AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Rolling in 3… 2…”
I took one more deep breath before the light went red.
“We’re here at the newest hotspot in town: Blaze Pub and Grill. It’s owned by actor James Jensen and…” I honestly felt sparkles and unicorns coming out of my mouth with how bubbly I was forcing my voice. But I knew this was the type of piece where I needed to be perceived as approachable. I barely heard the words I was reading, but Mark seemed satisfied with the result.
“So make sure to come by for the most extensive draft beer list and their own special-style wings!”
I smiled at the camera until…
“And…cut,” Mark yelled and my face immediately fell. He gave me a thumbs up. “That was great for your first story, Olivia. Pretty soon, you’ll be the one taking the lead.”
I shot him a small smile as I put my microphone down.
“Yeah, well, thanks Mark. I just wish we could be covering something that matters.”
Mark’s face contorted into something sour.
“You’re lucky James Jensen didn’t hear you say that.”
I slapped my hand against my mouth, feeling like an idiot. I knew better than that. I knew I couldn’t trash the people we were doing a story about. I was a Serious Reporter, after all.
“You’re right. Thanks for the catch. By the way, where's James? Didn’t he agree to be featured?”
Mark shrugged.
“You’re not new in this industry. You should know that most celebrities don’t show up on time.”
He made himself comfortable at one of the tables.
“Might as well sit down and relax for a minute.” He gestured to the other chair.
“I know I have to earn the bigger stories,” I said as I dropped into the chair. “I just wish—”
“You just wish you were covering the election,” Mark said nonchalantly. He pulled his phone out and started scrolling. “That’s what all the reporters say. Until they’re actually out there covering the serious stuff.”
“I’m not in this for the screen time. I’m in this to make a difference.”
Mark chuckled and rolled his eyes.
“Aren’t you all? In the meantime,” he shifted his eyes up to mine, “you’re just gonna have to wait for celebrities who are always late and do the best with the story that you're doing.”
I sighed. But unfortunately, whether I liked it or not, Mark was right. Waiting was the name of the game. And, boy, did I wait. For three fucking hours. But I had to suck it up and do my job if I wanted to get anywhere in this industry. So when he waltzed in with no apology, I just had to smile and let the camera roll.
“And what would you say is the actual star of Blaze Bar? Why would people want to become a regular here?” I flashed the most saccharine smile I could muster.
James Jensen, wearing thick sunglasses and some casual, cool-guy, button-up shirt that likely cost a fortune but looked like he couldn’t have been bothered to make any effort, ran his hands through his long, thick hair that was likely full of extensions.
“The real star of this place is me.” Ugh. Gag. “I’ll be here a lot, so come on by if you want to join in on the action.”
These were things he actually said out loud. In front of a television camera. That was how highly he thought of himself.
I smiled through the nausea and forced out a laugh, trying my best to match the energy of this asshole. From the corner of my eye, I caught Mark as he visibly cringed. Even the actor’s entourage looked like they wished he had said anything else but that. But, at the end of the day, he was the reason we were all being paid for today’s work.
“Well, folks, there you have it. Come over to Blaze Bar so you can hang out with James Jensen.” James was clearly feeling the camera, flashing a brilliantly white smile and cracking up laughing like he thought he was the funniest person on earth.
I fought hard not to roll my eyes, so I rolled my shoulders instead after Mark said we were clear.
“Thanks so much for your time, Mr. Jensen.” I put on my saccharin smile again. Mark was quickly putting his camera away, clearly as anxious as I was to get the hell out of here.
