The Third Book

"Cela!!!" Ivy screams in excitement as Cela enters the room.  She caught everyone's attention in that small space that fits only a few people.

Cela waits for what Ivy has to tell her.  Her face does not show any kind of emotion despite Ivy's obvious exaggerated greeting.

"Good news, good news, not-sure if good news," Ivy started saying. She can't contain her excitement.

The lines on Cela's forehead begin to show.  Nothing makes sense to her.  "Just tell me."

Ivy is used to Cela's lack of emotion.  As her editor, she's mastered handling her so well.

"Your second book is selling faster than the first one.  Only three branches of the bookstore have not confirmed the final sales yet as of 5PM today but the other seven already did!" she told the first good news.

"Really?" Cela asked in a casual tone but a smile shortly appeared on her face after realizing she's having a back-to-back success.

The other people in the room are more expressive of their excitement than her.

"I just had a call with a TV executive. She expressed her interest in turning your books into a special series for Valentine's next year," Ivy continued.

The news finally stirs Cela's interest.  She listens attentively.

"Now," Ivy stopped for a moment.  "Since it will be a three-part special, she will be requiring a third book to complete the series.  The network will sponsor the production of the third book," she continued but did not finish yet.

"And when do they think that third book will be ready?" Cela asked.

"They want it out by October to give us time to market the books and then they will produce the series in time for February broadcast," Ivy explained.

"That means I only have two months to write it?  You must've forgotten that we haven't had a break in two years," Cela said in a slightly higher voice.

Ivy could not answer.  Even she knew that timing would be an issue.  "I was thinking it would be for our company's best interest but I also knew it would be at your expense," she said.

"Not just mine," Cela said abruptly. "Everyone here had contribution to my previous works so they too are affected.  We all need a break and we need it now," she explained.

Ivy remains calm.  She prefers not to say anything at this point.

Cela's phone rings.

"Yes, I'll be there tonight.  I'm actually leaving the office now," Cela told the caller.

"Do I have your answer?" Ivy followed up as soon as Cela's call was done.

"Sorry but I can't give it to you right now," Cela replied while closing her laptop. She left immediately after that.

In the car park, Cela's phone rings again as she's about to enter her car.

"Ms. Cela, are you okay?" Hyun asked.  He is her assistant writer who also does research and other things she may require.

"Yes, I'm good. I'm having dinner with my family tonight," Cela answered.  "If this is about earlier, let's talk on Monday.  I really need this weekend to do a lot of things in my apartment," she told him.

"Let me know if you need help in arranging furniture," Hyun offered.

"Thanks but I should be fine on my own.  Besides, it my time to do something for myself. Let's just enjoy the weekend with our loved ones or friends.  Don't let Ivy bother you either," she told him.

Cela bought her apartment a year ago but couldn't find time to enjoy it. Truth is, if not of the broker's persistence, she would haven't bought it.  All her time was devoted to her books in recent years.  Her personal life was always put aside.

"Third book," she whispered to herself as she starts to drive. "That's shooting for the moon."

It's past seven in the evening but compared to many previous nights, it's an early time out for her.  It's like leaving the office and hitting the road in the afternoon. The lights are a refreshing sight.  She takes the same route and passes the same road every night but it's only now that she noticed the bright lights.

The traffic is expectedly worst on a Friday night but she always finds it a welcome break any time of the week.  She usually uses this chance to think of the next scene or some cheesy lines for her books.  It sounds pathetic but to her, it's so much better than wasting time talking to someone who doesn't share her interests.

One and a half hours later, she finally arrived at their house's gate.  Since buying her own place the following year after their mother died, she now considers this house as her brother's house.|

Nanny Rita greets her with a big smile.  She wonders how this lady manages to stay vibrant even after practically raising two kids and being a loyal sidekick to one iron lady that was their mother.

"We've been waiting for you," Nanny Rita welcomed her.

Cela hears noise coming from living room.

"Are there other people inside the house?" she asked.

"Yes, dear," Nanny Rita confirmed.  "It's supposed to be a simple family dinner among us but your brother's team surprised him with this party late this afternoon."

"What's the surprise for?" Cela asked.

"Oh, Joyce told me that he closed another significant deal and he's being promoted again," Nanny Rita answered.

"Joyce is here?  Are they back again?" Cela asked.

Nanny Rita sighed.  "Your brother never admitted that they had been in a relationship but she comes here regularly.  Too bad, she's a nice lady."

