Blind bitch.

I stare at her and I promise myself that I will return the 'favour' one way or another. My revenge will hit so hard it will be nearly impossible for her to forget what she's asking me to do.

- Saah, we are talking about the iiiiinternational market, 'Clément'...will not make it.

-What does it mean "'Clément' will not make it "? We already exchanged Dylan for a certain 'Kilian O'Hara' and now, you are asking me to ditch Clement? I won't. He's French, this aspect is important. I will not change my entire novel. I don't want to end up with Mr O'Brien's lawyers stuck on my butt. But for Clement, it's different. I don't have any reason to change his name.

-We thought about 'David', a biblical name, the power of the weakest, a symbol of revenge, of triumph, it's positive. It's Judeo-Christian, it's international, do you get it?

-Really? You bet there's a ton of 'David' in Japan ! Why not try 'Jon' even if he knows nothing?

She didn't let go. I had to give up : if I wanted my book to be published all around the world Clément had to say goodbye. I told her she could keep her iiiiiinternational publishing project, that I was cancelling everything and returning to Wattpad if he couldn't stay.

David sucks.

It sucks because I didn't choose it.
I have nothing against 'David's', but my main character is Clément.

She pinched her lips and stared at me with disdain before starting a speech I was barely listening to. I was scrolling through my twitter feed, not because I actually cared about the trending hashtags but because I knew it would annoy her to death. More than thirty years old and I was trying to catch up on the rebellious behaviour I never had in middle school, high school or college. Without a word or a look, I was asking her to "shut the fuck up". My resistance lasted about forty five minutes, the best a foal could do before ma'am pulled out her giant whip.

-You know, I understand why you hesitate. Really. I always got my authors' back, she says.

-...

-But the problem is that you took part in and won the Fysta contest. So, your... "Cheetah" as you call it...

-Leopard, I interrupt her.

-Whatever. You gave us some rights and a total exclusivity for the next five years. The eBook made it to top and the paperback is on the right path to do so. We are happy but we have our needs. Worldwide, your book will be a bestseller, we have what it will take to make it happen and we also have Dylan O'Brien's superstar status while he's still relevant. We will make it huge, Saah. But we just need one more thing.

-You want Clément?

-Yes.

-No.

-...

-Let's be clear, you have the manuscript you've been looking for. A boner like you never had since Ana Todd started being boring for Hugh and friends. You want to have some naughty fun with the "Leopard"? Accept the scratches. Gay wedding, LGBT community, all of this is so trendy! I'm giving you what you needed. Do what you want with Dylan, I can even help you with that. But Clément will stay Clément. Or, I stay on Wattpad with the contract YOU signed. I won't make any money, for sure, but you will go home with Mrs Todd and Harry Styles who's getting old as fast as his fans. So, if you want us to fuck on a comfy bed with Dylan, you better give me some pleasure. Clément stays.

-Well. I...I will talk to the boss.

-Talk to him Anastasia. Now, I have to go. A sequel is waiting to be written. You have my number just in case, don't you?

I went home with a victory. Anastasia was mad and disappointed when I left her office. I had to bluff, if I couldn't save Clément I knew my adventure with Hugh and friends would be more of a die than a ride.
Happy was an understatement to express how I felt. My adrenaline reached the ultimate level and I wanted to throw a party with the world invited. Too bad, it was already four pm and I was wandering somewhere around the sixteenth borough. I went to Odeon by subway. That area is one of my favourite, it reminds me of my college years. St Michel always feels like home.
In the Viennese cake shop, I'm ecstatic. I sip my coffee with delight and enjoy the warmth.  Life is way much more beautiful when your books are selling and you stop smoking.

Trip back on the regional express network. It stinks. The woman sitting next to me is chewing and spitting out sunflower seeds. I get down off my pink cloud. Each stop brings me closer to my sad suburbs and makes me regret the attitude I had earlier.
I acted like a brat. A total idiot.
I've been myself for too long. For something as dumb as a first name I miss the Holy Grail. David is right.
While getting out of the train at Massy Palaiseau, a strange feeling hits me. I am shitty. Back to my daily routine. I wasted my last shot because of my excessive and worthless pride. I should have called him David since the beginning.
After a late bus, I'm finally home. I clench my teeth while inserting the key on the lock. It's six and I secretly hope everything will be fine.
The alcohol smell spits on my face. I enter the apartment without noise and I do my best to stay discreet. A beer can lies on the floor. Five others sit on the coffee table. All empty.

On the ground, between the couch and the armchair, lies the unconscious body of the man I live with, Nicolas.
I step over him and turn the TV on.

-Hi darling, I'm back.

He's too drunk to be aware of my presence.
I take one of his cigarettes and light it before pulling my cell phone out of my pocket. I send a message to Anastasia.

Saah says : You can exchange Clément for David if you think it's necessary. You'll lose some readers but however, it's a win for me.

Anastasia says : You already won. We keep Clément. Next week we launch the paperback and eBook protocol for the Anglophone market. Kisses.

Kisses? Lame bitch.
I glanced at Nicolas dribbling all over the linoleum, lighted up another cigarette using the previous one's butt and prayed for someone to get me out of this.