As I'm back home from the little trip, the first thing I do after closing the door behind me is to check the fridge and pantry to gather ideas for dinner. It turns out both are nearly empty. All that's left is a single egg in the fridge, plus a pack of crackers and a tin of canned tuna in the pantry.

Tomorrow, I'll do the shopping after work. I really need to. Since I don't want eggs for dinner and don't think tuna and crackers are a viable option, I go for takeaway. I'll have my leftovers for breakfast.

I scroll through delivery apps to gather ideas. Pizza? Sushi? Baked potatoes? Hamburgers? Or maybe a lobster roll? There are so many options that I'm frazzled. There's a part of me that tells me to give up on the search, save money and have eggs and canned tuna for dinner.

To leave the rut I'm stuck in, I resort to flipping a coin. Heads means treating myself with takeaway. Tails, a cheapskate dinner. I throw it in the air and then let it spin on the table for a time that doesn't seem to end. After two whole minutes, the result comes. Heads.

After two more minutes where I struggle making a decision, I opt for fried chicken because I haven't had it in three months. I order a basket along with some chicken skewers, fries and a Coke. Since the order takes forty minutes to arrive, I kill the waiting time by doing some chores, finishing the washing and folding tablecloths and bed linens.

When I'm done, I scroll through my social media to get distracted. To my surprise, what I find on TikTok is heartwarming to say the least. Alice, the girl I met on the train on my way to Middlehurst, has commented on my book.

'Rebel Without Hope, the first ever novel published by Braverly Lane, is such an underrated piece, yet, even after two years since it was first published, it's still fresh and vibrant. The storyline develops seamlessly around the two main characters. The narration is sharp, but not jarring.'

A comment to that video says, 'Why people thought it was a flop is beyond me. Y'all don't appreciate this kind of stories, and it's as clear as daylight you need to start branching out a little more.'

Both Alice and the commenter give me fresh hope. The fact that Rebel Without Hope is getting its flowers, though belated, pushes me to persevere further. I want to be appreciated not only for the craft of writing per se, but also for the messages I convey through my characters and storylines.

Other comments echo through the positive sentiment, meaning that Alice's good impression of the work has spread. Hopefully this gives me the motivation I need to stay true to my writing style rather than follow trends.

***

At work, I do a full immersion on my assigned tasks, not wanting to be distracted by the newfound success on social media. It can only be temporary, especially without a proper follow up. I'd better keep myself planted on the ground and be humble.

The exact moment I'm done with today's workload, Dalia stops by my desk. "How are you holding up?" she asks, being her usual positive self.

"I'm fine." I try not to tell her about Alice and what happened on the train to Middlehurst before I get accused of being cocky, but I can't resist. "Well, not for the usual reasons. Do you remember Rebel Without Hope?"

"Oh, yeah, I remember that. Everyone here said it was absolute trash." She gives me a disgusted look, much to my confusion. "Well, the dialogues were a little cringe, you can admit that, Bee. But, hey, it was your first work. You have improved massively after."

"Thank you, Dalia. I don't know if I'd be able to move on without you."

"Girl, please, believe in yourself more! You will do great things as an author. Don't think what I'm saying will make you cocky—it makes you more self aware, trust me." She has a point. I have to be more assertive and more confident in my skills.

Nevertheless, knowing how Roseann and her stupid clique like to nitpick on every single behavior of mine they perceive as "arrogant" or "out of place" to make me feel miserable, I still think I have to tread carefully around them.

"Look, Dalia, the point is, Rebel Without Hope has gained major social media traction. While I appreciate that, I still think it's only temporary. What should I do for a longer lasting impact?" I sound like a newbie asking this question.

If I have to be objective, though, I have to learn to handle this kind of situation unless I want to end up on a roller coaster full of exciting highs and disastrous lows. So, who better than Dalia to guide me through the insidious world of social media promotions?

Her answer, though interesting, floors me. "Well, do as you please. Follow your gut. There isn't an exact answer to this question. All I can say is that your heart and your mind should be on the same page." Once again, she has brought an interesting point of view to the picture.

Only time will tell if I'm taking the right direction. For now, it's trial and error. I won't hesitate again. I'll show strength and prove myself right. I'll keep improving as an author and work on myself as a person. I'll keep learning to love myself—that's the best way to reciprocate good feelings for others.

***

As I'm about to return home, Frye asks me to stop by his office to discuss some urgent matters. An interesting deal on the way? I hope so. It'll solidify the company's reputation further and prove our ambition and desire to take new, unexplored paths.

"I know, you wonder why I called you here," he says, while speculation is on the rise. It has to be something that can change the course of business at this company. I pray it's a strategy that works and won't cause any trouble.

I answer, "Yes, I do." Curiosity gets the best of me and I can't help asking, "What is it about? Is there any secret task I should be aware of?"

He shrugs my doubt off. "No, no. No secret task. Actually, it's nothing related to work. Instead, it's something... how can I say that without sounding intrusive? Well..." He hesitates as he struggles to find the right word to complete his reasoning.

I suggest. "Personal?"

"Oh, yes, that's what I mean. It's a personal matter."

"Mr. Frye, I've never had you as someone who'd disclose anything about your private life. You're so reserved." It's not merely an impression of mine, it's a matter of fact. Since I met him for the first time, I've always seen him as someone driven by goals and ambitions rather than feelings.

This is why he hardly ever loses his patience, especially considering there are elements such as Roseann whose main purpose at this workplace is disturbance.

"How about we ditch formalities?" Frye's newest suggestion floors me. He's my boss. Using a confidential tone as if we were friends doesn't come automatically to me. But, if this is what he desires, I'll make this effort.

"You've made a quite good point. Anyway, you said you're here to discuss a personal matter of yours with me."

He quickly corrects me. "No, no. I'm not here for my business. I'm here for yours. You know, Rebel Without Hope's return in popularity isn't a coincidence."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're ready to take the next big step in the publishing industry." Wow. This means he trusts me a lot. I can't disappoint him. I have to pay him forward for believing in me regardless of the social media effect or the belittling from the same old losers.

I can do it. I must do it.