In Time

Chapter 8

We're all going over some contract formalities that are common to every writer-publisher contract.

"Hey, I think I'm going to be hosting dinner this weekend, on occasion of Samuel's good news. I haven't decided if it's to be on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Which do you think will work for you all?"

We decide on Saturday night and soon pack up, and go back to our work. I'm pretty free this afternoon and so I decide to take a walk to refresh myself. I post the art work to my publisher on the way too, and settling down on a bench in the park nearby, give Samuel a call informing him of the party details. He's delighted and says he's eager to come.

"Make sure you dress up, Sam. There are a few girls I want you to meet" I say with a lilting tone. He laughs; clearly knows that I'm teasing him. We say goodbye after talking for a while.

On my way back, as I pass Sarah's sister Samantha's boutique, I see this beautiful dress on the window. I stand there on the pavement for a while and decide to buy it on an impulse. It's been a long time since I did anything on an impulse.

This good mood pushes me through the whole day and it passes breezily until I'm back on the way home and decide to call on Ashley. She's a student still- last year of her Master's degree in Biology. She's studying in the community college in our town, even though she's way richer and can afford a private school. She's a brilliant student as well, and head of the Creative Club in her college. The thing is, in our town the community college is also attached to the school which has different blocks for the elementary, middle and high school kids.

"Hey!"

"I'm so glad you came" she sighs as she heads back in. "That's good but the way you delivered that seems... strange. What's up?"

I settle down on the couch and slide off the flats and open my blazer.

"Well, Matt's coming in for dinner and he asked... no, he ordered me to make him chicken butter masala. That slave-driver!" Ashley shakes a fist in the air and I just laugh.

"Do you know how to make it?"

"Well, I have the cookbook here" she mutters, flipping through the glossy pages of what seems like brand new cook book. "Where was it..." she mutters. "Ah! Found it"

"When is he coming for dinner?"

"Sometime after 9"

It's just 6.30 now. "Plenty of time then. Come here, I need to show you something"

"What?" she flops down near me. "I've got so much to do. Help me!!!" she moans dramatically into a cushion.

"I'll make the chicken. You make the fried rice for 3 people then"

She seems confused for a bit but then she smiles radiantly and jumps off the couch and tackles me into a hug. "Thank God for you, Jen!"

I laugh. "Anyway, shut up. I need to show you something"

And saying that, I pull out the dress I bought today. Ashely's mouth hangs open. "You can borrow it sometime if you want, you know. I don't know why I bought it honestly"

She takes the dress from my hands and places it against her body as she stands up. "It's beautiful!"

Smiling, I make my way over to the liquor cabinet and pour us both some champagne. As I hand her her flute, I sip mine and I settle comfortably on her huge couch.

"Hey, I'm hosting dinner on Saturday. One of our clients came through and said that he's ready with the sequel. And listen to this- there was still 2 months left to the deadline"

"That's great" Ashley says, busy putting away the dress.

"Yeah, so it'll be just him, I and a few people from the office. I want you to come along. And Matt of course, if he can"

Ashley hums, thinking "Saturday right? I don't think I have any plans so I am good to go. Do I need to dress up?" she asks hopefully. And I laugh seeing her puppy-dog eyes.

You see, the thing is, Ashley loves black-tie events. And seeing as to how I did too, we were quite the pair between us.

"Yeah, pretty much. Don't overdo it alright?"

She beams. "So that's why you bought the dress right?"

"Well, I don't know. I just saw this in Samantha Baker's display today and bought in on an impulse"

"You bought a bridesmaid's dress?" she laughs. Yeah, Samantha's boutique specialized in the bridal department.

"More like, a bride's" I mutter, rolling my eyes. Ashley scoffs.

We both quietly sip our drinks, and relax. I decide not to overdo it so I do not refill my flute.

"Let's start with dinner"

"Sure" she downs the last of her champagne in one gulp and we both head to the kitchen. She's done pretty well so far. The vegetables are cut and the chicken has marinated. We work in companionable silence. 

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Sorry for such late updates. But my finals are going on; they'll end on the 13th of June so I'll be super regular after that. For now, please make do with these irregular updates.

Anyway, whoever is still busy with finals, all the best! Please don't forget to like and comment! It would mean the world to me!