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I knock on the wood door only to hear Sam’s disgruntled voice telling me to come in. He’s not in a good mood, great. “Hey Sam, is it okay if I speak with you for a minute?”
“Ella? What are you doing here? I figured you quit.” He leans back in his chair clearly not amused that I left without keeping him abreast as to what I was doing.
“No, just chasing down a story.”
“Hm, well, it better be life-changing.” Sam puts his hand out waiting for me to give him what I’ve been working on.
“Oh I don’t have it yet. I’m going to go back to get some photos. Exclusive.”
His eyebrows perk up like two meerkats in the desert. All news workers love the word exclusive.
“I shit you not Ella, this better not be something about the local library, because I don’t have enough time to sit you down and tell you how bad I’m going to rip it to shreds.”
“It’s not, I promise. But I will say this, you’re going to need to reserve the centerfold for me and the cover.” It’s an overly confident thing to say, but I’m confident that I’ve got the story of a lifetime.
“Ella, I’m not going to do anything until I see what you deliver. My warning still stands, until you prove me wrong you’re on the chopping block. Make me need you.“
He’s going to need his jaw in a sling. It’ll drop so hard when he sees my article. “I will Sam, just a little more patience.”
Sam turns back to his computer completely forgetting that I’m even standing here. I wonder if I stare hard enough at the monitor if it’ll blow up in his face. It works in X-Men, or is that Star Wars? Do I have the force? That would be …
“Ella, did you need something else or are you just going to stand there looking at me with those googly eyes?”
“No, sorry. I was just … sorry.” I turn and rush to the door slamming the edge of the door against my forehead, because I didn’t move back enough to get out the door. “Shoot!” I back up, letting the door go, and rub the spot on my head I’m sure is going to turn into a bump.
“We don’t have any money so if you’re thinking about suing us I’d go another route,” Sam says from behind me.
“Sorry. No, I’m fine.” I shoot him a tight smile before I reach out and open the door slowly. I don’t know why I always seem to make a fool out of myself. It’s like my day isn’t complete unless I’m drowning in my own embarrassment.
The rest of the people in the news pit are busy working, heads down and fingers racing over the keyboards. All of them are trying to find the next big thing that would allow them to keep their jobs. I almost feel bad for them. None of them are going to be able to compete when I show up with an exclusive from Percival Snow. I’m getting giddy just thinking about it.
I make my way to my desk and pick up my bag. I look over to Larry’s cubicle, but I don’t see him, his computer is off and all his stuff is gone. I wonder what he’s working on to have him running out of here in such a hurry.
No matter, I'll make sure to reach out to him later. Right now I’ve got to go home and get my camera so I can get my exclusive photos of Percy. News waits for no one.
18
percy
The minuteI walk into the building I know something is off. There’s usually a buzz around here, but what I feel right now is downright an earthquake of tension. I don’t dare ask anyone what’s going on. I’m supposed to know what’s going on. It’s my company for fuck’s sake.
I get into the elevator and up to my floor only to see a slew of people literally running around like the place is on fire. I don’t see flames and I smell no smoke, so I know that’s not the case. When Greg comes out of my office flustered and red-faced I know exactly what’s going on. I sigh and prepare myself for a long fucking day.
There is only one other person that could set this place in a whirlwind. My father.
I walk into my office to see my Dad sitting behind my desk like he’d never left it. The day’s current events already open and a pencil cocked behind his ear. “Percival, is this what you call a respectable time?” His sharp green-colored eyes jerk up in my direction. I
It’s past eight in the morning, so for my father that’s like mid-day. “I had an eventful evening. This isn’t usually the time that I come in.” I pull my coat off and hang it on the hook behind the door.
“I bet you did have an eventful evening.” He leans back in the chair and folds his hands on his midsection. I’m a grown fucking man, but I still know exactly what the you’re in trouble gaze looks like.
“Is there a problem?” I take a few steps toward him making sure that I don’t seem upset by the fact that he’s basically treating me like a child.
“Yes, we have a fucking problem.” He jumps up slamming his hand down on the desk causing me to jerk back in response. I hear the door open and Greg walks in. “Get the fuck out! You will enter when I give you permission to do so, until then go find your workspace and do some fucking work!” My father screams at him and Greg bristles, but he does what he’s told.
“What the hell is your problem Dad? What are you doing coming in here like a fucking mad man screaming at my workers?” I step forward, the only thing standing between my father and me is the large desk.
“Your workers? Boy, do you realize before you were even out of your fucking diapers I was running the company? These are my fucking workers, I’m just letting you borrow them.” He snarls at me and I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
