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997 Words
Hecilvic Publishing (Puerto Rico) - After the victory of "Blightbristle" (4.52)
Meeting room - Hecilvic headquarters, San Juan
The atmosphere was completely different from a few weeks earlier. Where there had been silence and fear, there was now applause.
Company President Arturo Méndez: - Today, we aren't just celebrating a book. We're celebrating a team that refused to accept defeat.
The staff applauds.
Promotion
Arturo: - Helena Torres, Marketing Manager...
Helena holds her breath.
- Your "#BlightbristleRedemption" campaign completely changed the public's perception of the work. As of today, you are the Global Marketing Director.
Helena covers her face with her hands.
- I... I thought I'd be fired after *Lorolas*...
She begins to cry.
Colleague Diego: - You earned it. You fought when everyone said it was impossible.
Job Security
Arturo: - The editorial department will remain exactly as it is. You proved you knew how to listen to criticism without abandoning the publisher's identity.
The editors breathe a sigh of relief.
Editor Sofia: - I thought I'd lose my job in the first round...
Supervisor: - Instead, you edited the biggest hit of the year.
Rehiring
Arturo: - We are also bringing back the employees who were let go after the performance of *Lorolas*.
Silence falls over the room.
Miguel, a former cover designer, enters, visibly moved.
- I thought I'd never set foot in here again...
His colleagues embrace him.
Meanwhile...
Warora Publishing (Colombia)
The building felt like a different place.
No one was celebrating.
Boardroom
President Camilo Herrera:
- We can't pretend that selling 2.1 million copies was our goal.
Silence.
Dismissal
Camilo:
- Ricardo Alves... Marketing Director.
Ricardo closes his eyes. - The Scourgerazor campaign failed to convey the work's premise.
He slowly hands over his ID badge.
- I see...
As he leaves, he takes one last look at the room where he worked for fifteen years.
Retained
Camilo:
- The editorial team is being kept on.
Everyone exchanges glances.
Editor Laura:
- Even after that result?
Camilo:
- The problem wasn't just the book. It was strategy, positioning, and market expectations.
She sighs with relief.
Unexpected Promotion
Camilo:
- Javier Morales.
- Sir?
- You were the only manager who warned that releasing an absurdist drama right after *Zexrazhek* was a risk.
- Yes...
- Starting today, you are the Director of Editorial Planning.
The room is taken by surprise.
Warora Cafeteria
Ricardo packs his belongings into a box.
Employee Ana:
- I never imagined seeing you leave...
Ricardo:
- It's part of the job.
- Do you think they can win the third round?
Ricardo smiles wearily.
- I hope so... I helped build this publishing house.
Hecilvic Cafeteria
Helena gazes out the window.
Diego:
- Are you happy?
She laughs.
- Very...
- But now I'm scared.
- Scared?
- Before, people expected little from us.
Now, everyone expects another 4.52.
A few weeks later
Both publishing houses are working day and night.
At Hecilvic, teams celebrate but face the pressure to repeat their success.
At Warora, silent corridors reveal a company trying to rebuild its confidence while preparing *Fleshmeld* for the decisive third round.
Everyone knows that in this world, a single rating can launch careers... or end them forever.
That night, Ricardo arrived home carrying only a cardboard box containing a few books, a picture frame, and a Warora mug.
As soon as he walked in, his wife sensed something was wrong.
"Ricardo... what happened?"
He took a few seconds to answer.
"I was fired."
Silence filled the room.
His teenage daughter put her phone aside.
"What do you mean? You'd been working there for fifteen years..."
Ricardo simply lowered his head.
"The company decided to change the direction of the marketing department after the *Scourgerazor* results."
His wife walked over to him.
"They did that after everything you built?"
"Companies move on... sometimes without looking back."
She took a deep breath, trying to hide her worry.
"What now?"
Ricardo looked at the table, which was covered in bills.
"I don't know."
That night, hardly anyone managed to sleep.
The next morning, the tension mounted.
Over coffee, his wife broke the silence.
"The rent is due next week."
Ricardo simply nodded.
"I know."
She continued, her voice trembling.
"Our savings won't last long."
Their daughter looked at both of them, not knowing what to say.
After a few minutes of difficult conversation, his wife grabbed a backpack.
"I'm going to spend a few days at my sister's place."
Ricardo looked up, surprised.
"Just until things become clearer. I need to think about what to do."
His daughter stood up as well.
"I'm going with Mom."
She hugged her father tightly.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
The door closed.
The apartment fell silent.
Ricardo remained seated at the table, staring at the publisher's mug.
For the first time in many years, he didn't know when his next day of work would be. ---
After a few minutes, he took a deep breath and picked up the phone.
He dialed his parents' number.
His father answered.
"Son?"
It took Ricardo a few seconds to find his voice.
"Dad..."
"Has something happened?"
"I got fired."
There was a long silence on the other end of the line.
"I'm so sorry."
Ricardo took a deep breath.
"I think... I need to come home for a while. Until I can get back on my feet."
His father answered without hesitation.
"Our door has always been open."
Ricardo closed his eyes.
"I had hoped I'd never have to make this call."
Just then, his mother picked up another extension.
"Son, don't think of coming back as a failure."
Ricardo discreetly wiped away a tear.
"Thank you..."
His father continued:
"Come whenever you're ready. What matters now is taking care of yourself and finding a new path."
Ricardo looked out the apartment window.
That chapter of his life had come to an end.
Another, completely different one, was about to begin.
- Writer
