Ego {Completed}

Chapter 7

"I'll leave the two of you alone." Solange quickly excused herself.
The silence in the room between the two of us lasted for a solid minute before he finally spoke. "I brought you some flowers. And a book. One of my favorites-"
"What the hell are you doing here?" I cut him off. Clearly, I knew what was going on, but I wanted to hear it from him.
He sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I know I mislead you, but I promise, that was never my intention."
I scoffed. "If it wasn't your intention, then why didn't you tell me that you wrote the book. I clearly remember you reading it in my house, after we-" I suddenly felt disgusted and disappointed in myself. I get my confidence back for one night, and I go sleeping with the first guy to speak to me in four years. Then, this guy happens to be the author I've been looking for for the past week.

"I know," he didn't break eye contact with me. "I wanted to tell you, I promise, but..." He shrugged. "I didn't know how. I mean, I couldn't tell you at the club, because I couldn't be sure you were talking about my book, then the next morning..." He shook his head. "It just never seemed like the right time. So again, I apologize. And if you no longer want to work with me, I completely understand."
I returned his gaze the entire time, and I could see in his eyes that he was sincere. Finally, I sighed. "Well, I don't appreciate you lying to me, but I do want to publish your book."
He breathed what seemed to be a breath of relief. "Really? Thank you. Thank you very much, Ms. Knowles."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "No more lies."
"Of course."
Then I sighed. "All right. Let's get to work.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ms. Knowles took her seat at the end of the long conference table. I wasn't sure if I should sit next to her or at the other end, but then she looked up at me and motioned with her eyes to the chair closest to her on her left. "Sit down." She demanded in such an authoritative voice. I found it quite attractive on the woman. I smirked and took my seat next to her while she went through the files in front of her.
"Your file says that you have a master's degree in literature...you work in a library, you've told me that, and you've never professionally published anything before."
"Yes, that's all correct." I nodded.
"But this isn't your first time writing." She went on.
I frowned. "Is that in my profile?"
"No," she answered without looking up at me. "You told me that too."
"You're very attentive."
Finally, she looked up at me with her eyebrow raised and a smirk on her lips. "I'm an editor. It's my job to be attentive."

I smiled, impressed, and let her continue going through my file before she got started.
"Okay," she put my file aside after reading over it. "I'll start by saying that I loved your book. It's one of the best things I've read in a long time."
"Thank you very much." I nodded.
"I thought it was incredible, but of course everything can use some work, so..." She pulled out another file and slid it towards me on the table. "I've outlined a contract between the two of us, should you wish to proceed with us. Basically, I've put together a six month plan to have the book published, three months for editing and three months for promotion before its release. During that time, I will be working with you personally. I will be an adviser to you, so ultimately you do the work. Here at Deréon Publishing Company, we strive to let the author take the most control over their book. Of course, you don't have to make a decision today, but I would like for you to make a decision within the next two business days and get back with me."

"If I agree to this," I started. "What would be the next step?"
"The next step is I would type up an official contract, which I would give to you to look over, over the weekend. Of course, nothing is official if and until you sign it, and if you do decide to stay with us, then you'll come back on Monday with your signed contract, and we'll start making up a schedule."
"You want me to make out a schedule with you?" I questioned. I just wanted to be sure I had all the details.
"As I said before, we strive to give the author the most control. I don't want to give you dates and times you can't work with."
"What about dates and times you can't work with?"
She smiled a little. "This is my job, and as of right now, you are the only client I'm directly working with. My time is your time."
"That's good to hear."
She stayed silent for a while before letting out a short breath and stacking up the rest of her papers. "Think about it over the week. I'll need your answer by 5:00 on Thursday. If you say yes, meet with me on Friday at lunchtime, and I'll have a contract written up for you."