Time Loop

~ Gonzalez Residence ~

*Peony's phone rings*

The melodic ringtone of Peony's phone cut through the air.

*A business call from the contracted Drama House calls her from the other sim.*

A female voice from the other side of the call says, "Hello I'm HR from Magnificent Entertainment, is this Writer Mudan ( Chinese name for Peony also Peony's pen name as a novelist ), I'm speaking to?"

Peony holding back her grief speaks, "Yes, you're speaking to me."

On the other end, the voice, inquired," Are you free right now? "

"Yes, is this about my novel?" Peony responded, a mix of curiosity and a hint of apprehension in her voice.

"Yes. First of all our company apologises for changing the plot without your consent. If possible, are you free for a meeting right now? We will carefully discuss the terms."

"Please contact my editor. My editor handles this matter.", Peony advised.

"Actually this is rather a personal request, but our CEO wants to meet you in person. Don't worry mam, your identity will remain confidential."

"The CEO..." Peony mumbled, her thoughts racing, "Does Benedict know I'm the writer of 'Broken'? He should be the last person to know that. Maybe he doesn't know. I'm just worrying over nothing. I will simply decline it."

Politely declining, she stated, "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm on my holiday, and I will request you to contact my editor. Thank you."

"I will convey your response to our head. I will get back to you later.", came the final acknowledgment before the call ended, leaving Peony in contemplation.

After the call was cut, she went back thinking.

"I really forgot about my novel adaptation to a drama. I was so happy at that time, my novel got a drama adaptation. I haven't gotten time to watch how the drama turned out. Knowing Benedict's company, it will be good regardless of the changes."

She logged into her writer account, only to be greeted by a tumult of chaos.

She sees an internet war and many dms under her account. Two factions #novellovers and #dramalovers were created after yesterday's episode aired. The drama's rating had plummeted from 4.8 to 2.5 stars.

~~~~~

Some of the people commenting,

" Trash writing, trash adaptation. "

" Same old drama. "

" Nothing new, rubbish plot added with vulgarity. "

" Was this the top 3 novel of the year under mystery romance? And to think it won because of the unique plot. Thankfully I haven't wasted my time reading the novel. Had high hopes but crashed. What a vulgar scene!"

" Novel lovers' tastes are declining day by day. Vulgarity is the new generation."

Others who have read the novel typed,

" #Justice for the novel. Drama adaptation sucks "

" Author, if you're reading this please reply, are you forced to change the plot? "

" #ShameOnMagnificentEntertainment "

" Just read this scene y'all! I shouldn't post, but I can't help. Just read this scene!!!! So beautifully written. The author poured her heart out on this scene. #ShameOnMagnificentEntertainment #Broken #Writer_Mudan #Top3Novel "

" I heard the author was getting married, did she need the money and agreed to the change? Never expected from this author to go down the same path as others. Sadly it's her first drama adaptation of her novel. P.S. : I've been a fan of this author since her first novel 'My Secret Lovelife' was published. "

Netizens online attacked wildly.

~~~~~

Her DMs are filled with curses hurling at her work. She bit her lip, sadness clouded her features.

She sees a clip of the scene that went online to scrutinise it.

The scene had the typical male lead abusing the female lead on their first night, not asking for consent. Just like a red hot alpha, true to his nature. Directly forcing a kiss and taking it to the end even when the female lead cried without affirmation. The drama added all the spice of the scene and focused more on passion.

In the novel it was a fluffy scene with male lead kissing the female lead's forehead, they talked and shared about their insecurities and proceeded with it. Male lead is a red flag but for the female lead he is willing to change step by step. The wonderful communication which rarely anyone speaks of was beautifully communicated. He wiped her tears and affirmed her that everything will be alright. It was a brief scene only with words of affirmation and change. One of the scenes that hooked the readers to the early stages of the book.

She couldn't help but compare her novel and the drama adaptation to her real life. Men written by her and the actual man she chose. She feels everything is working against her at this moment.

Feeling overwhelmed, she calls her trusted editor.

Peony sounded feeble, "Irina, I'm writer Mudan."

"Mudan, I know why you called. You're on your leave now. Don't worry I will take care of it.", Irina assured her.

"Thank you Irina, you always help me out."

"Are you sad? You were married yesterday, is everything alright? You sound brittle. ", Irina asks her tenderly, concerned for her well-being.

~*Their Back Story*~

Usually editors don't have that personal bonding with their writers but Irina and Peony are an exception. When Peony flopped her second book, trying a different genre, " Twisted Romance ", she went down the list like many other authors who gain popularity for a while and lose everything. At that time, no editor was willing to work with her by quoting the words: "Prove yourself before coming to me."

She hid it from everyone that she was suffering. She managed her house part time as a ghost writer and content writer. She dated him continuously because he couldn't stay without seeing her. She felt obligated to be with Garret. After all, it was her first relationship.

She was exhausted mentally and physically trying to make her ends meet.

It was the time she met Irina online. Irina contracted her to write not as a ghost writer but a full-fledged writer. She mailed her,

" Dear Writer Mudan,

I have read all of your works and I see potential in you. I'm contracting you to write your own novel and I will pay you until you get your payment. I only wish to be Editor of a top novel and I believe you have that potential. All the best. Let me know. Check my profile on my socials. Here is the contract.

Regards,

Irina Lopez. "

This e-mail changed her life trajectory. Irina was an angel in mortal disguise to her at that time. It was the start of her third book " Kareena's Lost Boy ".

It was a hit and was nominated for Singapore awards but didn't win the top 3. She wasn't even present for the event but it was enough to boost her esteem. The positive comments and the criticism motivated her to write her fourth book "Broken".

She poured her heart out writing it , Irina supported her family during the time she was unpaid but her award paid all her monetary debt to her. But as for the emotional debt, she can never repay her. She is highly indebted to her for her success and resilience in this field.

She is like a family to her. When she was abroad, she stayed at Irina's place. She is a single lady, almost her mother's age. She treated her like a mother would and she knows about her well. She consoled her mentally whenever she felt down, she cared for her like her own daughter. She knows she is going to be married to none other than her son Garret. She wasn't aware until she received her wedding invitation which she declined her attendance. She didn't want to meet the Gonzalez's, despite an underlying desire to reconnect with her longed-for son.

~*Backstory ends*~

"I can't conceal anything from you after all." Peony, unable to confide in anyone, not even her mother, weeps bitterly as she divulges to Irina, "Irina, it's personal. I've placed my trust in the wrong man."

She pours out the details, from the heartbreak that shattered her to the captivity she endures in his room.

In silent empathy, Irina listens, her heart aching from the weight of Peony's revelations. Reflecting on the painful déjà vu after 26 years, she murmurs, "He is his father's blood after all."