𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐘𝐒𝐓 | not edited

𝐈

RUSHING OUT OF MY APARTMENT DOOR after only eating a cereal bar this morning was not on my to-do list for today. I'm late for this meeting with my potential publisher. I'm supposed to be there at 10:30 but it's already 9:50, and the company is 50 minutes away. I'm gonna be a little late, which isn't good, this is a prestigious company, what if they don't want to do the deal because they think I'm irresponsible? Or if they skip my meeting and interview someone else? I've already had one meeting with them and I couldn't tell if they wanted to publish me or if they didn't.

I'm kinda annoyed. I was supposed to be there at least thirty minutes early, but I had to wake up Zane, which takes thirty minutes alone, shower, pick out a business casual outfit, and feed Mimi.

(Mimi)

Overall this morning was a fucking shit show. But I'm driving and trying not to speed.
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I'm finally here, and 55 minutes late because of traffic. Not that it means much though because I've been waiting for a couple minutes anyways. "Reinette Caruso?" I look up and she a slim woman with dark brown hair looking around. I stand up and walk towards her.

"Hi, I'm so sorry I'm late I just-"

"You're fine, our boss just got here anyways. I'm Lora, Mr Yeong's assistant." She holds her hand out and I shake it. "Follow me, I'll show you to the conference room." She starts walking and I trail close behind her.

We walk into the room and I only see two chairs at the table, much less than the ten I used to seeing at other companies. "Why's there only two chairs? Will others be joining?" I ask Lora and she shakes her head.

"It'll only be you and Mr. Yeong." Oh. Only me and the CEO is different, usually the CEO isn't even in the meetings. I nod and sit down in one of the chairs. "Good luck." Is the last thing Lora says to me before she closes the door. It's insanely quiet in here. I start looking around, memorizing everything in the room, the award hanging onto the wall, the picture of a woman in the corner, and a watch collection, which leads me to think that he likes being on time. I hear the door shut and I flinch. I didn't even hear it open.

"Hi, I'm Reinette, I'm sorry for being late." I get up to shake his hand. He hums. I sit back down and he pushes my chair in. Gentlemen.

He sits down and grabs a folder. Looking over it
slightly through his glasses. Before staring at me. "Ms. Caruso, your book is good." I go to open my mouth to say thank you, but am quickly cut off. "But It could be better, I can't publish a book that sounds like a cliché Wattpad story. We're willing to edit the book a little more and then maybe-" the phone rings cutting his off.

He picks it up. "Này mẹ, con sẽ đến đó sớm thôi, còn chỉ có một cuộc họp mà con cần kết thúc thật nhanh, tâm biết." I have no idea what that means. "Alright let's wrap this up, we'll meet again on Thursday to discuss more on editing the book."

Hey mama, I'll be there soon, I just have a meeting I need to wrap up really quick, Bye.

That was abrupt. But I have to go too, so I guess it's fine. My parents are having dinner with a potential business partner.
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"Zane?" I yell out.

We have to leave soon for the dinner, I pull up my long dress and look in the mirror. My back is out which shows the dragon and butterflies on my spine, along with my Medusa tattoo.

This dress is tight in every place, it's gold and silky. I'm wearing less makeup then I usually do, I'm only wearing mascara and lip gloss. My curly hair flows past my shoulders covering my neck in the process. "What, nette?" I stand in-front of him to show my outfit.

"Do you like it?" He finally looks at me before his face is twisted with disgust.

"What the hell are you wearing?" I look down at the floor starting to feel self conscious. " it's bad enough you look like a whore on the internet, you really wanna look like one in front of our parents too?" I walk away from him, I like my dress.

"Im not a whore." He scoffs

"We'll you might as well be one, you want attention from Everyman online." Im not a whore and I don't want attention from every man I see.
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We just walked into the Venus, and Zane has already left my side, to do whatever his father urgently needs him to do. So now I'm sitting at a long table with mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, Riona, Ares, Rhian, and our potential business partners. We're waiting on though. Conveniently as soon as my thought escapes. Mrs. Bianchi gets up to hug the man when she pulls away that when I notice it, that's Mr Yeong. He's our potential business partner.

                                       

When my mother pulls away I notice a wide-eyed Reinette. She excuse herself and I smirk, granted I didn't know that she was Mr and Mrs Caruso's daughter, thought the last name was a coincidence. I guess not. "Reinette, where are you going, principessa?" Mr Caruso voices out. "I just need some fresh air." Mrs Caruso stops her.

"you can't just wander off by yourself, not everyone here can be trusted." Reinette looks at her mother with pleading eyes.

"Mama, please?" Mrs Caruso groans.

"Fine but if your gonna go take Mr. Yeong with you." What? She's instantly flustered again.

"I kinda wanted to be alone." Mrs Caruso whispers something in Reinette's ear. That makes her blush before looking at me and blushing, she mumbles something to her mother and her mother insists. Reinette sighs before opening her mouth to speak. "Will you accompany me to the balcony, Mr Yeong?" I nod and get up to follow her.

Once we're outside she starts talking. "I know this is gonna sound like I'm begging, but I need you to publish my book. Your the most popular publishing company at the moment, I need this, please help me."
Fine, I will.

"Okay, but on one condition." She leans forward like she's really interested.

"Anything."

"You have to do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want." And I'll do the same for her. If she'd asked I'd give her the world, no hesitation.

"Deal."