Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

“Hello, David? I’m almost there. Where are you now?” I asked while driving through the busy streets of Paris.

“Oh my God! You! Where are you now, you crazy woman?!” he shouted on the phone.

Yes, he’s Filipino, too. He became my editor just last year, and we grew close because he’s the only Filipino at ZHR.

“You’re late again, girl! Your readers are already here. They’re all lined up at your table. Where did you go last night? Did you find another sugar daddy again, huh?”

He was talking about a sugar daddy. As if I’m into old men. I don’t even see myself getting married or dating right now—what more a sugar daddy?

“Hey! I’m not whatever you’re thinking, okay?” I said.

“Damn you, girl! Fine, fine, I’m joking. But seriously, where are you now?” he asked.

I put on my sunglasses and face mask, stopped the car at the side of the road, and wrapped a scarf around my head. I also learned how to dress fashionably since Paris is known for fashion. I even saw Heart Evangelista during Fashion Week last month. She noticed me and we took picture. That was one of the best days of my life. It’s really something to see a fellow Filipino at Fashion Week.

“Wait a moment. I forgot to put on my disguise so they won’t recognize my face.”

“Why don’t you just do a face reveal? I can’t even find your social media accounts. I’ve searched everywhere, but all I see is your pen name—obviously. No offense, but… were you wanted in the Philippines before?”

I almost choked when he said that. What kind of question was that?!

“What are you saying, David? No! I’m just a private person. I don’t want attention,” I answered.

But I didn’t expect his reply.

“You don’t want attention? Then why did you become a writer? Are you fooling me? All your novels are bestsellers. Almost the whole world reads your work. If you just mention your pen name, people will recognize you. Everyone is curious about you. They even have theories that you’re a vampire, ugly, a witch, or whatever. When will you finally do a face reveal?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m not ready. Maybe once I’ve fixed my problems, that’ll be the first thing I’ll do,” I said.

“And besides, I don’t care what they say. What matters is that I don’t expose my identity to the media,” I added, hoping to convince him.

“Hmmm. Fine, I believe your ‘private person’ excuse now. Maybe that’s why no one likes you—you want privacy. Why not show the real you?”

“Try a dating app! You might catch a foreigner with a big d*ck” he laughed loudly, “—and super rich!”

I just shook my head and smiled helplessly. This guy really has no filter. Damn you, David.

“You’re really crazy,” I said.

“Alright, I’m hanging up now. Be careful on the road. You might get hit by a d*ck,” he laughed again, “And your egg cell operation won’t be happened!”

I was about to speak when he suddenly ended the call. I shook my head. My friend really has such a dirty mouth.

I restarted my car. I was already one hour late. The management might scold me and say, What is this behavior, ma’am?

This is how I earn money. Why did I even decide to watch anime last night? I was supposed to sleep, but I ended up watching anime on Bilibili, so I woke up late.

When I arrived at the venue for my book signing, I quickly got out of the car. There were so many people.

Some recognized me right away, so before I could get crowded, the security guards stepped in to keep the fans from getting too close.

I smiled behind my face mask. This was actually my favorite part of book signings—being surrounded by people.

Just kidding.

“Good thing you didn’t get hit by a d*ck and you arrived safely,” David suddenly appeared.

I widened my eyes at him and sat down. When I saw how long the line was, I almost fainted.

I wanted to laugh out loud, but I held it in. My readers might think I’m crazy.

“Good thing the venue is crowded so they will not able to hear you,” I whispered to him as he stood beside me.

Even though he’s my editor, he’s also a very supportive friend. He never misses my book signings. He’s always there, cheering me on.

“Hmph. Finish this already. I’m hungry,” he said.

So I started signing books.

“Thank you,” I said every time I finished signing one. I wasn’t stingy either—if they wanted a picture, I agreed.

Even if they couldn’t see my whole face, I was still smiling.

One of my best-selling books is LOVE IS SICK. That’s the book most readers brought today. Only a few had THE MISTRESS REVENGE since LOVE IS SICK is my latest release.

My pen name is thegirlwhorunaway.

It fits me. I ran away from all my problems.

Ever since I was young, I loved writing. I’m a hopeless romantic, even if it doesn’t show. I didn’t get to finish my master’s degree, even though I really wanted to, because I flew here. I could study here if I wanted, but I chose this career first. I wasn’t sure if I could balance studying and writing.

My writing career bloomed so suddenly. I just submitted my manuscript to a publishing house here in France. In just two weeks, they finished reading it and accepted my story.

It came at the perfect time. I didn’t have enough money back then. Through writing, I slowly managed to lift myself up and survive.