CHAPTER 4
The Madrid Book Fair has always ignited a spark in Victoria Rivas. Yet, these days, that spark turns into a roaring flame when she”s the author whose signatures people queue up for. But this year, the thrill is tinged with bitterness. The publishers have paired her with Micaela de Luca Bianchi for two grueling afternoons of joint book signings.
The moment Victoria hears the news, she unleashes a torrent of curses and dials Javier, her friend and editor. She demands answers, a solution, anything. But Javier, ever the slippery eel, claims his hands are tied. ”The decision came from the top, Victoria. Plus, it”s good publicity to team up with the breakout writer of the year.”
”Always the same with you, Javier,” she scoffs into the phone, frustration boiling over. ”You dodge responsibility like it”s an art form.”
”Come on, don”t be like that,” he tries to soothe her, conveniently omitting that Micaela had called with similar complaints just ten minutes earlier.
For Micaela, the issue isn”t so much sharing space with Victoria, but the nagging fear of being overshadowed.
”You don”t even have to talk to her, Vicky. Just sign your books, and she”ll sign hers. It”ll all work out,” Javier assures her.
Victoria hangs up, seething, and not even Vicente, her occasional lover and confidant, can lift her spirits.
Now, they”re here. The last encounter between Victoria and Micaela was at Micaela”s book launch in a quaint Madrid bookstore, right before Micaela scandalously left with one of her readers. Their greeting at the fair is stilted, awkward—a brief, chilly ”hello” that sends ripples of discomfort through the staff and Javier, all too aware of the mutual disdain.
They”ve been signing for over three hours when Victoria poses for a photo with a woman and her daughter. As the last flash fades, she realizes there”s no one else in line—a moment she”s been secretly craving. She needs a break, to stretch her legs, maybe escape to the restroom. But Micaela seizes the moment to strike.
”Finished signing already?” Micaela asks, her smile lined with mockery. ”If you don”t get through all the copies the publishers expected, they might just let you go,” she adds while signing another fan’s book.
Victoria bites her tongue, schooling her features into calm. She’s too poised to cause a scene, but Micaela’s next move tests her limits. Stretching her neck to survey her still-busy line and then glancing back at Victoria with a smirk, Micaela taunts, ”How many books have you signed? A hundred? A hundred ten? I”m over two hundred. My hand is practically numb.”
Victoria rises from her chair, the scrape of metal on concrete barely audible beneath the bustling noise of the fair. She strides to Micaela, leaning close enough that her whisper can only be for her rival”s ears. Javier watches, his face a mask of dread, anticipating the spark that might ignite a wildfire.
”Really, Micaela, are you so foolish as to count each book you sign? Don”t you have anything better to think about?” Victoria”s voice is a silky threat, laced with disdain.
Javier gestures to the next fan in line, signaling her to wait. He can”t afford a scandal here—not with their books on the line, not with the press lurking like vultures ready to swoop down on any hint of drama.
”It”s not that I”m counting,” Micaela retorts, pride sharpening her tone to a point. ”I just like seeing my piles shrink while yours... well, they seem quite unchanged. Face it, I”m outshining you.”
Victoria”s laugh is short, icy. ”Mistake not, Micaela. If your line is longer, it”s only because of that scandalous neckline. Seems anyone can sell books that way.”
”Believe what you will,” Micaela says, her eyes glinting as she glances down at her form-fitting tank top. ”But it”s my story sweeping everyone off their feet.”
”Do you realize my book was released months ago and yours is fresh off the press? You might want to dial down that ego, darling. I”ll be curious to see your sales once the promotional dust settles and everyone forgets your name.”
Micaela”s smile vanishes as she pivots to face Victoria, their noses nearly brushing. ”I don”t need the publisher”s hype. My story spreads by word of mouth. Can you say the same for yours? Maybe it”s time to step aside for the new blood, Victoria. Seriously, your era is over. You”re getting older.”
”Look, sweetheart...”
Victoria”s retort is cut short as Javier steps in, deciding it”s better to prevent the explosion rather than manage the aftermath. ”We were discussing,” Victoria snaps, the anger seeping through her pores.
”That”s lovely, dear,” Javier replies with a forced smile. ”But I doubt your conversations will ever end well. So, please, sit your pretty self down and keep signing. You”ve got a line again.”
Victoria turns and her frustration deepens when she realizes her brief respite to clear her head—and her bladder—has been squandered in this pointless spat with the so-called ”erotic novelist.”
”She”s unbearable. How do you even tolerate her?” Victoria hisses.
”I don”t care about her personality as long as she sells books. Now, sit down so we can continue making money,” Javier pushes gently, guiding her back to her chair.
Victoria collapses into her seat, disconnecting from the petty squabbles as a young man approaches, his eyes eager for her signature. For Victoria, it”s not just about the numbers. She revels in this direct connection with her readers, cherishing how her stories whisk them away when they need it most.