SPARKS

Chapter 6

   Helen did not come back the next day or the day after, Veronica was confused.

      Veronica called her several times but got no response, only then did she realize that she knew close to nothing about Helen and that she had gotten too used to Helen's presence around her.

     Days passed and became a week, Veronica did not leave her house but she was able to write a few words each day on her laptop.

       Eight days after Helen's sudden disappearance, Veronica got a call from Mark.

        "I need to meet with you tomorrow", he said quickly when she picked up.

     "I told you to give me time Mark",she groaned.

       "I Know and i will but i need to talk to you about something important, i will send you the address", he said.

      Veronica frowned. "Address?", She asked.

  "Yes", he replied quickly.

    "Mark, i have the office's address. I don't need you to send it to me"
    "No no, not there. I will send an address to you", having said that,he dropped the call quickly.

  Veronica rubbed her temple tiredly and just started into space, wondering.
     Soon a message came in on her phone and she opened it and found an address,she sighed.

          *            *             *
       The next day around 12:30pm, Veronica stood in front of a tall building made of glass.

      She took a minute to calm herself and entered quickly before her anxiety won.

     Walking directly to the receptionist, she asked after Mike and the receptionist directed her to a room. Veronica saw Mike immediately.

        "Welcome. Here, sit", mike ushered her to a sit in the room.
Veronica sat and surveyed her surroundings.
         
       "Give me a minute", Mike said and left the room in a hurry.
         Veronica rolled her eyes but said nothing as she waited.

     Mike returned but with a man in a blue suit following closely behind him, his hands in his pants pockets.

     Veronica raised a questioning brow at Mike but Mike avoided her eyes, Veronica looked back to the man with Mike feeling uncomfortable.
     
     "Veronica,i am Joel", the man said with a little smile on his face as he stretched his hand out to her.
     Veronica shook it.

  "I asked Mike to bring you here, i needed to speak with you about an urgent matter and i know it's hard to get a hold of you. I am sorry i and Mike had to take the cowardly way out"

     Veronica folded her arms and scoffed.
   
       Joel frowned the looked over at Mike who raised his hands in the air and walked out of the room, leaving Joel to deal with Veronica's stiffness.

     Joel sighed and sat on the chair opposite Veronica. "I guess some people are more cowardly can the others", he said with a grin.
     Veronica said nothing.

     Joel stared at her for a moment then let out another sigh.
       
       "I need your help Veronica and desperately at that. I have kids who are new to writing, dozens of them. I am publishing for most of them for free, it's quite hard to get mentors to take them off my hands and i can't deal with all of them alone. To cut the long story short i need a mentor for the ones who look promising , i am willing to pay for this service i assure you.....
         "No", Veronica's voice cut him off.
        

       "Your response is not unexpected Veronica and i can understand that you want your solitude,but please give us a chance to convince you. Give these kids a Chance to convince you, please"
     

            Veronica just stared at him stubbornly.
     
         Joel rubbed his temple and seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, suddenly his face broke into a smile and stood up and walked around the table to where a telephone sat. He picked it up and began dialing,his eyes not leaving veronica's the whole time.
        
      "Hello, it's Joel. Get victor in valentine's office..... okay.....Good"
        
     " Victor is one of my favorites,he thinks like and adult and he's only fifteen", Joel explained proudly.
      
        "I don't see what that has to do with me", Veronica answered dryly.
      
       "Wait till you meet him", Joel said softly. Five minutes later a boy walked in holding a pencil and a book in his hand, he saw Victoria first and took a step back looking startled.
      

     "where are your manners Victor!", Joel admonished.
           Victor bowed quickly and murmured a Good afternoon to Victoria.
         Victoria nodded looking embarrassed.
      
        "Two months ago Victor came to me with a wonderful piece, i want you to take it home and read it", Joel said sounding enthusiastic.
   
       "It won't change my mind", Victoria said quickly.
    

       "The piece Victor came with was the continuation of a story of yours that he liked. Your second book "WANTING MORE", please take it home and read", Victor said.
      
      Veronica looked at the boy who was glaring at Joel,his face looking red. He looked like he was embarrassed. She sighed and nodded.
  
      "Okay, i will take a look at the book", she said trying not to sound grumpy so as not to offend the boy.
    
    The reaction on both Joel and the boy's face made her feel a bit better about her decision.
    
    "Hand the book over then Victor, Veronica will take a look at it and give us a feed back", Joel said quickly as if expecting Veronica to Change her mind.
     
     The boy stared up a Joel with pleading eyes.
       
     "Veronica does not have the whole time in the world Victor', Joel said tightly.
    
      The boy handed the book over to Veronica and ran out of the room.

Joel gave Victoria an apologetic smile.

"Are we done here?", Veronica asked sheepishly.
    "Yes of course, thank you so much for doing this. Its an honor to have you here", he said stretching is hand out for a handshake.
  Veronica did not take it.

"I will not change my mind", she said forcefully.

"Okay okay", he said rasing his hands above his head in surrender.
"Just read the book and give us a feedback on it", he smiled.
Veronica nodded and walked out of the room, she headed straight home.