Chapter 56

No way! Are you kidding? My mind screamed.

"I, uh, sure?"

The room was emptying out around us, though Sally was lingering.

Charles was grinning at me. "You don't have to say anything. Just look serious and formidable."

"That may be a stretch," Sally said, coming over to us. "She's got a rare beautiful but sweet face."

"Thank you," I said, looking down, feeling myself blush. "I think?"

"Charles," Sally said. "Are you sure it's a good idea to put her face out there? Might it not put her in more danger?"

Charles thought about it, his blue eyes looking at me with worry.

"What do you think, Elena? Ultimately it's up to you."

I paused. "I think anyone who is unhappy about my reporting already knows what I look like. The person following me is testimony to that."

"Someone is following you?" Sally said, aghast.

"Maybe," I said. "We aren't sure yet but in any case, my identity is already out there. If I'm seen and known by the larger public, though, maybe it will protect me in a way? A random female reporter dying or being assaulted would be bad but if there's a face and a name associated there might be more problems."

I was thinking aloud and summed up my idea. "So, someone might be more hesitant to try anything."

Sally nodded. Charles was trying to hide his smile.

"You have guts," Sally said. "And it's a good move job-wise too."

"How do you mean?"

"When this all blows over, you'll get you more attention. You'll have a name, a face, a reputation. You'll be let in more doors and Mr. Rafe will have to start paying you more," she said, giving his arm a playful pat. "And your appearance is going to work for you in this case."

I was again confused by this. "I'm sorry, I feel stupid. I don't know what you mean again."

"It's because you aren't vain," Sally said. "It's a good thing. You don't know how beautiful you are, Elena, because the scent you carry isn't the stereotypical beautiful-female smell. But television, videos, they have no scent factor. People will actually see you."

Now Charles was looking uncomfortable. "I don't know if that's a good thing," he said.

"Of course you don't," Sally said, smirking, and she swept out of the room.

Charles sighed and smiled. "Just because she knew my father she thinks she can be familiar with me."

"Can't she?" I asked, smiling.

"Yes," he said, smiling back. "She can. I love seeing her back to her old self. Now, where's Amy?"

"Here!" Amy said, poking her head back into the room.

"Can you think of anything either of us need before the cameras get here?"

Amy frowned. "Some powder I think." She ducked out, leaving us alone.

Outside the windows I could see people moving chairs out of the elevator and beginning to set them up in the large main space of the office.

So that's why that large space has always been empty, I thought.

I'd always thought it made for an awkward walk for whomever was approaching Jessica's desk, giving her a long space in which to glare at them. But now I knew it was for press conferences.

Charles stepped closer to me and put a hand on my shoulder. "Thank you for coming," he said. "I stupidly thought I'd try to shield you from the internal politics I was sure was going to happen."

"Meaning the other departments don't trust Social Scene and a rookie reporter with something so important?"

He nodded. "Exactly."

"Thank you," I said, smiling softly up at him. His eyes were so blue, I wanted to fall into them.

He inhaled deeply. "But your scent, it did something to the room, Elena. That, and you walked in at just the right time. I think Mel got a whiff of you and suddenly decided to stop challenging Sal. Something about your confidence got him. And your scent."

I was taken aback. "Are you sure?"

"Oh yes."

He leaned in a put his lips to my forehead, inhaling deeply as he pressed them into a kiss. I leaned back into him, closing my eyes, feeling a moment of pure peace and happiness.

When he pulled away, he was smiling softly. He looked over my head. "Ah, Amy. Come on in."

"Sorry to disturb you," she said, walking over, a compact and powder brush in her hands.

I glanced at Charles, but he didn't seem embarrassed she had seen us. She herself hadn't even batted an eye.

Was I the only one embarrassed by this? And there were people outside the windows setting up chairs as well. Had he forgotten?

"Just a little on your forehead and nose," she said to Charles, dusting it over him. "Okay. Good to go. I put a hardcopy of your statement on your desk double spaced and in that large font you like so you can read it easily."

"You're a gem, Amy. Thank you. I'll be in my office, Elena."

He left us alone as Amy began to dust powder on my forehead. "Just a little here, I think. Do you have any lipstick?"

I wanted so badly to ask if she'd seen us, what she thought, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead, I asked her something else I'd noticed.

"Where's Jessica today?"

"Called in sick," she said. "Wouldn't you know it? On a day like today?"

"Does she know about Mr. Middleman?"

"I don't know how she would have. Charles only told me when I got to the office."

"But she's okay?"

Amy shrugged. "I think so. She's answering texts at least. Let's see the color you've got," she said, reaching for the tube I'd pulled out of my bag.

She opened it and held it against my skin. "Good. It will give you some color but won't look like you're wearing makeup under the lights. People tend to like their journalists natural."

"Thank you, Amy."

She smiled and squeezed my shoulder. "You've been an inspiration, Elena. Keep it up."

I feel my eyes prickle with tears as she turned and headed toward the main office. The elevator was opening and people, some holding cameras, were beginning to file in.

As they began to set up pointing at the large logo of Rafe media I excitedly texted Cathy that I was about to be on television.

What the heck, Elena? came back almost immediately.

Some sad news about a colleague, I texted. But will you tape it for me?

I felt stupid asking, but I couldn't help it. This was the highest point of my career so far, and I wanted to remember it.

As it was, it was all a conflicted blur. Somber but happy, and I felt excited but afraid. I didn't know how much more disparate feelings I could take without a serious nap or a coffee.

Amy began to hand out press-releases to those present. There were of course our own people, and a few of them waved or winked at me as they set up. But there were also representatives from the few competitors and news agencies from other cities there as well.

When everyone was ready Charles strode out of the office, powerful, handsome, confident. Every eye went to him as he stood solemnly in front of cameras that began to role.

Charles had called in everyone available and they all came to hear what the head of Rafe media thought was so important.

Lights from cameras went on.

Charles held out a hand to me, and I stepped next to him.

He gave me a serious nod and then looked back at the cameras.

"Thank you all for coming today," he began.