Love in the Headlines

REIGN'S POV

“Get your fat ass up and go do something.” A voice bellowed.

Usually ‘fat ass' could mean two things. One, the person was impressed with the voluptuousness of your backside or the person was simply calling you fat. Staring into the disdain filled eyes of Mr Cobbs, I was sure his statement had nothing to do with my behind.

I pushed my chair backwards and stood up, wringing my hands in nervousness. I wondered if I would ever be able to stand up for myself in front of this man. “ I was not sitting idly, Mr Cobb. ”

“Oh, I am sure,” he muttered sarcastically. “You just sit there and write reports that no one would ever care to read instead of going out to get me some juicy news.”

I stayed quiet, like I always do. I had no idea what he wanted me to say. Mr Cobbs sighed and rubbed his forehead, while murmuring words that I was sure were not pleasant.

“The CEO of Allure Ventures is holding a press conference today to explain his sex scandal, you know what to do.” He said and turned to walk away.

“But sir,” I followed him, “Bethany was supposed to be the one attending that.”

“I am sure you are not blind to how busy Bethany usually is. She has an impromptu TV program. Why am I even explaining this? If I say you say you should cover for Bethany, busy or not, you do as you are told.” He spat out and stormed off to his office.

I watched his back before he disappeared into his office, trying to hold back the tears that were pooling in my eyes. I should be used to this, I was used to this. It was not like I could ever fight back. It would just add a dent to the career that I had been building for years. This career was the only thing I've got and I could not lose it.

I walked back to my desk, wiping my eyes even though no tears fell. I sighed as I packed my compact camera as well as other equipment that I needed. If I did not want to be late for the event, I had to leave immediately. New York's traffic was not a joke.

When I got to the hall where the conference was taking place, I was not surprised to see that many other journalists and reporters also arrived early. The scandal of the CEO could be said to be the scandal of the century. It was simply too shocking and I wondered what excuse he was going to come up with to wash himself from it. He must have come up with something to explain why he was naked with another man in a hotel room.

I moved to one of the set up chairs in the center of the room and started to arrange my tripod. I usually wouldn't worry about this if I had a partner to take the necessary pictures but I unfortunately had to go solo. I glanced at my watch repeatedly, wanting to be done with it already. I still have an unfinished report that I had to complete for the production tomorrow.

Fortunately, the CEO entered the hall and flashes immediately went wide from all corners. I had to squint my eyes as I snapped away as well. Setting the camera to video mode, I sat down to focus on writing, even though my recorder was on. It was like a two factor authentication that I always carried out to make sure I miss nothing.

“I am deeply saddened that my reputation and the company had taken a hit due to this fake and made up scandal.” The CEO was talking and he really looked sad. His eyes were red, his cheeks were hollowed and his face was unshaven. He really knew how to pull off a pitiful look.

As I expected, he claimed the video was fake and was AI generated. I almost laughed. The advent of artificial intelligence was really making it easy for people to get away with things. The CEO also provided evidence of the video being fake. I did not believe him but it was also none of my business. When did my opinion matter? The CEO was smart, I had to give him that as he successfully answered some of the questions and evaded the ones that were tricky.

I heaved a sigh of relief as the conference finally ended. I stopped the video the camera was recording and made sure it was properly stored before I started dismantling the tripod. I was one of the last journalists to leave.

I had not looked around the hotel when I had walked in as my mind was fixed on what I wanted to do. Now that I was done, I had the liberty of feasting my eyes on the five star hotel that screamed money and elegance. I kept my hands to myself, afraid of accidentally breaking something that was worth millions of dollars. I might have to work for the rest of my life just to afford the chandelier alone.

I stopped in front of the elevator, nodding at the people that were already there. It arrived quickly and I stepped in with the other people- two girls who were giggling and laughing excitedly.

“I heard he's in the garden. I got a glimpse of him when I was coming up. He's so handsome.” The first girl gushed.

“It is such a pity that he is engaged. I bet Mel sleeps and wakes up with a million dollar smile on her face.” the second girl sighed dreamily. They burst into another fit of giggles and I had to resist the urge to stick my fingers in my ear.

The elevator arrived at the lobby and I stepped out first, happy to be free from the giggling girls. It must be nice to be so happy and care free.

“The garden is so beautiful–” One of the girls said, her voice fading away as they moved farther and farther away.

Garden?

I stopped and glanced in the direction they left through. I can look around, can't I? The thought of going back to the office was not so exciting. The selection of the managing editor was coming up and I was working extra hard to get it, not like I was slacking before. However, Bethany was a worthy component and a huge part of me knew she was going to get it but I did not want to give up. I would really be a failure if I do that.

Shoving those thoughts to the back of my mind, I lifted my bag further up my shoulder and walked down the path the girls had walked, eager to see the garden. I did not have to walk far as the smell of flowers hit me as I turned a corner.

I smiled and closed my eyes as I stepped into the field of flowers, tempted to pull off my shoes and feel the soil beneath my feet. I started to feel myself relaxing and I even felt beautiful.

“You really don't want me?” A voice floated over, startling the peaceful bubble I had immersed myself in. I opened my eyes and looked around, wondering where the sound had come from. Usually, I would turn back and leave but Mr Cobbs words refused to leave my head.

Gossip

That was what Mr Cobbs wanted from me. That thought had me tiptoeing through the flowers, which was useless really as the flowers swished by me as I walked through. However, the wind was strong as well so the disturbance could be linked to it.

I gasped and crouched when I finally made out two figures. I was grateful that the flowers were dense enough to cover my not so little figure. It was a man and a woman, anyone could tell that from a glance. The woman had her back to me, so I could not recognize her but her body almost had me fainting from jealousy. It was simply perfect.

But the man….was the billionaire CEO, Ivan Hamilton.

I stifled a gasp as several questions ran through my head. Ivan Hamilton was the CEO of CEOs. He was rich and powerful and always topped Forbes list of Bachelors women would like to marry.

Less than a month ago, the most eligible bachelor was snagged from the market by Melanie Anderson, the daughter of one of the most influential families in New York. The news was everywhere and I could not escape it even if I had no interest. Bethany was also screaming the building down when she found out. I wondered why she had a reaction so big and out of control.

Forcing my mind back to the situation at hand, I watched as different scenarios popped into my head.

“I really don't mind that you are engaged. Look–” the woman was saying but the questions in my head distracted me from listening carefully.

Why was the engaged CEO in a garden with another woman and in an obscure part of it at that? Was it a date? A rendezvous? Or worst….a secret affair? I had to muffle another gasp. Although I could not see the woman's face, I was sure she was not Melanie Anderson as Mel was slimmer and not as curvy. Just as more and more questions filled my head, the woman leaned up and kissed Ivan on the lips.

I gasped and fell on my butt. I had stumbled on the world's biggest scandal.