Maybe Someday (English)

Chapter 03

Nikita’s POV

I stopped signing the books when I felt my hand starting to ache. I looked at the large table in front of me. I’ve already signed half of the 100 books. Boss really had the nerve to make me sign all the copies that will be released in four branches just because some readers requested my signature. I still have a lot more to sign in the coming days.

I picked up one pocketbook that already had my signature and stared at it. Maybe Someday. This is a tragic story that is written by me. Yes, I’m a writer. I work in a well-known publishing house as their full-time writer. I also sometimes check the printing house of this publishing company. I’m just really close with the owner, so he offered me another job which I wholeheartedly accepted.

Maybe Someday is my new story release. It’s only been two weeks since it came out. Good thing it’s doing well with the readers now. I’m known as a romance writer who knows how to make readers cry and feel the love they want. That’s why the release of the first installment of Maybe Someday really made noise, because of its beautifully tragic ending. It’s very different from the stories I wrote before. I don’t even know what got into my head and why I came up with that kind of plot.

It’s all about a woman who’s head over heels in love with a man who knows nothing about love. Until something happened between them, and they were forced to get married. The man loathed her to the core when they got married. A lot of painful things happened, but she chose to stay. Why is it tragic? Because she died in the end. Yes, I killed her! But she was sick, so it’s reasonable.

The community page almost shook when the female lead died. They thought I would bring her back to life because the character development of the male lead was already so good. They thought there was still hope. There was—but it was just short-lived.

That’s the reality. Not everyone gets a happy ending and a lifetime with the people they love. But trust me, that book is full of good memories and many lessons. The kind where you can still breathe peacefully even if the main character died.

That was just the first installment. The second installment—I already submitted it recently. I’m just waiting for the result. I killed the lead there too—just kidding! This is really Rome’s fault. He’s the one I want to disappear from this world, but instead, I’m the one killing my characters now! Damn him!

“Are you free on Friday?”

I looked up when I heard the voice of our editor, Judy. I smiled at her and pointed at myself. “Me? Uh, I think I’m free?” I said uncertainly.

I didn’t even know where it was, and honestly, I find it hard to refuse them. They’ve always been kind to me. I already treat them like family. The things I didn’t get to experience when I was younger—I experienced them with them. Having friends, laughing without doubt or judgment, teasing each other and everything else.

She laughed a little and sat on the bench in front of the big table. “Boss invited us to dinner on Friday. He said I should invite you. You know him—you always have to be present.”

“He’s getting too hooked on my beauty, huh? Oh no, this is getting serious!” I joked.

Judy laughed, her shoulders even shaking like she was giggling. “You’re already annulled with Rome. Both you and Boss are single, and he’s nice—you actually look good together!” she said.

I pouted. “You’re making issues! That’s not allowed here. We’re just friends.”

“Why not give it a try?” she insisted, so I threw a pen at her from the table.

I shook my head. “No way. I’m only committed to my kids.”

She smirked. “Or maybe to Rome. Until now, it’s still him—that’s what you’re trying to say. Well, you were together for a long time. Your issue was talk of the town back then—even your wedding, and now your separation is still a hot topic.”

I raised the book I was holding as if I would hit her, which made her laugh even harder. “You’re such a gossip! What are you even doing here?” I said, changing the topic.

Judy knows too much, and I might end up strangling her if she keeps going. Look at her—she knows all the highlights of my life. That’s why it’s scary to face people sometimes, because they already know everything that happened to you.

“I’m just reminding you that you’re leaving in almost two hours. You’re going to one of our physical stores, right? You have a signing event.”

I slapped my forehead. “Oh s**t, right! Good thing you reminded me!” I said.

She laughed a little. “Don’t worry. Boss will drive you. He’s also going to check the warehouse beside it.”

I nodded. Judy helped me finish signing all the books and placed them on a cart since they’ll be taken for wrapping. I immediately went to the comfort room to retouch. I’ve been working in this publishing company for more than three years now. Still quite new, but the support I receive from readers and from this company is overwhelming.

