Her red heels tightened around her ankles with few suede strands clicked against wooden floor, making her shoulders tense; she didn't want to disturb anyone, the tiniest thought made her uneasy. Fidgeting, she looked around, while she was walking through creamy-painted corridor, feeling like a kid on a school trip.

"Can I help you?" A feminine, high, but sweet voice startled her. Lillian unconsciously took a step back, and looked up at an extremely beautiful blonde in front of her; hair tied in a tight, high ponytail, glossy pink lipstick gracing her mouth which was curved into a genuine smile. "Oh, I'm sorry." Her gaze fell to the ground, cheeks turning scarlet.

"No, it's… It's nothing; totally my fault…" Lillian brushed her hair with her slander fingers. "I have an appointment with Ne- Isaac Appleby," she explained, remembering what Lizzy told her about Newt avoiding using his first name at work

"I can lead you to his office; I'm his assistant," she clarified, "Sonya."

"Lillian." She offered with a shy smile.

"Oh, right! You're a bit early, so how about a drink?"

"Ym… sure. Do you have some orange juice?" Sonya thought for a second.

"I'm sure I can find some, but first come with me first. I wouldn't want to leave you standing in those," she mentioned the heels, and began walking.

"They're not as bad as they look," Lillian laughed off the remark, feeling a bit more relaxed.

Publishing house was huge, with every publisher having his own part for an office and waiting area with a built-up space for an assistant apparently all of them had. Lillian was sitting alone on a puffy armchair, fidgeting.

"First time?" Sonya appeared from behind her with her beverage.

"Huh?" She looked up from her nails to glance nervously at the assistant.

"At a publishing house?" Blonde clarified.

"Oh, yeah." She took the glass and mumbled a 'thank you' with a smile. "Never really expected to be at one."

"Really?" Sonya took a sit on another chair, waiting for Lillian to continue.

"Yeah, I… My high-school friend is Isaac's sister and she thought it would be great to give him my work without my permission." She looked away too anxious to face anyone.

"You're lucky," Sonya admitted, gaining attention, "Isaac is very… strict when it comes to his work. If yours was… not satisfying, he'd throw it into a trash, sister's friend or not. And believe me I'd know, you're not the first friend who asked… I mean got some help from Elizabeth." Lillian felt bitter after the comment. She appreciated Lizzy's help, but it put her into an uncomfortable place with people thinking she got the appointment because of acquaintanceship and not of talent.

"Yes, I'm… here to clarify things with Isaac." It felt weird calling him by his second name which he used to hate so much.

"That's why you're so nervous?" Sonya raised her eyebrow.

"Is it that clear?"

"Yup."

Time with Sonya passed quickly; blonde engaged her into lots of small talks and filled her in about new rumors about… everything. Their time was eventually up and Sonya led her to the office. She opened heavy-looking, dark-wooden door. Newt's hair was a mess of blond locks falling down his forehead. He was buttoning his jacket as he stood up from his papers to greet her but as their eyes met he let go of the button and stammered,

"Lillian?" As soon as Sonya let her in she was gone with a loud click of the door closing, leaving both of them alone and that was when Lillian lost it.

"Newt." She totally forgot not to use his nickname, but it didn't matter for they were alone anyway. "I'm really sorry for this. I have no idea why Lizzy would send you my work; I swear I never asked her to. So, how about you give it back and we forget the whole thing?" she rumbled, once again fidgeting with her fingernail, creating an awful sound that tagged along. Newt listened to her every word trying to process all of it.

"That would be a shame." He grinned. "How about you sit down and listen to my offer? It's been so long since I last saw you," he admitted the last part in a faint whisper that almost escaped her, "Can't let you go that quickly now." She was too stunned to argue with him and took a sit like he told her to. "I knew about Lizzy's plan and… I voluntarily anticipated in it," he admitted apologetically, "But I don't regret it, and neither should you." Before she could argue – not that she knew how to contradict – he took some papers out of his desk and handed it to her. "Take a look," he encouraged her.

She looked up the text, reading it thoroughly, paying attention to every word and every remark written in red ink. A soft frown turned deeper the farther she got. When she was done she gave him back the papers with a curious expression twisted with confusion.

"I don't think I understand," she confessed. Newt smiled understandingly.

"It's a work of one of my… clients. And I think you deserve her place more than she does." His gaze was suddenly too much to handle and she looked away.

"I… I'm not a writer-"

"I could argue," he chuckled heartedly, "I'm not asking you to publish anything, at least not now; I still have to deal with these." He pointed at the papers. "So I don't think my supervisor would approve me taking another writer, but… Lillian, your work is great and if you let me I'd love to get it published. I can't promise you a contract – not until you have at least eighty per cent of the book finished; new policy."

"I don't know, Newt. I honestly had no idea Lizzy had given you my work. I wrote it for myself, and for myself only." Newt nodded slowly, glancing at his intertwined fingers.

"I understand, and I'm sorry." His amber eyes pierced right through her grey. "But at least think about it, okay?"

"Kk," she answered probably too quickly, "But I don't think it's the best idea." A silent fell between them. Lillian wanted to talk to him badly, but no topic seemed to come up as the silent grew heavier. "I should go," she whispered and began fidgeting in her seat to compose herself.

"Wait." The word left his mouth before he could rethink his action. She gazed at him in surprise but did as was told. He opened a drawer in his desk and took sheets of paper out, handling it to her, but not before scratching something on one of it swiftly. "Take it. I don't have any other copy and until you decide what to do with them, it should stay with you."

"Thanks." She smiled heartedly.

"I hope I'll see you around."

"Me too." She left, barely keeping balance on her heels as the door closed behind her. She tugged the papers inside her purse, trying to gain control of her breathe.

"Did it go bad?" Sonya's voice startled her once more.

"Huh? No, I was just… not prepared for this." Nervous, Lillian put a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you." Sonya waved her off with a pearly beam.

"It's nothing. Will you be working together now?" There was blonde's inquisitiveness.

"I doubt it." Sonya's frown was unmissable. "I just don't think I'm ready yet."

"Alright then, you have my number in case you change your mind, don't you? I'll arrange a meeting anytime you want."

"Thank you." But I don't think I'll call. "Bye." Yet Sonya insisted on walking her out, finding a way to indulge her in another small talk – if she was giving classes on that Lillian would definitely sign up.

"How did it go?" Lizzy's voice echoed from the living room as she laid spread on the couch with a bag of chips, watching some show on TV.

"Embarrassing." She told her friend more or less of what occurred at the publishing house and went straight to her room. She decided to take a look at the scribble of work and she read carefully every remark. On the last page under printed chapter the only note written in blue ink was a phone number and a simple 'Call me'. Lillian's heart skipped faster as she read it.

She put the papers down on her desk and jumped onto her bed. She wouldn't call him. She didn't need a distraction that writing a book was in her life. She was perfectly fine with writing it for herself and herself only.

But his grin hunted her for the next few days and so did the memories of him. She found herself staring at the phone number few times a day fighting an urge to dial it. And Lizzy wasn't helping. She talked all the time about Lillian wasting a chance – part of her knew Lizzy was right. What bad could happen after all? Maybe at some point Newt would tell her what garbage her work was and the problem would be solved? Maybe she'd feel embarrassed for few days or weeks, but it was not like Newt and she kept in touch all those years.

"Just call him," Lizzy groaned, sensing Lillian's distress, "The worst thing that can happen is you not getting to publish your work. You have nothing to lose, but so much to win!"

"Give me another day to think about it."

"I might. I just dunno if my bro will."