[One Week Later – Morning] [Alex's penthouse]
The house was quiet except for the faint sound of music coming from the kitchen.
Max had declared it girls' day out and vanished early with Caroline and Angelina in tow, shouting something about "shopping, mimosas, and a spiritual rebirth via retail therapy" before the door closed behind them.
Evangeline was in the kitchen, stirring a pitcher of iced tea with slow, lazy circles, hips swaying in rhythm with the music. She hummed a tune under her breath. Every now and then, she'd do a playful twirl as she reached for another slice of lemon.
"Morning energy looks good on you," Halle said from the balcony. She was holding a yoga pose.
Evangeline smiled. "You should join me when you're done stretching like a goddess."
"I might. Depends on whether you're sharing that tea or not," Halle said, still balanced perfectly.
Evangeline laughed. "It's for everyone."
On the couch...
Scarlett lay on top of Alex, her fingers tracing idle patterns across his chest. Both the lovebirds were looking at each other without a single word after a long session of kissing.
Alex raised his hand and touched her cheek, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Scarlett leaned in, brushing her lips against his again. It was unhurried, deep enough to make both of them smile against the kiss. Alex's hand rested on her back, the other brushing through her hair.
Halle's voice broke through the peace. "You two better breathe at some point. Oxygen's important, you know."
Scarlett froze mid-kiss, then let out a small laugh against Alex's lips. "You think she's jealous?" she mumbled against his lips.
Evangeline called out, "Jealous? Please. We're just deciding who gets the next turn."
Alex chuckled under his breath, still half-lost in the warmth of the moment. "You're really planning that, huh?"
"Rock, paper, scissors," Halle announced. "Best of three. Winner gets the next kiss."
Scarlett turned her head toward the Evangeline, hair falling across her cheek. "You two are so childish."
Evangeline narrowed her eyes. "Don't act innocent, Johansson. You've been sucking on his lips and grinding him for over twenty minutes now. It's time for our turn."
"Yeah, yeah. Play your game and don't disturb me. I'll be sucking his lips for another five minutes," Scarlett said with a smirk as she shifted her attention toward her man.
But before she could kiss him again, his phone rang.
Alex sighed, reached for it, and glanced at the caller ID. "Karl, my publisher," he said.
Scarlett slid up to sit on his waist, hands braced on his chest. "Go ahead."
Alex picked up. "Karl. Morning."
"Morning? It's almost noon where I am," Karl's voice came through, a little rushed, the kind of tone that usually meant good news or trouble. "Sorry to interrupt whatever... personal enlightenment you're in the middle of, but we've got a situation."
"You sound excited," Alex said.
Karl's voice came through bright with excitement. "You bet I am... You'd better be sitting somewhere because I'm about to drop the bomb."
"I am now," Alex said, settling back against the couch while Scarlett rolled off him and curled up beside him. "What's going on?"
"The Hobbit trilogy," Karl said, almost breathless. "It's a phenomenon. You broke your own records again. Every single volume is selling out within hours of hitting the shelves. Online orders are through the roof. We've got bookstores calling, distributors begging for more stock, and the preorders for the collector's edition are insane."
Alex smiled faintly. "That's good to hear. How much higher are we talking than what we projected?"
"Triple what we projected. Maybe more," Karl said. "This isn't just a hit, Alex. It's history. Reviewers are calling it the definitive modern fantasy trilogy. Even the old-school fantasy readers are praising it for a new take on the fantasy world on a scale beyond their imagination. You've done it again."
Alex chuckled softly and kept the phone to his ear. "I guess that explains the calls I've been missing all morning."
Karl laughed. "You haven't seen the fan reviews on the Titan site, have you? Or the forums? People are losing their minds. Some of the comments are basically essays. They're saying you've changed fantasy writing forever. You need to check them out. It's wild."
Alex rubbed his eyes and leaned back. "Honestly, I haven't had a chance. Between the perfume launch and meetings, I barely slept, let alone checked fan reviews."
"Well, make time," Karl said. "You'll want to see what they're saying. It's all gold. And listen, with this kind of momentum, we should hold a signing event. Something special. Meet the fans, sign their copies, get the press involved. Maybe livestream part of it. You'd crush it."
"That's doable," Alex said, thinking for a second. "But Comic Con's coming up. My schedule's tight until then."
"Right, right," Karl said. "We can work around that. Maybe an evening event in a couple of days for a few hours?"
"Talk to Rachel," Alex said. "She's handling my calendar. Tell her I approved a signing event in the evening. She'll find the right slot and location. Keep it simple."
"You got it," Karl said. "I'll coordinate with her and send over the plan once she locks it in."
"Perfect," Alex said. "And Karl—thanks for calling. You've made my morning."
"Mine too, buddy. Go celebrate. You've earned it."
The call ended. Alex set the phone down and exhaled, a quiet smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Scarlett tilted her head, watching him. "Good news?"
"The best kind," Alex said. "My books broke every record again."
Evangeline leaned in from the kitchen, holding the pitcher of tea. "Translation: drinks tonight."
Halle laughed softly. "I'll toast to that."
Alex grabbed his laptop from the coffee table and flipped it open. Scarlett leaned closer, resting her chin on his shoulder while Halle and Evangeline walked over with glasses of iced tea.
The Titan site was already flashing "The Hobbit Trilogy – Record Breaking Sales!" across the banner. Below it, thousands of reviews poured in, the page refreshing faster than he could scroll.
"Okay," Alex murmured, half to himself. "Let's see what people are actually saying."
...
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Username:johel_martinez
I finished all three books in one sitting. The pacing, the world-building, the heart—it's like reading adventure itself. The characters feel real, flawed, alive. My favorite line? 'Home is never where you start. It's what you fight to return to.' Thank you, Alex Wilson, for giving us something timeless.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Username:QueenofQuills
This trilogy made me cry three separate times. The ending of The Battle of the Five Armies broke me and rebuilt me. The themes of courage and sacrifice hit harder than anything I've read in years.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Username:CinemaScribe
The writing's cinematic. Every chapter feels like it's meant to be on screen. You can see the mountain, the cities, the gold. If Titan ever adapts this into film, it'll blow everything else out of the water.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Username:FantasyPurist
Great story, but too polished. Feels like it's written to be a movie instead of a book. I miss the grit, the mystery. Still, hard to deny it's a page-turner.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Username:InkStainedCritic
Overhyped. The prose is too modern for classic fantasy, and the dialogue sounds like it's written for actors. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but it feels like style over soul.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Username:0skutre
As someone who's taught literature for 25 years, I'm floored. Wilson has done what few can—built a myth that feels ancient yet brand new. His restraint in describing wonder instead of explaining it is masterful.
...
Scarlett smiled, scrolling beside him. "That's a pretty healthy mix," she said. "A few grumpy ones, but most of them are glowing."
Evangeline pointed at one of the pinned reviews near the top. "Check that out. It's from Stephen King."
Alex blinked. "Wait, what?"
He clicked it open.
...
Stephen King(Verified Author)
Just finished The Hobbit Trilogy by Alex Wilson. Damn fine work. It's rare to see modern fantasy this disciplined—tight writing, big heart, no wasted words. Reminded me what adventure is supposed to feel like.
...
Halle let out a low whistle. "That's like Zeus giving you a lightning bolt of approval."
Scarlett scrolled further. "Look, Neil Gaiman and George R.R. wrote something too."
...
Neil Gaiman(Author & Storyteller)
Myth is alive once more. Alex Wilson created a world that recognizes the cost of dreams. This is not nostalgia; it is reinvention.
George R.R. Martin:
"The Hobbit Trilogy is dangerously good. If Alex ever decides to write about kings and politics, we're all doomed."
...
Alex exhaled through a small grin. "Okay. That's surreal."
Halle leaned over the back of the couch. "Not as surreal as this. Look at the celebrity tab."
"Hah! Looks like our guy in charge of the site created customized tabs, nice job. I'm gonna give him a little raise," Alex said, noticing the new updated site.
Scarlett clicked it. The page was filled with quick blurbs and tweets.
...
Elijah Wood:
Reading The Hobbit Trilogy feels like being a kid again and discovering fantasy for the first time.
Natalie Portman:
Stayed up all night reading. Slept three hours. Then spent the entire day reading. No regrets.
Samuel L. Jackson:
Somebody tell Alex Wilson to stop making me cry over fictional dwarves, man.
Emma Watson:
It's not just fantasy—it's philosophy wrapped in magic. I want to live in that world.
