She's like the wind 02

2

 

Eric finished the chapter of his book and saw it was already midnight. He stood up and straightened his limbs, then he left his study and descended to the kitchen. The last week he felt like going crazy from being alone in his house. The silence was killing him. Katherine, now his ex-wife, used to watch TV in the living room, or flipped through a magazine listening to music, simply he always knew he was not alone. Now he was standing here, feeling lonely.

 

He pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and took a swig. Returning upstairs he walked into the bathroom, stripped his clothes and stepped in the shower. He let hot water flow down on him for a while. Then he tilted his head back, closed his eyes and suddenly the young woman that he took with him to New York the last week, appeared in front of his eyes. He recalled her doe eyes, her long chestnut hair, the graceful move as she ran her tiny hand through her hair... He opened his eyes, quickly washed himself and left the bathroom.

 

He was tossing and turning in his bed for a while before he got up and descended to the kitchen for a bottle of water. Then he returned back to the bedroom but he couldn't fall asleep anyway. The image of Lena was still dancing in front of his eyes and he realized how long he hadn't had a woman. Lately they didn't sleep together with Katherine. He used to work till late night and she usually went to sleep first. Mostly he hadn't woken her up.

 

Perhaps it was also his fault that he found her in bed with his editor a month ago. God knows how long it'd been going on. Maybe he should have woken her up everytime he went to sleep. But it didn't matter anymore now. It's been a long time since their feelings faded away and there was nothing left from the six years of their marriage. Their divorce didn't take long and she moved away two weeks ago. When they got married back then he believed that their house would resound with children's laughter soon but Katherine was quite busy in the editorial office of her magazine. She prefered her carreer to having a child. In this aspect their marriage fell short of his expectations.

 

The thoughts were whirling in his mind but he fell asleep in the end.

 

*

 

Eric parked his motorbike on Halfway Boulevard in front of Starbucks. After an appointment with his manager Carl he stopped on his way home here to have his favorite coffee. He discussed with Carl that it was necessary to search for a new editor which became Carl's mission of the week now.

 

Holding his cup of coffee he looked around looking for a seat when he saw a woman with chestnut hair sitting at back by the window, her eyes fixed on the screen of her notebook. He made his way to her, his heart skipped up a beat.

 

„Is this seat free?“ he asked as he stepped closer.

 

„Yes, it is,“ she looked up and after two weeks he was staring in those beautiful doe eyes again.

 

„It's you!“ he smiled faintly, taking a seat opposite her.

 

„Hi Eric, what are you doing here?“ she closed up her notebook.

 

„I love Starbucks coffee. So when I'm nearby I'll never resist to stop here,“ he laughed shortly, putting the cup on the table. „And what are you doing here?“

 

„I work nearby so I usually come for lunch here,“ she shrugged, looking at him.His long light brown hair framed his bearded face with deep, soulful hazelnuts eyes. I've never noticed how handsome he is.

 

„Did you manage everything the other day?“ he asked as he suddenly didn't know what to say.

 

„It was a very sad weekend but yes, I did. Thanks to you,“ she forced a smile as she didn't want to be sad.

 

„It was nothing. I was glad to help when it was in my power,“ he waved it off and took a sip from his cup. „I'm sorry that you had a sad weekend. I heard you talking about a funeral, it's always a sad thing.“

 

„It is. My dad... passed away,“ she swallowed, shaking her head to shake off her sadness. „What can I do for you in return? I owe you,“ she changed the topic quickly.

 

„I'm sorry. I lost my dad seven years ago,“ he lowered his eyes for a moment. „You don't owe me anything. I would have flown to New York anyway. Don't worry about it.“

 

„I have to go back to work,“ she glanced at her watch. „It was nice to see you again.“

 

„My pleasure,“ he paused. „Maybe we'll meet here sometime again.“

 

„It's quite possible,“ she gave him a small smile, stood up and took her notebook.

 

He watched her leave and told himself that he should come here more often.

 

*

 

„Lena, can you... for a moment?“ her boss peeked out of his office, nodding at her.

 

„Sure, I'm coming,“ she highlighted the place in the text on the screen where she stopped reading and made her way to his office.

 

„Sit down, please,“ he pointed at the chair in front of his desk, taking a seat behind it and waited till she did as he said.

 

„You have another work for me, don't you?“ she leaned her back in the chair, folding her arms on her chest.

 

„Why do you think so?“ he waggled his eyebrows as he usually did and gave her a half smile. „What if I don't need you anymore?“

 

„So if you don't why are your eyes shining so much?“ she smiled faintly. „So am I finished here?“ she was about to stand up but he looked at her, frowning a bit.

 

„Remain seated, you definitely aren't. I'm just kidding,“ he winked. „You're right, Lena. I've got a call today. The manager of an author called me saying he needs a capable editor. Now. The author has an almost finished book so he's in need of help of an editor.“

 

„Look, Ian, I understand but you know I have a lot to do. I just can't take in another author. I already work till late nights these days,“ Lena shook her head.

