Starlight

-19-

Roselyn___

My deadline's drawing close. Well, I'm done with my book.

Before her doom.

It's my story although it's about Katherine and Reign.

Reign.

Yes, I couldn't come up with any name to suit him. I couldn't think about other names. I penned down the first name that came across my thoughts.

I'm heading to the office today. I dropped Elle off to school then came back home to gather everything. I went to my room changed into a red top and a chocolate brown skirt.

Put on my red strapped sandals-heels. Glancing around my room, mentally going through the list of things I was to bring with me to the office.

I'm set.

I grab my laptop bag which contains everything I need.

***
I arrive at the company. I signed a contract with this publishing company few years back and I couldn't be more glad. I haven't written a book in two days.

My readers have been anticipating one from me for long. My Instagram has been filled with a lot of DMs requesting for a new book.
I got a lot of praises.

That being part of what pushed me through, I put my all in this book.
I smiled while reliving the memories.
Memories I couldn't put behind me even if I want to.
Memories I cherish.
I believe this will be my comeback.

The receptionist present gave me a same wave and I flashed a smile at her, approaching her.
"It's lovely to have you back, Miss. James."

Oh dear.

"Right. Do you by any chance know if Magdalene's in?" I question glancing around the floor. They have been some renovations since when I last stepped in here.

"I'll make few calls and get back to you. Why don't you have a seat over there?" She smiled at me, pointing over to some spare seats at a corner.
I nod walking over to where she directed me to.
I scroll through my Instagram watching some couple reels.

It makes me feel a sting in my heart.
Asher...
We haven't spoken since then.
Not like he would respond to my texts.
At least he hasn't blocked me____yet.

"Roselyn!" I hear an excited voice call out my name. I look to see who and I squealed.
"Magdalene!!" I drop my bags moving in for a hug.
"I hope I didn't pressure you too much. I'm sorry but the boss was on my neck. How are you doing? How's Elle?"

You might wonder how she knows about my daughter. Well, she's my editor and she may have been like another big sister to me. She knows about Elle and Asher.
One night, I was in tears in her office and I may have spilled everything to her.
Not really everything.
But a lot.

"I'm good. Look at you, you're glowing. What's the secret? Elle's doing pretty good, by the way."

"Oh, please. You flatter me too much. Let's go up to my office." I grab my bags and we end up to her office laughing at her little side comments.

***

"She loves it!!" I squeal in excitement to Naomi. She came over with Michael.
"You're kidding me right?! I'm so happy for you."
"She said I'll come in to discuss about the cover tomorrow. Maybe we can have a photoshoot for it." I smile widely at my sister.

It's all because of her and God. I won't have gotten any ideas till now. I would still been as blank as a white paper.
I thank God for grace He gave me to write this book. For the strength.

Magdalene gave me the good news yesterday. She said she loved everything.
She said it was tragic, beautiful and a twist of plot.

Did I say she asked if there was ever gonna be a book 2?
Well, she did.
I told her... maybe someday in the future.
I think she caught unto that.
Cause she asked next....

"Is this about you? Is this your story?"
I smiled at her through our facetime.
"Yes. If God be for me, maybe someday."

"Not every story is full of fairy tale. Not ever story is like that of Cinderella. People do go through a tough and toxic love story. Some people risk it all for love and end up separating. Not everyone live happily ever after. Not every love story gets a happy ending. But yours, you'll get your happy ending. Your story may sound tragic and pitiful but one day, you'll look back and say, Thank you Lord. I'll be praying for you. Have a lovely day ahead, Rose."

Maybe someday.
Someday.
I pray it comes soon.

"Thought about what you want your cover to be?"
"Yeah, I guess. A withered flower."
"A withered flower? What does it signify? I well expected a human."
Naomi shrugged her shoulders.

"A withered flower or rather a tree. I was thinking maybe a beautiful tree that blooms. Half of the tree with blooming flowers and the other half with withered flowers and leaves falling off. The tree with blooming flowers signifies me or rather Kat as a woman full of life and happiness while the other, signifies loss of happiness and life. A shadow of her former sef. That's how I felt, like my world came crumbling to the ground. I was a shell of myself. I think that best suits it."

I smiled bitterly remembering the past.
Naomi stared intently at me with a deep frown on her face. It's like she's trying to figure me out or read my mind.

"Are you okay?" I flashed her a bitter smile, reassuring her that I'm okay.
As expected, she didn't believe me but she didn't push it.

"That's better than I expected. I second that, I think it suits the book. So when's the book launch?" She asked smiling brightly at me.

"Oh dear. She said the production started two days ago. Maybe in two weeks, a couple of copies will be ready for launching. Let's say, the book launch is in a month time." Naomi clapped in excitement.

"I'm so proud of you, Dara. You're a strong woman. I love you!" She pulled me into her embrace so fast I couldn't comprehend the speed of how it happened.
This moment makes me so feel emotional.
"I love you too." I mumbled.

"Mummy!" I heard Elle call out for me running towards us.
"What's wrong, princess?"
"Michael took my IPad and refused to give it back!" She said with tears welling up in her eyes, she stormed her feet on the ground.
Naomi walked off to the room Elle came from, her room to be precise.

"Michael, what did I say about taking people's belongings without returning when they ask for it?" We heard Naomi scold her son.
Naomi and her scoldings.

I guess Michael mumbled incoherent words cause next, we heard Naomi say something like___

Don't apologise to me. Go apologize to Elle and give it back.

We heard footsteps coming our way before Michael's figure appeared in sight. He walked up to Elle, stretched his hand out with the said iPad to her.

"I'm sorry, Elly." He apologized sincerely hanging his head low in shame and guilt. Naomi strode out of the room watching them silently.

Elly, the name Damien loves to address her as. His children joined in. They love addressing her that way not like she minds.
She loves her cousins so she's bound to love the name too.

She stepped closer to him and pulled him into a hug, smiling at Naomi.
Silly girl!
Michael is a year older than Elle but sometimes he acts younger than her.

"Come on, let's go share. Bye mummy!" She waved at me dragging Michael to her room.
Well, they're bestfriends.

Naomi bursted into laughter, I joined in.

Kids.

###
I'm sorry, this part got deleted in my draft and I couldn't find it. I had problems rewriting this chapter. I guess, the previous missing draft was better than this.

Anyways!
God bless you all.🤍