Congratulations

When I arrived at my apartment, I put the gift inside the wood drawer near the door. Since Lucas hardly goes to my apartment, he wouldn't even notice the gift I got for him.

I hopped in the shower for a quick rinse. I don't like doing things around with a sweaty body.

After a shower, I make myself a nice hot chocolate drink. Since I work from home, I gotta have a small office-like room in the apartment for work-related stuff. I turned on my computer and checked my emails. A few emails are from the publishing company and the rest are just spammed emails.

I quickly tick all the spammed emails and marked them as read. I go through the emails from the publisher one at a time. All are just publishing notifications EXCEPT for one.

My eyes widened. OH. MY. GOD!

"Is this for real?" I muttered. I was overjoyed when I read the email.

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To: Rylee Wallis

From: Oak Archive Press

Date: Monday, June 7, 2019, 09:15:33 EST

Subject: #1 Best Seller

Sincere congratulations on your nomination as New York Best Selling Author. You are proof that good things come to those who are willing to sacrifice to reach a worthwhile goal. You've earned every bit of the success you're enjoying. Call us when you read this email.

Thanks,

OakArchivePress

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It was beyond my imagination of being nominated as NY Best Selling Author. Like seriously? Am I dreaming right now?

I quickly dialed the publisher's number. It rang for a few seconds before the phone was picked up.

"Oak Archive Press, how may I help you?" the other person on the line said.

"Hi. It's Rylee. Is Mr. Mendoza in?" I asked.

"Oh hi, Ms. Wallis. Yes, he's here right now. Please hold on a second, I'll connect you to him," she said.

"Thanks, Tiffany, " I said.

"You're welcome and congratulations, " she said and put me through the line to Mr. Mendoza.

Before I could even speak, Mr. Mendoza directly congratulates me. "Hope you're thrilled about the nomination! I sure am happy for you!"

"Thank you so much, Mr. Mendoza. I never thought my book could reach that level. I am beyond happy, " I said as I smiled.

"I knew it was only a matter of time. How about I treat you to dinner tonight to celebrate your success; and please just call me Flynn, " he said.

"Then dinner it is Mr. Mendo.....I mean, Flynn, " I said and chuckled.

"Okay then. It's settled. Meet you at 7 tonight at Little Italy, " he said.

"See you later, " I said as I ended the phone call.

After I hung up, I called my mom to tell her about the good news. It rang for a few seconds but it got disconnected right after. I became worried a bit. "That's weird. This is not like her," I muttered. I tried calling her phone again a few times but nobody picks up so I decided to call Aunt Lucy since she's living next door to mom.

"Hello, dear. Is everything alright? Why are you calling me?" Aunt Lucy said.

"Hi, Aunt Lucy. Uhmmm..do you know where my mom is? She's not picking up her phone, " I said worriedly.

She let out a chuckled. "Oh dear, don't worry. Your mom is here with me right now. Her phone is charging right now. Do you want to speak to her?"

"Yes, please. Thank you, " I said and let out a sigh of relief.

As Aunt Lucy passed the phone to my mom, I could hear them laughing in the background.

"Hi, my princess. How are you?" my mom said.

"Hi, mom. I'm fine. I have news for you. Good news. Take a guess," I said emphasizing the word 'good'.

"Hmm..did Lucas got you pregnant?" she asked.

"Hahaha, no.....mom. He did not. Geez, it's still too early for me to carry a child in my belly, " I said while laughing my ass off and asked her to guess again. "Come on mommy, you can do better."

"Hmm are you?...hmm okay I give up. Tell me what is it?" she asked impatiently.

"Gosh, mom, you suck at guessing hahaha. Uhmmm, okay. I GOT NOMINATED AS NEW YORK BESTSELLING AUTHOR!" I said screaming.

I could hear my mom and Aunt Lucy also cheered in the background. I just smile in response. "Congratulations, " they said in unison.

"How about you come home for dinner tonight sweetie and we'll celebrate together, " my mom said happily.

"I can't. I have to meet up with the publisher tonight, " I said and frowned. I wanted to go home so badly because I miss my mom but I already promised Mr. Mendoza I'll join him for dinner. "Hmm..how about tomorrow night? I'll bring Lucas and we can have dinner together with the Wright household," I said, trying to persuade her.

"Okay then. Be here before six. I love you, sweetie, see you tomorrow," she said.

"Yes, mother. I love you too. Bye," and she hung up the phone.

I looked at the clock it's already half five in the evening and our dinner reservation is at seven. I don't have much time left to call Lucas and Daisy about this. Might as well tell them both tomorrow.

"Things are going great. I can't ask for a better life," I muttered and smiled. I grabbed my towel and head to the shower.