Chapter 274: Briefing
Lillian Grey and Jenna returned home straight after finishing the final interview with 'The Selection' magazine.
The ride back home was silent as the two rested their heads back on the seat to welcome the end of their tightly packed schedule. Jenna started to fall asleep from fatigue. Lillian watched her snore lightly to anyone's notice. She knew the pressure Jenna underwent the week Lillian chose to run away from her life. It was a poor decision as an adult, and Lillian repented for her blunder with deep regrets. She let Jenna sleep without disturbing her and signaled the driver to go slow for her comfort.
***
Reaching home, Lillian sought for her favorite spot and fell on the couch loosely without care. Jenna closed the door that left open by the careless author.
The long-stretched couch gave Jenna the option to opt for another spot as she sat down to remove her bag and unpack several documents, her notebook, and her mobile phone.
"All of our invites got attended, and I must say that you did a great job in every interview, as usual, Ms. Grey," Jenna praised as she studied the documents, scribbled on to her note, and checked at the emails for double confirmation.
"You are the best, Jenna," Lillian sang the praise of her editor.
"Now that you are free, you need to-"
Before letting Jenna finish, Lillian rolled away from the couch to walk to her minibar.
"I need alcohol!" she murmured along the way.
"I was going to say that you will need to rest, Ms. Lillian Grey. You have been not resting properly, and that is what you should be doing right now."
Jenna's words fell on Lillian's deaf ears as she ignored to pour a glass of drink and extended the liquor bottle to offer Jenna for company.
Jenna declined the invite.
"Ms. Grey-"
"Jenna!"
"I will get a night of good sleep, but before that, I needed this drink to cheer myself up."
"..."
Jenna failed to go against the reasoning, and she let the author do what she wishes.
Lillian resumed pouring more onto the glass and tasted the alcohol until the stress faded to her senses.
Jenna focused on briefing Lillian about the sales of her published novel. The steady increase in the audience, along with her reader base, the book debuted in second place, following another legendary work of a veteran writer. Apart from it, Jenna smiled at sharing the news of million copies sold already, and the graph is gradually increasing day-by-day.
"It's a success, Ms. Grey. Gill's work received a lot of appreciation from the critics as well. Nevertheless, there are few negative opinions amongst the crowd," Jenna's voice lowered from looking at some of the harsh comments made by few critics and some voracious readers.
"I am not writing to please every single person, Jenna. Whatever we do, some would like while some don't. That's alright. Is there any review that details specifics about the novel or my writing?" Lillian asked after hearing her out.
"There are two reviews where one discussed the vague detailing of a few character's features, and this is because those characters seem to add more tone to the story, another one mentioned his dislike for the positioning of flashbacks. Added to that, a few readers felt some parts too unrealistic to imagine,"
"What are they thinking, am I writing documentary?" Lillian commented and chuckled.
"-And there's a few more that I haven't checked yet! These are only from credential sources," Jenna said.
Lillian agreed and informed Jenna that she would check these conflicting perspectives by herself during free time.
"That's fine! Here, Mr. Norman wants me to give you a copy of this-" Jenna said and handed out a report.
"Why does the chief editor want me to read this?" Lillian glanced at the document to skim its content.
"It's an invitation for a live interview which if you agree to it, they would be glad to make it a unique show by revealing the world of your identity. Mr. Norman received this invitation and asked me to verify it before giving it to you."
Lillian thought about it for a while. All during her writing career, she earned numerous offers to expose her identity. However, Lillian never agreed to it and chose to live as GILL willingly.
"I'll read the proposal and let you know," Lillian said despite her lack of interest regarding the subject.
As the two conversed about work, Jenna kept receiving continuous calls to her phone, and she ended up attending to it.
"Who is it?" Lillian asked.
"Nothing, Ms. Grey. Let's continue with our briefing," Jenna reassured.
The clock ticked till afternoon, and the two empty stomachs growled to interrupt their discussion.
"We've been doing this for long!" Lillian exclaimed from looking at the time.
"Alright, then. We don't have any schedule for now so, go home, Jenna," she added.
Jenna still had things to address, and Lillian insisted her to pause for now.
"You have all the hard copies with you, and I will read it all. Give it to me and leave right now before I get mad," Lillian ordered.
Jenna handed out the documents and sincerely asked Lillian to scan its contents for her reference.
"That call from before- is it something serious?" Lillian asked as it bothered her much.
"It's alright. Nothing serious!"
"Are you sure? Anyways, leave for now, and we'll discuss things later. I will read these documents and let you know," Lillian assured, and only then Jenna left Lillian's place.
****
With no longer Jenna thriving and reporting, the house became dull and empty all of a sudden. Lillian found the silence to be intimidating. She sat on the couch to watch TV and switched on to a random channel that piqued her interest.
A full-blown hot debate about climate change caught Lillian's attention. She left at that and leaned against the soft couch to rest as she stared at the screen.
The program at first hooked her, and slowly she lost interest in the yelling, screaming, and pointless quarrels. She stood to leave to check for some food on her fridge.
There were beer cans, water, sweet drinks, a few takeouts from a long time ago rotting in the lower tray while a large pizza box with unfinished pizza modeled in front of her. It was from two days ago, and Lillian took it out to heat it before eating.
She places a slice on a plate, made herself fresh tea, and returned to watch the intense deliberation.
As she was about to take a bite of her heated old pizza, Lillian's mobile ring to her alert, and she sighed, worrying if it was Jenna.
The screen displayed another name that made her face go numb.
Lucy is calling Lillian Grey.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
ljack_ace
ljack_ace Finally! Lucy and Lillian!
I can't wait!!!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone