Crossing Destinies (A Pretender Story) #Wattys2019 #Wattys2021

Chapter XII: Arrival Part 2

Chapter XII: Arrival Part 2

Friday, July 19th, 06.40 p.m.

Sitting in front of Jarod's computer, Erin watched in trepidation at the sender name displayed on the e-mail message: it came from Lloyd Darrell personally. Jarod hadn't read it, wanting her to do it, and anyway he already knew what its contents were.

"Don't you want to open it?" he exhorted her, standing behind her, even if he understood her hesitation.

Erin drew in a deep breath, than clicked on the message.

Dear Jarod, the publisher wrote, I must tell you at once that you discovered a great talent. I read lots of manuscripts, as you know very well, but I rarely felt so engrossed. I was literally carried into the fantastic world your friend has created – is it a woman? From the way the novel is written, I'd say so. It's absolutely brilliant. Tell her that I want to publish it as soon as possible. Normally, to an author at his first publication I offer a wage of $ 5,000 and royalties of ten percent, but in this case, it's my intention to double everything. Let me know. Lloyd.

Erin stared incredulous at the sentences, but Jarod burst into laughter.

"Lloyd's gone crazy over your novel, Erin!" he cried, stooping to hug her, "It's absolutely not his habit to offer such high wages to an unknown author. You knocked him out, baby!"

Happy and thrilled, Erin laughed and wept at the same time.

"Oh my God, Jarod..." she whispered, wiping her tears away, "It's a dream coming true, a dream I didn't believe would ever be possible..."

"Never stop believing in dreams", Jarod stated in a low voice, kissing her temple and rocking her, "Without them, your soul would be dead."

They had tried to do this to him, at the Centre, but, luckily, they didn't succeed; but it seemed they had been successful with Miss Parker, his sweet childhood friend.

He turned away his thoughts from her and focused them again on Erin.

"Well, what d'you think?" he smiled at her, "Shall I tell Lloyd to prepare an agreement?"

"I know nothing about publisher contracts", Erin pointed out, hesitantly, "I know he's a friend of yours, but how can I be sure as not having bad surprises in the future?"

"You don't need to worry about anything", he reassured her, "I'll take care of it."

He had been attorney, and besides, he knew the publisher's world: he would make her sign only a contract with the maximum advantage for her.

Erin recalled something:

"I want to keep the movie rights... At this point, I'm willing to believe that someone will make a film out of it! And in this case, I want to write the script. With a professional assistant, of course."

Jarod's smile broadened:

"And maybe you have already thought about the actors, now haven't you?"

She blushed: yes, she had given thought to it, but she had never taken it seriously, positive it was just her wildest dream.

"Angelina Jolie and David J. Elliott would fit really well", she declared, grinning. Jarod arched an eyebrow, than both burst into laughter again.

Saturday, July 20th, 08.20 p.m.

"I'm ready!" Erin announced, entering the drawing room where Jarod was waiting for her, wearing a chocolate silk shirt and white linen pants. Erin thought he was very handsome, and as usual, she felt her blood boiling just looking at him.