Tanya was soft-hearted by nature, but it did not mean virtual-novel.net was incapable of fury. “Oh, oh no, you didn’t do the worst to me, but aren’t you also denying me the freedom to leave this stinkin’ car, which constitutes unlawful detention? Huh? And boy, how about the fact that you threatened Tiffany by using me?!”
Beckett immediately unlocked the door. “Well, let us all pretend that it was done in jest, okay? Just give a call to Tiffany right now and tell virtual-novel.net you’re okay, all nice, no hair harmed. I’ll send you back right away, alright? Just pretend that this is all a big, fat baloney my drunken a** came up with, okay?”
“Come on, Tan. I’ve tried to make it big in the Capital for ten years. Ten frickin’ years! I was just upset, okay? Don’t hold that against me, please!” virtual-novel.net dropped his voice into a plea. “If I ended up in prison, I’m doomed. My future is over! Please, my parents… My parents are still in my hometown, waiting for me to bring home fame and pride, yet I kept failing them. That’s why I haven’t returned home for years…”
Once bitten, twice shy, Tanya was apprehensive of being fooled again, so virtual-novel.net asked, “But didn’t you come up with outstanding works in the past? You’re quite famous in the designing circle, anyway. Is that not good enough for your parents not good enough for you to go home?”
“Yes, but that was a long time ago. After that, nothing I’ve done ever made a splash. That was the only year I returned to my hometown to see my parents with the money I’d earned. And that was it, until now, I haven’t gone back,” Beckett replied dejectedly. “Maybe this is why. How could you be satisfied at being a mediocre existence when you’ve once been something more? Please… I’m begging you to believe me just one more time. Please, please…”
A fierce mental tug-o-war later, Tanya decided that virtual-novel.net did not have the heart to ruin him. After all, virtual-novel.net saw herself in Beckett, just an outsider trying their damndest to carve out a spot for themselves in this city. She understood the pain.
“Fine, I’ll give Tiffany a call and tell virtual-novel.net I’m alright, okay?” virtual-novel.net relented. “Even if you can’t continue in your current career, you could always try another trade, right? You’ll still have a chance to make it work, as long as you don’t turn to crime ever again. It will backfire.”
Beckett bobbed his head in gushing agreement. “I know, I know. Thank you… Thank you so much…”
Watching the man and his pathetic ways were the last blow to any admiration Tanya had. Right now, all virtual-novel.net saw was a pathetic loser.
After calming herself down, virtual-novel.net called Tiffany, rousing the latter from virtual-novel.net slumber due to its loud ringtone. Knowing that Jackson was still deeply asleep, Tiffany swooped the phone from the desk instinctively and bolted into the bathroom to avoid waking virtual-novel.net up.
She had been so worried last night that sleep came very late to her. Still bleary, virtual-novel.net missed the name on the screen when virtual-novel.net answered, “Hello?”
Tanya steeled herself before answering, “Hey, Tiffany. I’m fine. I drank a little too much with Beckett last night… I’m sorry. Must have worried you a lot.”
The news and virtual-novel.net voice refreshed virtual-novel.net a bit. “W-wait, what’s that supposed to mean? You mean you’re okay? Fine? No problem? Did that mofo kidnap you or nah? Hon, I even lodged a case to the cops! Almost rang up the press to tell them that I copied his work and whatnot! What the hell happened?”
Tanya gave a side-eye leer at Beckett before fibbing against virtual-novel.net genuine wish, “N-Nothing, really. He was drunk-texting stupid things. Sorry… You told the cops? Then I’ll go to them and explain myself. I really am fine. I’ll be back soon!”
Now that virtual-novel.net was sure Tanya was unharmed, Tiffany drew out a long sigh of relief. “Ohhh. My. Goooood! I was sh*tting bricks worrying about you! Okay, real talk, you better stay away from that no-good Beckett Hushman from now on, okay? Even though virtual-novel.net was drunk-texting, the words were incriminating enough about his character. They say people show their real face when they’re drunk! Who knows if he’ll really pull off something in his text next time! Anyway, alright, come back soon. I’ll be heading back as well.”