Alchemy of Madness

Chapter Sixteen (Anna) ~2

It has been a day or... two maybe three. I don't know.

I looked over Alberto as he was having a meeting with his staff few tables away. Since we got back from Lisbon, my brain just went into a fog. He was right, that trip did change something in me. I truly feel different— almost like I'm someone else or... becoming someone else. Was it the wine? I don't think so but everything in that wine house was odd yet unrealistically perfect.

Am I going insane? probably. My eyes gazed back at Alberto, his full attention is on this meeting yet our eyes always met. Even for few seconds, it feels like... home. I don't know how to even put my feelings into words. Was it love at first sight? I can't deny I felt something. The crazy thing is that I know deep down that I'm in love with him, or rather he is exactly like—

My phone buzzed on the table, I looked over and saw Kylie's name on the screen. Shit, I'm not ready. On the ride back from Lisbon, I realized that I don't want to write Euphoria. It was beyond saving and besides the constant guilt I felt toward Damian's memories, it put me on edge every time I picked it up. I know that this part of my life is gone and I don't want to revisited it again.

I didn't tell Alberto my decision, somehow it feels like he already knows that I finally decided what to do. I sighed deeply before grabbing the phone. I will just tell her that I will take a break... I don't want to write this story anymore and I don't have any other idea to work with.

She will be mad. I am mad at myself. Alberto suddenly appeared before me, smiling and leaning over. "We will start with some changes in the table arrangements, I highly advise taking this on the rooftop." I grabbed his face and kissed him deeply. "That nervous, huh?" I didn't answer, dammit this beautiful man. I sighed again. "I noticed you are avoiding writing for a while, just talk to her. I'm sure she will understand."

"Where the hell are you Anna!?" Kylie shouted the second I answered her third call, I cringed as I sat on the couch on the rooftop.

"Hey K, how are you?"

"Very mad, I was expecting your email with Euphoria's updates last week." Kylie sighed. "Anna, we don't have time for that bullshit, I need a fucking draft to work with."

"I stopped writing."

"You what?"

"I quit."

Loud. Very LOUD breathing. "You are quit writing?"

"Yes." she is not screaming, oh my god. "My mind is just—"

"Fine." What! "I'm not surprised really. Expected you would quit anytime, I bet on it."

"You bet on me quitting?!"

"Yeah, as my client, you suck. For years, you couldn't write a decent draft. You became a ghost of your old self. What a shame."

"Wow, of all people, never thought you think that low of me."

"Annabelle, I will be completely honest with you. You're a fucking idiot. You let yourself drained for years running after something we both know you didn't really want but couldn't admit how miserable you were. Not only that, you let go of your passion, you writing turned bad." She stopped for a minute, I couldn't respond.

Everything she said was true. I didn't really want kids— not with John. I only wanted to have family with Damian. I— I lost myself in the process. Hearing it stings.

"You have forty eight hours. Write a new draft, a new story, I don't fucking care."

"I can't Kylie."

"Forty eight hours Annabelle. If you truly quitting, I will officially end our partnership."

"No! you can't breakup with me! what the hell—"

"Not our friendship you idiot! I can't handle your nonsense anymore as my client."

"I'm sorry really."

"Don't apologize, just think about how drastic that decision is. It's not easy letting that part of you go. You have two days, think carefully."