The Writer's Love Affair

Episode 20: Gossip

Episode 20: Gossip

After several days spent surviving on coffee and swamped in endless drafts, Leslie felt like she was in college all over again.

It was a tiresome cycle she wouldn't be able to break free from until she had written her piece to completion. After all, she only had a week left.

She slammed her laptop down in defeat as the words weren't coming out right no matter how many times she spent writing and rewriting her sentences.

To say it was frustrating would be an understatement.

She curled up into a ball as she rested her head onto her forearms.

"Having writer's block?"

Her head snapped up quickly at the sound of a familiar voice.

Mr. Collin was gazing down at her with a sympathetic look.

He stood before her in his unsurprisingly fancy suit and handed a velvet box to her.

She looked around awkwardly, noticing a few eyes on them.

This was the office at the end of the day and she was startling aware of how many people were interested in her recently. It didn't make her feel good, especially not with them seeing her receiving handouts from the boss.

Unlike her, he didn't seem to care while opting to place the item down after seeing that she wasn't taking it.

She had told herself to do so out of respect for him, but there had been a huge delay in her brain and its motor neurons to make that happen.

"It's a gift. I thought it would help you in a time like this. I know you don't use pens as much these days with advanced technology but the sight of it has a great effect. At least it does to me."

Her eyes were still stuck on the gift in shock.

He had opened to reveal what he said it was - a very elegant black pen.

It looked sleek and she could only imagine how nicely it must have written.

"I have high hopes for you, Miss Quinn. Good luck!" There was a fatherly expression on his face and she could no longer ignore it.

Returning a smile, she said, "Thank you, Mr. Collin."

Their interaction ended after that.

She couldn't help but rub her hands over the base of the pen and her lips twitched at the satisfyingly cool sensation.

It oddly reminded her of someone.

A certain man with a similar disposition.

The same one that hadn't reached out to her in days.

As a professional, Leslie was cognizant of the crucial stage he was in when it came to finishing and publishing his book. However, as his professed girlfriend, she couldn't help but sulk at the thought of him not even caring enough to give her a call.

Had he even missed her?

She couldn't help but wince at the thought of him not thinking about her at all.

It was honestly too much for her to bear.

Being who she was, she had been the one to contact him on the third day but he still hadn't responded.

After checking back for days, she saw that her message was still unread.

At some point, she started to worry about him.

She wondered if he had gotten sick again and no one was there to take care of him this time around.

Sadly, she found out that wasn't the case after hearing from his best friend who had paid him a visit recently.