Pray You Catch Me

Fifty Two| Fading Out (Alternate Ending)

I made a promise to one of my best friends years ago that I would make an alternate ending for this story and four years later, I have finally completed it and thought I'd share with y'all as well. Enjoy.

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2 years later

Santana

The book signing was coming to a close and honestly I couldn't have been happier. This entire experience had been draining. Trying to get chapters completed after the shooting was one of the hardest things ever. It easily changed my passion into a job I hated.

"How was it working on this book with everything going on in your personal life?" The question pulled me from my thoughts as I focused on the woman standing, holding the microphone.

Clearing my throat, I flashed a small smile. "Hard." I admitted, seeing Vivian and Kendu quickly turn their heads in my direction. "This book helped me realize that I was no longer interested in being a writer."

"So is this your last book?" She asked, loving the exclusive information I spilled.

"Yes," I answered before thanking everyone for coming out and getting up from the table.

I barely made it to the back room of the store before I heard Kendu's booming voice. "What the hell was that Santana? You didn't think to run that by us before letting the world know?"

"I'm no longer under contract. My obligation has been filled, so no, I don't have to run shit by you anymore." I snatched up my jacket and purse.

"You're one of the best selling authors within the past ten years of any genre and you're ready to throw that away because it's not fun anymore?" He scoffed before shaking his head staring down at me.

"If that's what you want to call it. Sure but I don't have to explain myself to you." I stated simply. "You didn't give a fuck about what I was going through the past two years, you just wanted chapters. I delivered, so here's where we depart."

"You're mad at me for making you do your job? You decided to marry a thug. That's not my problem. Own up to your consequences." Before I could even stop myself, my hand connected with his cheek.

Vivian quickly made her way between us but there wasn't anything either of them could say to me. She had gotten my deadlines pushed back and did everything that she could but I just wasn't interested in this shit anymore. Kendu was constantly unprofessional towards me and it was unacceptable.

"Don't contact me anymore. Just make sure my checks are deposited on time." With that being said, I tried to make my way out of the room.

"I could drag your ghetto ass to court for assault."

"And I could drag you there for discrimination and harassment. So where do you really want to take this? We can both go our separate ways or I could make your life a living hell. Don't threaten me with a good time." I knew the smile on my face was crazed but I didn't care. I really wanted to be done with this already.

This time when I made my way towards the door, no one tried to stop me.

After calming down, I made my way to Taste Bar and Kitchen to meet my best friend and sister for a late lunch.

Sanaa spotted me first and stood from her seat and threw her arms around my frame. "Did you really just announce you're done writing?"

An hour had barely passed but I shouldn't have been surprised that someone was live streaming the event.

"That can wait." Megan announced, standing and joining the embrace. "I am no longer with child and I want to day drink."

My sister playfully rolled her eyes before we sat down and she waved down the waitress to order a round of shots.