Rules of Engagement

"That doesn't matter. Look, I just arrived. I'll wait for you. I'll be sitting next to the window, so you can see me when you are here." Once she hung up the phone, Elsa Xia looked at her watch. Half an hour had already passed from her appointed time.

Mark Le had already told her that his car was stuck in a traffic jam. It was rush hour and there were traffic jams all over the place. If she hadn't gone out early, Elsa Xia might've been stuck there too. That would've been even more of a hassle. She finished her last piece of bread and drank half a cup of her coffee before going to the restroom.

As she saw herself from the mirror, Elsa Xia was not looking well. The dark bags under her eyes were a result of dozens of sleepless nights. She looked so gaunt that they could place her in any horror movie and she'd fit right in. She sighed, washing her face with cold water. She'd worked overtime last night to finish the press release. It needed to possess absolutely no errors, and it took a lot of work. Once she was finished, it was already past five in the morning. Without rest, she quickly went to her meeting place with Mark Le.

Elsa Xia worked as a journalist on the society pages. On her spare time, she had agreed to sign a novel with Mark Le. It took her a long time to finish it and when she'd submitted it up to the publishers, she wasn't expecting that Mark would send her a publishing contract so soon. They'd only chatted on the Internet for a while so they hadn't seen each other yet. This was why Mark decided to meet up with her.

As she came out of the restroom, she noticed that there was a man occupying her seat. Mark had always said how he looked really feminine and how he was sometimes recognized as a women. Thinking of it, a smile generated at the corners of Elsa's mouth. However, as she moved closer, the man in front of her didn't look like a woman in the slightest. With black bushy eyebrows, hard facial features, and thin lips, no one would connect him with being a 'feminine beauty'.

However, thinking that it was probably just a misunderstanding, Elsa still approached him. "You're here."

The man was surprised by her words, looking at her up and down. Being a reporter, Elsa was accustomed to dealing with all types of people on various occasions. However, being in front of him, she couldn't help but blush. "Well," she started. "Just as we talked before, I don't think I can do that."

The man raised his eyebrows. He had no idea who this woman was. She looked so uninteresting as she was dressed in nothing but a business suit with a well tied-up ponytail. Her eyes weren't small, but the black spectacles emphasized the bags under her eyes.

He wasn't about to reply. However, as the blush grazed her cheekbones, he couldn't help but be a bit more curious. "Really?" he said in disbelief.

The voice was different from what she'd heard on the phone. However, as she was dizzy, she didn't hear much of a difference.

"Yes. I've thought it over. Besides, it's a pure love story. Don't you think adding those racy scenes would ruin the beauty?" Realizing that she'd been talking to Mark for quite a long time, she decided to come straight. "Besides, I don't have much experience on that area."

"Ah." The man nodded and rubbed his nose, as if reeling it in.

nodded. "So can I

it. It really won't take much time,"

"The references that you've sent me... Although

to her lack of experience. The man suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

refuse?" Elsa asked

up on the editor." The man crossed his arms.

adjusted her thick-rimmed glasses, gazing up at him. "What

editor. My friend is here. If you'll

one last once-over before dragging his

just happened?" It was then did she

sat in front of her because there weren't any seats available. Her face flushed. She couldn't believe that she'd say everything in front of a man who didn't even know her. Before she could

of him.

his back was turned, she still felt uncomfortable. She turned her chair to make sure that her back was

here. Elsa was thinking whether she'd make a phone

In a somewhat weak voice, Mark said, "I'm sorry, Elsa. I had a car accident just now, and I was injured. Can we

Where are you now? Should I come and see you?" Elsa shot up

wound. I'm really sorry

issue further as she waved her hand in dismissal.

an appointment on another day,"

things never really came easy. After hanging up, she packed

ceremony was all she ever wanted. Elsa's hometown was far away from Linchuan City of S Country. It took about seven to eight hours to get there from her hometown. It wasn't very convenient, so there weren't many relatives and friends who'd go. It would be a