Behind Every Pages

Chapter Five:

Ezra

The loud music and the mixed smell of alcohol and cigarettes greeted me as soon as Ross and I entered the bar.

Ross called me from the second floor after I was left on the first floor watching the people dancing on the dance floor. I shook my head when I saw two people kissing there and being surrounded by people cheering them.

"Ezra!" Ross called out to me. I nodded and went up. We walked towards the back part of the bar and found two foreign men and a woman there. They stood up when they saw Ross and shook hands with him. When they saw me, they did the same.

The bar was buzzing. Ross and I were practically vibrating with nervous energy as we sat across from Mr. David Donatello, the big shot from a publishing company abroad.

"So, you're looking for Filipino writers?" Ross asked, his voice a mix of excitement and disbelief. Kahit ako kakabahan. Inalok ako ng kasama nilang isa ng alak at tinanggap ko 'yon.

"That's right. We want fresh voices, unique stories. Filipino literature is amazing, and we want to share it with the world." Mr. David smiled and nodded.

"This is... this is awesome," I managed to say, feeling a little overwhelmed. My heart was doing a little dance in my chest. The woman beside Mr. David smiled at me.

"We've been really impressed by the work coming out of the Philippines. We're especially interested in stories about family, culture, and social issues." Mr. David smiled again.

"Writing for an international audience has been our dream forever. Since we were kids, we've been writing stories in our notebooks." kuwento ni Ross

"You've come to the right place. We want writers who can show the world what Filipino life is really like, no matter what kind of story they tell," Mr. David's smile got even wider.

"We'd love to hear more about the whole deal," I said, feeling a little confident. Hindi ko na dapat palampasin pa ito. Ito na 'yon eh.

"We offer a great package, including a publishing contract, marketing, and even the chance to travel and meet readers abroad," he said.

"That's incredible," nang laki ang mga mata ni Ross dahil doon.

"We're looking for writers who are passionate about their work and want to work together," David added. " We believe in building strong relationships with our authors."

"We're definitely passionate," I said, feeling a little more confident. "And we're ready to work hard."

"I can see that. I think we have something special here. Let's talk about your ideas, your vision, and how we can make this happen soon," he said.

This was it, the chance we'd been waiting for. Fueled by our love for storytelling and our big dreams, Ross and I, two Filipino writers, were finally on the verge of making our dream a reality.

The night was buzzing with energy, Ross and I were having a blast, getting to know Mr. David and his world. But I couldn't help noticing Mr. David's daughter watching me. I felt a strange mix of unease. Her gaze felt a bit too intense, a bit too... forward.

Her gaze lingering on me throughout the night. She was pretty, with a spark in her eyes that matched the excitement in the air. But I couldn't shake the feeling that she was sizing me up, and it made me uncomfortable.

"Hi, I'm Amelia. My dad says you're a talented writer." nagulat ako nang mukhang hindi niya na natiis at nilapitan ako para kausapin. Inilahad niya rin ang kamay niya.

"It's nice to meet you, Amelia," I said, taking her hand. "And your dad is a really cool guy, with a great vision."

"He's also a bit of a matchmaker," she said, a playful twinkle in her eyes. "He thinks you and I should dance."

Before I could even respond, she pulled me towards the dance floor. Ross, being the awesome friend he is, gave me a wink and a thumbs-up. I felt a rush of annoyance, a feeling of being pushed into something I wasn't ready for.

As we danced, Amelia leaned closer, her voice a soft whisper. "My dad's really excited about this project. I know you're both talented, and I think I can be a big help. Especially if, you know..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes meeting mine.

"If what?" I asked, a little unsure.

"If we were to, well, date," she said, her cheeks flushed. "I could be your inside source, your personal guide to the publishing world. My dad would be thrilled, and it would be a huge advantage for both of us."

I hesitated, It wasn't right. I'd been thinking about someone, a girl I'd never even met, a fan of mine who believe in my work. The idea of dating Amelia, even for professional advantage, felt like a betrayal.

"I appreciate the offer, Amelia," I said, trying to be honest without being too blunt. "But I feel like I'm still getting to know the world of publishing, and I'm not sure a relationship would be the right move right now. It's a lot to take in."

Amelia's smile faltered slightly. "I understand," she said, her voice a little quieter. "But if you ever change your mind..."

I nodded, wishing I could say more. I couldn't bring myself to tell her about the girl who haunted my thoughts, even though we never met. "Maybe we can just focus on the project for now," I said.

Amelia seemed to accept my answer, though a hint of disappointment lingered in her eyes. I felt a wave of relief, but also a sense of unease. This was going to be a lot more complicated than I thought.