Chương 343: Caught in a sweet surprise
The propitious day arrived in a jiff.
Outside the Library Hotel, people entered in an orderly fashion under security's supervision.
Norman had put a team from KeyLine as well to cooperate with the hotel staff in guiding the visitors to their seats. The climate is still releasing a bit of warmth in its daytime, yet people seem to appear in their geared up suits like thick jackets and long coats to protect them from the potential cold.
It was the plan to have a brief discussion with the authors first, followed by answering a few questions from the audience. Later after taking a short break, the readers can form a line to get their book signed by their favorite authors.
Tickets went for sale to attend the panel discussion, and people who got their entries confirmed entered inside the Reading Room to get seated.
***
Meanwhile, panic arose in the waiting room, where the authors, along with their editors, greeted each other upon arrival. Norman is still on his phone busily trying to connect with Jenna as one of the authors broke out complaining Lillian's tardiness.
"I knew it was the wrong idea to expose herself when she is the least punctual amongst us!" Jayce commented as he sat next to KeyLine upcoming writer, Jennifer Keily. Jennifer watched everyone without uttering any response as she had only joined KeyLine recently. Also, having never met anyone else in person, she was in complete awe to see fellow authors, especially the veteran, Jason Raid, who has been working with KeyLine for almost 30 years. He had released numerous books to his readers and even received great accolades for his works.
Jennifer sat in her clean peach dress as Jayce kept complaining about Lillian to her. Giselle waited by his side, starting to feel uneasy with the direction of their talks. She kept looking at her phone to check if Lillian had sent any response to her or not. Giselle reached out to both Lillian and Jenna, hoping that Lillian might reply to her first, but the absence from her side made Giselle worry. She found Jayce's comments frustrating. When Norman finally got through Jenna's phone, he yelled in an alarm that drew everyone's attention, including Jayce's endless criticism.
"Alright! Okay! Be careful on your way-"
Everyone heard Norman talking in silence and attention. As soon as the call ended, he notified everyone about Lillian's arrival.
Giselle found herself relaxing just like everyone else, except her own author's mumble.
***
Jenna rushed Lillian through the private entrance, urging her to move faster as they were running late to their promised arrival.
"It's alright, Jenna. We still have time left for the discussion! Slow down-" Lillian wailed as she seemed entranced from Jenna's fast strides, wondering how she could walk this quick. It practically feels like the two began racewalking.
Reaching the room where everyone expects their appearance, Jenna entered first to find Norman and apologize for their delay.
"That's alright, where's Lillian?" he asked, wiping off the sweat spotted on his forehead.
Jenna knew Lillian was behind her to look confidently, only to find that there was no sign of Lillian following her. She panicked that instant to call for her author, peeking outside.
Lillian was found nowhere outside the room, and Jenna scoured the hallway to locate Lillian moving away from the place they deem to be present.
"Jenna! There you are, come here, let me show you where I stayed in this hotel-" Lillian said to examine the rooms.
Jenna's eyes swell from Lillian's folly as she raced to get her back.
"Ms. Grey!" Jenna whispered angrily.
She got close to Lillian, whispering furiously again, demanding to return at once and greet the chief editor, Norman.
Lillian ignored to loiter. The hall had murals hung on either side of the walls as it became a helpful distraction for her escape.
Jenna rushed to Lillian's side, trying to get her to obey.
A few struggles later, Jenna found Lillian's demeanor purposefully strange.
Her wandering eyes followed the hallway while both of her hands got buried in her pant pockets. She wasn't necessarily moving on her feet and appeared glued to a spot away from where everyone's present. Her asymmetrical stance, releasing her hand to touch her neck as she mumbled about the time she stayed in this hotel with less interest, and her lack of eye contact- all gave away the most to Jenna.
"Ms. Grey- don't tell me that you are suddenly feeling nervous!" she guessed dubiously.
Lillian stuttered both in her stance and in her words to expose her anxiety obliviously.
"Ms. Grey- this is a small gathering. Mr. Ricardo advised Mr. Norman to keep it low and simple. You don't have to feel so timid," Jenna said to find Lillian slowly backing away.
"It's not that I'm nervous."
Lillian said it while keeping her glance away.
The two stood in silence for a while. Jenna let Lillian take time to calm herself down.
