Clarriese Zyah's POV
I am bothered by what Mr. Scott told me. Every word he said made sense and made me believe that it was really him. I didn't waste any seconds and looked for my laptop. I found myself typing on the keyboard the name of their website. I was discouraged when I found out that it has been quiet for many days already. The featured journalists and writers on their page are more than 10 only. They were about a hundred the last time I visited their page.
That Mr. Scott, whoever he is, isn't lying. The Inkwell really is in a dilemma. It seems that they indeed need my help.
I continued browsing on their website. Until I found a content that shows Dale was the author of the article. I was hesitant to read it. I had a lot of thoughts that hindered me from clicking it. Yet I still read it at the end. I couldn't blame myself for being too soft-hearted, right?
"Fading Chapters," I read the title. These words are quite painful.
"I am lost into the unknown, defeated by a myriad "what ifs" roaring in my mind. I opened my eyes but saw nothing. There was no way out. I am trapped in that abyss with nothing but complete darkness. I choose to shut my eyes. Why? Because when my eyes were closed, I could picture you out of my head. If my eyes were opened wide, I only saw how pathetic I am, helpless in this emptiness. My lady, will I be able to hold your hand again before my fading chapters? My sunshine, I am longing for you. Where are you?"
It was late for me to notice that I was crying. The tears was already rolling down my cheeks without me knowing. I felt something sharp was pricked deep inside my chest. 
The days, those colorful days, I spent with him, played on my mind. We were both smiling and there were no traces of sadness. This memory made me want to cry even more. It made my heart feel tight and heavy. The pain awakened as if everything just happened yesterday. 
He was mad at me the day he turned his back on me. After that scenario, our path didn't cross again. Of course, I don't have a chance to meet him even for just a second. He won't spare me if I show up in front of him and I don't even have the courage to do it anyway.
Among all of the people, I am aware of how furious he was with me. I could never forget that fire he had in his eyes before he left me. Those stares were a nightmare to me, haunting me every night, stealing the only peace on my deep nights.
Even though he feels this way, hating me, I would be lying if I say I am ready to set aside my affection towards him. His name is still what my heart beats despite everything that happened. Time may have passed, I couldn't teach my heart anything. No matter what I do, I still get the same results. 
It's still him. 
I choose to go somewhere far away and won't bother him anymore. I thought it would be impossible for me to do it, but for him, I found it possible. I could do it if it could give him a peace of mind.
There is nothing if I still love him, right? It's fine even if it's only me who still has this emotion.
My dramatic moment was interrupted when my phone lit up and Ledger's name appeared on screen. I wiped my tears away then I accepted his call. 
"Eyy?" I began. It's still early. You're up already?" I asked, trying my best to sound lively. I don't want him to suspect that I am crying. 
"No. I still haven't slept!" he replied and laughed.
"You still haven't gotten any sleep? It's almost dawn there, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I was caught up with something so I stayed up this late," he said.
"Ledge?"
"What?"
"I heard some news about him," I started formally.
"Heard what? Who?" he asked, confused.
"Dale," I mentioned his name with my rapid heart beats.
"Dale? My step-bro?"
"Oh."
"Then, what about him?" he asked next.
"The Inkwell's rate is dropping."
"Then?"
"I wanted to help him, Ledge," I said. "I coincidentally met one of his subordinates. They are looking for me."
"Are you willing to give up your dream for him, Zy? Do you love them that much?" There's a sudden change on his pitch. But still, I know that he is just concerned about the decision I am about to make.
"I'm sorry," he apologized when I went into silence.
"I am not giving up my dream, Ledge. Isn't it a good thing? I'll publish it at Inkwell."
"Zy, that's a way easy for Dreammy Pen. They then have the full control of your DOY!" 
"I know. I am still the owner of my contents so I believe that there won't be a problem," I stated.
"You say their performance rate is getting bad, right?"
"Yeah."
"They wanted you to join them?"
"Hmm."
