Writers
CHAPTER 1
”I am not going to sit there with that woman, Javier!” Victoria Rivas mutters, her voice a blend of ire and frost. She”s the star writer at Chapter Publishing, and right now, she”s ensconced in a booth at a ludicrously expensive restaurant, her old friend and editor, Javier Martinez, opposite her. The minute she heard the location of their meet-up, she knew it was a setup.
Forty-three and fiercely intelligent, Victoria bristles at being manipulated. Especially when it involves appearing alongside the publishing house”s latest sensation, Micaela de Luca Bianchi. Just hearing that name sends a shiver down her spine.
”Victoria, darling, you need to be more adaptable. Don”t you remember your own beginnings?” Javier tries to soothe her with a placating tone.
”She doesn”t need me, Javier. Her book”s already in the top three bestsellers nationwide.”
”We all need support when we start out. You had it—I remember all the signings and events where you were flanked by successful authors. Now, you”re a celebrated writer. You”re known, you sell—always. Plus, think about it, joining forces could attract more readers,” Javier counters, his hands animated as he speaks.
”More readers?” Victoria scoffs, her expression one of utter disbelief. ”Javier, I write about romance, about love—stories that make your heart swell. That girl writes pornography,” her words hiss out like steam from a vent.
The tension between them could be sliced with a knife. They stare at each other, the absurdity of the argument hanging thick in the air. Victoria knows she should support the new generation at her publisher, but she isn”t ready to capitulate just yet. The press has been touting Micaela as her successor, something Victoria initially dismissed. But as Micaela”s sales soared, the threat seemed increasingly plausible. Curiosity piqued, Victoria had started reading her books, only to find their styles worlds apart. Javier, a veteran in the industry, knows all too well how such a pairing could captivate more readers, ensuring a resounding success.
”Admit it, you got turned on reading Micaela”s books, especially the latest one. God, even I did, and you know straight relationships aren”t my thing,” Javier blurts out unexpectedly.
Victoria looks at him, her nose wrinkled in distaste, unwilling to admit it, but eventually, a sheepish grin breaks across her face.
”Damn it! You wouldn”t believe how many times my battery ran out mid-chapter,” she laughs, a sound that Javier echoes. The laughter eases the tension.
”Sweetheart, you know you have to do this, right? I don”t want to force you—this is me talking as a friend now. It will be good for you, and she won”t feel alone. The publisher will be thrilled, and it”s a win for everyone,” Javier says earnestly, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand gently.
”I know, you”re right. I”ll go, but it still irks me. Micaela and I are like night and day in terms of our writing. Okay, let”s change the subject. How”s your husband doing?”
”Always the same,” sighs, settling back into the plush chair with a weary grace. The restaurant buzzes around her, a cacophony of clinking glasses and murmured conversations, but her thoughts are miles away. ”Ever since they promoted him to head of surgery, he”s barely home. We hardly see each other between his job and mine. He mentioned a getaway to the mountain chalet next month, but who knows? The last trip got canceled.” She pauses, her gaze distant. ”Let”s talk about this another time. There”s a lot to unpack. How’s your son doing?”
”With my brilliant ex” Victoria rolls her eyes, a flicker of sarcasm lighting her features. ”If anything good came from that mess, it’s Daniel. He”s doing well at university, and living with his father seems to suit him—how could it not?” She scoffs lightly, her voice tinged with bitterness. ”His father barely looks at him, just throws money his way and hired a girl to cook and clean. I”m using this trip to Madrid to see him; I miss him terribly,” she confesses, a shadow crossing her vibrant eyes.
”It”s natural to feel that way, but I assure you, he”s better off here in the capital than in Toledo with you. You’re in your sanctuary, doing what you love, and Daniel here has good friends, a social life, and he”s focused on his studies. You”ve done a great job with him,” Javier asserts, his smile warm and encouraging.
”And how do you know so much about Daniel?” Victoria asks, her eyebrows arching in surprise.
”I”ve given him a few small jobs; he’s talented. Once he graduates, he could join the publishing house, designing covers and layouts. We”ve talked a few times, and he’s happy in the city.” Javier”s tone is casual, but his eyes hold a deeper understanding. ”Well, Vicky, I should get going. I have a meeting across Madrid,” he adds, raising his hand to signal for the bill.
”I hope you”ll bring me back here next time you want to treat me to lunch. The steak was divine, definitely worth every euro you”re about to spend,” Victoria smiles, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
”You”re terrible, ordering the most expensive thing just to spite me.”
”Next time, think twice before trying to sweet-talk Victoria Rivas with your schemes.”
”At least it worked” Javier murmurs with a grin as they head toward the door.
Victoria shoots him a look that could kill; she knows she”s cornered, but it doesn”t mean she has to like it, especially not when she”s about to be sidelined at an event for a writer who seems hell-bent on stirring up every woman’s desires.