The Player Meets His Match

Chapter 1: Taking the First Step

I was shaking nervously as I made my way up to the 10th floor of the office building where the office of the editor I will be meeting is located.

I got in touch with the editor of Infinity Books online and submitted the first five chapters of the book I was working on. It tells the story of a boy and girl who met and fell in love despite a deadly virus that has struck the nation. Aside from the romance, it shows how humans react when faced with the prospect of death. I wanted to showcase how people tend to be selfless, rather than selfish.

I was surprised when the editor contacted me and asked me to come over to his office so we can talk about my book. He asked me to bring a few more chapters that he can look at. When I got to the office, I was intimidated when I saw the people around.

They looked so chic in their casual attire. I glanced at the receptionist who looked so pretty. She was wearing a tight blouse that accentuated her ample bosom, and her hair is down in waves. She kinda looks like a Victoria’s Secret model.

I glanced at myself and sighed. Even I was disappointed in what I was wearing. I can only imagine what the people in this office would think. I had my glasses on and my hair is up in a tight bun. My sister mentioned I looked like a librarian with not a hair out of place. I am wearing a long-sleeve button up shirt that is two sizes too big for me. I actually had to borrow this from my father because I didn’t have any formal tops to wear. I am also wearing my mom’s long skirt that reached just above the ankle. Overall, I looked much older than my age, which is 22.

I was still looking around when I was awakened from my reverie by someone calling me “Ma’am!” I looked in front of me and the receptionist is now looking at me, well more like judging me while waiting for a response from me.

Receptionist: “Well? Are you lost or something?”

I walked slowly and tried to answer. I was so nervous that my voice was too low to be heard by the human ear.

Receptionist: “Ma’am, can you speak up? I can barely hear you.”

Emmy: “I’m sorry. I’m here to see Mr. Froilan Chua.”

Receptionist: “Do you have an appointment?”

Emmy: “Ye-yes.”

Receptionist: “Name?”

I wasn’t able to answer right away as I was getting my ID to show her.

Receptionist: “Ma’am, we don’t have all day. I was just asking for your name.”

Emmy: “Oh, so-sorry. Esmeralda. Esmeralda Madangal.”

The receptionist looked me up and down before picking up the phone. He must have called Mr. Chua’s number as she said that there’s an Esmeralda Magdangal to see him.

Once she put the phone down, she asked for my ID and gave me a visitor’s pass, then told me where to go. I was walking slowly making sure I didn't get lost when I suddenly bumped into a tall guy who looked really pretty. He looks very stylish, and has very white and straight teeth.

Stylish Man: “Oh, sorry ma’am. Are you okay?”

Emmy: “Yeah, I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Stylish Man: “No biggie. Who are you here to see?”

Emmy: “Uhm, Mr. Froilan Chua.”

Stylish Man: “Oh cool, let me take you there. I wouldn’t want you bumping into anyone else.”

He smiled at me and it made me blush. I’ve never had a good-looking man smile at me the way he’s doing it right now. I followed as he walked in front of me.

Stylish Man: “I’m Janus, by the way. What’s your name?”

Emmy: “Esmeralda.”

Janus: “Ooh, that’s too long and too old-fashioned. From now on, I’m going to call you Emmy. Is that cool?”

I just nodded as Janus flashed me another one of his blush-inducing smiles. He gets more handsome as he smiles.

Janus: “We are here. I’ll see you around Emmy.”

Emmy: “T-thank you Janus.”

Before he left, he took my hand and kissed the back of it. This gave me goosebumps. No man has ever touched my hands before. I’ve never been kissed by any man anywhere in my body before.

I stayed frozen in front of Mr. Chua’s office door as Janus turned around and walked away, but not before flashing another smile and giving me a wink. I suddenly forgot where I was. 

What just happened? Does Janus like me? I know I’m not as stylish as him, but my mom and sister have been telling me that I am pretty, I just didn’t know how to emphasize it.

I was still frozen in place when the office door suddenly opened and I shrieked in surprise. The man who opened the door got stunned as he probably wasn’t expecting anyone to be standing on the other side of his door.

Mr. Chua: “What are you doing there?”

Emmy: “Uhm, I-I’m Esmeralda Magdangal. Are you Mr. Froilan Chua.”

Mr. Chua: “I am. How long have you been standing there?”

Emmy: “Uhm. not very long sir.”

Mr. Chua: “Jolene said you were on your way here and I thought you got lost. It turns out you were just outside all along.”

I just bowed my head in embarrassment. It’s our first meeting and I’m not making a very good impression.

Mr. Chua: “Please, Ms. Magdangal. Do come in.”

Emmy: “T-thank you.”

