FATED BOND

Nina’s POV

“We would like to sign a contract with you just like I stated in my mail to you. Our company is really intrigued by your new book titled “The Doctrines” and we are here with the contract for you to go through and sign. In the contract, all the benefits you will enjoy when we publish the book for you are stated there and the designs of your book cover as well as editing are inclusive.” Mr. Gonzalez finished, stretching the contract to Stella, my secretary.

She came in late and I was really mad at her. I sent her a message the night before for us to meet in the office. It was unlike her but I couldn’t help the anger I was feeling. I felt going to a meeting with a client without my secretary would look so unprofessional.

We got talking Immediately after introducing Daisy to them as my daughter. I could see the looks on their faces. They were from the Philippines and I signed my first book with them. We knew each other from day one of my career as a writer.

I knew what the smile signified.

It represented what they couldn’t voice out and that was “Like daughter, as a mother.”

I was 18 when I got pregnant and I was working towards completing my first book then. Mr. Gonzalez knew my age when I became pregnant and I wasn’t surprised at the look on his face.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

They can say whatever for all I care, I thought to myself. I know they dare not say something or they’d be the one at the receiving end. I had the power to reject their offer and throw them out. I can live without accepting the contract.

It was unlike the first few years of being a writer when I was literally looking and begging for my book to be published because I no longer had the support of my father.

I knew the company would be glad if I accepted, as well as Mr. Gonzalez and his colleagues. They would be able to make money for themselves from my book.

“I’ll have my personal assistant go through the contract and I’ll give you a reply in a day or two. I hope you are still going to be around?”

“Of course, we’ll leave once we get the contract signed. We are in no rush, Miss Gomez, so you should take your time.” He answered.

“Can I ask you a question, please?” I asked.

“Sure, you can”, Mr. Gonzalez replied with a smile. He was always smiling. I wonder if he ever frowns and I concluded that the money to be made was enough to make him smile and grin like an idiot all day.

“The first two contracts I signed with your company did not include the benefits of free book cover designs and editing. If I could remember clearly, has the policy changed?” I inquired, seeing how nervous Daisy was seated beside me, from my peripheral view.

I used to be nervous too but I got over it and became confident. My public speaking improved a lot over the years of meeting people to be interviewed for my next book, answering questions, talking to my editors, and also speaking to the firms I publish my book with.

I loved Daisy and our circumstances were similar. I really wished she was my daughter, Damien’s twin sister.

“Oh, yes!” Mr. Gonzalez replied. “You are one of our best-selling writers and the benefit was enlisted in the contract because this isn’t your first time nor the second ”, he explained.

“So the third attempt of publishing comes with that benefit?”

“Yes, it does. It’s part of the new policy.”

“Thanks for the clarification”, I smiled at him and signaled Stella to go and wait for me in the office, with the contract.

“Why do you ask, ma’am?”

“Curiosity, I guess”, I laughed and they all chuckled, excluding Daisy. When Stella was gone, I put my arms around Daisy and introduced myself.

“This is Daisy James and she is up to taking my legacy. She is our incoming future best-selling author.”

“Waw, that’s great!” They clapped their hands. I noticed Daisy’s hands were trembling and I patted her.

“So I would like you to be her publishing firm. My years with you have been satisfactory and I’d like her to start her writing career with your company.”

“That’s a nice idea”, Mr. Gonzalez shifted his gaze to her.

“What genres do you write, dear?” He asked her.

“Teen fiction”, she answered. “But I plan to explore all genres too, especially romance fiction, just like mom.”

I smiled when she said that. Mr. Russel commented. “Impressive. You are just as spirited as your mom and I can see you succeeding already.”

“Thank you, sir”, Daisy finally smiled. It was a genuine smile of appreciation and joy.

“So how many books do you have now?”

“Just 1, sir.”

“Is it completed?”

“No, sir. I have just a few chapters to complete it.”

I was surprised at her reply. I never knew she had started already and was almost done. Indeed, Daisy has my type of spirit.

“Do you have an editor?”

“She will make use of my editor, Larry”, I remarked.

“That’s great.”

“What is your book setting? Fictional?” Mr. Gonzalez demanded.

“Non-fiction.”

“Did you carry out any research work or questionnaire survey before you commenced the book?”

“No, I didn’t. The inspiration comes naturally.” I could see she was surprised at the question.

“Ok, then. Here is the company’s email”, he pushed a tiny paper towards Daisy who was sitting across from him. “Send us an email as soon as you are done and prepare your manuscript after your editor must have gone through it.”

“Alright, sir.”

“But first thing first, send me your book outline and synopsis.” He requested.

“I will do that as soon as I get home”, Daisy answered back.

