Chapter９

We didn’t talk much after that and parted our ways. I wanted to go with Vampire, but he said he wanted to be alone and think about it for a while. So I went home in a downcast mood, thinking that Vampire was sure to reject my book again, and I would receive my husband’s mocking expression.

Ugh! I hated it when my husband was right. I didn’t want to face him with failure written on my forehead in bold letters. That was why, getting a contract through Vampire meant so much to me. And after all, it had been years since I felt my heart stirring because of someone. So I was really reluctant to let him go.

If I didn’t get this contract, I wouldn’t be able to see Vampire anymore, which hurt more than anything.

So with these thoughts in my head, I went home and entered. My husband still wasn’t home yet. Just as I was about to open the laptop, I heard a ‘ting’ from my phone, and I hastily opened my phone, glancing at the messaging interface with keen eyes.

Vampire: I have decided to choose you. Will send you the contract in a while.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Did this guy really send me such a message?! I read it through again and again, but it was still the same. I even pinched myself, and the message was still there.

I really wasn’t dreaming! That means Vampire finally accepted my book, and I would get to see that guy more from now on.

I couldn’t help but flash a wide grin at that! I quickly changed my shoes and went to freshen up before he could send me the contract. And as expected, after I was done with my work, and had just sat before the computer, my phone rang again. This time it was an email with an attachment. He officially sent me a message through his Webpad email ID, telling me that I was selected!

‘Dear Elise,

We are happy to inform you that your work, ‘99 days in love with Vampire’ has been contracted. Attached below is the contract file that you would have to sign. Please make sure to read it until the end before you officially become an author under Webpad.

Please ensure to provide us with your bank information, filling the blanks in the same file attached below. If you can, please fill it up sooner and send the account for the approval for receiving income after selling your novel.

In case of more queries, please revert back to us in the same thread.

Editor,

Vampire’

I re-read it again and again as a bubble of happiness filled my heart. I finally got the only thing that I needed! After this, I would surely show this contract to my husband! After seeing this, he would surely appreciate my job!

I hugged my phone tightly and quickly signed the contract. Since this was the first time I was signing my book, I was quite nervous. I couldn’t help but erase my signature multiple times before finalizing the contract. I even double checked the bank information and sent it, biting my lips nervously.

I didn’t make a mistake, did I? I wouldn’t be rejected just because of that, right? Just as I was going mad because of my crazy thoughts, another email popped up.

‘Dear Elise,

Thank you for your patience. The contract has been successful, and we are verifying the bank information. In the meanwhile, we request you to get in touch with your editor and manage your book.

Happy writing!

Webpad Editor’s team.’

“Yes!” I jumped on my feet after seeing this message. This was perhaps the happiest moment of my life.

But after this, my journey of a rollercoaster ride slowly began.

First, I didn’t know what more I had to do other than following Vampire’s advice. And after signing the contract, he called me as fast as he could, giving me some pointers for grammar. I knew I wasn’t really a professional, so his tips really did help me improve. I jotted down everything before he shifted to another topic.

“Now Elise, let's talk about the story outline. You have it, don’t you?” His voice sounded close to my ears, making my heartbeat faster. I took a few deep breaths to control my emotions.

“Yes. Should I send you?”

At this time, I almost felt like the time when I had a crush on someone in my school days. At that time, I was sitting in a classroom, and suddenly, my gaze swept past the crowd, finally noticing a certain guy standing just at the window, leaning on the wall, staring outside. I felt infatuated, and I couldn’t help but feel giddy inside.

This man was capable of making my heart race like thousands of horses were galloping inside my chest. So I agreed to everything Vampire said to me, and instantly sent out the entire plot that I had planned for this novel.

Basically, this story was about an author, struggling with her personal and financial life, finally found a new hope when she met a man named Vampire, who also turned out to be an editor in a famous publication. I knew this kind of plot was cliche, I really wanted to write it. It was mostly because this plot was really inspired by how I met Vampire for the first time!

So I was really a bit hopeful for this plot. But who would have thought that just after half an hour, I would receive another call from Vampire, advising me to change a few things in the plot. For a minute, I couldn’t help but feel depressed.

This story was realistic. So did this guy didn't even intend to keep the story similar to reality? If not, did he not accept my confession yet? At this thought, I couldn’t help but be anxious. Thankfully, Vampire was here to coax me.

“I know you loved your original outline, but trust me, the new storyline is inline with what the readers actually want. So your book will be purchased even more.” Vampire paused for a while as if thinking about something and said, “Don’t change the previous chapters. The storyline is perfect, but what happened later can be changed.”

What happened later can be changed? What did he mean by that?

Half of the story was based on my encounter with the editor, while the other half was my imagination. Those were the things I secretly wanted to do with Vampire, but I could never say it out loud. So I just wrote it down in the plot.

But who would’ve thought that Vampire would suddenly change it? I pursed my lips, but didn’t refute him. After all, the main purpose was also money, right?

So I calmly read the entire plot that was changed by Vampire and couldn’t help but be furious. What the hell did this guy do?!

The story was initially about a clumsy yet cute little author who had lost all hopes in life. And she suddenly found a new hope in life.

But why did Vampire have to insert a rebirth factor in the story? According to his idea, after twenty chapters, the female lead from the future would be reborn. It was the future where she was left heartbroken after she had trusted the editor and had started a relationship with the guy. And after that, all sorts of drama started to emerge!

I was instantly enraged. What the hell did he do with such a beautiful story? The edited plot didn’t even seem like my story!

I texted Vampire to meet at the coffee shop again. After an hour, we met and I instantly started scolding him. “What the hell Vampire?”

“You didn’t like it?” he paused and said, “I changed it according to what’s famous on Webpad.”

“But this isn’t even my story anymore!”

“I know how you’re feeling, but dear Elise, think about the money you will be earning. After that, you can write as many books as possible depending solely on your own outline!”

“But-” I took a deep breath to calm my anger. “This is not what I want to convey through my writing!”

“Didn’t you want to earn money?” Vampire was confused this time. He didn’t understand why I was making a fuss.

His expression made me even angrier. “You don’t know a f*cking thing, Vampire! I thought I would get a light under your guidance, but what I got is just another story meant to earn money. Doesn’t my heart matter? I want freedom to write my own story! Why are you doing this to me? Huh?” I had tears in my eyes as I furiously wiped them and said, “I quit. I’m really disappointed in you, Vampire.”