I sat at the chair in front of Mr. Chua’s desk. I kept my head down and just looked at the folder I had on my lap.

Mr. Chua: “So, Ms. Magdangal, do you have a nickname I can call you with? Esmeralda is quite a mouthful.”

I thought about the nickname that Janus gave me earlier, and decided to use it.

Emmy: “Y-you can call me Emmy, sir.”

Mr. Chua: “What’s on your lap? It must be interesting because you keep looking at it. I would prefer if you look me in the eyes when you talk to me, though.”

I suddenly realized I was being rude by not making eye contact with Mr. Chua. I read up on how to act properly in situations like this, and one of the things that was mentioned is that one should maintain eye contact at all times. I forced myself to look up and I was surprised to see Mr. Chua’s smiling face. He looks amused.

Emmy: “I-I’m sorry Mr. Chua, sir.”

Mr. Chua: “That’s better. Hi Emmy, it’s nice to meet you. I’m glad you made it to our office.”

Emmy: “Thank you for inviting me, sir.”

Mr. Chua: “You can just call me Froilan. We’re not the typical stuck-up office and you could even wear casual clothes here. You didn’t have to be so formal.”

Emmy: “O-okay sir, I mean Froilan. I’ll take note of that.”

Froilan: “Excellent. So now, we can move on to why I asked you to come. But first things first, did you bring additional chapters of your book like I asked?”

I took the folder from my lap and immediately handed it over to Froilan.

Emmy: “I did sir. There’s 10 additional chapters of my book on that envelope.”

Froilan: “Outstanding.So, I asked you to come to let you know that I’ve read what you’ve sent so far, and I loved it. I can’t wait to read these additional chapters later.”

Emmy: “Thank you Froilan. I’m so happy you loved it.”

Froilan: “Have you finished the book yet?”

Emmy: “It’s almost done. I just need to add a prologue and do some copywriting.”

Froilan: “Well, we have in-house copywriters that can do that for you so you won’t have to worry. We’ve decided to buy your book. I’ll give you 50 thousand pesos as advance p*****t for what we have now, and as soon as you deliver the rest of the pages, we’ll pay you another 150 thousand.”

I was stunned as Froilan threw the huge figures in front of me. I’ve never held nor seen fifty thousand pesos before, and he’ll just hand it over to me just like that? What is going on.

Emmy: “I’m sorry, let me clarify. You liked my book and you want to buy it for 200 thousand pesos?”

Froilan: “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Emmy: “But why?”

Froilan chuckled at my question. It must have sounded stupid but I’m so confused and things are happening so fast.

Froilan: “As I mentioned, we loved what we’ve read so far.”

Emmy: “Are you publishing it?”

Froilan: “Well, we have made a decision about that yet. Once you sell us your book, you’re selling all rights and ownership, so we can do as we please. We can publish it online, or print copies of it. It depends on what we think the best strategy is.”

At that moment, I was so stunned that all sense of logical reasoning had abandoned me. All I can think about was the 50 thousand pesos I am getting now, and the additional 150 thousand I am getting when I deliver the whole book.

Froilan: “Well? Do you need time to think about it?”

Emmy: “Uhm, no. I’ve decided. I’ll do it. Where do I sign?”

Froilan chuckled as I seemed so eager to take the deal. A while ago, I was like a deer stuck in a headlight. Now, I can’t even wait to cross the finish line. He pulled an envelope from his drawer and took out the documents from it. He put it in front of me.

Froilan: “If you’re amenable, just sign here, and here. This is the contract.”

I decided to read it first before signing. However, it’s too long and some of the legal terms are too technical for me to understand.

Emmy: “I don’t think I can read the whole thing. Would you mind just giving me the gist of what I said.”

Froilan: “Well, it’s the same as I mentioned earlier. Once the sale of your book is complete, you are relinquishing all rights to the book.”

Emmy: “Oh, okay.”

I thought about it and tried to contemplate whether I am ready to sell the rights to my book. It wasn’t a long contemplation, as I thought about all the money I’m getting. I signed the contract and handed it back to Froilan.

He pulled out another envelope, albeit a smaller one and handed it to me.

Froilan: “That would be your advance p*****t, Emmy.”

My hands were shaking as I opened the envelope. I saw a check inside, with my name on it, and the amount of 50 thousand pesos all printed out. I looked at Froilan who seemed amused by my reaction.

Emmy: “Thank you. Thank you very much.”

Froilan: “You’re welcome. You’re a talented girl. I’m sure you’re bound to do great things.”

As I left Froilan’s office, I kept a tight hold on my bag. It contained the check, which I will be encashing before going home. 

I can already think of things I will be spending the money on. Our water and electric bills are overdue, and we need to do some grocery shopping. I will be treating my family out to lunch as well.