A Baby By Bestie

23: Rose

I sat in my office the next day fixing the stationeries on my desk every now and then as I waited anxiously for my new prospective client. Our anonymous writer, known to AP as Rose had finally agreed on coming in today after weeks of arranging and canceling and arranging and canceling. It was a little frustrating, but we exercised patience, knowing that if we gave up the other publishers would surely find out and jump on it. Plus our PR team didn't need this kind of chaos to deal with anyway.

You see, giving up on a potential client would speak volumes for a company and it wouldn't be something good, to say the least. And one, such as my fiance, Rick, would say that any publicity is good publicity, but it was only because he would love to publish literally any story. Even if it means putting my name in the paper, though, business isn't one of his story types, the journalist in him would still be in bliss if he had the chance. And, as annoying as it is, I completely understand. It's his job to love a good story.

I checked my watch, then my phone time and the clock on the wall facing me next to my office door. They all ready 10 am. My stomach grumbled and I wasn't sure if it was because of my newfound constant hunger or the nervousness that had settled in during the days coming down to this final moment. Yesterday wasn't so bad, I had actually forgotten about it due to the excitement of going to the doctor, and then meeting Monica, and then mom came over and made us pies...

I made my way to the mini fridge that Rick encouraged me to add to my office and took out a strawberry yogurt, hoping it would help to calm me down a bit. On my way back to my desk Gregory announced that Rose was here, nearly scaring me half to death with his chirpy voice. Sometimes he reminds me of those extra perky assistants that you always see in the movies or the sales clerk's at those fancy stores.

"Okay, Greg. Send her in." I managed to sound composed as I replied, settling back into my chair and resting the yogurt beside the last paperback book I was reading. The door knocked softly before it slowly, almost hesitantly opened and a familiar female stepped in, causing me to choke a little on my own spit.

In nude flats, a black pencil skirt and white, button down blouse, she stood before me rooted to the spot right next to the door as if prepared to run at any sudden movement. "Good morning, Ariadne. I'm Rose."

"Monica?" I asked, a little more than confused. Was this someone's sick version of a joke?

She nodded and offered a tiny smile. I could see she was trying her best to stay put. "Yes. Monica Rose. Rick still didn't do a good job at the introduction..."

I slowly stood up, my hands on my desk to keep me upright. I walked around my desk towards her and wondered as she nervously shuffled backwards. Is she afraid of me? Why? Or is just nervousness? Because I would totally understand that last one. Why do I feel like I'm cornering a terrified mouse?

I thought at first that I should race to the door and keep her from leaving, but it was all coming together why my mystery writer kept bailing on me. But nothing had changed between us, so why didn't she postpone this meeting too? I resorted to leaning on my desk facing her, folded my hands and watched for her to make another move. I'm not about to be the one to chace her away. This was business, not personal and I had the skills it took to be professional on all levels.

After what feels like an hour of just watching each other in a room so tense, it felt like a forcefield, I sighed and went back to my seat. "I'm sorry, Monica." I said softly.

"Why? I thought you liked the story." She said, putting on a brave face despite the panic in her voice.

"No no. Not about the book." I said, "can you please take a seat, Monica?"

She nodded and did as I said. She took one of the chairs in front of my desk, her back to the door. I don't think she liked that very much.

"Would you like something to drink? I have fruit juice, water and diet coke." I offered a smile. I genuinely wanted her to relax. Other than that, I honestly felt bad for how I've been treating her, and how I've perceived her from the very start.

She shook her head, yes. "Water would be fine, thanks."

I got her a glass of cold water and returned to my chair. "Look, I wasn't so nice to you at all and I'm really sorry about it." I continued. "And this isn't because of your book. To be honest, it is something that any publisher would love to get their hands on and I'm very happy it came here first. But I've been a horrible person to you and I want you to know I'm deeply sorry."

She stared at me with an unreadable face for a while. Then, gradually she started to smile and relax in her chair. "You haven't done anything much, Ariadne. I get that you've been a little cold towards me, but completely understand why. It's okay."

I blinked, confused. "it is?"

"Yeah. That doesn't mean it's okay to treat me like the predator, because I'm not about to pounce. I've met your mom once. And besides, Rick doesn't want me, he's been head over heels for you his whole life." She actually laughed this time when she finished the last sentence.

It was contagious and before long I found myself chuckling along with her. "Okay. Now let's talk about your book now, Rose."

"Yes, sure." She nodded, "do you really like it? It's not too sad and depressing?"

"No way! This is some life changing stuff." I pulled up a copy on my laptop and showed her the hard copy where I had done some scribbles and underlining on. "Mark you, I've never published something of this nature before, but I know when the world needs something when I see it."

She nodded and seemingly starting to tear up. "I didn't think it would get here. I just wrote it to cope, you know?"

I nodded. "How's your son today?" I asked, the gut feeling that the story was personal bubbled up inside me. Now, it's definitely not hunger.

"He's doing great. Recovered some months ago before I finished the story. I swear, I had no idea he would've sent it here." She said, wiping away a lonely teardrop. I handed her my tissue box and offered her some gummy bears.

"Rose, you're story is very inspirational and AP will be very happy to be the one to share it with the world. But only if you want us to." I replied softly, and finally allowed myself to lay a comforting hand on hers.

She nodded. "My Lucas is obsessed with your mystery collections so it's not really up to me." She managed a chuckle.

"Okay." I smiled my brightest smile, for real this time. Not that the others weren't real, this one was just way better. "You can take him with you when we meet to make the initial arrangements?"

She nodded again. "He'd really love that."

"Great! Normally we'd be having that meeting now, but we treat anonymous writers different. We meet them for their verbal agreement first."

Sensing that our talk was over, she stood up and offered her hand for a shake. I took it.

"Thanks for having me." She said.

"It was my pleasure, Monica Rose."