James Cameron:
This is the kind of story that makes filmmakers jealous. The scope, the emotion, the rhythm. It's cinematic gold.
..
Evangeline grinned. "You broke the internet, babe."
"Not yet," Scarlett teased, clicking on the "Critics" tab. "Let's see what the professionals think."
...
The New York Times – Review by Clara Menendez
Alex Wilson proves again why he dominates every field he enters. The Hobbit Trilogy is layered, emotionally resonant, and structurally daring. A rare mix of classic fantasy wonder and modern pacing.
The Guardian
Bold, beautiful, and unapologetically mainstream. Purists may grumble, but Wilson has created an entry point for a new generation of readers who never thought fantasy could be this accessible.
Los Angeles Review of Books
Wilson writes with precision, not indulgence. His world feels vast, but his characters are always the focus. The result is fantasy that feels human first, epic second.
ContrarianReader
Feels like he's trying too hard to be poetic sometimes. I skimmed through Volume 3. It's good but overhyped.
Entertainment Weekly
A blockbuster in book form. Wilson's trilogy isn't just a success—it's a cultural event.
The Washington Post
Occasionally too sleek for its own good, but impossible to ignore. The Hobbit Trilogy has redefined the modern fantasy market.
FantasyPurist
I get it, it's epic and beautiful, but honestly, I prefer grounded stories. Too much world, not enough quiet.
...
"You're reading the hate ones too?" Halle asked.
Alex nodded. "Always."
She tilted her head. "Doesn't it bother you?"
He smiled faintly. "No. It means they're still reading. And that's all that matters. I mean, everyone got their own opinion and preference, and I respect that."
..
..
[Three Days Later – Late Afternoon]
Alex stood in front of the mirror, white dress shirt crisp, black vest sharp, holding two ties in his hands. One was charcoal, the other burgundy. He frowned, tilting his head.
"Why is this always the hardest part?" he muttered.
Evangeline appeared behind him with a navy tie draped over her fingers. "Because you overthink everything," she said, looping it around his collar. "Try this one. The color works with your eyes."
Alex looked at his reflection, then at her. "You sure?"
"Absolutely," she said with a small smile, tightening the knot. "You're welcome, handsome."
From the living room, Max called out, "Are we gonna be late, or are we waiting for him to write a sequel about his tie choices?"
"Almost done," Alex replied, still adjusting the tie.
Rachel walked in, holding her phone. "Karl says the event space is ready. Fans are already lining up outside. Press too."
"Good turnout?" Alex asked.
"Packed," Rachel said. "We even had to add an overflow area. I told them you'd be fashionably late, so we have twenty minutes."
"Perfect," Alex said, sliding on his jacket.
Max leaned against the wall, arms crossed. She wore a wine-red dress that fit like it was tailored in secret. Her lipstick matched it exactly. And god, she looks gorgeous. "You look like a CEO who just robbed GQ," she said.
Caroline walked in after a final makeup touch, twirling once in a soft teal dress that shimmered under the light. "If he's the CEO, then I'm the PR department. I'm here to make everyone fall in love."
Angelina adjusted her black silk gown, elegant and simple, her hair in loose curls. "And I'm here to make sure they remember who taught them how to walk in heels."
Halle stepped out of the second bedroom in a gold satin dress that flowed like liquid light. She smiled as she looked around. "We're not going to an award show, right? Because it feels like we are."
Evangeline smirked. "You say that like it's a bad thing." She herself wore a navy off-shoulder jumpsuit that matched Alex's tie, her earrings catching the light every time she moved.
Rachel, as always, was composed perfection in a tailored black suit with a white blouse, her hair pulled back. She slipped her phone into her clutch. "Alright, people. Cameras, fans, and chaos await. Let's move before Karl has a heart attack."
Alex took one final look at himself before walking toward the door.
Max looped her arm through Alex's. "Ready to meet your worshippers, Mr. Bestseller?"
Alex smiled. "Let's give them a night to remember."
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AN: Vol. 3 will start directly at Comic-Con.
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[POWERSTONES AND REVIEWS PLS]
Support link: www.patr eon.com/UnknownMaster
[5 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] [No double billing.]
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AN: I'll go into stockpiling mode. Don't have many chs to keep a stable update. So, see ya all. Soon... Probably, on 1st November or early if I manage to write 5 chs. Whichever faster.