The Player Meets His Match

Chapter 9: Life Goes On

AFTER Jaebum drove me home, he gave me another kiss goodbye. I felt sad knowing that he’ll be leaving soon. For now, I can be inspired by his presence.

The next day, I came to work happier than usual. Erica noticed and said “Well, well, well. Looks like somebody got some last night.”

I suddenly blushed. Does Erica know about me and Jaebum kissing last night? I tried to act normally and said “What are you talking about?”

Erica: “Nevermind. Did you get home just fine?”

Emmy: “Yes, I did. Jaebum gave me a ride home. Where is he anyway?”

Erica, Sophia and Nico looked at each other. Nico finally spoke and said “He’s gone. Yesterday was his last day of work. Didn’t he tell you?”

Emmy: “Oh. No, he didn’t.”

I faced my computer and booted it up. I didn’t say anything else, nor did I ask anymore questions. I knew he was going to leave, but I didn’t realize it was going to be this soon, and right after he kissed me. I was hoping that we could enjoy being together for a few more days, but I guess I was wrong.

For the whole day, I focused on working the whole day. I didn’t even have lunch. I just told the guys that I was not hungry when they invited me. By the end of the work day, I was already so hungry but I waited to go home until I ate. When I did, I’m not very hungry anymore. I had a few bites and went to bed to sleep.

As I laid down in bed, I tried so hard to sleep but memories of Jaebum kept going through my mind. I can’t stop thinking about how soft his lips are.

The more I think about it, the angrier I’m becoming. Jaebum didn’t have to complicate things by kissing me knowing that he’ll be gone soon. What’s worse, he did it the day before he left. He could have just said goodbye and been done with me.

I decided to just forget about him and get on with my life. I like him and I like how he made me feel, but it’s not like I’m in love with him. I will just focus on my career from now on.

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❤ 3 Years Later ❤

I have been working with the publishing house, and I have written more than 300 books for the company, but none of them were published in my name.

The most prominent of these books is a series of four books about a post-apocalyptic world. I consider these books as my best but they were published under Ms. Joanna Roberts’ name. The books were bestsellers and I earned a lot of commission since I literally wrote them.

In those three years of working for the publishing house, I have earned a significant amount of money and have saved up more than enough. I was able to buy a house for my family, and open up two businesses. My mom has a store / mini-grocery and my dad has a motorcycle parts shop. Aside from this, I was able to buy two cars: a sedan for myself and a van for the family.

I am so grateful for all the financial rewards from the company. However, seeing the books I wrote get the recognition but not getting the credit that is due me is starting to demotivate me.

I used to be content with just getting the money, but when the books got adapted to movies, I realized I deserved more. I deserve the recognition.

At least once a year, I talk to Froilan and ask when one of my books will be published under my name. He always said that it’s not yet time, and that I should be patient.

After three years, I’m done being patient, and I decided to talk to Froilan one last time regarding it. I made an appointment to see him and I walked towards his office nervously a few minutes before the meeting.

I knocked on his door as soon as I arrived at his office. In the three years I have been working here, I have gotten more confident. The way I dress has changed, but noy very much. Sophia and Erica have been dying to give me a makeover, but everytime they do, I just revert back to my former style.

When Froilan said “Come in,” I opened the door and let myself in.

Froilan: “Good morning, Emmy.”

Emmy: “Good morning, Froilan.”

Froilan stood up and poured himself a coffee while he said “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

Emmy: “No, it’s okay. I’m fine, thanks.”

Froilan: “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit.”

Emmy: “I’m here to talk about a new book I have written. I’m actually planning it as a series of at least three books. Here’s the synopsis.”

I handed the print-out I prepared containing the synopsis of the books I was talking about. I saw Froilan’s frown turn into a smile as he finished reading it.

Froilan: “Wow! This is incredible. You got me hooked with just one page. How much have you written so far?”

I took the paper away from Froilan and tore it up before saying “This is it.”

Froilan: “How long do you think you can finish the first book?”

Emmy: “I can finish it in a week.”

Froilan: “That’s settled then. Send me whatever you can finish in a week and I’ll set up a meeting with Ms. Roberts. She’s been pestering us for another book to publish.”

Emmy: “Well, before I hand over the book, I have a condition.”

Froilan: “What is it? I’m sure I can negotiate it for our best writer.”

Emmy: “I want the books published under my name.”

Froilan laughed as if he heard a joke. When he looked at me, I wasn’t laughing with him.

Emmy: “I’m not joking, Froilan. Either you publish this book under my name, or I don’t write the book at all.”

Froilan: “Come on, Emmy. You know that’s impossible. Aren’t you happy with all the money you’ve been getting?”

Emmy: “Do you know what it’s like for someone else to be praised and recognized for something that you did? I’m thankful for all the earnings, but I get demotivated every time people praise Ms. Roberts for the books knowing I was the one who wrote them.”

Froilan: “I understand where you’re coming from. But that’s not what we hired you for. We hired you to be a ghost writer.”

Emmy: “When you hired me, you told me that eventually, you will publish a book I wrote under my name. Was that all a ruse?”

Froilan: “Come on, Emmy. You’re still young. You still have plenty of years ahead of you.”

Emmy: “I’m sorry, I cannot wait until I’m 40 before I get recognized for my works. I refuse to write another book unless you can guarantee that it will be published under my name.”

Froilan: “Or what, Emmy?”

Emmy: “Or I leave, Effective today.”

Froilan: “Well, your contract precludes you from doing that.”

Emmy: “Actually, my contract expires today, and I haven’t signed a new one yet. I can just refuse to sign it. You, however, are still legally bound to give me my residual pays.”

Froilan: …..

Emmy: “You have until the end of the day. If I don’t hear from you, I will assume your answer is no.”

I stood up and said “In case I don’t see you again, thank you for everything, Froilan. You have been a great boss, but I need career advancement. Unless you’re willing to give it to me, this would be goodbye, I guess.”

As I left Froilan’s office, I felt my heart beating fast. I had to let out huge breaths just to calm myself. I went to the ladies’ room to wash my face.

What did I just do?