"Alright! Let's go-"
As expected, Lillian said to approach the waiting room. She walked hurriedly to make an appearance finally.
"Hey, guys!"
Lillian's voice faced the room full of people in anticipation- all familiar faces except one.
"Finally, she's here! Why did you disappear already?" Jayce called out.
"Lillian! It's great to see you! Was there any trouble in your journey?" Jason concernedly asked.
Lillian returned the gesture to greet everyone to their taste. Meantime, Jenna came back to report to Norman.
Lillian could see Jayce and catch the sight of Giselle waiting at the end of the room. However, the new face standing before them caught her interest.
"You are?"
"I'm Jennifer. It's my pleasure to meet you, Ms. Lillian- I mean, Gill!" Jennifer talked readily.
Lillian shook hands to spend small chat with her, inquiring about her stay at KeyLine. Shane had already informed about this new writer to Lillian, along with a copy of her debut novel. Lillian had spent time reading the book and found it interesting to acknowledge its author. The two chatted briskly for a while about the book. Towards the end, Jennifer stood in awe as she heard Lillian praise her work.
Lillian conveyed her best wishes for a fellow novelist to keep soaring before moving to meet Jayce.
Last time, both of them departed on a struggling note, Lillian vouching to have her revenge while Jayce had long forgotten what he had spilled on that night.
"Hello, Lillian! Well, don't you look like a woman at last!" Jayce exclaimed from Lillian's attire.
"Hi! You still look the same, Jayce- repeatedly outstanding!" Lillian said to move her gaze behind him. However, Jayce intruded the sight to confront Lillian's attention.
"Of course! Would you like me to help you with your stage fright?"
Lillian scowl to return with a threat, warning Jayce to protect whatever fame he has left in his plate as she would soon snatch it away from him without making an effort.
Jayce grunted from her challenge, and he lost interest to provoke her any further.
Lillian sneered playfully to move sideways. Her eyes restlessly left him to meet Giselle's and got caught in a pleasant surprise.
Meanwhile, Norman and Jenna watched the two bicker with a surprised face.
"She dressed nicely for this! Is it your work?" Norman asked from seeing Lillian in a completely different look.
Jenna proudly smiled to mention that it was Lillian who made an effort voluntarily. Norman was shocked to feel if Lillian's joking threat to Jayce was an actual goal for her to achieve today.
"Regardless, if she could be more popular, then it only good for us!" Norman said to study the time.
**
The first thing Lillian notices is that they match. Giselle wore her long pink dress. Lillian's gaze studies Giselle as she got stunned to see her in the same color. The slim chiffon skirt extended till her calves with short sleeves, and she tied her hair into a neat tight pony, exposing her neck with a simple pendant.
Giselle smiled underneath that childish desire to wear the same color as Lillian. It was her selfish choice. However, meeting Lillian eye to eye right now made her crawl back to her bubble. She kept glancing downwards to avoid eye contact.
"Woah, Giselle, you should have picked another color. See, you match with Lillian now," Jayce exclaimed, following the intense silence between the two.
Seeing his editor match with another author bothered him slightly, but Lillian made sure to register it brazenly.
"Oh- yeah! We do match well- together," she replied, smirking to break the tension.
Norman announced it was time to leave as the panel will start soon. He spoke a few words to inspire the authors before requesting them to depart for the stage. One by one, the authors, accompanied by their editors, left the room.
Giselle finally looked up to Jayce's calling as she saw Jennifer leave with her editor. Jayce signaled her to depart, and he left after saying short farewell to Lillian, mostly aimed to intimidate.
Giselle waited hesitantly, and as she crossed Lillian to leave the room, she whispered her wishes softly to her ears alone.
"You look good!"
"All the best, Lillian."
Giselle's gentle voice restored Lillian with an abundance of happiness.
"Ms. Grey?"
She heard Jenna call to turn around and see her editor waiting for her while the rest of them had already left the room, following Norman.
"Are you ready?" Jenna asked concernedly to make sure that Lillian felt confident.
The only dissatisfaction Lillian had at that moment was that she never got the chance to speak with Giselle. Instead, she received prayers from her, which made her already happy.
"How do I look, Jenna?"
"Wonderful!" Jenna agreed firmly to hurry up.
"Alright! Let's do this!" Lillian said to signal, and the two left at last.
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