The Writer Who Stole The Great Gatsby

Chapter 1

It was 15:15 and Ava was still drafting the front cover when the author, Rowan, stepped in, her wavy bob floating. She was searching for something (or someone) and her steps were so loud that the workers at the second floor could've probably heard it as an earthquake.
"Ava!" She called closing up to her desk. "Where are the front cover and the back cover?"
Ava felt her heart racing up more than when she saw Rowan walking in, but, holding tightly her digital pen, she answered:"I'm putting colour to the front right now, Rowan. To finish the two of them, I'll need about four hours max."
Rowan's eyes were fire, did her voice linger while...?
"What does it mean 'four hours'? WHAT. DOES. IT. MEAN?"
Some workers inside the other offices stopped talking. The silence crowded the aisle and the rooms nearby.
Ava, who was feeling awkward and scared by Rowan, brought up some courage and with firm voice she ordered:"Rowan, close the door, please."
Rowan, still angry, walked to the entrance And obeyed.
"Now, sit down" she then proposed. "And let's talk at a normal voice volume, okay?"
Rowan stayed quiet, but she sat down on the armchair in front of the work desk. Ava moved the drawing board aside and she joined her hands on the wooden desk.
The author kept staying silent and Ava didn't understand why the other girl went from screaming to silence so fast. Rowan was scanning the room without moving her head while twisting and tapping her fingers on her thighs.
Just when Ava thought the author was staying quiet forever, Rowan spoke:"Listen, sorry for what happened, I shouldn't have done it."
"Yeah, you shouldn't have..." she murmured. The she went on."So... why do you need the covers so bad? The publishing company told me the launch is in two months and I almost finished the illustrations."
"I know, but I need them." Rowan explained sadly. "I need the entire file of my book for tonight!"
"Why? My deadline is next week and I thought I had enough time to..."
"It's for a party I'm throwing... tonight. I thought the you would've made it... for me."
"Rowan, you're my client, and I cannot promise you anything until the company doesn't incorporate the covers to the final product."
"Wow, I thought that you would've made it. ...after what happened last week." Rowan smirked after that sentence.
That made Ava feel like falling into a hole.
Exactly a week before Rowan invited her to have a night out at the local pub with some other members of the company. That was her very first party since she had moved there and she promised herself she would've had so much fun. And in all that amazement the music was worth a dance; everyone was moving at their own rhythm, but the only thing Ava could see was her client, Rowan, none other than one of the most famous authors in that area.
So, pretending she wanted to talk about the illustrations, she approached Rowan and, slowly, the two of them realised They were attracted to each other. After a bunch of songs danced together, the two of them shared a tender, but passionate, kiss in the total chaos of that night.
Then, the night went on and then the girls parted ways heading to their respective apartments.
In the present day, Rowan and Ava were meeting for the first time after that event and now Rowan wanted to use those emotions to have early approval on the drafts?
"Rowan" she looked firmly in her client's eyes. "I cannot make preferences of any kind on clients, especially if we have 'things' going on."
"'Things'?" Rowan's face contracted in a shocked expression. "You call what happened 'things'?"
"Yes, because, my dear, I'm at work and it was a night out, so..."
"I understand. So you don't care!"
"I'm not saying I don't care, because it's not true."
Rowan face lit up.
"It's not true and we both feel this way," Ava continued. "But I have other clients who need to have their covers in a shorter than next week." Rowan made a disappointed face. "I have to finish the draft of two foxes forming a goblet for the day after tomorrow and the cover for your book will be ready in 4 hours max."
"Then, can't you just send everything to be approved and after send me?" Rowan asked with obvious tone.
"I could, but it takes time, the editing team have to make a million of other covers and just then it's the author's turn to have book and drawing."
"Okay, is anywhere mr. Shoo's email?"
Ava stared at her with wide eyes.
"I'd like to tell my old friend mr. Shoo to make my cover get made asap when everything is  ready."
Ava took a piece of paper and, ignoring Rowan's questions, she gave her the handwritten note with the email address of her boss on.
"Oh, thank you, thank you so much!" She stood up and walked to the door.
"No problem." Ava said while standing up.
"So, you're gonna send me the book with the covers?" Rowan asked halfway out the room.
"I'll text you when they finish."
A large smile appeared on Rowan's face.
"Four hours max for the drawing."
"Okay." The author went away laughing.
*
At 21.15 when mr. Shoo entered her office. Ava stood immediately and let her boss sit on the chair previously occupied by Rowan.
"Ava, great job with Rowan Kim's covers. Really, great job."
"I'm glad you think so. Have you already...?"
"Yes, miss Kim sent me an urgent email to have her files finished before 21.30 and now, I guess you should just send her the book."
Ava rejoined in her mind without making it transparent and she went back to her office.
"Perfect. I'm going to send her everything."
Mr. Shoo nodded and walked out to the aisle heading to his office.
The illustrator took the files, converted them and loaded them to be sent. She pushed the button.
Then, she took her phone and she called Rowan.
"Hello?" A voice talked from the other side of the call.
"Hi, Rowan. Your covers have been incorporated and I sent the book to you less than a minute ago."
There was short pause that Ava thought would've been a pause to say 'thank you' or thank her in any way, but instead the answer shocked her.
"Ava, what time are you out today?"
"21.30." She immediately replied. "I'm preparing to..."
"Great! Let's see you in 15 minutes in the ground floor hall. 21.30, don't be late!" Rowan proposed talking quickly.
"Wait, what?"
"Oh, yeah." She paused again theatrically. "I'm inviting you to my party. I think you need some time off."
"Thank you, so sweet."
"Nah. Come on!" Rowan laughed amused. "See you later."
The call ended and Ava dropped on her chair. She was surprised and so glad Rowan invited her. Maybe they could've had some time to talk in a more private place, rather than work. Did Rowan want to recreate the atmosphere of the pub?
She immediately understood she didn't have any clue.
No clue on what they where celebrating and where.
Exactly no clue. She just got to wait, only time would've told her.

~~~
What do you think of this first chapter?
It's not my first time writing, but first time publishing on Wattpad <3
Have a marvellous day/afternoon and/or evening, hope you enjoyed!
💚Verdigrish💚