"Can't you see that they are using you, Zy?" he sounds mad. "They are only coming to you because your Drizzles of Yellow are enjoying its popularity!"
"You don't want me to help your brother? The shareholders might withdraw their support if Inkwell won't go up,” I retorted. I really can’t just sit and do nothing. I can't bear to see Dale’s hard work gradually fall. I am aware of how dedicated he is to this field. 
"Zy, that's not my point." I heard him sighed from the other line. "I just care for your dream. That's your biggest dream, to manage your own website. If you will sign a contract with them, you need to let go of that."
"I know that," I replied. "Besides, I am willing to do it.
"You're giving stress to my bangs, Zyah!" he complained on the other line.
"You do have bangs now?" I replied with chuckles. "I haven't see you in that haircut."
"Whatever, Theran."
"Just sleep already. Gonna end this."
"Oh. I'll sleep now!” he snapped back. 
"Ledge?" I mumbled. 
"What?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
I took a deep breath before I spoke. "I don't know. I just want to thank you."
I heard his chuckles. "Alright. Alright. If you really wanted to help my bro, I respect your decision. I know that I couldn't stop you anyway."
I was just listening to him quietly. I couldn't bring myself to talk. I felt heavy. I felt like crying. 
"You know, I owe him a great debt. But I couldn't do anything for him."
I shoved my tears away when they began falling. 
"Maybe someday," I said. "Someday, you can do something for him."
Day after, I processed my paper to fly to New York City for the contract signing. I already informed the company that I am going to work with them. 
February 28. I set foot in New York City. 
March 1. My appointment at Dreammy Pen HQ. 
I really put an effort into my disguise today. I don't want to be recognized by him. I don't want to see him too. I am afraid. Yes, I am afraid that he will be mad when he saw me.
I put on a cap that fits on my ponytail and a mask to hide my face.
"I have an appointment with Madam Dionalita," I said when I reached the front desk.
"May I know-"
"It's Petit Auteur," I said, interrupting her. I am really in a hurry. I can't stay here longer. Even though this is such a huge company, who knows, we may bump into each other.
Am I warning myself or expecting something?
"Go on, Miss. She is already at her office, 20th floor."
I took the elevator. My heart almost stopped beating when that man, Mr. Scott, joined me at the elevator before it closed. I didn't move. I let out a deep breath when he gets off at 17th floor without recognizing me. What a relief.
I knocked on the door before going.
"Petit Auteur, reporting," I said when I entered and bowed down.
A woman with short white hair left her seat and welcomed me wholeheartedly.
"You come!" She stretched out her hand for a handshake. "Thank you very much for helping us."
"It's my pleasure to help," I replied and accepted her offer.
When we were both seated, I took off my mask. 
She examine me closely and surprised gradually became visible on her expression."Zyah?" she uttered."Zyah?!"
"Yes?" I giggled. "Yeah, it's me, Zyah."
"You are the author of the Drizzles of Yellow?" she asked, still not convinced.
"Yes." I smiled again. "I will work with you but I have some favors to ask."
"Anything. Say it."
"You can't let Dale know that I am the author," I said, firmly. "I want to keep my identity hidden."
"That's okay. Why don't you want him to know that it was you?" she inquired. "I'm sure my grandson will be happy if you two will meet again."
I forced a smile. "I am only here for work."
"Just a moment." She rose from her seat. "I'm gonna fix the paper."
I don't want him to know that I am that Petit Auteur that he's been looking for because I worry that he will choose to let Inkwell rather than work with me. I bet he couldn't bear hearing my name. How much more that I am working with him? I'm afraid he'll lose his temper. It's good for both of us to keep it this day. 
I am willing to help him. In fact, this help is nothing compared to the pain he had in his heart because of me. Nothing couldn't compensate for what happened. This is the least thing I could do for him.
"Here is the contract." She opened a file above the table when she came back. "If you don't have a problem, we can sign it."
After reading carefully the terms, I signed over my printed name. 
"My dear, thank you."
"No worries, grandma-" Opps, a slip of tongue. "Oh. . . " I was searching for a word but I couldn't find one.
