Trouble?

Alyssa's POV

I promised myself that I wouldn't panic. 

It's okay, no one here knows what became of the ‘renowned author’

No one really follows the internet trends at the outskirts of the big city.

But the pep talk wasn't working. I dialed her number one last time. Pacing around and fidgeting, an internal tremor made it impossible for me to chill. She finally picked up on the third ring and my shoulders finally relaxed.

I couldn't get upset because I was sure she had her reasons.

There was no reason to let her know that my anxiety was eating me out, and unconsciously, I pulled and released the rubber bands I used to adorn my hands. It caused red marks that reddened my skin, but I couldn't stop. I just couldn't.

“Where are you? You promised to make it to my book signing event.” I whispered quietly when I heard nothing from the other end. My worry lines were prominent on my forehead, conveying my nervousness.

All of a sudden, a hysterical laugh echoed through the phone that instantly startled me, before I heard her following words.

“You must be comedic if you believed that I would risk being seen with you after what happened.” Her tone was extremely icy, like she was having a blast.

I blinked, and my pacing came to an instant halt.

“Excuse me?” I questioned, unable to decipher what I just heard, but it was clear.

I could practically taste the disdain in her voice from over the phone. My heart hammered in my chest erratically, but she wasn't done.

“You heard me right. I'm sorry but I'm cutting you off. I'll block you after this so don't bother calling. Now that you've failed, I can tell you that I never really liked you.”

“What?” My voice cut, the shock coursing through my shaky figure. I staggered backwards and leaned onto a wall instinctively. The shock was enough to send me crashing down.

“Oh please, don't act surprised.”

I didn't need to see her to know that she rolled her eyes in disgust like she always did.

“You're boring and self absorbed. Writing all day and always refusing to hang out with the girls? Who did you even think you were? Now look at you, pathetic loser! Your career has gone downhill, so I refuse to be tied to you after what happened. Good riddance!”

The line went dead. Cindy, my best friend, just abandoned me, just like the others.

The shock was incredulous and for a couple of minutes, I let her words sink in. 

I wasn't supposed to shed tears as the other betrayals didn't hurt me much but she was my best friend. At least, It was what I considered her.

At the outskirts of the city, a couple of fans were already waiting but they were mostly elderly and it made the event look boring, instead of amazing, just like all my previous book signing events.

I was already writing this book before the disaster made my life crumble, so I lost fans. All my readers, all my followers, everything.

I was the famous Author, Alyssa Waters, but now I was worse than a debuting or rookie writer. It was all a big understanding but no one took my side.

I stepped out of the empty barn yard I hid after wiping my tears off my face. Now I was all alone. 

At least I had a glimmer of hope.

Even if my life is now ruined, I still had loyal fans and a quiet community where the middle-aged women that settled there were ready and willing to purchase my book on a discount. It wasn't all that bad.

Walking in with the fakest smile I had ever had to wear, I heard them scream my name, cheering from the tiny crowd as I took my seat. I couldn't tell if it was pity or if they were genuinely excited.

I stood up again to welcome them.

“I'm Alyssa Waters, and I'm more than grateful that you all made it to my last book signing event. It's been an honor over the years to have written books that were enjoyed by many and I will forever be appreciative. I hope you enjoy my last book. Thank you once again!”

I shouted on shaky feet, sitting down before I would fall as I heard the positive response from the crowd.

Finally sinking into my seat and doing what I loved, I felt a bit better. They all queued up in a line so as I signed, they would take a picture. At least they wanted my face in it. It was enough to just be accepted as a human being.

After a while, I got tired. It wasn't as crowded as my previous events when I was a star so I was almost finished. I planned to massage my ass after this last signee but when I looked up to face him, color drained from my face.

I felt my lips part, totally frozen mid-breath as recognition hit me. 

Luke Lexington-The most influential CEO of the most successful gadgets company, stood in all his glory in front of my table. He was with a copy of my book, waiting for my signature with a stoic look. But, he wanted an autograph from me?

My fingers trembled on the spot, shaky and unable to hold the marker I was using to sign the books.

Looking up at him again, I gasped. It was truly him. It wasn't all in my head.

Feeling a lump in my throat, I forced an awkward smile and pretended like his presence wasn't affecting me in every way possible.

I should've known. Moments ago, the noise died down and I was too tired to see what the issue was. So it was his presence, but what was he doing here?

I took the book from him and signed it and the whole time, I felt his intense gaze on me. He stared at me so hard I felt goosebumps all over.

Returning his book back to him, I initiated a conversation with him because it seemed like he actually came to stare.

“You're going to have to tune down on the staring, Mr Lexington.”

“You seem uncomfortable here, so why are you doing this? Is this some type of joke?”

I stiffened, shocked by his audacity.

I understood what he meant but I was still offended because he was in no position to care or offer advice.

“Excuse me? Do you know me or something?” I glared at him this time around. His attitude wasn't what I would've expected.

“The renowned Author, of course I know who you are.”

His last words made me melt instantly. It was refreshing to see that I was famous enough to be known by him, but what if it was because of the global misunderstanding that happened a month ago with a beta reader of mine?

I wore my flushed reaction like a sleeve and I watched his lips curl upwards as he noticed. Gosh, I felt stupid.

Up-close, he looked like a canon effect, like the type of man you fall helplessly in love with when you're nineteen and he leaves you broken and destroyed. It's a one time thing. His chiseled jaw and well toned skin kept me at the edge of my seat.

It wasn't supposed to be happening. He wore black slacks and his white shirt sleeves were roughly rolled in, like he had been working under pressure all day. Or, was he fucking one of his multiple women?

He sure looked spent. While still scrutinizing him even as I sat, he tapped on the table since clearly, I had zoned out, drooling like a cheerleader.

“Earth to Alyssa.” coming back to my senses, his knowing grin did something to me.

It was embarrassing, but I acted tough.

“Right. So, what's someone rich and busy like you doing in a place like this?”

“If you hadn't zoned off while admiring me, you would've known by now.”

“Damn, you're arrogant.” The words came out faster than I hoped but it didn't make it any less of the truth. 

“And you aren't?”

I blinked. Was he seriously asking me that?

Darting my eyes from the crowd behind us to back at him, it was clear that I wasn't. I was doing a book signing event in a freaking barn!

“Here's my card.”

He brought a white card out of his pocket and dropped it on my table. 

“Monday, nine o'clock, my mansion in Manhattan. I have an offer for you. Woodstock clearly doesn't suit you. Don't be late.”

“Excuse me—” My voice drowned in the crowd as he turned around and proceeded to walk away until he was out of sight. I noticed his men in suits too just then.

My body refused to adjust to what it just experienced.

Did I just get into a meeting with Luke Lexington? 

What for? Was I in trouble? Does it have to do with the misunderstanding?

My heart sank but I realized that there was only one way to find out.