When The Rules Are Broken ✔️

Chapter Four

James let the compelling textured writing pull him deeper into the world of Anora. The brilliantly fleshed out characters became more real before his tired eyes. He felt their pain and joy in equal amounts as if they were his kin. Terror gripped him, pushing his heart out of his chest as Ethan searched for a noblewoman in the coup's bedlam.

Henry had only envisioned the medieval land and its villains, but Amelia had created an enthralling story with layers of intricacies that had James reading with alacrity over the weekend, and well into the early hours of Monday morning.

The treachery, the romance and the ancient magic, which could be traced to the Scandinavian folklore, had him thirsting for more. The immersive storytelling made real-life tedious, including the progress report on the Annual Solstice Gala that lay untouched.

As James flipped to the last page, he wondered if the king's conquest was worth it. Given the potential of the story, he was surprised that Amelia hadn't already pitched it to the publishers. This stuff had the destiny to be bounded in hardcovers, bearing its author's name with fierce pride.

On the way to work, he rang her. "James here," he apprised as soon as she picked up.

"Hey, I wasn't expecting your call." Her breathy voice went straight to his cock.

"Whose call were you expecting then?" he teased, shifting in his car seat.

"The marketing agency that I work for," she replied with a note of caution. 

Did he make her nervous? James thought. Then the boyfriend popped in his head and he swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. "Listen, I hope you can come to my office today. I read the manuscript and want to discuss it with you."

"Already? No one has read it, except for my friend Sophie. And her opinion doesn't count as she is biased." Amelia sounded anxious. "So, tell me, did you like it? Is it good?"

Hadn't what's-his-name-read it? He frowned. "What about your boyfriend?"

Silence met his ears before Amelia spoke. "Matthew isn't much of a reader. He is, uh, incredibly supportive, but fantasy isn't his thing. He prefers autobiographies or documentaries."

Douchebag. "Right, well, drop by today and we will discuss the future of your writing," James could feel in his bones that Matthew wasn't for her. Any boyfriend would support such a talented writer. He would.

"Future? You think it's good enough to get published," Amelia all but squealed, brimming with excitement.

"Let's talk in person." When he hung up, his mouth quirked into a broad grin that remained well into the day. It was like the sun had caught in his chest and it made him impervious to everything, including the project manager who spewed a never-ending tirade about the condo development issues in Boston.

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Amelia jammed her foot at the closing elevator doors. It pinged open. She stepped inside with a sense of small victory. After getting off the phone, she had rummaged through her closet until she had found an office-appropriate-outfit. It was a cream-coloured dress. Simple yet classy.

"Where is the fire?"

Pivoting, she saw a cute guy with sandy hair in the corner of the elevator. She hadn't noticed him in her rush. Feeling like an idiot, she said, "Oh, I am going to WEC."

"Me, too," he chimed in, pushing the twenty-fourth button. "Who are you seeing there? Sorry, my bad. Where are my manners? Asher Miller here. I work in the administration department at WEC. Are you a new employee?"

"Hi, I'm Amelia," she introduced herself as the elevator scooted them to their destination. "No, I'm not here for a job opportunity."

"Darn. The department could do with fresh faces, especially if they are as pretty as you." Asher shrugged off his amused disappointment. "Now, despite what the rumours say, the Kraken isn't too bad."