me of my predicament. She was dressed in her favorite mini blue gowns, a boot shoes, a garment bag over her shoulder, a coffee in each hand. The other was for me by the ways, and the expression of a woman who spent the night thinking about everything that could go wrong and decided to show up anyway.

Ky runs her own boutique event as an event coordinator in silver lake, the kind of corporate work that required her to be presentable and persuasive at all times, and she brought both of those qualities with her that morning along with a black blazer she insisted Sane borrow.

"You're not going in that,are you?", ky said eyeing my chosen outfit, a simple white blouse and dark trousers I had considered perfectly acceptable.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Everything's so wrong with it sane, it's just not", she paused mid way. She held up the blazer she had brought with her, raising it up, just enough for her to see. "You need to look like someone who represents one of the most successful anonymous writers alive. Not someone who just came from a brunch".

"I wasn't going to brunch"

"Put the blazer on", Kyler said interrupting me. It sounded like she's had enough.

Without further hesitation, I put the blazer on. It was structured, fitted perfectly at the shoulders,deep black with a subtle sheen that made it look expensive without screaming it. Kyler had also brought a pair of heeled ankle boots and small gold earrings.

"Different earrings", Kyler said when I reached out for her usual pair.

"You need to look like someone else today. Small details matters". "I mean, you said you wanted to do this, you'll have to look more like a less significant person. Just a representative stuff".

She wasn't wrong. I switched them. Kyler did her hair, pulling back,neat, a low structured bun that felt nothing like the loose, falling- apart version she normally left the house with. I looked in the mirror when it was all done, and barely recognized myself. Which was, she supposed, entirely the point.

"Name", Kyler said, standing behind her, meeting her eyes in the mirror.

"Claire Denton", I said.

It was the name I had agreed on to use the night before.

"Senior representative for soleil's publishing interests", I said further.

"And if he asks why Soleil herself isn't present?", What would you say, Kyler asked

"Soleil doesn't attend meetings in person. It's a standing agreement, well documented, non-negotiable. It's a standard that has been for years".

"And if he pushes?"

"Then Claire Denton smiles politely and says she isn't in a position to discuss her client's personal preferences". I held my own gaze in the mirror and exhaled loudly. "I've been protecting this identity for seven years, ky. I can manage one meeting".

Kyler looked at me for a long moment. "I know you can", she said quietly. "I just want you to come back in one piece".

I turned from the mirror, it was movement time. I picked up her leather bag. "I'll be Fine".

"Text me when you're inside. Also text me everything that happened when you're out". Kyler followed me to the door. "And sane....". She turned. "If anything feels wrong, if you feel reluctant, if he makes you uncomfortable, you walk out. No deal is worth

"I'll text you", I said interrupting Kyler.

I kissed kyler's cheek and left before she could finish the sentence.

The drive to the tower took about less than an hour. It wasn't as long as she had expected. Hayes tower sat on the corner of Wilshire and grand like it had always been there and everything else had simply grown up around it. Thirty-two floors of dark glass and steel, the kind of building that could have definitely taken a lifetime to build. The entrance was wide and clean, marble floors the colour of storm clouds, a reception desk running the full length of the far wall, staffed by two people who looked like they had been hired specifically for their ability to remain completely composed under any circumstance. It's a rare thing to be really calm in any situation. I mean i could never relate as I was built ill-tempered.

I walked in with my shoulders back and her heart doing something irregular beneath the borrowed blazer. The lobby smelled of something cool and faintly woody. The building really looked the money I had imagined it to be. From the shots of developments, architectural renders, to a wall of framed photographs, with a small logo in the corner written boldly. HAYES DEVELOPMENT GROUP.

She approached the reception desk. "Claire Denton", she said. "I have a nine o'clock with Mr. Hayes".

The woman looking in her fifties dressed in a silk clothing at the desk, looked down at her screen. Typed something. Looked back up. "Is he expecting you?".

"Yes he is, she said calmly.

"Alright then, I'll let his assistant know you're here. Please take a seat".

I sat at where I was being directed to sit at. This was the point where nervousness would have taken over, but unfortunately, I was unusually calm. I came in as Claire Denton. Senior representative. I quietly brought out my phone and texted Kyler to let her know I had gotten there already, just as I promised she would. I placed the phone right back into my leather bag. This won't take long, I kept reassuring myself because I too felt she might get too used to this Claire's life and at a point forget she's the real Sloane. Distracted from my thoughts, a young man in a crisp white shirt with a tailored trouser, a man who looked to be in his early thirties appeared to meet me.

"You must be Claire Denton who wants to see my boss?".

I replied softly with a nod as he must have already been informed of all these. Without any further unnecessary conversation, he led me to the elevator at exactly three minutes past nine. The ride to the twenty-eighth floor was silent. The doors opened onto a corridor that was nothing like the lobby, this one was quieter with visibly no much frameworks. Just clean lines and closed doors and the distant, muffled sound of a city twenty-eight floors below.

The assistant stopped outside the last door on the right. Knocked once. "Ms. Denton", he said, and stepped aside.

