Hot Pursuit

Chapter 11

[Georgina's POV]

"Gosh, Georgie. You look sour today. What happened?"

I was not in the mood to explain everything at this point. I was still exhausted.

I groaned out of frustration and weariness as I sloppily took the seat across my colleague and friend, Miranda, letting out a heavy sigh without saying a word. To be honest, I really did not want to show up today but I had to. I already felt guilty ditching our previous arrangements twice last week because I was too busy chasing Mr. Annoying Kieran around town so I had to make up for it. However, the severe lack of sleep from cramming the rest of my articles last night just so I could reach the deadline, had me dreading getting out of my apartment in broad daylight. I felt extremely drained and burnt out but it was not fair to keep holing up inside my bedroom for hours just sulking alone.

This was definitely that bastard's fault. That son of a b-- I will really slap the hell out of him someday for revenge. Remembering his trickery made me furious all of a sudden as I rested my head on top of the table, glaring through my dark sunglasses. I had worn them out of self-consciousness but it felt like I was just trying to mask my unpleasant mood which was, unfortunately, completely obvious to Miranda's observant eyes.

"You're lucky I already ordered you some coffee," she told me afterward when I still did not make an effort to give a response. I just aimlessly moved my head in what could be a lazy nod, not even bothering to look up. I closed my eyes for a moment and sighed loudly once more. I heard the phone beeping for a message but I ignored it. I already have a pretty guess who might that be and that reminder just made me feel worse.

"I have to say, I'm disappointed seeing you like this after a long while, Georgie," Miranda said in a nagging way almost sounding like how my mother would scold me before, "I told you it's not going to be easy working for that magazine. It's never your style. You should resign already."

"I don't want to," the little voice in me refuted, trying to sound defiant even when she was right. I knew that she only wanted what's best for me but I had worked so hard in this career. I wanted to keep this going, I wanted to prove that I can do it on my own. I can do this without anybody's help.

"What?" Miranda asked in confusion, obviously unsure of what I actually said. But I only shook my head, turning it over the table as I slowly sat up straight. I finally removed the sunglasses I was wearing and squinted at the bright environment of the coffee shop. Miranda watched me with a discerning gaze. She looked unhappy and I understood her point.

"I chose to do this," I told her those words after finding the courage to look at her face. Miranda just exhaled loudly, obviously not amused by it, but she did not say another word. And I was just glad that the waiter interfered with our atmosphere as he served us our drinks and a plate of cookies. I mumbled thanks to the waiter before he left and silently grabbed one cookie to bite. I shifted my gaze at Miranda again, she was just watching me as she picked up her coffee and sipped from a straw.

"You're a really good writer. But it would only be like that if you finally start writing what you really love, Georgie," she then said this, breaking the silence after a few seconds, slightly startling me. Miranda has been my friend for over seven years now. We started our friendship way back in college freshmen year. We both had the same dreams at the time and we were totally passionate about what we want to be.

 However, unlike me, Miranda has always been exceptional. I was an underachiever. I could not really reach her level. And I knew, even from the start, that she was going to be so much better. I was always an average dreamer... She was an incredible prodigy. We have a huge difference.

Success was not as unreachable to her as it was for me. As it turned out, I didn't have enough qualities. I didn't have what it takes to be on top.

"I love what I write now, Mir," I said back to her, disguising my emotion with a silly grin that we both were totally fake. I tried so hard to sound completely fascinated as I went on, "It's not what I used to love, but it's still fun. Trust me, I'm happy."

And I have to. I don't want to feel like a loser anymore. My smile waver but I didn't drop it. I was obsessed with proving that I totally meant what I said. Miranda just nodded firmly. She looked away and sipped some more from her coffee. I awkwardly did the same with my own drink, I didn't want the feeling of disappointment to unnerve me. Miranda has always been my friend but sometimes I just get the feeling that she had always pitied me like how parents do as well. It was suffocating and annoying.

But I get why they were all like that. It was because they never really believed that I could make it. And that was why I had a plan in mind. A way to achieve something better than what people have always expected me to be. A fulfillment that would make them shock once I successfully make it.

I will get on top someday... And no one would ever have to question my happiness anymore. It might be a very rocky journey but all it ever takes is the first step.

And that first step for me... was Kieran Locke. That one pompous bastard. I will definitely make use of him to the very extent. He was going to be my golden key.