 

„Sure. But we can solve the problem. Remind me how many authors you have,“ he leaned his back in the chair and clasped his hands behind his head.

 

„Don't you know?“ she leaned over. „I have five authors who intensively write and other ten who write now and then. But those five are enough,“ she ran her hand through her hair. „I can't take in another one even if I wanted.“

 

„I see. We can deal with this,“ Ian rested his elbows on the table. „Those ten authors, they write now and then as you said. And those five... I can take one of them away from you if you take in this one. What do you say?“

 

„Wait, to whom do you want to assign him or her?“ she shook her head. „Why do you want me to do it?“

 

„I'll assign him or her to Tina. She's good, don't you think?“ he shrugged. „She's here already six months and she has just two authors who write now and then. She deserves one who writes more. You can choose the one to hand over,“ he paused to sip from his cup of coffee. „Lena, you have no idea who it is I'm offering you now,“ he looked in her eyes. „By the way... he offers so much that I can increase your salary.“

 

„It's not about money, you know I enjoy my job,“ she smiled. „OK, who is the big fish?“ she tilted her head on one side, curious.

 

„I know but everyone needs money,“ he patted the board of his desk. „OK, are you ready? The author's name we're talking about is... Eric Corbett,“ he smiled and feasted on the effect of his words on her.

 

Lena gasped. „What?! But he's writing his tenth book as far as I know. I've read them all... How could I work as his editor? Are you crazy? I've been doing this for just three years,“ she brushed her hand against her forehead. „He won't accede to it anyway. He needs someone more capable than me.“

 

„You know, I've already informed him, actually his manager. Of course I told him I needed to talk to you about it,“ he added seeing her frowning. „I don't want you to be swamped with work but you understand for sure that I can't entrust this just to anyone.“

 

„I'm not sure..., of course it's an awesome offer... to work with someone like him... He writes fantastically,“ she smiled faintly, sparks in her eyes. „I'm glad to hear you trust me that much but... I'm not sure I can make it, Ian,“ she shrugged. „What if he won't be satisfied and we loose the contract?“

 

„I don't believe so. I know you for some time and I can feel you'll make it,“ he rounded the desk, stopped beside her, leaning against the desk. „I would be against myself offering this to someone who wouldn't make it,“ he watched her for a moment. „So what, do you accept?“

 

She was silent for a moment, then she looked up and nodded hesitantly. „I'm not quite sure but... with pleasure,“ she smiled widely in the end.

 

„Thank you.“ She could see his relief. „So I'm going to confirm the contract and arrange details,“ he sat down behind his desk. „What we have agreed upon is valid, Lena. Make a list of those five authors of yours for me, OK? And mark the one who you'll hand over to Tina.“

 

„OK,“ she got up. „Thanks for trusting me, Ian.“

 

„You're welcome. You deserve it,“ he smiled, his piercing blue eyes shining. „Please, tell Tina to come here.“

 

She nodded and left the room. She told Tina to go to Ian's office, she returned to work and rejoiced in her mind. Eric Corbett, her most favorite author! She couldn't believe that she would have a chance to work with him. She hoped she could comply with expectations.

 

*

 

After having a light dinner she settled on the bed and got busy. In a few minutes her phone rang.

 

„Hi Ian, something new?“ she picked it up.

 

„Hi. Carl Brown, Mr. Corbett's manager has called me. Both of them want to meet us tomorrow. I hope you'll make time,“ Ian told her, his voice delighted.

 

„Well, I'm trying to finish Ann's book and tomorrow's Saturday but I hope I can manage to finish it anyway. She has only a week to make the final touches to meet her deadline,“ Lena sighed. „I have no choice, right?“

 

„No, you have to come,“ she could almost see his grin. „We'll meet them there at three p.m. I'm going to text you the address,“ she was about to hang up when he started speaking again. „Lena, are you there? Take the list with you.“

 

„Sure, I will,“ she would bet that his eyes were shining with joy that was seeping in his voice. „I'll be there.“

 

Lena finished reading the chapter, took the notebook and moved to the living room. She plugged the printer in the notebook and opened the new file on the screen. She listed her five authors, their literary genre in brackets:

 

Ann Miller (romance)

Monica Davis (romance with elements of dramas)

Jared Collins (drama)

Dean Shoemaker (drama)

Mike Walkers (drama)

 

She stared at those five names, wondering which one of them she should mark. She knew in person and liked them. After a long hesitation she marked Mike Walkers. First, he was the last one who she took under her wing and second his genre would be easier to work with for Tina. She was aware that Monica's books would be much easier for Tina but she wanted to keep Monica for herself. Monica's and Jared's books were the first she read when she'd started at Ian's The Golden Gate.

 

She met Ian at her wedding with Mark four years ago. He was Mark's friend and his best man. Ian already managed his publishing company back then and he was the first one to whom she'd called when she arrived to Hagerstown to live here. He offered her this job already before because he knew how much she loved books. She declined it back then.

 

She printed the list and saved the file. Then she turned off her notebook and went to sleep.