Chapter 16
ISABELLA
I’m in a meeting with my team and Bentley.
They are all expecting the book to be finished, which it is. I finished writing the last chapter earlier this week and have spent the last few days just adding my own edits and making sure everything looks polished enough for them.
Usually after the first rounds of edits are done they send it back to me to approve it and then I send it off to proofreading.
The cover draft that I gave them was also approved.
Most of the time with how things work here, we all come up with ideas for the cover but because it is my book I make the decision at the end of the day. They’ll add a few tweaks and have some say in what happens in the book though.
When I first started out writing, I’d heard mixed things about traditional publishing and independent publishing.
I feel with both you can make really good money, the main difference between the two was how much control you have over what you create.
The reason why I went with traditional publishing is because I didn’t have an audience and I know with traditional publishing they are good with marketing your book and getting it out there for people to see.
Would I ever go with indie publishing?
Yes and no.
Yes, because I have the potential to earn a lot more money.
No, because the publishing house I work with pays for everything for my books, they market for me, and they give me signings and a bunch of other benefits.
“Bentley told us such great things about this book. We can’t wait to go through it,” Miranda, who does developmental editing, says as she flips through the manuscript.
I smile at her. “I hope you enjoy it. Honestly I’ve been hearing really good feedback on the idea, especially from readers who comment on the videos and posts we make.”
“Well everyone loves a good psychological romance. They love the thrillers and deranged plots,” Matthew, who is a copy editor, says.
Miranda and Matthew have worked with me since I got signed here.
They know how to clean up my writing the best.
“That makes me happy.”
“Well, that concludes this meeting,” Miranda says, standing up. “We can’t wait to read it and let you know our thoughts.”
“Same here. I hope you guys enjoy it while editing.”
We all grab our stuff and leave the meeting room. Miranda and Matthew leave together since their desks are next to each other while I head to the other side of the building because I still need to grab my bag and laptop from my office.
My phone buzzes as I grab my stuff. After I finish packing everything I take my phone out and see a few messages from Slade.
When are you going to be home? You should have gotten off an hour ago.
I feel like I’m going crazy without you here.
I smile at the messages, feeling my heart flutter.
I go inside the elevator and text Slade while the number drops down and then also check my other notifications.
I’m leaving the office now. The meeting ran over because they were curious about some things with the book.
Everything good?
Yes. I’ll be home in 20 minutes.
I pocket my phone when I leave the building. It’s dark and there are other people on the street probably leaving from work and going home.
While walking home, butterflies flutter in my stomach as I think about Slade.
I feel like things between us are progressing which I didn’t think in a million years would happen.
It’s been more than a week since he kissed me and since then he has touched me in ways I’ve never let anyone touch me before.
We kiss a lot.
Right when I get home from work, he pulls me into his arms and ravishes me against the wall and then the counter. He pulls us down on the couch, against the wall in the hallway, and down into my bed.
He sleeps in my bed most nights and isn’t disappearing randomly from the apartment anymore.
He leaves every other day but still texts me that he made food for me. He also helped me finish writing the ending of my book so that I could send it off to the editing team.
He told me that once the book was published he wanted to take me out to a really nice dinner, just us two.
I don’t know what’s going on between Slade and I.
I know that I care for him and like him more than a friend and I can only hope he feels the same for me.
Sometimes when he touches me he’s hesitant until he snaps out of whatever haze he was in and starts to pleasure me.
There are times where I want to help him and I stick my hand in his sweatpants so I can touch him but I get shy. Also, when he stops pleasuring me he just makes me eat right after or distracts me from asking him if he needs help.
I feel his erection when we go to sleep and sometimes he’s unknowingly grinding into me while he’s sleeping.
I’m close to the apartment building and I round the corner but I stop in my tracks when I see the same hooded guy from a few weeks ago.
The guy I thought I saw.
The one who looks like the guy at my parents’ car crash.
He is just staring at me.
The hood hides most of his face, but I can see his blue eyes clearly.
I don’t think twice as I turn around and start walking the other way.
I pull out my phone and go to Slade’s contact. I check if he’s following me. I still see his black hood and blue eyes.
I press Slade’s contact and it starts ringing as I put my phone to my ear.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, as if he immediately knows.
“Someone’s following me,” I say, still glancing behind me to see if he’s still trailing me and he is.
My steps start to quicken as I try to get lost within the crowd.
“Where are you?”
“I was down the street from the building but I'm walking back towards my office.”
“I’m coming. Stay within crowds of people and keep me on the phone,” he says as I hear rustling.
I look behind me and the man’s closer.
I start running.
“I’m scared. He’s starting to walk faster.”
“You’re gonna be fine. I’m getting on the bike now. You’ll hear me. What street are you on?” he says before his bike starts up, roaring from the other end of the phone.
“I’m on 57th.”
“Go to the BMW dealership. I know them over there.”
I listen and run as fast as I can towards the dealership, wishing for the guy to just give up but as I run he keeps getting closer.
My heart is pounding and I’m fill with so much adrenaline that I don’t even feel tired from the running. All I can think about is getting to the dealership so Slade is come and get me.
“I’m coming for you, you fucking bitch! You can’t run forever!” the man yells. “Your prince can’t save you!”
Once I’m at the dealership, I don’t think as I push open the doors and go inside.
“What’s going on? Are you inside?” Slade says as I search for the restrooms and then run towards them.
All of the employees probably think I’m insane.
Once I get in the bathroom I lean against the door, catching my breath.
I’ve never run so fast in my life.
What does he want with me?
Why does he look so familiar?
He looks like the guy from my nightmares, the ones about my parents.
“I’m here, avtor. Keep breathing,” he says through the phone as tears streak down my face.
My heart is pounding hard and I feel like I can’t breathe properly.
“Slade,” I cry and close my eyes.
The bathroom door pushes open and I immediately know it’s Slade.
A pair of hands are on my face and I open my eyes.
He’s still wearing his helmet but his visor is lifted.
“You’re okay. I’ve got you,” he says although his voice is muffled.
“Slade, I was so scared. I swear I thought I saw a ghost from my past following me.” I cry in his arms while he comforts me.
“It’s okay, avtor. I’ll find him. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
He pulls me to his chest and I rest my head against where his heart is, listening to his heartbeats and closing my eyes as if they are a lullaby to calm me down.