"Oh, dear." She smiled sweetly at me. "I didn't expect you'd be this beautiful!"
I chuckled. "You also look younger in person, grand-"
"You can still call me that way," she allowed. "I like that."
"It's the first time we meet each other in person, right?" she asked.
I lingered for a moment as my mind wander a little
"Ah? Yeah, personally. We only talked over video calls before." I let out an embarrassed smile, playing with my hair.
"You are this pretty. I won't be surprised why my grandson was in love with you," she uttered all of the sudden.
Why did the ambiance become like this? I wasn't prepared for this kind of conversation. 
"Er. . . " I smiled, more like a forced one. "Grandma, I still have stuff to do," I diverted the topic, making an escape.
"Oh, really?" She stood up and I followed. "Feel at ease, Zy. Our deal is safe with me."
"Grandma, thank—"
"It's nothing, Zy. I understand your reasons. No need for formalities." She gave me an assuring smile.
While on my way out from the building, I received a message from mom.
"Zy, baby. Lola is sick."
My grandmother is sick? What happened to her? Worries instantly ate me up. How sick is my Lola? Is she fine? 
This won't do. Overthinking won't help me with anything. I need to go back to the Philippines.
Dale Daniel's POV 
"Sir Dale!" Trish shouted when he saw me. I am now about to go to my grandma's office. "There is a rumor spreading that Ms. Little Author was here!"
"In our company?" 
"Yeah. I heard that she's gonna sign the contract today," he added.
I let out a deep breath. We have the hope now to overcome the predicament because of the founder of Drizzles of Yellow. Without her, I don't know when the Inkwell would last.
FLASHBACK 
"You can go back now. Drizzles of Yellow already sent a message saying that she will collaborate with us."
I reread the message once again because I thought I was just imagining things. 
"Trish, read this." I passed him my phone.
"Wow! Yes!" he exclaimed. "Finally!"
"Aren't we looking for her?" I asked, wondering.
We still didn't meet her, how did she know that Dreammy Pen wants to work with her? She already got in touch with the company? How did that happen?
"Yeah. We are looking for her," Trish responded.
"Then have we met her?"
He shook his head. "Not yet."
"Exactly!"
He started to wonder too. "I didn't meet her."
"So am I."
"Then how did she-"
"Oh. I'm asking the same question." I slide down a finger over my nose. "You met her, didn't you?" I raised a question, aiming that he will admit the truth.
"I did not!" he said positively. "Around Paris, I only met that lady I saw from the store."
"The one who bought the chocolate?"
"Yeah. No more!" His face lit up. "What if she was a Petit Auteur?"
"What are you saying? Do you have proof?"
He shook his head. "Can't I make some jokes?" 
"Do you think we are here for a joke?"
"No, we aren't."
END OF FLASHBACK
"Knock! Knock!" I said before going in at my grandma's office. 
"You are here again," she said while looking at some papers on her desk.
"You are alone here?"
"No. There are two of us here."
"Grandma!" I sat down. "I mean before I came in."
"Yeah."
"Then how about Petit Auteur? I heard she's signing the contract today." I wandered around my eyes. "Is she still not here?"
My grandma."We already signed the contract."
"Done already?"
"Oh. She just got out."
"Is she that lady in black shirt and black cap?"
"Yeah."
I instantly left my seat and went outside, running. 
"Sir Dale, where are you going? Aren't you-"
I didn't hear more about what Trish was talking about. I am in a rush. I badly want to meet that author. She's doing such a huge favor for us. I truly want to thank her for helping the Inkwell. She has a kind heart. It's rare to find someone like her who chooses to work with us under such circumstances.
When the door of the elevator opened, I saw a woman with the same outfit I encountered outside grandma's office. She pulled the exit door and stepped out.
"Wait!"
I ran towards her but she already departed before I could reach her. 
"Ms. Author, whoever you are, thank you," I mumbled while staring at the car where she was, gradually vanishing before my eyes.