Author's Note: What are the chances you will meet the same person again whom you never know the name?
You never know when you're gonna meet someone
And your whole wide world in a moment comes undone
You're just walking around and suddenly
Everything that you thought that you knew about love is gone...
(Start of Something Good)
Chapter 2: Cross Roads
After getting my coffee, I started walking to the nearest library in the vicinity. Although I have a car, I prefer to walked and do some thinking. I have to admit that the incident a few nights ago is the biggest thing on my mind right now. I could not easily forgot that kiss especially the woman I had kissed. Polly kept asking if I knew that person or at least what had gotten into me, which I both answer with a shrug of shoulder. After a few days of asking, Polly said that I should charge it to my head not my heart in which I answered with a nod and groaned.
"What has really gotten on me? Aha! Maybe it was the fact that she was gorgeous and hot! Oh well, I'm a shallow person."
I straightened my shoulder and put the paper cup in the trash before entering the library. I just hope that my research in my favorite place will take my mind off the gorgeous woman and her soft lips.
"Hi, Piper. How are you?" Mrs. Claudette, the main librarian, asked.
"I'm fine. Just doing some research today, so I can get started on writing my next novel." I answered politely. We had become friends after I frequented this library. I like this place so much because it is almost complete just like the main library in this state. Besides that, only few people are staying inside for long, making it ideal for me as a reading place.
"What will be you writing this time? I have read in the newspaper that one of your best selling novel will be adapted in a film." she said.
"Yes but my agent and the production company is still talking about it." I smiled sheepishly while scratching the back of my head.
"Oh well then good luck! I hope it will be a success. If you need anything in here, I will just be sitting here. Okay?" she said.
"Thank you." I said then started to walking around the library and began to get lost in the books.
"Can you accompany me in my meeting with the agent of a novelist before meeting?" Nicky asked.
"Novelist?" I asked with a puzzled expression.
"Yes. Apparently, Daya can't come to the meeting because Bennett is being honored today at the Capitol for his bravery." Nicky explained. Daya is the chief officer of the production company Nicky invested in. She has the highest share in the company. Of course after some convincing on her part, I bought a small share of it although it is not my cup of tea. I owned an airline company which was passed down to me by my mother. And with the influence of Nicky, I bought shares to several companies that Nicky had invested in also. Nicky also owned a pharmaceutical company and some research labs. Though it may not be obvious, Nicky is actually a license chemist. We have been best friends since we were small.
"I thought that we would only deal with the screen? I never thought we were venturing out to publishing." I said.
"Oh no...no...no... We are going to adapt the novel into the screen. We need to settle some matters with her before the signing of contract. Although Daya had informed me that everything is good to go." Nicky explained to me.
"Can I see the contract?" I asked her. I wanted to see how contracts are done in the production company so I will have a knowledge about it.
"I'm sorry but nope, I can't let you have the contract. Your OCDness might kick in and sabotage this project and from what I gathered from Daya this is one of the biggest project of the company this year." Nicky said wiggling her head left and right.
"First of all, I don't sabotage projects and I don't have an OCD. I just I want to review the contract." I said while one of my brow is raised. I try until we get to the restaurant to convince Nicky but she said it will just slow down things. After making sure that the valet would not use her top down Porsche for a joy ride, we went inside the restaurant.
"Reservation for Ms. Nichols." Nicky said in the receptionist.
"O'Neil will be assisting you, madam. There is already a woman waiting in your table. Have a nice evening." the receptionist politely said.
"Thank you." Nicky said.
As we walked, I tried to ask Nicky what does the contract contains but she just laughed and patted my shoulder.
"Good evening, Ms. Morello. I'm Ms. Nicky and this is Ms. Alex. We are here on behalf Ms. Daya, of Ruiz Production. I'm sorry she can't make it because of circumstances." Nicky said professionally. She offered her hand for hand shake. I sense my face twitching because surely Nicky is acting weird today. And oh, is her hand shaking?
"It's okay. I understand." Ms. Morello accepted Nicky's hand and shook it lightly.
"Good evening, Ms. Morello." I said then offered my hand.
"Good evening to you too, Ms. Alex." she accepted my hand.
"I think that now that pleasantries are done, we can all sit and enjoy the food first before we get down in business. I hear the steak here is good." Nicky said then helped Ms. Morello in her chair. Definitely Nicky is acting weird. When did Nicky become so polite? While Ms. Morello was busy looking at the menu, I raised my brow to Nicky ever so lightly which she just return with a shrug.
