Chapter 322

Tessa’s POV

I spent most of my morning in my office, working on the article from my “interview” with Joseph. I only had a few things I needed to edit before I could send it to Megan. She ordered that it be finished by the end of the day, and I wasn’t going to disappoint her.

Clicking my computer keys as I typed filled me with a sense of tranquility. I was in my element, and I felt good. I loved this job; I loved it before I started working at the office. I love writing and typing. I love creating images through words and speaking to a large audience. The world was going to know Joseph Evergreen… the real Joseph Evergreen, and I was pleased that I was the one making that happen.

There was a faint knock on my door before it opened before I could even get a chance to invite them inside.

“Me and some of the other writers are going to lunch. Want to join?” Morgana asked, her bright green eyes narrowed in my direction.

I frowned at the invite. They have never invited me to lunch with them before. They usually go to fancy restaurants in the city and sit by the water on their lunch breaks. I see their Instagram stories daily and I had to be honest I felt a bit left out. There were several other workers in this building. There were other writers, researchers, news reporters, and editors who all co-existed to create Fable Magazine.

Fable Magazine is the one magazine that has literally everything. New stories, tabloids, fiction stories, and poetry. It was one of a kind and I was proud to be a part of it. I just wished the others would respect me as one of them.

I’ve been writing for the online magazine for over a year so it’s not like I'm inexperienced.

“Sure,” I said, grabbing my purse off the ground and shouldering it. “I would love to.”

“Great. You’re driving,” she said as she backed out of my office.

I groaned.

Of course, I am.

Shaking my head, I left my office to see a couple of girls waiting with Morgana. Ashley was seated at her desk, biting into a salad as she put a powered mixture in her pink and purple water bottle. She paid us no attention as we walked out of the office building and down the elevator.

I was lucky enough this morning to find a parking spot right out front, so it didn’t take long to get to my car. Morgan sat in the passenger seat while Kylie and Jessica sat in the backseat. Kylie was an editor and Jessica was another writer like Morgana and me.

I’ve only spoken to them a couple of times in a passing time. They were part of the gossiping clique in the office.

I knew they were close to Morgana because they were always in her Instagram stories. I paid them no attention while I drove to the restaurant and once, I parked, we piled out and walked inside.

I had never been to this place before; it overlooked a large lake, and it was gorgeous with crystal walls and large windows that overlooked the lake and distant mountains.

“Good afternoon, Miss Revere,” the hostess said as we walked in, addressing Morgana. “Your table is ready. Come with me.”

Morgana didn’t bother thanking the woman; she just followed her across the gorgeous marble floors and towards the back booth that sat right next to one of the large windows. Above each booth was a crystal chandelier.

It was a gorgeous, and definitely expensive place to eat.

“I’m starving,” Kylie said as she looked over the menu. “Maybe I’ll have a side salad.”

I had to bite back a laugh as I scanned the menu too. They had just about everything, and my stomach was already growling. This certainly beats the sandwich I brought for lunch.

The waitress came and took our orders; each of them ordered champagne while I ordered a diet Coke. I ignored the judging looks; I mean, we were on the clock after all, and I didn’t feel like it was right to be drinking on the job. But I didn’t say that out loud.

I also ordered Salmon with mixed veggies. True to her word, Kylie ordered a side salad with no dressing because she was “oh so starving.”

Morgana surprised me and ordered a steak with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies; I honestly didn’t think she ate meat, but she proved me wrong. Jessica, or as the other girls call her, Jessie, ordered a cobb salad.

Once the waitress returned with our drinks and they got a little bit of alcohol in their system, that’s when they decided to invade me with questions.

I knew the interrogations were going to begin at some point and I was bracing for them since I left the office.

“So, how do you know Joseph Evergreen?” Kylie was the one who asked, narrowing her chocolate brown eyes in my direction.

I took a sip of my soda and stared right back at her.

“Who said I knew him?” I asked, trying to appear innocent.

She rolled her eyes.

“Please, you can’t just get an interview with the secret Joseph Evergreen without knowing the guy,” Kylie said, leaning back in her seat, and taking another sip of her champagne.

“She’s right,” Jessie interjected. “He’s been kept a secret for so long. Nobody has even seen a photo of him online. He likes to keep his identity hidden and the fact that he openly agreed to come here and give you an interview is kind of crazy.” She was more soft-spoken, but she was far from shy.

I looked at Morgana who was seated beside me in the booth, her eyes on my profile.

“If it’s so impossible to get an interview with him, then how were you going to do it?” I asked her, putting her on the spot.

She shrugged one shoulder casually.

“I was going to catch him at home and hound him for answers,” she said, a grin spreading across her cherry-red lips as she took a sip of her champagne. “I can be very persuasive.”

I’m not sure why it irritated me, but I made sure not to make that known.

“So, give us the tea,” Kylie demanded. “How do you know him?”

He swallowed the lump in my throat; I couldn’t just come right out and say he was my fiancé and the future father of my child. They would never let me live it down and they would just think my recent successes were just a husband doing something nice for his wife.

I straightened my shoulders and decided to give them a little bit of the truth.

“He was my college professor,” I admitted.

They all gawked at me.

“What?” They all gasped at the same time.

“Seriously?” Jessie asked, her eyes wide.

I nodded, trying not to laugh at their stunned faces.

“Seriously,” I confirmed, taking another sip of my soda. “I took fantasy writing in college and he happened to be the professor. I’ve worked closely with him in the past. I didn’t know he was moving here though until Morgana mentioned it. We met up and I asked for an interview. He was happy.”

I knew I was milking it now, but I couldn’t help myself. Seeing their wide eyes and gawking mouths, it was too funny.

“So, you already knew him?” Morgana asked, folding her arms across her chest. “That’s hardly fair.”

I just shrugged.

Saved by the waitress, she returned with our food. We ate while the girls talked on and on about how dreamy Joseph was and how lucky I was that I was able to study under him in college. Little did they know, I was under him in more ways than just studying.

I chuckled at myself and then shook my head at the thought.

“Earth to Tessa; are you still with us?” Morgan asked, nudging my shoulder.

I blinked a few times and noticed 6 pairs of eyes fixed in my direction. They had been talking to me and I didn’t notice.

I bit my lower lip and gave them a sheepish smile.

“Sorry, what were you saying?” I asked.

Morgana rolled her eyes.

“We were talking about the Banquet this weekend. It’s mandatory that we all attend. Morgana holds one every year for her charity services,” Morgana repeated.

“It’s written about it in this week's Fable Magazine edition,” Jessi added.

“It’s a black-tie event,” Kylie said.

“Oh,” I said, staring down at my plate. “I wasn’t aware of it.”

“Well, now you are,” Morgana said. “So, you better start thinking about what to wear. But we were just saying it would be awesome if you could get Joseph Evergreen to attend. Maybe even make a speech about his successes.”

My cheeks flushed; I could probably ask if he could come, but would we make it too obvious that we are more than just professor and student?

“That wouldn’t be a problem, would it?” Morgana asked, a hint of humor lacing her words as she studied my face.

I forced a smile.

“Not at all,” I told them. “I’ll ask him. I’m sure it’s no problem at all.”

The waitress returned to clear some of our plates. Morgana got a to-go box and then used the company card to pay for the meal. I offered to pay for myself, but she flaunted the black card like it was made of cold and said that Megan insists we use it whenever we go to lunch on company time. Who am I to argue with Megan Huxley and her minions?

We started to leave but as soon as I stepped outside, I heard my name from nearby.

“Tessa? Is that you?”

I paused and looked in the direction of the familiar voice, only for my heart to drop into my stomach.

“Penny?”