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Monday
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9:15. Oh, shit! I slept through my alarm! I've never done this before! Damn!
Chrisine rolled over and grabbed her cell phone.
"Monchamin and Leferve Publishing Company, how may I help you?"
"Hi, this is Christine Daae, I need to speak with Mr. Leferve right away please."
"One moment please."
"Hello?"
"Sir, I am so sorry. I overslept. I don't -"
"Christine. It's just fine. Clam down. We were quite worried about you, actually... you've never been late before."
"I'll be in as soon as I can. I'm so sorry. It won't ever happen again."
"Good. We'll see you soon."
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"... and here is your new assignment. Ms. Guidicelli ought to have a new book ready in a month. Until then, here is a collection of short stories written by her friend, Laureen Sorelli. Any questions?"
"Ah – well maybe, could you, um, look at this for me? It came across my desk and, well, I thought it would be nice to have your opinion on it. Whether or not, we should publish it, that is."
"Sure. Leave it on my desk and I'll take a look at it sometime this week."
"Thanks." Christine slid quickly out of Leferve's office, leaving the manuscript of her book on his desk.
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Christine was the last out of the office. It was midnight, and she had finally finished the first story. Her bag held the manuscript for the second story. The first story had been about a vampire stalking a girl in the poorly lit streets of a small town on the west coast. How he slowly fell in love with her, still seeking her lifeblood.
She picked up her pace, striding through the deserted streets under the yellow street lamps. Her breath came out in small yellow puffs in front of her. The street lamp above her flickered and a thunderous crash resounded behind Christine. She took off sprinting, not stopping until all three locks on her door were enabled and a chair was wedged under the doorknob.
She raked her hand through her long blonde hair. She hated it – it was straight as a poker and never seemed to cooperate with what she wanted it to do. Not to mention that it constantly frizzed. Christine sighed. Maybe I should get it cut. Hmmm... no, not now. Maybe next week.
Christine settled down in her red overstuffed armchair under the warm light of a lamp. She pulled out Sorelli's manuscript and started the long process of editing the story.
"You are late."
Christine whipped around.
"Who was that?" she demanded. She stood, knocking all the papers to the floor. "Show yourself." Christine walked over to the kitchen to the block of knives, grabbing the biggest one in the block. "I swear I'll use it." She cautiously inspected the apartment. No one.
She took the knife back over to the chair with her along with a fresh cup of Russian tea. Christine gasped. All of the papers were stacked neatly on the seat of the chair.
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Tuesday
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"Geez. Did you even go home?" Lauren James asked.
"Yeah, for a few hours," was Christine's curt response. Lauren shrugged and left to grab some more coffee.
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"Morning, Christine. How is the Sorelli project coming?" Mr. Leferve asked.
"I'm nearly through the third story. I think I'll have most of it completed by the time I leave tonight."
"Excellent. I checked through that piece you gave me yesterday," he looked at Christine's expression mistaking it for shock. "I know, I'm actually on time for once," he joked. "Anyways, I like it. I think that new author is exactly what Leferve Publishing needs. Could you get in contact with them. I understand if they want to remain anonymous, but it would be nice to talk to them and at least congratulate them." Leferve rubbed the back of his neck.
Christine, sitting in shock slowly recovered her nerves and replied, "I'll get in contact with them. For sure. Thank you Mr. Leferve!"
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"I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner with me tonight."
"I would love to, Raoul!"
"Excellent! I'll pick you up at – does 6:30 work for you?"
"It does. I'll see you then!"
"Bye, Christine."
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"Meg! Oh my God! I got my book published!"
"That's great Christine!"
"And Raoul de Chagny asked me out tonight!"
"Oh my God! That guy you liked way back in grade school?"
"The one and only!"
"Do you still have that strapless blue sparkly dress?"
"The one we bought last summer?"
"Yup. You are going to wear it to night and knock lover boy off his feet."
"You are a godsend, Meg."
"Oh – I'm going to be in town next week for a few days. We are totally going shopping. I'll call. See you then Chrissy!"
"Bye!"
Pure, unadulterated joy flooded through Christine's veins as she pushed the end button. Finally, something was going right.
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Knock. Knock. Knock.
Christine rushed over answer the door. Raoul stood framed by the door, angelic in a white three piece suit and light blue tie. He flashed a set of perfectly straight white teeth and offered her a boquet of a dozen creamy roses. Christine flushed as she accepted them and hurried off to find her purse. She took Raoul's arm and he led her out to a red Porsche. Christine blushed again as he opened the door for her and helped her in. Raoul climbed in and the engine purred to life. He set some pop music quietly in the background.
"If you want to change the music go ahead. Just avoid the last two numbers for radio. I'm not particularly a fan of country." Raoul chuckled.
"Neither am I." Christine blushed.
"Edit anything good lately?"
"Hmmm. Right now I'm working on a collection of short horror stories."
"Really? I wish I had more time to read,but with the firm and all..." he paused. "Oh well. We've been thinking about buying into Leferve Publishing. Although," he grinned, "you didn't hear it from me, but I hear that Leferve is retiring soon."
"Really? Well – that explains a lot. I wonder who will take his place?"
"Rumor is that he is still looking for a replacement."
"I never would have guessed. When will he retire - do you know?"
"I heard that it could be as early as next week."
"Wow, that soon."
"Yup. I hope your new boss will still allow me to see you for coffee breaks." he grinned mischievously.
"Ugh. That was a terrible incident."
"Hey, if you hadn't made me spill coffee down myself, I never would have found you again."
"Well, thank God for mistakes then." Christine laughed.
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"I had a great time." Christine stood in her door frame. "We need to do this again sometime."
"I agree," Raoul said as he leaned in and kissed her. It was a simple kiss, pure and innocent. There were no hidden feelings or complications to it. It was a beautiful thing, shared between two beautiful people.
"Good night, Christine," Raoul said softly, still savoring the taste of their kiss on his lips.
"Good night, Raoul," Christine smiled gently as she shut the door.
She sighed as she walked over to the coffee maker, turning it on, determined, as like last night to not sleep.
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Wednesday
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Ugh. Cannot focus today. Christine groaned reading the same sentence for the fifth time. "Mr. Leferve, can I take a quick coffee break? I'm almost done with Sorelli's final story."
"Sure. Are you O.K. Christine? You look as if you haven't slept in a week."
"I'm fine. I'll be right back." Christine hastily responded as she grabbed her purse and flew out the door.
She could almost feel herself falling asleep as she waited in line forever for her triple shot expresso.
"Christine Day-ay. Triple shot expresso mocha." Christine grabbed it and hurried out of the shop.
"You have been gone far too long."
Christine didn't even see the bus coming.
Before you all grab the punjab lassos sitting on your desks, remember that medical care nowadays is quite speedy and effective even cities such as Christine's. As to xXxMusexXx's guess on the story hidden in chapter five – well I guess I'll give you just this one. Christine visits the chapel of Saint Glinda, a setting in The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Ecstatic over my I in Lit Program,
Raven Sharpe
(posted 02-27-10)