Ang''s gaze lowered to Samantha''s waiting hand, and she hesitantly received it, asking, "You''re the chief of Love Tales?"


    "Co-founder actually," replied Samantha. "My softwarepany developed the app. I started it with my friend, Ba, under Sweet Soul Studio. You remember Ba, right? You met her recently on the ind."


    Samantha is a friend of Gael, while Ba was his ex. Great. Just great.


    Ang swallowed the burning, massive lump in her throat as she kept the smile on her face. "Ah, yes… Where is Ms. Ba?"


    "She has a doctor''s appointment today, so she couldn''t make it. She sends her apologies." Samantha turned to shake Nina''s hand as well and then gestured for them to take their seats. "I understand the need for you to keep your identity a secret, which is why I asked to meet you here in my husband''s hotel. It''s easier to maintain privacy this way. Rest assured, you''re safe here."


    Looking at Samantha, Ang thought that she was a bit intimidating. She had met her a few times in the past whenever her brother brought her to some events where the Chos were present. Ang had always thought that Samantha was a kind woman, a loving mother, and the perfect wife. After all, she married Daniel Cho—dubbed once as Mayne City''s most eligible bachelor—heck, he''s still at the top of some social rank that socialites made up even now that he''s already married. They were a power couple that everyone envied.


    Owning apany at a young age, Samantha Cho is a formidable woman. She sure was something. And meeting her today definitely shook Ang that her hands became instantly cold. There was something different about the ''Samantha'' that she met today. She didn''te here as a family friend. She was here for business and her aura made it even more challenging for Ang to start her proposal.


    "I''m really honored to meet the mysterious author of the books I love. No one knew who she was," said Samantha with a small smile on her face as she stared at Ang. "I can actually see myself in you. Who knew it was you all along?"


    Ang exchanged looks with her friend. How weird it was to know that the founder of the application, that she was also a fan of, was none other than the woman in front of her who also happened to like her books. It was aplete circle. "You… You love my books?" she asked.


    "Yes. In fact, I have read all of them... I''m a huge fan of yours, Ang. Your first book is especially my favorite." Samantha leaned forward. Her elbows were nted on the table as her chin rested on her joined hands. The smile on her face was radiant as she continued, "I rte to the characters so much—I feel like I know them personally. I hope you don''t mind me asking… Where did you get your inspiration?"


    Ang felt like someone just punched her in the gut. She had the urge to flee and never look back. But she didn''t listen to her inner voice. Wanting to change the direction of their conversation, she bravely got straight to the point and began, "Actually, I''m here to negotiate."


    "Negotiate?" Samantha lowered her hands but kept them together as she waited.


    "I''m afraid I can''t let you produce the first book. However, I have a proposal that would benefit both parties."


    Samantha''s expression was unreadable. She leaned back, crossed her legs, and prompted Ang to continue, "I''m listening."


    Without wasting time, Ang exined her n to write a book series of three stories that would be produced andunched exclusively by Sweet Soul Studio in Love Tales, enumerating the advantages to entice her more. The entire time, she kept her speech formal and her tone neutral while Samantha quietly listened until she finished with her proposal.


    "So… What do you think?" Ang probed a minute after she finished speaking, and the other remained silent.


    "Give me a minute." Samantha got up from her chair and walked towards the other side of the room to call someone.


    Ang nced at her best friend who smiled at her to give her courage.


    Patting her friend''s arm, Nina reassured her in a low voice, "I was going to help you, but you already killed it. You didn''t need my help anyhow."


    A small smile broke on Ang''s face. Even with her best friend''s words, she was still feeling restless. Talking and trying to convince Samantha Cho, who had a straight face the entire time, was nerve-racking. She couldn''t tell whether Samantha was impressed or had even considered her proposal. The way she kept her expression neutral that Ang wished she could read what was going on in her mind.


    Samantha''s phone callsted for a few minutes before she came back to her chair. She wordlessly sat down and stared at Nina and Ang.


    The room was quiet as the two friends waited for the verdict. At first, Ang already came to ept that if Love Tales would reject her proposal, she would just move on and continue what she was doing. However, now that the decision was in front of her, she suddenly wanted it so badly.


    They watched as Samantha reached for a file from her tote bag. Thetter held the papers in front of her, and without warning, she tore them in half. Ang''s heart throbbed upon seeing the words on the paper as she was sure that it was supposed to be their contract.


    Her mouth hung open, unsure of what to say. She and Nina were pretty much dumbfounded.


    Samantha got up from her seat, and a smile slowly formed on her face as she spoke, "Well, we can''t use that contract anymore. We''re gonna need a new one." Then, she held out her hand towards Ang and added, "You''ve got yourselves a deal. Congrattions."


    Ang almost cried in absolute joy over the news. She was over the moon when she epted Samantha''s hand and gave it a firm shake. A huge project was in front of her, and although this was a challenging one, she was definitely excited.


    Once their meeting was over, Ang and Nina left the hotel. They got in Nina''s car and for a few beats, they were quiet.


    Ang turned her head to the left, meeting her best friend''s gaze. And at the same time, they screamed like little girls who were just given permission to go to the prom. It was half past nine in the morning and the two were giggling and gushing inside the car at a full parking lot.


    Although it was still early to say, Ang could see a bright future ahead. It seemed as if everything was finally falling into ce.