PLAY WITH HER FEELINGS

JAMES' POV

I really meant to be late on the date because I have this plan for Ford. Plus, the girl is not my type.

"Hi bro! Hi, Shaine! I'm sorry I took so long." I tapped Ford on the shoulder and smirked.

"That's okay." Shaine replied while smiling. This is the smile of a woman that is hard to get. They look friendly they just look at you as a friend. Oh no. She is the conservative type, meaning you must know how to chop wood, scoop water and so on for her family. But I am not that kind of guy!

"How can I make up for my tardiness?" I asked Shaine.

"That's easy, support their business." Ford said, unaware of my plan. I will be telling him my plan tonight, and I'm sure he will agree because he needs it and this kind of plan is not new to him.

"Okay, everyone in the shop will be having coffee and pastry! On the house!" Shaine waived her hand to the staff.

"Deal!" I agreed.

"Ford told me that you are a writer of MT Pub?" What? So, my identity has been revealed? What if I also reveal the identity of this man?

"Yes. I'm JustJames, the number one romance novelist of the company. Nice to meet you!" but I don't think I'm number one anymore because Ford is going to write romance.

"Oh my God! I didn't recognize you right away! If you haven't said your pen name, I won't recognize you." it looks like she loves to read.

"Really? Ford is more famous though." I poked Ford's arm and smirked.

"Of course, your work wouldn't be famous if it wasn't for the marketing department, you know?" Shaine said.

"Ford knows how to write, too." Ford's eyes widened at what I said. This man will explode later. I can feel it.

"Nice. By the way, since you're an MT writer, have you already seen Write Her?" such question is not new to me. It's annoying sometimes because you always hear his name. I never even heard my name being asked. Tsk.

"Nope. I don't know him personally."

"James, I think we should go. Say goodbye to Shaine." Ford said as he dragged me away from the chair.

"Bye Shaine. I'll just introduce you to someone else." as we walk away, I pointed Ford to her. He's the one I'm talking about. Shaine laughed and then waved bye.

Tagaytay Bar and Cafe, 6PM

"Hey, what's your plan for my book?" Ford kept bothering me.

"What do you think?"

"That's why I'm asking you, but if you want to give your extra novel, a little editing and proofreading will do." he laughed.

"Don't you have a brain? They will still notice that." I have lots of drafts of romance novels, and there are problems if we do that. My avid readers and Ford's fans will notice the difference – based on how we write, how we create the plots – and hey! Readers are smarter than us writers. It's a gamble if we do that.

"What should I do? Give me some tips."

"I don't believe you having zero knowledge because this is what you used to write. Be honest with me, have you ever felt love? Like you feel like you're almost crazy thinking about her – no fooling around, and no games? " I asked seriously because that's where I get my inspiration.

"Not yet?" he answered seriously with a hint of hesitation while drinking tequila which made him dizzy.

"Are you sure? When I say in love, it doesn't mean you need to be in a relationship. Just want to make things clear but love and infatuation is different. Many writers can write romance even if they've never been in a relationship. In your case, you study what you want to write first. You also do what the character does so you know how they feel. But romance is different, it's better if you've experienced it yourself or if you have an inspiration."

"Which one? The one like The Night Stalker? For me to write this book, I stole food from the market and gave it to the poor. I also studied gun shooting so I knew what I was going to write." He explained while eating nachos.

"See, how can you do that in romance?" I asked, we can't force love because love comes out naturally.

"All I know is flirting."

"You can't just flirt. You need to be in love, and that's the one thing you don't have that's why you can't write romance novels." I said while eating grapes.

"What do you want me to do? Force me to love?"

"You got it!" he finally got my point.

"Impossible! Who would I force myself to fall in love to? I can't even like a single woman I've met." He wiped his mouth with tissue then sip some cold beer.

"Bro you can't really feel anything because the women you met are materialistic and not looking for true love. Why don't you try Shaine?" I recommended Shaine as his source of inspiration. That kind of girl's attitude and looks can complement a main character of a romance book.

"Ha? Are you stupid?"

"Trust me! The innocence of that woman, that will be the main factor of the story you will make." I explained to him.

"Wait, she's too kind to be fooled by me."

"Wow Ford! Have I really heard the word fooled from you? You've fooled many women." This is way below the belt.

Ford consumed one shot of tequila, it only meant one thing, he was having a hard time deciding. But I'm sure he'll agree.

"Let's try." he replied.

"Okay! I'll take care of you. That's why I brought a lot of books about dating. But let me remind you, you CAN'T fall in love with her."

"Are you underestimating my skills as a womanizer?" he smiled then play with his glass filled with tequila.

"Bro, this is a different matter because the one in front of you is different. I'm sure our techniques at the club will not be effective for that woman. She's not that type of woman."

"Alright then, what's our Plan A?" Ford asked.

"You're so excited."

"Stupid."

"First, you have to give mixed signals. You give all your attention to her at first and then suddenly you become cold. Be sweet sometimes to confuse her." I said while looking at the couple next to our table. They are making out. These people! Go and rent a place for that pleasure of yours.

"What if-"

"What if?"

"Ah never mind," he replied.

"Come on tell me. Wait a minute, have you ever had a crush? I'm not going to hurt your pride don't worry."

"I had one in college," said Ford as he looked at the woman singing on the stage.

"AHA! That's the reason why you don't want to write. I guess, you were rejected?" I asked honestly.

"Yes. I liked her from first year to fourth, we became friends then-"

"Did you confess at graduation? Your story is too cliche." I'm swirling my tequila in the glass; I like the strong smell!

"She told me that we were just friends and then she was with Oliver. The last news I had was when Jamie got pregnant, the man left her saying the baby was not his child." He explained bravely without tears in his eyes.

I know now why this person is so successful, his heart is full of pain that became his only reason to continue life. He wants to prove to the woman who doesn't want to be with him that he can go on with life without her.

"Why didn't you comfort the girl at that time? You knew that was your chance for her to accept you," I asked.

"I still love myself." he replied, looking like he's about to cry and at the same time laughing.

"But kidding aside, why can't you write romance anymore?"

"One time I just woke up and I couldn't move my ballpoint pen. When I'm writing something else, I can write but when it comes to romance, my mind just becomes blank, and I literally can't write. Maybe it's trauma?" He picked some grapes and ate it.

"Have you tried consulting a psychologist?"

"I did, the doctor said I have this fear of being hurt again," he said.

"Her impact on your life is real."

"Yes, seriously, it was big."

"You gave everything, did you?" I spoke. One thing I have learned in this matter is, don't give your all to the person you love especially if she is not sure of you yet. Love yourself, save for yourself, don't let them hurt you. Sometimes it is not bad to be selfish.

"But I changed now. I'm a new person"

"That's right. That's why you're such a womanizer!"

"They made the first move. I can't do anything about that," he said while pouting his lips then laughed.