The office reflected the man who owned it, nothing excessive. A dark wooden desk sat beside the windows overlooking the city. A bookshelf occupied one wall, filled with business books, biographies and a surprising number of novels. What was more surprising was that, he had more of my novels in there. It felt like he's been stalking my work for a really long period of time. I guess I'll get to figure out more about this mysterious guy. The room didn't have much decor, like the way it was in the corridor. But on getting into a closer look, I noticed a personal item, it was a framed photograph sitting on a shelf behind him. A much younger Rhett standing beside an older man who looked enough like him to be his father. For a billionaire office, it was surprisingly modest. I had expected it to be luxurious but I guess this guy might sound more interesting than he looks, and somehow, that made it more intimidating. Seated at the center of the office, was Rhett Hayes. Looking exactly like what success looked like after years of hard work. Tall, broad shouldered, with his charcoal suit, no tie. His dark hair was neater than it has been at the bookshop, but still had that same quality of deliberate carelessness, fitting perfectly well to his style. His clothing was too simple for a billionaire. I was starting to question if this guy was really Rhett Hayes or an impersonator, or even an impersonator of himself just like me, but I mean why would anyone with such assets live such a simplified life. I guess that's just part of what I'll get to figure out, overall, he always carried on this confidence look wherever he goes. This was exactly the billionaire vibes I knew.

"Mr Hayes", I said.

"Claire Denton. Thank you for making the time". He looked at me for just a moment, the same dark, unhurried gaze. I nodded once in response to his appreciation.

"Ms. Denton, please have a seat".

He sat across from me, opened the folder on the desk and without any small talk whatsoever said: "I discovered her books during a flight delay, I'm talking about Soleil".

I blinked, a soft smile left my cheeks. The way he addressed me was quite funny. "That's oddly specific".

A faint smile appeared on his face. "I had planned to finish the entire book, but I thought to myself, why finish such an amazing book when I could always take my time, and that's how it all came about, I ended up buying the book and only finished it some days after. I was that interested in the novel. I must say, she's really good at what she does. I was really anticipating seeing her, but I'm glad she accepted this deal at least".

For some reason, I didn't know how to respond to that, that's the most genuine words I've ever heard in awhile, it sounded more genuine than I expected. But I couldn't let my emotions get caught up in all these. I needed to be calm as much as possible. "First of all, what book of hers did you read, and was that why you wanted the adaptation?".

"Well, it was the last Autumn, and no, not exactly, you can't simply put it that way".

Out of all my novels, that was the one I least expected, I felt it was just too complex for the world to understand, but I had written it anyways, it was a nice choice by the way. "Then what?, I said"

His fingers tapped lightly against the desk, "I want the adaptation because years later I still remember how it made me feel, I felt like I understood Soleil better than most people I've met". "I mean don't get me wrong, it was more like me seeing and getting things better from her own point of view".

And maybe for the first time in years, I could feel my carefully built world beginning to shift. This was supposed to be an ordinary conversation just like every other one,but somehow I feel extremely glad for being here in person, having to hear someone say this about your novel seemed unusually amazing. That line says more about Rhett than twenty paragraphs of mysterious billionaire descriptions.

"So Uhmm, shall we go through the agreement?", he said. Sounding like he didn't want to hold that conversation any much longer.

A soft smile touched my lips. "Hmm".

He opened the folder resting on the desk and glanced through the documents once more. The meeting was brief. Adaptation rights, creative consultation, timelines and legal reviews.

Nearly an hour later, the preliminary agreement sat signed between them. Not final, just the beginning. Rhett closed the folder and stood.

"I'll have my legal team forward the complete documents within the week".

I rose from my seat as well. "I'll make sure Soleil receives them". For some reason, that answer seemed to amuse him.

His gaze lingered for a second. "You talk about her like she's family".

I forced a light smile. "I've worked with her for years".

"Hm".

At least,I hope he was convinced . The silence stretched briefly before I reached for my bag. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Hayes".

He nodded, "Thank you too for honouring the invitation".

I turned towards the door, one step, two, then...

"Ms. Denton".

I stopped,my hand tightened around the strap of my bag. Slowly, I turned back. Rhett was still standing beside his desk. Calm, composed, impossible to read.

"Yes?", I asked hesitantly

His gaze remained fixed on her. For a moment, he said nothing at all. Like he was trying to find a way to say that was going to sound rude. Then finally,

"Have we met somewhere before?, You look so unusually familiar".

I felt my heartbeat stumble. The bookstore flashed through her mind instantly. The shelf, the manuscript, the argument with the employee. His dark eyes watching everything. I forced myself to remain calm. "I don't think so".

Something unreadable crossed his face. "Maybe".

A pause followed. Then he gave a small nod, almost to himself. "Must be mistaken".

Relief began creeping into my chest. Until he spoke again.

"Still....". His eyes held hers. "I rarely forget a face".

And for the first time since entering Hayes Tower, I left the office with the uncomfortable feeling that their meeting had not gone nearly as unnoticed as I had hoped, though it's something I expected earlier on but, that moment just somehow felt different for me. A few minutes later the elevator door closed, my phone buzzed. A message from Kyler. Sometimes I wondered if Kyler had secretly installed a tracking devices on me. How did she know I was out.

"You've been in there a while, still alive?".

I stared at the screen for several seconds, and chuckled, Then typed back: I think he remembers me.

Three dots appeared almost instantly. Then another message arrived. "What do you mean he remembers you?".

I replied tiredly. "I'll explain when I get home".

For the first or probably second time in seven years, I've watched my life become a horror movie right before my eyes. What people call a living nightmare, and it's something I'm not getting out of any time sooner.