Reunion and work

We both walked in silence, and after a while, he coughed to clear his throat.

-Sorry about my grandmother, she's just ...- He said while he let out a sigh.

-Hahaha, don't worry, I know what she is.- I felt that he was looking at me with attention, so I concentrated on looking at the street.

-Don't you remember me? I said when I saw you, I knew who you were immediate. But since you greeted me very formally, I twigged that you don't know who I am. - He said while he touched his hair and saw my expression.

Did I know him? I didn't remember seeing him before, so I started to think about it until I saw a scar on his hand. I stood up and hugged him tightly.

-Alex, is it you? I'm so sorry for not recognizing you before. You've changed a lot. You were smaller than me and look at you... - I said, pushing him away with my hands and looking at him from head to toe. Then I hugged him again, full of emotion. He was my best friend from childhood, he went to the same school as Ashley and me, but he was two years older. After high school, he moved to another city with his parents, and we never saw him again.

-You haven't changed a bit! You're still just as clueless. -Said with a smile as he stroked my head.

-I'm sorry, but I haven't seen you in about.... ten years without seeing you! I can't believe it. You left and never contacted us. - I said as I tapped him on the shoulder with an angry look on my face.

-Haha, I'm sorry, at that time, I didn't have a way to contact them. I thought I would be back soon, but I wasn't. I couldn't be with you when you needed me most. I'm sorry I couldn't be with you when you needed me the most. I found out days later, I wanted to come, but I wasn't in the country and... -

-It's okay, you're here now. Should we tell Ashley? She'll probably hit you when she sees you.-

-It's better we don't tell her. She will torture me, and it's too late for her to come.- Said as imagined the aggressive reunion that they would have.

-Hahaha. That's true. But tell me, what are you doing here? - I said as I indicated with one hand that he should sit on a bench since we were outside my house.

-I came to see my grandmother. It's the first time I've been here and look, I found you. She kept me informed about how you were doing. I also came to see about some work, if all goes well I'll be living here for a while. -

-As you would expect from Mrs Lilly. She never told us anything about you. You have a lot to tell us. I hope to see you here more often, so we can all go out together. -

-I'll try hard to get that job. But, please, when I meet Ashley, please give her a tranquillizer. She may seem harmless, but she is... - - A shiver ran down his back, and he turned pale.

I laughed when I saw her expression. Little by little, we began to talk about the memories we had of when we were children. Next to us, a couple passed by and watched us.

-Look! They look very much in love. We should have a date night. - Said the girl as she scolded her boyfriend for not being more romantic.

Alex and I blushed, but when we looked at each other's faces, we started to laugh. When we were younger, our mothers had dreamed of our wedding. They always tried to get us together, but it never worked out. We were friends. Nothing more could happen between us, could it?

After talking for a while more, we realised that it was already late at night. We exchanged phone numbers, I wished him success in his work, and we agreed to have lunch together. We hugged goodbye, and I watched him leave.

I felt tired, and I had to check some emails. I decided to take a bath before starting work. When I got out of the shower, I put on some pyjamas and dried my hair. I took my laptop off my desk and sat down on my bed. I went straight to my email. I saw that the publishers I was working for were asking for an advance. I sent them the complete book that corresponded to each publisher. Although they only asked for an advance, I had already finished my work. Seeing this, my bosses decided to ask me if I wanted to continue with other jobs. I accepted their proposals, and they soon sent me more projects.

I started to do a few chapters of the books. When I felt I had made enough progress, I saved the files in the cloud and turned off the laptop. I locked my bedroom door and turned off the light. I was about to go to sleep when I got a message on my mobile, when I turned it on I saw that it was from a boss at a publishing house where I worked so I read it.

"Hi Sasha, I saw that you've finished your work. You are amazing!

A few weeks ago, we got a call from the ZYC Company. They looking for writers with good proposals, so I took the liberty of sending a part of the book you're writing to see what would happen. I took the role of your representative, and they sent me an email saying they were interested. I hope you don't get mad at me.

It's time for you to leave your cave and make yourself known to the world. Although your books are so popular, you need a slight push to get your work recognised as it should be.

I am sending you the document with the information. Let me know what you think. Please, don't be angry, you know that as your friend and boss I only wanted the best for you.

I look forward to a reply, don't take too long to answer. "

When I finished reading it, I let out a sigh. I knew that my friend had no bad intentions, and it was normal for him to go behind my back trying to find better opportunities for me.

I opened the document and saw that it was a contract. When I read it, I saw that it was a well-paid job, offered publicity and support from the company before, during and after the book was published. It was an opportunity I couldn't afford to miss, so I called my friend, who was slow to respond.

- Wake up! It's not time to sleep. - I said in a loud and clear voice.

- Hello? Sasha? I was just about to go to sleep. It's almost 4:00 in the morning. Don't you sleep? Have you thought about it? - Said in a hoarse and sleepy voice.

-Yes. I thought about it. I agree to sign, well, only if the company let me continue writing under my pseudonym and let you represent me at events. -

-I knew you were going to tell me that, so I went ahead. I said everything you always ask of me. When I told them who you were, the project managers immediately sent me the contract. I think they know you, and they don't plan to let you go. Oh, by the way. At the signing of the contract, you should attend, if you can attend the meetings with the managers. They want to meet you in person and talk about your work. They promised to keep and protect your identity, do you agree? -

-Mmm... I agree. I'll be careful with my identity. You know the reason I can't show myself to the public is because of that guy. I'm afraid he'll come back for me or do something to you. - I said in a firm voice so that he would understand what I meant.

-Of course. I know that. That's why there will only be the directors, you and I. I would never put my friend and partner in danger. You have my word that I will take care of everything to protect you. -

-All right. I accept and ask when we have to go to the company. -

-Yes, I'll tell them in the morning. For now, let's go to sleep, it's very late, and we both have to work. - Said while yawning.

-All right. Let me know if you need anything. Bye. - I said and hung up.

I left the phone on the bedside table next to me and looked at the ceiling. Slowly sleep overcame me, and I fell asleep.