The WhiteOppulence's Quandary

Even at the institution, the artistic clubs like theater, literature, and even dancing still existed, and to her, it was a golden opportunity that had her no holes barred.

Since then, she loved what she did and regretted none of it.

'I always wanted to write a story that holds dear to my heart.' She closed her eyes and recalled the memories that flashed her afore.

The constant brainstorming…

The pile of sheets with scribbles and crumpled papers…

The sleepless nights…

From the start to the finish of the story, these were everything to her.

With these in mind, she opened her eyes, taking a deep breath.

"I've been on this scenario once. I would gamble to do it again," she said. Now, she was unfazed by his slick mouth. "So, I reject this damn invitation, and I would do it my way."

"No!" he snapped back. "My decision still stands, Nathalie Jean Quinn."

"I would like to refute that, Tyler Jon Colton. If you don't want to, then so be it."

Evidently so, Tyler's jaw locked from gritting hard for a long time. His face reddened, unable to compose himself from her actions.

"You will lose your fame and prestige! Don't you want them at all?!"

This time, she cursed at him big. "Crazy bastard! I'll say it over and over again. I don't want it! I'd rather get it and shove it in your ass!"

"Jean..."

Nathalie was distraught, heart wavered from the solemn tone as he called her name.

She retrieved her manuscript and clutched it to her chest. "...I shall take my leave. Have a nasty year ahead of you."

"Nathalie!" Tyler roared, sprung upright with his hands slammed on the table.

She opened the door, then looked back. "Now that I have gone this far; the next book, my rules. I shall see you in court." While giving him the cold shoulder, he then shut the door for good.

'Ugh! What a fool! Our relationship as 'co-workers' has turned so sour. I don't even know if I put some sugar or salt in it. I hate him, and he's the worst!'

She slapped her cheeks a couple of times, squinting so hard, and huffed aloud before she walked out for good.

Her body had like a mind on its own as she wanted to leave the building, but her thoughts wandered again from the recent events.

Nathalie's eyes met the spacious lobby, her strides steadily increased, and before she got out of the glass door, her phone rang.

'Who in the hell would call me in this hour—This better not be Tyler," she grumbled in silence while she took the phone. But the grave atmosphere that loomed over her disappeared when the notifications popped up.

'Hmm? Oh, it's Daisy, what would it be?'

Nevertheless, she pressed the button. She flipped her hair to the side and drew her phone close to her ear.

"Happy new year!" Nathalie squealed, which she assumed how her best friend, Daisy, had her head jerk away from her screeching voice.

[Don't scream at me! Goodness.]

Only peals of laughter escaped through her lips as she strutted the pavement and towards Jonathan, now in a formal black suit, who stood and waited for her.

[I'm serious. What are you even doing?! You better come here, NOW!]

"For what?"

Daisy remained silent.

Hearing how Daisy shouted earlier, Nathalie, somehow, got taken aback and signaled Jonathan. "To the cafe, please."

"Without delay, Miss Quinn."

Nathalie went inside and sat comfortably as she bickered from their line. The more she took it lightly, the more her best friend went out and threw a fit. Jonathan, on the other hand, revved the engine and zoomed out of the way.

"Girl, what's up? Why are you so pressed on this day?"

[You better get your shit together. Have you checked the forums?!]

The moment she mentioned forums, dread started to drip from her spine. A lot of things went insane for her, but she tried to run away from them as much as possible.

"Is it… Some spoilers by fake fans?"

[NO! Something else!]

'I have a hunch on this, but hopefully, it isn't. Please, let it be not the video I watched earlier.'

"What's the tea?"

[Nat! The Phoenix Publishing company released its official statement: the grand reveal of the best-selling author nationwide, WhiteOppulence, who rose among the ranks within two years. The premiere would be several days after the New Year.]

'" What?!" Her eyes widened, shrieking; the phone almost slipped right through her fingertips, hearing every word she said.

[You heard it right! Look, this is just a brief message, but it says here…] The frantic tone found in Daisy's voice became evident, but all of a sudden, her voice shifted to murmurs when her mind ebbed to her train of thoughts.

'Just what did things go wrong?' Nathalie started to ponder. 'Is it really, really a big deal?'

Nathalie stood, on cold feet, in front of the building; of all the things she had to ponder, it was that ultimate secret she had that became one of her fundamental weaknesses.

'So they weren't empty threats?'

All she believed that she would get treated now, better than it was then. To think it was just a possibility and it was mere, empty words thrown at her.

Nathalie believed in Tyler, there was always a logical reason behind it, and she could only count with her fingers how it affected her negatively, but not the worst out of it that she could think.

This one was the worst of them all.

Back then, with the on-time promotions and high-risk, high-return investments and advertisements laid for Nathalie, all of her progress steadily worked in her favor as to what she was today.

But these didn't come easy as she went through a hell of a battlefield amongst the other authors under Phoenix Publishing.

Everyone wanted to grab such an opportunity, and among the sea of stars by the end of it, Nathalie shone the brightest.

She asked a few management favors: a portion of her royalties and complete fool-proof protection for her hidden identity.

More often than not, many reports tried to identify the author behind the great works of 'The Prince's Retribution,' but that only led them to deep fulfillment. Tyler did everything in his power to protect her from the malignancy.

The world of writing arts has yet to know the hidden prodigy...

Yet Tyler dared to use it against her.