Chapter One
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It’s a normal day at the office. My officemates going on about the next band that’ll tour in town or the awesome mocha latte in the coffee shop next door while I am on my cubicle clicking away on Tumblr.1194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaX0uuMUJe
I searched #teenager. A lot of quotes and photos came up in the query; one of them is the novel by the infamous author C. Williams, ‘The Anatomy of the Heart’. Yep, I read that, it’s about this girl who fell in love with this other guy on high school but the thing is that after high school the girl fell out of love and left the guy… Feels a little familiar to me, though, but who am I kidding? It’s a novel, pretty sure it’s fictitious.
I sighed as I clicked away, “River!”, my head popped as our chief editor began to scream my name. She went to my cubicle and passed me a book. Talking about the devil, “The Anatomy of the Heart is reaching the top charts in NY Bestsellers right now. I need you to look into it.”
“I already read it.”
“Good. Now research on it, I need it to be in our features for our August issue.”
August? I counted the months… Five months? “August? Won’t it be that too late to feature a current bestseller?”
“River, it’s called strategy. Well re-ignite the fire after the other magazines are done with it. That way the book will get a fan base, fandom and probably a sequel. I don’t need you questioning about the strategy, work on it.”, she flipped her frizzy hair, “oh and also work on this month’s topic.”
“Alright” I mumbled. So much for my exciting career, eh?
When I got into college I have no idea that I would end up in a magazine company, a teen magazine! I was never a girly. Back then my friends collect Seventeen magazines, J-14, Popstar, Teen Vogue and such while I collect National Geographic and Reader’s Digest.
Well, I think you get where I’m coming from.
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Finally 7:30 came!
“I’m off.” I told my officemate at the next cubicle, we are on the same section of the magazine, TEENAGERS.
She nodded at me.
My phone rang as I get off the elevator, “Yellow.”
“Hey babe, are you off?”
“Yes I am. I’ll be home in a bit. How about you?”
“I’m off early, I got grocery and I am at your apartment.”
“Whoa, are you suggesting that you’ll cook for me tonight? I would love to taste Chef Evan’s special dish. I can’t wait to be there.” I said giddily. I am literally excited for this. It’s very rare for him to cook at home, mostly because he’s too busy with at the hospital.
“You got it! Be careful on the road. Love you babe.”
“Yeah you too.”
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As I started my car, my phone rang again. “Yellow.”
“River, I have the information about C. Williams, are you still in the compound?” and of course, who is more clingy that my boyfriend?
“I’ll be right up.”
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“C is quite hard to find. Her book is self-published, her photo nor her contact details aren’t there. It’s like she just popped out of nowhere. But since I am me, I’ve contacted several publishing houses that might have a hold of this girl. Luckily one of them said that they have rejected her manuscript a while back. Her full name is Charlotte Williams, 19 years old, studying at a prep school in Michigan. You might have to go there for an interview and maybe we could add some extra projects for you so that your trip to Michigan won’t be wasted.”
My world froze when I heard the author’s full name. Of course! Why didn’t I get the hint before? Ugh…
“River?” I snapped back to reality, “If you are worried about travelling and boarding expenses, you know you could use our company card right?”
“Uhhmmm…” I mumbled to recover my composure, “Of course. When do you want me to go there?”
“As soon as possible, though I told you that your article is for the August issue but we still need to get Charlotte’s loyalty to our publication. That would steer other papers away.”
“I got it.” I said as dumbfounded I am.1194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Biq7JJIcz
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As I parked on our garage and went in the front door I can already smell the delicious dish Evan is preparing for us. I went to the dark dining room to see a candlelit dinner.
“What’s the occasion?” I asked shaking off the realization I had before I left the office earlier.
“I just wanted to cook something fancy.” And he kissed me as he pulled the chair for me.
We started the meal with mushroom soup that Evan knew I loved the most and then beef brisket fillet for the main course.
“How’s work? You came in a little late.” Evan queried.
“Oh Minda just needed something and speaking of work, I might have to go to Michigan next week. I have to meet this author and at the same time photograph some prom dresses for the upcoming issue, so I have to drive there.”
“You are so good at your job River.”, he praised.
I huffed, telling him BS, “Nothing like a compassionate and genius doctor that cures for the humble people of Los Angeles.”, and he winked at me.
At last we’re on dessert! My favourite course of the meal! Evan is really good with desserts and I am really good at eating sweets.
He went out of the kitchen with two bowls of Chocolate Parfait in hand. “Yes! Chocolate!” I cheered and he chuckled at that. I really become a kid when it comes to chocolate.
I grabbed the bowl before he even put them down on the table and began scooping.
“Be careful there choco monster!” he chuckled and he watched me while he himself is scooping his parfait.
I was scooping another more of the parfait when I saw something shiny. I dug it out and I can’t believe what I saw. It was a ring, a silver ring with a small stud of diamond in the middle. Is this what I think it is?
I looked up at Evan and he looked at me dreamily.
“Evan…” I started but I can’t seem to find the words.
“Oh you found it! I thought it’ll take a while or you might’ve put it in your mouth first.”
“Whoaaaa…” I whispered at myself and Evan began to kneel on one knee in front of me.
“I know I came out a little unexpected and you might be very surprised but I assure you, I am still a doctor and I’ll care for you forever River. You are the only person that I’ve come to be so comfortable with and be just myself with. With you I am my best and I am invincible. You made me think of myself as someone worthy, as someone who could take on the world. You are the only one who makes my heart leap in different directions at different lengths. You are my world River. We could be great separately but together we are just amazing and all these years I’ve always thought that I would never meet someone like you again. Love may come to us several times but us can only come once. I would love living this life as long as you are with me. River, will you marry me?” he stared at my blotched face waiting for an answer.
Is this really it? Damn River! Why do you have to question it? Of course this is it!
“Yes…” I said hoarsely and we both chuckled. I cleared my throat and said “yes” a second time.
Evan took the ring from my bowl and quickly washed off the sugar and put it on my finger.
I kissed him deeply. I think this will be an amazing beginning.
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February 14, 2008
Dear S.W.
It is my first time having a valentine on Valentine’s Day. It feels good to have someone to be sweet with and honestly, I could get used to this. I am so happy today. I feel like a giddy child that has got 38 big presents on Christmas. I couldn’t think of anyone that could make me happier this day. Thank you so much.
The flowers, the chocolates, it may all be material things but when it came from you, it is something more. I am more than I used to be when I am with you and here I am thinking, maybe you are the One. Maybe this could be forever, maybe we could be forever.
Yours,
R.Y.
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