It was weird to be back in her apartment after being away for weeks. It felt familiar and also strange. Good thing it was kept clean and dust-free with Nina coming over once a week with a couple of housekeepers from Angela's father's house to keep it spotless and her one and only live plant watered. Gael saw the Christmas plant and thought it was cute. He particularly liked that he was in it.
They moved the boxes into her office. Angela realized there were already several boxes in there too, in which they contained her first book—amongst other boxes of her other books. She forgot they were there and only remembered that Nina told her the publishing house sent a few boxes of the unpublished book from their warehouse while the rest were in a storage unit for the time being. The book was unpublished since September of last year, but there were still a few hundreds of paperbacks and hardcovers left.
Her first book was now only available pre-owned in some online stores and brand new on her website until all stocks were sold. It pained her to do this. After all, it was her first baby.
Angela was staring at the books in the box when Gael came up to her and grabbed one paperback with a white and red cover, carefully holding and examining it in his hand. "What happens to these now?"
She took a deep breath and leaned against her desk, folding her arms under her breasts. "Well… At first, I thought about donating several copies to some libraries here, but I can't really do that without risking anyone finding out who I am. Nina could do it, but it's...complicated and too much work. So we're keeping the remaining books until they're sold. They're sold on my site as signed copies—which is one of the tasks I need to finish by the end of this month."
"What task?"
"I have to go over the orders to process them one by one. Sign, pack, and ship out hundreds of orders all over the world." Angela looked around her office, which was, fortunately, a spacious second bedroom in her apartment that could house her personal library and boxes upon boxes that took up about half of the room and vertical space. It would take her a few days to finish everything.
Gael put the book back in the box and dug his hands in his pockets as he faced her. His expression was gentle as he looked at her, genuinely interested in her world. "I didn't realize it was such an arduous work for authors—apart from writing your books, I mean."
"Well, at least I don't have to do book signing tours. That's one less work than usual. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to meet…my readers." She smiled, appearing as though she wanted to explain further, but Gael already understood what she meant. She had told him that her father already knew about her "other life", but it didn't change her stance about staying private.
He nodded. "What do the bookstores do with the book? Are they still allowed to sell their stocks?"
"Some of them did an event to sell their supply. Others returned unsold copies. We accept returns, but we have to shoulder the cost for shipping, of course." She bit her bottom lip, scrunching her nose. Unpublishing the book cost her money too.
"Shit. I'm sorry you had to do that." Gael gripped the back of his neck, seemingly ashamed by the situation.
She shrugged, a small smile forming on her face. "It had to happen."
He moved closer and took her hand in his as he looked her in the eyes. "You know, I was okay with it after giving it some thought. I overreacted, thinking it hit too close to home. I was gonna tell you that… But then things happened in New York, and the next thing I knew, you had already unpublished." He brushed his fingers on her cheek. "Do you want to republish it?"
Samantha did tell her last month—about Gael giving her and Becca permission to proceed with the proposed project as planned. Angela hadn't really talked much about that with him. She leaned her face against his hand and kissed the palm of it, a smile lifting the corners of her lips.
"I have to admit… I'm still sad that it had to happen. And part of me wants to republish it. But also… I sorta feel free after doing it. It's a special book for me—with flaws and all that. But it also adds a bit of mystery. I kinda like it."
He let out a sigh, feeling like he should do something for her. Gael was afraid that she might only be downplaying it and that she was actually more than sad to let go of that book. But he could only support her decision.
"What can I do?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
Gael lifted her hand to his lips and pressed them gently on her fingers. "I don't like it when you're sad. Tell me what I can do to make it go away or if there's anything you want me to do for you. Anything. I'll help you pack and ship the books. I'll cook for you everyday until you get sick of it. Whatever you need. I'm your guy." He winked.
Angela threw her head back and laughed. Then her eyes landed on her first book that was on display on her shelf. "Actually… I have something in mind."
"Does that involve you and me being naked? I'll make a head start." He grinned, his fingers closing in on the top button of his shirt.
She rolled her eyes but couldn't keep the smile off her face. "Not that, but hold that thought. I'll cash that in very soon."
"What then?"
"Hmmm… I was thinking… I could host a giveaway." She picked up a hardcover copy of the book and regarded it. "I'll send this to the winner with a personalized dedication. And… If you're up for it, maybe you can sign it too—or even write a short message to the lucky one."
His brows raised, utterly surprised, having not expected what she just asked. "Me? Sign your book?"
"I mean, as Nicco, of course?" Angela held her hands to her face, feeling shy about asking him to do this but also excited at the prospect of it.
"You…want me…to sign as Nicco," Gael said slowly as if making sure he understood what she was asking.
And then she nodded, the spark in her eyes too mesmerizing. How could he ever say no to her looking like that? He didn't think it was a big deal. No one would know he was the character reference. Gael was sure her fans would flip out. And he wanted to indulge her. He would sign hundreds of books if that would keep the spark in her eyes.
He would do anything for her.
The corners of his lips curled into a handsome smile, and he kissed her on the nose. "Baby, I'd do more than sign a book if that's what you really want. That's the least I can do. And I mean it. I'll do anything you ask apart from this. Whatever problems you have—even if you're unsure that I can do it, you come to me."
"Even if you don't know how to do it?"
"I'll fucking learn it."
Angela smiled. "Okay then. Let's start with something simple. Strip for me."
Gael laughed. "Oh, I'll do you one better. I'll strip and then rip your clothes off too." He pushed his shoulder against her midsection and lifted her over his shoulder. She squealed in surprise, her laughter filling the space as he brought her towards the bedroom.. The mirth in his voice was apparent when he told her, "Let's recreate that scene you wrote in the book."
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter