When The Light Falls - Book 3, N. Y. [good beach reads TXT] 📗

my name?'' she replies.

 

''Yes, Lauren told me this morning.'' I replied.

 

 

She looked at me for a long cold minute.

 

''Welcome to the station, the shipment office, A.K.A the busy floor no one's ever been to in years. Only interns come down here if needed.'' she says with enthusiasm, then trails off.

 

''Oh, i'm not an intern. I'm the writer and editor here. So you'll probably won't see me down here unless I need to get Lauren's mail again.'' I replied.

 

 

I happily shake the rubber band wrapped around Lauren's mail for a second, as Becky sits back in awe.

 

Becky finally moves her eyes to look at something else besides me.

 

 

''Huh, no kidding. See ya.'' she replied sorting papers.

 

Yep.

 

''Well enjoy your stay here as long as possible, before those elevator doors close and you'll never see me again.'' she implied.

 

''Bye.'' I reply.

 

I exit back to the elevator.

 

 

Becky turns back to her computer as I turn around to see her one more time.

 

This world was only here for a few minutes in my life and already I missed it.

 

I could see myself down here more often than I think.

 

 

I rushed back to Lauren's office, where she's choosing a line from a new fashion icon with the merchandising chief.

 

''Yes, it will work and will be trending this year.'' Lauren said as I enter in.

 

''Lauren.'' I whispered.

 

I knocked on her open door.

 

 

Her attention is brought to me. She smiles widely.

 

 

''Elle, let me see these.'' she said, taking the fan mail from me.

 

 

She searches through them and throws the junk or (hate) mail in the recycle bin.

 

''Junk, junk, junk. Oooh, fan mail letter to Elle.'' Lauren said.

 

 

I stood by the door frame shocked.

 

Was there actually fan mail for me?

 

 

She smiles widely as I grab it from her.

 

I rip and tear apart the envelope as I leave her office.

 

I spot Rikki and Marybella near my desk.

 

Probably gonna ask to have lunch together soon.

 

 

''Dear Elle Woods, You are my inspriation, you keep me up to date from time to time and you always have a mind-set that is admireable. You're gorgeous and talented. One of the best writer and editor's to come in this world-'' I read aloud.

 

I hear clapping from behind me.

 

How did she get here so quickly?

 

I continued reading.

 

 

''But after noticing your case that you were arrested for, you wound up in jail for the murder of your father. Your step-father. You still may be encouraging from your last post on your blog, but the actions you took for in the past make you the dumb one. You didin't think hard enough about the consequences. You should be fired from your job and get your act together. This is the worst i've seen from you-'' I read.

 

 

Lauren pushes the letter down as I thin my lips against each other.

 

I was getting mad.

 

I felt hurt, as the lively halo around me, disappeared.

 

 

My throat went dry and my lips grew cold as I stared at the last words.

 

 

This is the worst i've seen from you

 

 

I didn't want to continue the rest, it was harsh enough.

 

And a fan sent this to me, so it really hurts.

 

 

How can she say such words and say I wasn't thinking right?

 

 

I agree. I did make mistakes and decisions in the past that made me who I am today. But it's no excuse to talk bad about something i'm trying to fix.

 

Ever since I got out, things have been hard for me.

 

As if no one knows what's going on in my head.

 

No one knows anymore.

 

 

Lauren wraps her hands around my arms as she takes the letter and tosses it in the trash bin.

 

She silently speaks near my ear as she sets her head down on my left shoulder.

 

 

''It's alright darling, it'll get better. This is what the readers are saying, until you get back into your feet and a-game. And prove everyone wrong.'' she reassured me.

 

''No, i'm not gonna get better. This reader who wrote me this letter is right. I was so dumb to think that I wouldn't get caught.'' I replied.

 

I removed her grip from my shoulders.

 

 

I turned around to face her as I shook the letter in my right hand.

 

"Elle," I heard Rikki say.

 

''No Elle.'' Lauren said as neared me again.

 

"This is a wake up call for me. I'm shit, and everybody knows it. I can't be forgiven by everyone. I've got by with the tip of my tongue, and still....people won't accept me." I say.

 

''You are the most signigicant, smart, responsible, caring person I know. Who brought FARELLE to great lengths. No one can tell you that you made a mistake. It's your decision to shut the haters out. Now get yourself together.'' she says.

 

 

It struck me a bit, Lauren was always so encouraing and I never really took her words to heart.

 

I was jealous of how postive and happy she was since I started here.

 

I wish I was more like her.

 

 

''Thanks Lauren, that's nice of you to say.'' I replied forcing a smile on my face.

 

''And don't forget about our big trip to Brazil coming up in 2 weeks, be ready.'' Lauren said to me.

 

 

My smile disappeared as I walked back to my desk.

 

 

I was still upset, that was the first bad fan mail I ever heard or read in my life.

 

But it was just a letter.

 

Nothing like that can bring me down, not now.

 

While i'm bringing myself up after this hard first week back home.

 

 

As my thoughts disappear, i'm interuppted.

 

''Hey Elle, we're have a meeting before lunch, come with us.''' Rikki said.

 

''Okay, when does it start?'' I asked.

 

''Right now.'' Rikki stated.

 

 

I stopped in my step and, then turned to the stage area that was switched up from the photoshoot earlier this week.

 

 

''Alright, let's go.'' I said as Rikki.

 

I walked ahead.

 

 

Other workers joined us as the seats filled, I was beginning to think it was not just a small meeting.

 

Me, Marybella, Rikki, Lauren, Vanessa and the rest of the employees working at FARELLE, all sat down.

 

The rest of the employes sat behind us, eventually leading to the rest of the seats being filled with interns.

 

 

I take a quick glance back in my seat to see if Ruby was there, and she was. She was talking with her friends.

 

She took a quick glance at me, then turned back to the other interns.

 

 

I turn back to the podium up ahead.

 

Marybella grabs my shoulder as she sits beside me.

 

I give a quick smile then the mic turns on, as Lauren gets up on stage.

 

 

''Excuse me, everyone.'' Lauren says over the microphone.

 

 

''Hello, now I know this is abnormal for all of you right now. But I have a big announcement for our upcoming trip to Brazil for the Annual Magazine Company Face Off's. As you know last year was a stressful year, since we lost our dear Elle. We didn't have our writer at the time.'' Lauren starts off.

 

 

Everyone's eyes turned to me, everyone had been really giving me cold eye for not being there and not being able to get the best rate from all the other magazine companies.

 

But I try to ignore it time to time. When people bring it up.

 

My head lowers as I tried to look up to the podium again.

 

 

''Anyways, this year. Since we have our writer back in time for the event, we'll have everything we need.'' she says.

 

 

Everyone clapped along and so did I.

 

I was so glad to be able to go to the event this year and participate.

 

It was a dream since last year to furthur explore my talents in writing with competition.

 

 

''Now I know, this news may alarm you. But in order to qualify for the trip payment and requirements, we need one other writer who has worked as an intern here, to go.'' Lauren says.

 

 

She pauses for a second waiting for our anticipation.

 

I was anxiously waiting too.

 

 

''So i've invited someone back into FARELLE, just in time from her long break.'' Lauren finally said.

 

 

The figure walked up on stage as my eyes grew big.

 

I couldn't believe my eyes.

 

I silently gasped and everyone was in shock too.

 

 

Lauren was doing this to me and everyone on purpose. I turned to my right and saw a small grin on Vanessa's face, she was not at all angry about the situation.

 

 

''Oh, please stick a fork in my neck, this isn't happening.'' I whispered.

 

 

Everyone else was calm but some  were shocked with their jaws dropped. The people who recognized who she was, knew what she did to me and this company.

 

And as for the interns, they don't know yet.

 

 

''Yes. Sara Walker is returning with us only for the trip. And as promised like everyone else,...she gets to bring a +1 with her on the trip.'' Lauren said.

 

 

I made a small sound that estimated to the fading gasps behind me.

 

Sara stood next to Lauren smiling. She was dressed nicely and looked fabulous.

 

 

Most people gave looks to her, while I sat in my chair confused.

 

Did they not forget what she did to me?

 

 

I was mad, Laren brought back the one person I didn't want to see in my life ever again.

 

It wasn't fair.

 

All the feelings and scenarios we've been in for the past year, had rushed back.

 

 

It was the uttermost worst feelings ever.

 

 

''Now I know most of you are mad at me, but listen. Without Sara we won't be able to qualify this year. She's our only hope for our future in this magazine company world.'' Lauren stated.

 

 

Everyone had finally agreed after staring sternly at Lauren, but as usual, she convinced everyone it was all right.

 

I was shocked. Sure, me and Sara made amends.

 

But I never expected her to show her face again.

 

 

''Are you really gonna do that.'' I silently said, directed at Lauren

 

Lauren glared at me in the crowd. I quickly tried to hide my angered look. 

 

I couldn't believe this.

 

 

''Unless you have a problem with Sara being our gateway to winning the Annual Magazine Face Off, I suggest you start clapping.'' Lauren yells to the crowd.

 

 

It's silent for a second, I try to make up my mind.

 

I should be happy, but i'm not.

 

 

Everyone slowly started clapping. As I sat there still angry.

 

 

Of course I should be happy. We're going to competition, and I should put this behind me.

 

 

But it just didn't seem right.

 

Sara took away the one thing that meant so much to me, my job.

 

And she's here again.

 

 

I knew that if I start drama right now, I won't have a job here anymore.

 

It's better if I keep myself away from her, for Sara's sake.

 

 

''Sara Walker is joining our team again to continue on and qualify for the trip to Brazil, in 2 weeks we'll have an update for our arrivals and departure from FARELLE. But as for now, if you have a problem with Sara joining us again....''

 

Lauren skimmed the crowd stopping at me, then continuing.

 

''Beware.''

 

 

She left the podium and Sara was left to stare into the crowd.

 

Everyone sent looks straight to her.

 

Others didn't mind and just went back to socializing.

 

 

I didn't get why I was being stared at too.

 

But I forget. It was also my part in getting her fired that upset last year's interns and this year's interns.

 

Which is also why people are mad at me too.

 

 --

 

Ruby didn't even think to look at me at the meeting's end. She left in a hurry with her friends.

 

I just wished that I can make things right with her.

 

 

Marybella rubbed my back as I sighed.

 

''Everything's going to be okay Elle. So Lauren brought back Sara, it doesn't mean she's gonna take over your job.'' she insisted.

 

 

''I can't believe she did that. And she brought back Sara. Did Vanessa have a part in this?'' I complained.

 

 

Everyone else hurries back to their places. I skim through the crowd.

 

I needed to get this heat off my chest.

 

I needed to talk about the hate that I feel right now.

 

 

Part of me shouldn't be mad, I should be happy.

 

Sara's helping us go to the competition.

 

 

But part of me wished she would have left New York and never come back after our last encounter at the movie theater.

 

 

And knowing I can't complain about this to Lauren, or Vanessa...there's another person who I have hope in.

 

 

The only person who I hate to gossip to and communicate with,....Marcus. He's the only one who'll listen to my rant.

 

It's better than anyone else.

 

 

 

I slowly make my way down to the design department.