“Alright”, he stood up. “I guess we are done here”, the others stood up too and took turns shaking hands with me. “I’ll be expecting a positive reply from you, Mrs. Gomez, in a day or two”, he was with the usual smile plastered on his face again.

“Sure, I will”, I said.

“Goodbye”, I watched as they strolled out of the office before I turned to Daisy who sighed heavily.

“Hey, how was it?” I asked, trying to control the laughter bubbling inside of me, seeing the relief on her face.

“It was cool, I guess.”

“You should get used to it”, I laughed and stood up. “Let’s go to my office.”

“Ok”, she stood up too and followed me to my office which was on the last floor. We took the elevator and a few minutes later, we were already in the office.

Stella was waiting for me as I instructed and I met her receiving a call. When she saw Daisy and me, she quickly ended the call.

“I’m so sorry for coming late, Miss Nina. Something came up”, she apologized before I could scold her.

“I hope all is well?” I asked, trying not to show my annoyance as I sat down on my seat, whirling around.

“Nothing to worry about, ma’am. Everything is under control.”

“If there is anything and you need my help, don’t hesitate to let me know, please”, I said as Daisy sat down slowly. I could see the exhaustion on her face.

“I will, ma’am.”

“Ok. Please go through the contract and send me a mail about what it entails. Make it as brief as possible. Then we’ll meet in two days so I can sign the contract. Just follow the usual procedures.”

“Sure, ma’am.”

“You can go,” I instructed.

“Thank you, ma.” She turned to go.

“Please call me Larry on the second floor.”

“Alright, Miss Nina, and goodbye Miss Daisy.”

“Goodbye Stella, it’s so nice to meet you.”

“My pleasure”, she chuckled and went out. I wondered what was going on with Stella. I had a feeling something was wrong.

“Why did Mr. Gonzalez look at me like that when I first entered?”

I shrugged. “They can think whatever. I have no idea and I don’t care to know why.”

“I have a feeling it’s because of my pregnancy…..”

“Daisy”, I almost yelled. “You are too self-conscious of your pregnancy.”

“That’s what I think”, she said and Larry came in. I was happy about the interruption.

“Larry, meet Daisy, my daughter. Daisy, meet Larry, our editor”, I introduced with a grin.

“Waw! Miss Nina never told me of the fact that she has a gorgeous daughter like you”, Larry pecked the back of her hand. I could see the blush on Daisy’s face.

This is what Daisy needs, I thought. She needs to be happy and I want her happiness to last forever unlike mine. I realized she barely goes out and I decided to make her go out on a date once she gives birth.

“Larry, you are flirting with my daughter in my presence”, I yelled, jokingly.

“She’s too beautiful to be overlooked, forgive my manners”, he bowed.

Larry was too playful. “You are here for work, not for flirting”, I feigned annoyance.

“Your mother is too serious for my liking, I guess we’ll meet in her absence”, he whispered and winked at Daisy before slumping to a seat beside her as Daisy giggled.

“Larry”, I yelled and he put on a serious face immediately.

“Daisy needs an editor for her book. I want you to be in charge.”

“Waw! She’s a writer too?” I nodded. “I’ll be glad to work with her”, he grinned.

“Real work is what I want.”

“And that is the exact thing I have in mind too. Real work”, he was smirking.

“Larry, I just called you so you can see her. I want her manuscript to be ready as soon as she is done with her book.”

“Alright, when will I get her work?” He was with a serious look and that was what I liked.

I turned to Daisy. “Daisy, when will the work be ready?”

“Before the end of the month”, Daisy replied.

“That will be all for now. I’ll give you her contact.” I told him.

“Alright”, he stood up. “Bye, Nina. Bye, Daisy”, he blew her a kiss and ran out before I could yell at him again. Daisy laughed out loud.

“Let’s go”, I said to Daisy and picked up my bag.

“Home?”

“Yeah. But I want to get something at the mall a few distances away from here.”

We took the elevator downstairs and got to the parking lot. The driver, Richard, was waiting there. We got into the car and he drove away.

“I want to get something at the mall, Richard.”

“Ok, ma’am”, Richard answered me. Then I turned to Daisy.

“I never knew you’ve started with the book already. I just thought I should use the opportunity of having Gonzalez around to get you acquainted with him for the future.”

“I wanted to surprise you with it”, she chuckled.

“It was indeed a big surprise”, I pinched her nose and she laughed. I wrapped my arm around her neck region and pulled her into an embrace. “I’m proud of you, Daisy.”

“Thank you, mom.”

“I’m proud to call you my daughter. Continue being the strong girl that you are”, the car stopped.

“What do you want to get in an electronic mall, mom?” Daisy questioned, peering out of the window without attempting to follow. I know she is worn out already and I replied to her.

“I want to get you a laptop and a stopwatch for your writing”, I said, quickly alighted from the car and walking inside the mall before she could recover from the shock.