Chapter Three

With the approval of the article layout I begin working in the journalism department. President Galiger escorts me down to the fourth floor. There are cubicles sectioning off private desks in fours that cover the room. Noticing weekly bulletin layouts as I follow the president I see the special feature for the upcoming magazine for Ren Hashiro. A big picture pinned to the board hearts draw around it. Some of the female journalist must have put that there when they heard the news. Eyes following us as I am shown to a cubicle in the back of the room on the far right. There a space was empty, a blank canvas of the walls and a new laptop with a carrying case. This is where you will work. You are allowed to take the laptop home, spare charger in the bag. I listen to the president explain the rules and regulations and what is acceptable and is not.

"When do you officially get to start covering Mr. Hashiro." The president looks proudly at me with high expectations.

"Umm," pulling out my planner I flip it open "the day after tomorrow I will be going with him to a charity event and then will be following him during his every day routine."

"Good, good; till then brushing up on your subject would be wise. He never does interviews so don't do anything that will upset him and we lose this exclusive understand."

"Yes sir!" His commanding presence over me as he talks brings out the answer right away.

"Also, I here he can be a ladies' man so if you don't want to be toyed with stay on guard." His expression suddenly changes to a wry smile as if worried.

He doesn't have to tell me that one, I know firsthand. The jerks been toying with me since I met him making me lust for him and then push me away a second later, but I can't tell him that so I just nod. The president leaves after his warning. With that I sit down at my desk opening my laptop to familiarize myself with the features and begin accessing archives of articles in our company and anything I can find on Ren. I come across a picture, looks like from a paparazzi article because Ren is wearing a sullen looking expression staring off in the distance. I place my finger on the screen tracing the figure. Then give a long sigh when I realize what I'm doing.

"He's so good looking, isn't he?"

"huh?" I turn my chair around to the female voice that spoke to me. I see her smile but her eyes look aggravated as she looks at the computer screen.

"I wasn't thinking that just now." I'm lying.

"Oh, how you caressed the picture it looked like you wanted to get intimate." The girl chuckles. Other girls suddenly coming up behind her looking at me. Feeling like they were judging me. I hear some whisper in the back of the group.

"Poor Chloe, having this article snatched from her by a plain girl like this." The other girls nod and giggle.

I look at the girl who spoke to me this must be Chloe. "Ummm." I try to speak but my words trail off not sure what to say to them.

"Look I don't know what strings you pulled but this article is mine I won't give it up so just stay out of my way. I will get the dirt there's no way Mr. Hashiro will waste time on a whore." With that the group scattered back to their desks. Shocked at her threatening tone I stare blankly and was I just called a whore. I can hear people mumbling around me.

"Did you hear?"

"Sleeping around for promotion."

"Honestly no skill so she whores herself to our president to get a big scoop just to make a name for herself." I really don't get why they are saying this but I don't want to hear it, my fists tighten in my lap in frustration. This is my big shot I got this chance because I worked hard for 2 years. No I won't cry here holding back my tears. I pack my laptop up and leave my cubicle.

"You see that, leaving in middle of day no work ethic." I turn to see Chloe speaking load enough that the whole room hears her and looks up. My frustration boils over with this.

"Oh, dear me, I'm sorry I have to leave early to find Ren seeing as he's expecting me. He asked me to be his arm candy for tonight for dinner now can't every well displease him can I."

I smirk at them though I know it's a lie I walk out confidently seeing their faces astounded. As I get in the elevator my confident smile fades. What the hell was that? My chest so tight I feel like crying. I step outside taking a deep breath. Their just jealous that's it that's all it is a newbie got a once in a life time article that's all it is, I tell myself calming my shaken heart. Looking back annoyed, I stick my tongue out toward the building wishing they could see me then stroll off. Looking down at my laptop carrying case I can't help feeling it's kind of heavy. Sighing reluctantly, I guess I should just head home and work from there from now on. I head in that direction walking through the business section where most foot traffic is. I can see Hashiro Corp. I look toward the top of the building. I bet he's there working hard right now and here I am abandoning my place of business just because of the tension. Hating myself for how I acted I can't help feeling lonely I want to see him. I decided to go to a local café with wifi and site at an outside table on their patio and have lunch while I work instead of hiding in my room. I feel a tap on my shoulder as I am deep in thought reading, coping and pasting clips and pictures that might benefit my article. I look up suddenly feeling uneasy that feeling you get when you're being watched. A man with a gloomy face I know all too well is standing next to the side of my chair six inched away from me. His short milk chocolate hair and blue eyes, just as I remember, his small shoulders drooping down as he is looking down at me.