The living room is full of unfamiliar faces.  Cela is convinced that her brother is really their mother's son who followed in her footsteps as the charismatic financial advisor.

"Sis." Rolan called her.  Her brother looks so different from the last time she saw him. "Glad you made it tonight," he said.

"Celadine!" called Joyce.  It was the second time this day that someone screamed her name. She puts up a friendly face.

"Everyone, the table is ready. Let's all dig in," Joyce made the invite as if she's the lady of the house.

Nanny Rita pats Cela's shoulder as if telling her to just bear with Joyce.

"She hasn't changed," Cela whispered.

The long table is adorned with beautiful flowers and all the fine dishes are out.  The foods look even more delicious with the classy setting that resembles that of a wedding reception long table.  The guests are amazed and flattered with such accommodation.

Rolan introduced Cela to the guests.  "If you don't know yet, my sister is a writer.  Romantic story is her forte and so far she has two books under the name 'Nameless'."

The guests are amazed again.  "So you are the author of the book that Ma'am Celia gave us," said one of the guests.

Rolan and Nanny Rita quickly looked to each other before looking at Cela to see her reaction.

"Oh the lobsters are here," Joyce said in a tone that would catch anyone's attention.  "Thanks, Chef."

The guests get excited seeing the star of the table.  Rolan turned to Joyce to thank her.

Cela is curious about what she heard but couldn't turn the conversation back to that. All the guests are obviously hungry and are now busy eating.  She had a few bites before excusing herself to get some things from her room.

Nanny Rita followed her upstairs.

"There's really nothing here but at least it's cleaner than my new place," Cela said.  Her bed and drawer are well maintained.

"What do you want to bring to your house?" Nanny Rita asked.

"Well, I was hoping I could bring anything valuable. Perhaps, some old books," Cela answered.

Nanny Rita left for a few minutes.  When she came back, she found Cela sitting beside a big balikbayan box looking disappointed.

"You found them," Nanny Rita said.

"So they bought a lot of copies of my book," Cela said in a dismayed tone.

"They were very supportive especially your mother," Nanny Rita explained.

"How about the second book?" Cela asked.

Nanny Rita sighed. She knows her too well so she's careful with her words.  "I am not sure if your brother already ordered but he has plans," she answered.

Cela remains disappointed.

"C'mon.  It's not like they bought everything.  They just thought of giving the books as Christmas presents apart from the corporate giveaways.  You must know that your mother enjoyed your first book so much.  Too bad that she passed before the second one is out," Nanny Rita continued.

"You've always been loyal to her," Cela said.

"Your mother was a good person but she had to be tough," Nanny Rita said.  "Just take my case as an example.  I am your father's cousin but she kept me even after they separated. She never asked me if I knew of the affair or anything," she stopped realizing she brought the topic unnecessarily.  "Oh, I am sorry that brought that up now."

Cela smirked. "Of course because you are so loyal to her."

"She never mistreated me or treated me differently and that's the only, if not the most important thing," Nanny Rita said.

"But how about letting us call you 'Nanny' and not 'Aunt'?" Cela asked.

"I preferred being referred to as your nanny.  It's my personal choice," Nanny Rita explained.

"Okay, I rest my case.  I better get going now," Cela said.

"Wait, you mean you are not staying here tonight? Your brother thought you would," Nanny Rita said.

Cela shook her head.  "No.  I just have a break after a long time and I don't want to waste any minute of it. I want to wake up in my own house tomorrow and do nothing but personal stuff," she said.

Nanny Rita's face turned sad.

"C'mon, you can always visit but not now.  Give me time to fix my place first," Cela said.

"Well, what can we do? Here, take this." Nanny Rita handed her a small bag that fits a notebook.

"What is this?" Cela asked.

"Some cute stuff," Nanny Rita said.

Cela smirked.  "What cute stuff?"

"Yeah, some cute, old stuff from your high school," Nanny Rita said.

Cela gave her a look after hearing "high school". "You sure about that? You knew how traumatic that phase in my life was to me," she said.  She's turned serious and a little annoyed.

Nanny Rita immediately sensed that. "When you get home, go through each thing inside that bag and decide if you want to keep them or throw them away," she said.

"So you kept them all these years so I could decide if I want to throw them one day," Cela asked.

"They're yours," Nanny Rita replied.

"Alright.  I'll take this or whatever is in here with me.

Cela stopped the conversation so she could go home but whatever is inside the bag surely makes her curious.