Office Desires

7. Book Fair 2

The following day, as the book fair continued, Lou and Debbie crossed paths with other editors from different publishing houses.

However, as the conversations flowed, Lou couldn't shake off a sense of unease. She noticed that Debbie was engrossed in a discussion with a renowned editor from a rival publishing company.

An even if Lou tried to focus on her own conversation with a fellow editor, her attention kept drifting back to Debbie.

And as the day progressed, Lou began to feel increasingly excluded from the conversation happening between Debbie and the rival editor. It was as if they were conspiring on something, and it made Lou uneasy.

Lou's curiosity got the better of her, and she approached Debbie as the rival editor departed.

"Debbie, what was that all about?"

Debbie glanced at her, her expression unreadable. "It's just business, Lou. Nothing to worry about."

But Lou had a nagging feeling that there was more to it. She decided to push further. "Debbie, we're a team. If there's something going on, we should be on the same page."

Debbie sighed, as if reluctantly giving in to Lou's insistence. "Fine. It's about the manuscript we worked on. The rival editor wants it, and they made a compelling offer."

Lou's heart sank as the implications of Debbie's words hit her. They were in the midst of a book fair, a place where publishing deals were made, and it seemed that Debbie was considering selling theyre manuscript to a rival publishing house. A manuscript they had worked on tirelessly, pouring their heart and soul into it, and Debbie was ready to give it away ?

"You can't be serious ? That manuscript is our potential bestseller, and I've put so much into it. How could you even consider this?"

Debbie's gaze remained fixed on Lou, her expression still unreadable. "It's just a business decision, Lou. Sometimes we have to make tough choices."

The blonde couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had thought that they were a team, that they shared the same passion for literature and storytelling.

But now it seemed that Debbie was willing to sacrifice their shared vision for the sake of a deal.

"I can't believe you'd do this, betraying everything we stand for, everything I've worked for."

Debbie's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, there was a flash of something in her expression, something that Lou couldn't quite decipher. "Lou, it's not personal. It's just business."

But to Lou, it felt deeply personal. It felt like a betrayal .

"Yes off course." She replied coldly before she turned away.

****

Lou had spent the rest of the day avoiding Debbie, stewing in her anger and disappointment.

She could not believe Debbie was ready to sell their manuscript. It was hurting her deeply, first because Debbie didn't even mention it to her, and she had to discover it through another editor. But furthermore, because this manuscript was personal to her...

Well, it felt personal, and she could still remember the tension between her and Debbie when they were talking about it.

Maybe it didn't mean anything to Debbie.

Maybe Debbie didn't care at all.

The trust she had placed in the brunette had been shattered, and she needed time to process.

So, seeing Debbie was the last thing she wanted because she knew she would yell at her, and she knew she may not be able to hold her feelings any longer.