Novels2Search
THE ECHOES OF DECEPTION
The Crossing paths

The Crossing paths

**Title: Crossing Paths**

It was a day like any other for John, yet he woke with the persistent feeling that his life was on the cusp of something great. His pockets were as empty as they'd been for months—scraping by in the city wasn't easy for an aspiring writer—but his hope was still alive. He had chased his dream for years, and though doors slammed in his face and opportunities slipped through his fingers, today was different. He had a meeting with a producer.

John had submitted his screenplay to dozens of production houses, enduring countless rejections. His latest submission, the one he believed in most, was to a producer named Mr. Moore. Unlike others, Mr. Moore hadn’t brushed him off. He’d invited John to come in and discuss the project.

Nervous energy coursed through him as he prepared for the meeting. He checked his reflection in the cracked mirror of his tiny apartment, straightened his collar, and whispered, “Today is the day.” As he left his apartment, the city buzzed around him—horns honking, people rushing, and the constant hum of life. John felt separate from it all, his mind focused solely on the opportunity awaiting him.

---

On the other side of the city, Stella was watching the clock in her classroom. School ended at 4:00 PM, and she could hardly wait to be free. The bell rang, and students began to shuffle out of the classroom, but Stella took her time gathering her things. It wasn’t unusual for her to be late getting home. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her parents; she just loved to linger in the afternoons, walking through the city streets, exploring little corners she hadn’t noticed before.

Her parents were often frustrated with her tardiness. “Why can’t you just come home on time?” they would ask, and she’d shrug, not knowing how to explain that the pull of the world outside their house was too strong to resist.

As Stella meandered down the street, she saw familiar faces—a shopkeeper sweeping the sidewalk, a group of kids playing soccer in the alley. It was a quiet, breezy afternoon, and Stella felt content to take her time.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Just as she was nearing her street, she heard the familiar bark of her pet dog, Max. He must have caught her scent, as he often did. Somehow, he always knew when she was close to home. As Stella approached the gate, she noticed the small gap in the fence, just wide enough for Max to squeeze through. Sure enough, he wriggled free and darted toward her, tail wagging furiously. She laughed as he bounded into her arms, licking her face with excitement.

“Max, you’re too smart for your own good,” she said, giving him a playful rub on the head. The mild breeze played with her hair as she stood on the street corner, Max at her feet.

Just then, a white van pulled up beside her. The van stopped closely, but Stella didn’t hesitate. She knew the man.and started to move close to van

Then her dog return to house with the gift box which was tied in the collar of dog neck with blue colour wrapped sheet

Then the stella mother seen the dog with gift box hanging in neck and though stella reached home

But she's not .stella is missing

-----

At the same time, John was sitting in the producer’s office, his hands slightly trembling as he waited for Mr. Moore to arrive. He had never felt so close to his dream. If this meeting went well, everything could change. He glanced at his watch, the minutes ticking by slowly.

Finally, the door opened, and Mr. Moore walked in. He was an older man, tall and sharply dressed, with an air of authority. He sat down across from John and smiled.

“John, I’ve read your script,” Mr. Moore said, placing the papers on the table between them. John held his breath, waiting for the verdict.

“I’m going to be honest with you,” Mr. Moore continued. “It’s good. It’s really good. I think we can make something special out of this.”

John felt a rush of relief, followed by a wave of disbelief. After years of struggling, after so many rejections, someone finally believed in his work. “Thank you,” he managed to say, his voice thick with emotion.

Mr. Moore nodded. “We’ll need to make a few changes, but I think this has real potential. I’d like to move forward with it.”

John couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Absolutely,” he said, trying to contain his excitement. “I’m open to any suggestions you have.”

They spent the next hour discussing the project, and by the time John left the office, he felt like he was walking on air. He had a deal. He had a future in the industry he loved. As he stepped out into the city streets, the evening sun cast a golden glow over everything, and for the first time in a long time, John felt truly happy.