Better Off Forgotten

Chapter 1

"Elsie, we need an answer. This is a huge opportunity." Lex, my close friend and manager, said.

"I'm fine with them adapting it into a movie as long as I can oversee the script writing and be on set." I hesitated. I never thought that one day someone would want to turn what I wrote into actual film.

"Yes, yes, I know. I've set up a meeting for tomorrow at 10 to negotiate. Dress for success darlingggg." She chuckled and hung up.

Dress for success. I looked down at my gray sweatpants and Indiana Hoosiers basketball shirt that had a hole in the armpit. I didn't watch basketball, but this was my favorite, comfiest shirt. I sometimes held attachments to random things. I know it didn't make sense, but I couldn't bear to part with this tattered shirt that probably should have been thrown out a year ago.

The next day I drove my car into the city and parked in the parking lot next to Lex's office. I had put on my best skirt and dress jacked. I walked in and got onto the elevator, biting my lip. What I dreaded most were meetings. I hated the small talk and plastering a smile on my face.

I walked into Lex's office and she was on the phone. She smiled at me and pointed to a coffee that was on her desk. Gratefully, I picked it up and took a big sip. Perfect. Lex was undeniably my best friend, she knew me better than I knew myself.

After a few minutes she finally put her phone down. "You look excited to be here." She said teasingly.

"Excited to be here and even more excited to get it done and over with." I replied, in a complaining tone. She laughed as she got a text.

"Alright, go ahead and go into the conference room, they're here."

"Alrighty." I replied. We were meeting with the new owner of a production company and a well known director that were interested in turning my book into a film. I went into the conference room, taking large gulps of coffee and looking down at the chipped polish on my nails.

When I heard the door open I looked up and saw a worried and stunned look on Lex's face. She walked in and behind her was a man, who looked to be in his 40s in a gray suit. At first I was puzzled, I didn't recognize this man so why did Lex look like that? Then the next man came in.

He was tall with broad, muscular shoulders and a thin waist. He had dark hair, a chiseled jaw, and piercing green eyes. My heart dropped and my mind went blank. Ezra.

It took me a minute to register that Lex was calling my name. "Elsie."

"Hmmm?" I snapped out of it and looked away quickly.

"This is Mr. Porter the director I was telling you about, and I'm not sure if you remember him or not but this is Mr. James." At this point, I wish I could stick my tongue out, cross my eyes and play dead. But I guess that wouldn't be very professional of me.  My next thought  was that maybe I could run super fast, but the super fast part was kind of the downfall of that idea. So I went with the next best thing. 

"Hello Mr. Porter, it's so nice to meet you." I said as I shook his hand with. I turned to look at Ezra. "Mr. James, what a coincidence. I hope you've been well." I reached out my hand to shake his and gave him a polite smile. 

He looked at me like he was amused at my one woman show. "Yes, what a coincidence, Ms. Conners."

The meeting went by surprisingly smooth. They agreed to my terms and I was pretty much fine with whatever else. They also offered a pretty generous compensation amount. We signed the contract and everyone shook hands. I let out a hidden sigh of relief. It's over.

 I reached down to grab my hand bag when I heard Ezra's voice. "Dan, you go ahead, I actually have a few things I'd like to discuss with Ms. Conners."