Chapter 3. I was completely fucked

The sky that morning was so blue when I walked out of the nightclub at a quick pace. My face probably reflected a combination of anxiety, guilt, and panic. I had to get back to the unit and prepare for the office. I gulp after a quick glance at my watch. The dizziness and nausea I put aside, even though my body was literally telling me to stop walking fast and rest. Gosh, there's no time!

When the door to the apartment building opened, I bumped into someone who was in the hallway. "Oh my, Mia-hai!"

Thankfully, it was only Addy. "Hi, Addy. I'm in a hurry. Later, okay?"

"No, no." Addy intercepted me, making me not bother to hide my objecting face. "I owe you and Evan an apology-"

"No," I interrupted, instantly remembering last night. "You're right, uh, he cheated on me. But really, let's talk about this later, please? I'm late for work."

"All right. Things will get better with time." Addy looked at me with sympathy, but a moment later she grinned jokingly. "I wanted to sympathize with you, but it looks like you had a pretty sweet night instead."

"What did you say?"

Addy didn't answer. She pointed at her own neck and then at me.

I glared, stunned. "Is it really that obvious?"

Addy chuckled, creating a lighter atmosphere. "Mia, you really know how to make your life interesting. Now hurry up, but you owe me a story."

"Okay!" I exclaimed as I ran to my unit.

***

I burst through the office door breathlessly. My face was flushed with panic. 

Cody, my 25-year-old assistant, rushed over. The crucifix earring on his left ear wobbled erratically, reflecting the man's panic. "Oh my god, Mia! Where have you been? The press meeting started earlier and Rory has asked for your whereabouts countless times! She seems to be very upset with you."

I frowned. "What's been going on?"

Cody looked at the meeting room door. "Come in and you'll find out for yourself."

I swallowed and approached the meeting room door with a pounding heart. I turned once more to Cody who was following behind me. When I entered the room, Rory's sharp gaze immediately greeted me. The tense atmosphere of the meeting instantly felt cold enveloping me.

"Ah, Mia, you're finally here," quipped a woman with red lipstick on her plump lips. “Is this how you show respect for other people's time?" Her facial expression reflected her dissatisfaction.

I grimaced, trying to explain, "Sorry, my phone died, and ...." I looked at Rory who raised an eyebrow while crossing his arms over his chest, then at the few employees in this room who were looking at me with pity. "I have no excuse. I'm sorry."

"You know how important this meeting is, don't you?" Rory's voice hardened. "We're facing a very unfavorable situation." 

The person sitting next to Rory motioned for me to sit down. I immediately stepped into my seat with deep embarrassment.

The somber Cody followed me. I looked at him when I sat down.  He nodded sympathetically, but he clearly couldn't hide his annoyed face.

"Now, we're going to discuss the interview with Marcel Monaghan," Rory said, looking at me sharply (again). "Marcel Monaghan, the person Mia was supposed to interview, pulled out suddenly. He sent a message stating that he couldn't continue with the interview."

I squinted, trying to understand what was happening. "But, that's not possible. We've arranged everything well. So why did he suddenly pull out?"

Rory gave me a skeptical look. "That's what we want to know from you, Mia. Marcel is your responsibility, and this flop is clearly having an impact on Pamela Magazine... and on you."

I swallowed, trying to explain the situation. Damn my phone! "I genuinely have no idea why he pulled out. Everything was well organized. I can try to contact him and find out what happened."

"I have a suggestion." A voice from the other end of the table caught the attention of everyone in the room. It was Emma Freud, the editor of the Beauty Section who was a real beauty. "Rory, why don't you consider finding a substitute for Marcel?"

I grimaced at her suggestion. Finding new people to interview at such short notice would be difficult.

"Do you have a candidate?" asked Rory.

"River," Emma replied, "who I've talked to you about in the past."

Rory thought for a moment. The age lines on her forehead became more apparent. "Séduisant?"

"Yep,'" Emma replied. "He's a business colleague of my husband's. I'll ask him for a favor."

I frowned at Cody.

"Perfume brand. Don't you know?" Cody whispered. 

The wrinkles on my forehead deepened, instantly making me worry if it would be like Rory's.

Cody shook his head, probably tired of dealing with me. This morning I felt unreliable. I felt like a failure. This wasn't my usual self.

"I thought he was-"

"He's not as young as Marcel Monaghan ...." Emma cut off Rory's words. For some reason when Emma mentioned that name again, my body immediately straightened back up, feeling wary. "But he's still a successful businessman who has a lot of experience. And I think he's also quite charming. Maybe he can bring a different color to this interview."

Rory thought again, it didn't take long to nod in agreement. "Alright, we can give it a shot."

Emma breathed a sigh of relief. I don't know why I did too.

"However...." Rory said again in a sharp tone. Obviously I knew it was directed at me. And I was right when she continued her words while looking at me. "We have to make sure that we have some strong options as Marcel's replacement. We can't rely on just one name. Find the potential candidates immediately and give me a report as complete as possible."

"Noted, Rory," I replied quietly.

"The meeting is over." And with steps like thunder, she left the room.

I leaned back in relief on the chair. A few people who were also about to leave the room, tapped me on the shoulder as they passed behind my chair. Everyone had left except me and Cody. He was just as distressed as I was. "I'm sorry that you must have been scolded by Rory too."

Cody didn't answer. He just let out a long sigh.

"I'll buy you a drink," I coaxed.

"Deal!" He replied excitedly. I shook my head as I watched him walk cheerfully to the meeting room door. Before exiting, he turned around again. "Want to borrow a cell phone charger?"

"Oh, this is why I love you!"

I also have to thank Emma for saving my ass.

***

"Mia!" called Emma. I quickly swiveled my work chair around, facing her who was still holding the handle of the phone. "River agreed to an interview."

"Really?" My eyes sparkled with excitement. So fast!

Emma nodded. "But you have to meet him right now. At the Gallan Hotel. He's currently there. Hurry up, I'll send the details to your cell phone."

In order to repay my guilt to Rory, I rushed out of the office, walked quickly to the basement and got into my black car. A message notification came in from Emma. She'd sent me a picture of a business card. My heart almost stopped when the name written on it was River Lynch. What an annoying coincidence!

Without thinking much about it, I quickly started the engine and exited the building. I never thought I'd be back at that hotel again.

I was grateful when I saw that the person standing behind the reception desk wasn't the woman from yesterday. I quickly told her what my purpose was. She then called someone to take me to the room I mentioned earlier.

"Thank you," I said to the male employee, giving him a small tip.

He smiled kindly, then opened the door to the meeting room in front of us. I took a step to enter the room, finding a man in a perfect gray suit with his back to me, facing the window. The door behind me had closed.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Lynch," I greeted, inwardly wondering that he hadn't turned around.

However, when he finally turned around, my heart literally stopped beating for a few moments. I recognized him. For mother earth's sake, I really wish I could get out of here. He's that man! The guy who slept with me last night! And when he grinned, I knew that I was completely fucked.