The Writer's Dilemma

The Convergence of Life and Death

The shock caused Audrey to jump and stumble back, nearly hitting the shelf behind her if the same hand hadn’t shot out to steady her. In her embarrassment she looked down as she mumbled an apology.

                “Audrey?” A deep-set voice sounded loud in the little shop. “What are you doing here?” The voice surprised Audrey enough to snap her head up, her eyes meeting the same soft chocolate brown eyes of Kerem Bassett.

                “Mr. Bassett,” Audrey blushed thinking about his last message to her and her unsent reply. “I’m here for work. Why are you here?” Kerem’s cheeks turned a slight shade of pink as he looked down at his hands.

                “I was invited to a banquet that is happening tomorrow. After not hearing from you on Saturday, I decided to come here yesterday. Pierre is around here somewhere.” Kerem said, his deep voice sounding a little shyer than usual.

                “I’m sorry! I just… I wanted to…” Audrey was at a loss of words.

                “Audrey!” Jocelyn approached her with Pierre not too far behind.

                “It’s so nice to see you again, Miss Marchand! And how much did I need to see a face besides the gloomy one that Kerem has been wearing these days,” Pierre brought light to the dimly lit shop, his bubbly personality lifting everyone’s spirits. At hearing about Kerem’s gloomy face, Audrey felt a stab of guilt turning her gaze sadly to Kerem.

                “Pierre, that’s not true,” Kerem gritted his teeth. Pierre ignored his friend, pulling Audrey away from their small group.

                “Tell me! Did he bully you? I’ll beat him up! I’ll scream at him! I’ll dump coffee on him! I’ll…” Pierre was pulled back by the collar of his shirt by a very put out Kerem. Pierre chuckled cheerily. Audrey couldn’t do anything but cover a smile that was growing on her lips.

                “He didn’t bully me… but coffee would be lovely,” Audrey motioned for their small group to leave the shop, falling back to walk next to Kerem.

                “I’m sorry Kerem, for not responding to you. I wanted to, I just wasn’t sure what to say. I was shocked to find out that it was you who was my fan and who had been helping me… but it also shocked me that the person I looked up to would lie… For helping me so much in the past, I’ve already forgiven you. I believe that you meant the best. I just hope that you won’t lie to me again,” Audrey spilled out her thoughts as they walked towards a nearby café.

                “Thank you, Audrey. I promise, I will never lie to you again!” Kerem smiled, turning towards her with an outstretched hand. Audrey accepted it, wincing in pain at the sudden motion. “You’re hurt?” Kerem asked, taking notice of her face, his eyebrows raising in worry as he lifted her sleeve, revealing the bandage covering her wrist. “Let me take you to the hospital,” He insisted.

                “I thank you but I’ve just come from the hospital. It’s a simple sprain and should heal quickly,” Audrey informed him, stopping him from worrying.

                “Simple sprain, pfft,” Jocelyn interrupted their conversation. The four of them took seats at a table inside the café, talking happily over coffee until Audrey had to excuse herself to make it to dinner on time.

Audrey arrived at the restaurant in the hotel, expecting to find Marius there before her. Instead, once she walked in, she received a note to meet Marius in his hotel room. Disgruntled, Audrey turned around, taking her time to arrive at Marius’s room. She knocked three times, waiting patiently in front of the door.

Marius’s assistant answered the door, beads of sweat dropping down his face from his forehead, despite the relatively cool air flowing out of the room. He wordlessly led her back to a small office where Marius was crouched over a wooden desk, scribbling things down quickly. His face was hard set and turning redder by the second.

“Sir, Miss Marchand has arrived,” the assistant croaked.

“You are relieved for the night.” Marius didn’t lift his head. Audrey watched as a grateful smile washed over the assistant’s face as he bowed out of the room. It was several minutes later before Marius lifted his head, taking the sight of her in. “How was your afternoon of freedom?”

“Very well, thank you.” Another pause before Marius gestured to the chair across from him. Audrey hesitated in taking it.

“As I’ve mentioned, we will do the one-on-one interview tomorrow morning. These are some questions I’d like you to ask me among the one’s you’ve already prepared,” Marius shuffled a single leaf of paper across the desk towards her. Audrey took it, reading down the questions.

1.       What is one quote you live by?

2.       What is an important work policy that you enforce?

3.       What is your life goal or some milestones you want to achieve?

4.       Are you currently in a relationship?

5.       Do you have plans to get married in the future?

Audrey winced at the questions, forcing herself to look back into the eyes of the large form in front of her. Marius’s eyes flickered with a look that made Audrey go numb.

“I also mention that tomorrow night we have been invited to attend a banquet that is being held by the creator of Canada’s Writer Guild, Baron von Richard. I expect you will look flawless,” his eyes gleamed again. There was another pause before Marius stood, walking noiselessly around the desk. “If there’s nothing else, let’s go to dinner now.”

Wordlessly, Audrey followed Marius back down to the restaurant in the hotel lobby. The crowd of couples and business partners took up most of the tables and booths in the restaurant spoke in voices a little louder than a hush, as a news report ushered from every TV within the establishment.

“Once again, breaking news from Quebec City. One of Claudel Publishers agent’s who we have learned is Wyatt Langlois, was found dead in his apartment building this afternoon. We are still waiting to hear if this was an act of murder or suicide.”