My father and my brother are also against this—me being a writer. Daddy wants me to enter politics or become a lawyer, but I told him I don’t have any interest in those professions. I was even supposed to inherit my mom’s clothing line and malls, but I refused. I didn’t want to hear anything from Daddy, so it was given to my sister for now. Among the three of us siblings, I’m the only one who already has a family—and I’m the youngest. My sister and brother are both focused on their careers. I don’t think having a family even exists in their dictionary. Our parents allowed them, though. But Mommy has been asking them for grandchildren. She wants companions for the triplets.

If Rome had only loved me, maybe the triplets would have had a younger sibling by now. That jerk! In his next life, I hope he becomes a potato. Cheater!

I didn’t realize I had softly sobbed while applying my lipstick. I’m really being dramatic—even in the bathroom.

Damn you, Rome! This is all your fault! I think I’ll carry this resentment even into my next life. I might be the only ex-wife who, even after being cheated on, is still about 20% kind to him—and even to the woman he chose. I never said anything bad to Irish in front of him, even though I badly wanted to explode and say hurtful words. She came first—that’s the truth.

I stared at myself in the mirror and frowned when I saw that my nude lipstick wasn’t applied properly. I wiped it off and grabbed my red lipstick. I always carry a lot of lipstick shades in my pouch. I love different colors, especially kiss-proof— I mean, waterproof! Kiss-proof? It’s not like I have someone to kiss anyway, hmp!

When I saw how red my lips were, I felt satisfied. I tied my long, curly hair. I once doubted my physical appearance because of what happened between me and Rome, but my sister told me that I’m pretty. I have fair skin, I’m 5’5, and I have body curves to die for. I even compared myself to Irish—sorry for that—but I realized that she’s really beautiful. She’s kind and not rude, very different from me. Well, this is who I am. If he can’t handle me, that’s not my problem anymore.

I sighed and pushed away the thoughts connected to that bastard. As I stepped out of the bathroom, a staff member told me that Boss was waiting for me in front of Avila. I greeted the people I passed by as I walked out. I immediately saw Monti’s driver and greeted him. He opened the door for me, and I got inside. Monti was already there, talking on the phone. I placed my shoulder bag on my lap.

Monti and I became friends through family gatherings. I was still married to Rome back then. It’s been a long time. He’s four years older than me. I should be calling him “Kuya,” but he doesn’t want that, so we’re on a first-name basis.

lOh! Hi, Amber!” he greeted after ending his call and slipping his phone into his pocket.

I smiled and gave a small wave. “Hi! I haven’t seen you for a week,” I said.

He looked at the driver and told him where we were going before turning back to me. “Ah, that. We’ve been working on something for an indie film, that’s why I’ve been busy these past days. And I already read your second installment…”

I felt a bit nervous. I made a face as I looked at him. “Is it bad? Or do I need to revise it?” I asked softly.

He laughed, and I saw the deep dimples on both sides of his cheeks. Gosh, he’s really handsome. Why is he still single until now? Should I set him up with Sam, the one taking care of my kids? That’s Sam’s type! Like—Simone Sussina. He could even be a Calvin Klein model. Yummy!

I blinked when I realized I had been staring too long. I touched my neck and laughed along with him.

“Nah, it’s good.”

I frowned. “Good? Just good? What kind of answer is that, Monti Ortega? Tell me in detail. Be honest. Do you know how nervous I am? What if it gets rejected—but it’s okay, I’m willing to revi—”

“It’s good,” he cut me off. He smiled before continuing, “It’s good even if it’s heartbreaking. You’re starting to lean toward painful plots now. You really have something you’re drawing from. This one is different from the first installment. It’s quite impressive because the lead found love again after what happened to her.”

I held my chest and let out a breath of relief. Oh my God! I thought I was about to cry again tonight!

“Really?” He nodded. “You might just be flattering me!” I added, making him laugh.

He shook his head and looked at me intently, making me avert my gaze slightly.

“No. And I hope that just like your female lead in the second installment… you’ll find love again… with a different person, the second time around…”