"So where are you from, Ms. Morello?" I asked sensing that Nicky was still just gawking at Ms. Morello.
"Please just call me Morello. I'm from Brooklyn originally but because of the kind of work I have, I needed to move here. How about you two?" Morello asked.
"We are living currently in New York and flying everywhere." I answered. Morello chuckled with my answer.
"That explains your accent." Nicky said.
"What about my accent?" Morello asked curiously.
"It's cute and appealing." Nicky said seriously. Morello blushed lightly. The awkward silence was diminished by the coming of our order in the table.
"Shall we? Bon a petit." I said. We ate in silence with some occasional short professional talk. We ordered red wine while we got down to business. Finally Nicky gave me a copy and with the limited time that I have, I read what I could. Morello and Nicky did all the talking while I scan the contract. I felt relief that the contract was written with precision and accuracy. Daya is a really competent employee.
"Well I have heard from Daya that many productions tried to buy her creations but she refuses. May I ask the reason why she finally decided give it to us?" Nicky asked.
"Well as you know writers are a bit weird with their demands but she just wants several thing to happen in her novel if it will be adapted to film." Morello answered then sipped her wine slowly. I could see in the corner of my eyes how Nicky abruptly reach for her water and gulped it down all. I chuckled lightly just enough for Nicky to hear. She eyed me suspiciously but said nothing.
"May I know what her demands are?" I asked professionally.
"She said that she will lend her work only if she feels it is the right production. Daya promise that the film will be faithful to the novel. Aside from that she wants to be hands-on with this project. Lastly Jenji Kohan will be the main producer of the film." Morello explained.
"Feels? How will she be hands on in this project if we will shoot it in New York and she is living here in California?" I asked curiously.
"It's a writer's discretion, Vause, about the feels. About the staying part, the writer will be staying in my house. It was arranged earlier by Daya. Jenji is the best producer in the field so there is no real problems in her demnds." Nicky said grinning.
"Oh I forgot to ask, what is the writer's name?" I asked.
"Piper Chapman." Morello answered enthusiastically.
"Piper Chapman." I repeated her name. I felt a sudden warmth in my heart but I dismissed it early, thinking that I have drunk too much wine.
"The one and only. Her novels are selling like pancakes in the bookstore, mind you. Now if there are no further things to ask or be clarified, I think we need to sign the contract. Daya will just have another meeting with you to put her signature also." Nicky said then she passed the official contracts to be signed to us. We drank some more wine after the signing. Morello' phone rang loudly while we sipped our wine. She excused herself to answer the phone. She went back after a few minutes.
"I hope it will not be a bother to you but I invited Piper in here, so you can meet her." Morello said apologetically.
"Oh it's okay. I wanted to meet her, seeing how Daya made a big fuss about her in one of our meetings." Nicky said delightfully. While we are waiting, my phone rang also and I excused myself to answer it. I went back after a few minutes.
"I'm sorry, ladies, but my secretary called me and told me that I forgot to fax some necessary documents. I would be going ahead of you. I will just hail a cab, Nicky" I said hurriedly.
"Nice meeting you, Alex." Morello said then shook my hand again. I think I will like doing business with Morello, she is very professional.
"Take care, Vause." Nicky said. I walked out of the restaurant and hail a cab outside. After a few minutes a cab stopped beside me but when I was about to reach for its handle, the door burst opened and a woman came out of it. Because I was reaching for the door, the woman and I collided at each other. She landed on top of me. She is heavy but when she moved above me, I almost groaned when I felt heat spreading in my body. I felt the world stop when our eyes met. Damn! She is exquisitely beautiful. Her eyes are like a pool of water inviting me to dive in and explore her. Oh my god! Her insanely beautiful lips are open wide as if waiting for me to devour her. She looks familiar.
"Stop it, you pervert! Nicky is right! You need to get laid and fast, before you rip someone!" I silently berated myself.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I could really be clumsy at times but I'm really in a hurry right now." the blonde woman said then she offered her hand. I shrug some dirt off my pants and was about to accept her hand but the woman is nowhere to find.
"Right! She is the woman from the Coachella! I need to know her name but where is she?"
"Are you still coming inside?" the cab driver asked then I felt my phone buzz. I read the message. It is from my secretary asking about the documents.
"Fuck! Maybe next time."
"Yeah." I answered then went inside and sit properly when my hand touched something hard.
"Can you open the light please?" I asked the driver. He opened it swiftly.
Then I saw it, a book that is not to thick. I read the title aloud.
And Playing the Role Herself by K.E. Lane.
