Chapter 38 See how you end it this time
Chapter 38 See how you end it this time
Lena’s POV
I was lost in his gaze, like an ocean filled with hollowness. I couldn’t answer his question. For a moment, it felt like I wasn’t even in the room until Mr. Fran gently touched my hand, snapping me out of the trance.
“Elena, Mr. Vincent is talking to you,” he whispered, offering that forced, professional smile.
I blinked, then nodded and bowed politely. “I’m sorry, sir. I’m good,” I replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
“Now that everything is settled, you may return to your seat,” Mr. Fran said quickly. I didn’t waste a second before hurrying back to my spot beside James.
The moment I sat down, James leaned closer and whispered, “What happened? Why were you late?”
I gave him an apologetic look. “Sorry. I stayed up too late last night.”
“What? And you had an interview today?”
“I’ll explain later,” I murmured. “It wasn’t something I planned, but—”
Mr. Fran cleared his throat, cutting off my words. He stood up slowly and adjusted his blazer, clearly preparing for the formal part of the meeting.
“Now that my apprentice is here,” he began, “I’d like to proceed with our offer. The book The Two Worlds is a magical love story that will captivate any audience. It transports readers out of this reality and into a dimension brimming with wonder and emotion.” He stepped closer to Vincent Tyler. “Sir, with your investment and partnership, turning this masterpiece into a movie will be unforgettable. I promise you won’t regret it. This book already has millions of fans who are crazy about it.”
Vincent sighed and turned to face me. I quickly looked down, avoiding his gaze. I didn’t understand why, but every time our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat. It was unsettling.
“What do you think, Miss Elena?” he asked. I looked up, only to be caught in his cold stare once again.
“Do you really believe your novel will sell as well as Mr. Fran claims?”
I stood up carefully, offering a small, shy smile. “Yes, sir. This is a love story unlike any other. It’s out of this world literally. I believe many people are waiting to see it come alive on screen.”
He chuckled softly. “That’s good. But…” He picked up my book, flipping to the end with a narrowed gaze. “Why didn’t you end it properly? In the final chapters, the female lead kills the male lead before fleeing. You didn’t say whether he truly died or survived. Don’t you think this story deserves a sequel where the male lead returns for revenge?”
The way the words came out of his mouth made it feel oddly personal, as if the book had been written about him.
I had never seriously considered writing a sequel, even when fans begged for it. I just didn’t see the point.
They hadn’t been satisfied with the ending, they wanted the two main characters to fall in love and live happily ever after. But isn’t that too clichéd? Honestly, I’m not a fan of “forever love.” That’s exactly why I found the ending satisfying. It shouldn’t always be a rule that the main characters end up madly in love.
I cleared my throat and nodded. “I… I’ll do that, sir.”
He nodded back. “Good. That means our investment might actually pay off.”
He turned to Mr. Fran, who was already nodding in agreement without hesitation.
“I believe with this, everything should be set in motion,” Mr. Fran said, rising from his seat to shake hands with Vincent. James and I also stood up in unison.
Then Vincent’s gaze landed on me again. And for some reason, it felt just like the one I sensed at my book club, the invisible, watchful stare that made my skin prickle.
“I’d like to see how you end it this time,” he said with a smirk, then turned and walked away with his men.
I didn’t fully understand what he meant but I could feel it deep in my bones. He wasn’t just talking about the book, but something else I don't know.
Mr. Fran followed him out, and his entourage tagged along, leaving James and me alone in the boardroom.
“That was tense,” James said, exhaling like he’d finally been released from a vacuum. He dropped back into his chair.
I looked at him and smiled. “Yeah… Mr. Tyler really lives up to the rumors.”
“He does. I didn’t expect him to be that intimidating and cold,” James muttered.
I could relate. The man’s presence wasn’t just intimidating, it was magnetic at the same time.
“He looks even hotter than the rumors said,” I replied casually as I began packing my things.
James shot me a quick look and cleared his throat. “So… are you saying he’s hotter than me?”
I turned to him, startled. “No! I mean… why would you say that?”
I tried to sound convincing, but my voice betrayed me and I bit my lower lip in embarrassment.
“Well,” he said, slapping the desk and standing up, “since we nailed the meeting, I’ve decided to treat you out for breakfast.”
“A treat?” I asked, surprised. I hadn’t expected that. I’d been planning to go back home and tell Rossa all about the day’s chaos… but now James was shifting the script.
“Hmmm…” I scratched my head, thinking of a way to politely decline, but before I could say anything, he gently took my hand and gave it a soft squeeze.
“Come on. Let’s celebrate. Just one meal.”
I sighed. I couldn’t find a solid reason to say no. Besides, what could go wrong? It was just a treat.
“Okay.”
James grinned from ear to ear. Before I could change my mind, he tugged on my hand, practically dragging me out. “We have to hurry! The place I’m taking you has the best food ever.”
His excitement was contagious, and I found myself smiling. But just as we stepped out of the building and headed toward his car, I felt it again, that piercing gaze, like eyes boring into my back.
I paused, turning to look around the garage but there was no one there.
“Are you not coming in?” James called. The car door was already open.
“Of course,” I said quickly, shaking the feeling off as I slipped inside. James came in after and snapped the door shut before starting the car.
“I promise you will love it” he said with a smile, but I only replied with a smile. Yet before he drove off, my mind couldn't rest as it drove back to the mysterious unknown gaze.
Who is watching me?