REIGN’S POV

My hands moved before my brain did as I quickly pulled my camera from my back and took quick pictures. It was a bit blurry from where I stood but it was obvious what the people in the frame were doing.

I stood up from my butt and escaped, my heart in my throat the whole time. I placed my hand on my racing heart when I finally reached the lobby, glad I was able to leave unscathed. I glanced at the time, surprised to see it was closing time already. I was relieved that I did not have to go back to the hospital. It felt like my camera was burning a hole through my back. Even on my way home, I bit my lips in thoughts on what to do with the pictures.

Hours later, I was sitting cross-legged in front of the coffee table with my laptop in front of me, staring at the edited picture of Ivan and his mistress. It will be 12 soon and all the story submissions for the production early tomorrow will close.

Could I really do this? I thought, wringing my hands together, a habit that I did whenever I was nervous.

I was sure if the story was published, both physically on the website, it would be an instant hit, shooting me up to the Pinnacle of journalism as well. I did not believe myself to be a greedy person but stars shined in my eyes at the thought.

I started to write, trying my best to remember every detail of Ivan's engagement to Melanie and linking it to the scandal. By the time I was done, I had a well crafted and structured story that Ivan would have a hard time combating.

Next, the email was constructed and all I had to do was just to press send, but something stopped me. I was nervous. This could make or mar my life.

Shouldn't you conduct further verification? I heard a voice in my head tell me but I was too far gone to bother with that. If 12 passed without me sending it, then the news would never see the light of the day again because I was sure I was running on some sort of adrenaline at the moment. If I had friends, I would have consulted them on what to do but I only had myself. I had to do it then, for myself and my career.

So I pressed send and my fate was sealed.

*********************************************************

The day felt fulfilling and energetic like I had moved to the next phase of my life and my career. I decided to dress up according to my mood, ditching the usual baggy pants and shirts two sizes bigger that I usually wore. Although it was a bad idea for a big person to wear something so big as it would only make them look bigger, I felt like it protected me and covered everything I wanted covered and protected me from criticizing eyes, not like people still don't find a way to call me names.

I pulled my pink blazer tighter as I skimmed over the white blouse I had underneath, paired with high waisted trousers that accentuated my ‘fat ass’ . I wouldn't have been so daring to wear this on a normal day but I suddenly had a confidence boost. I grabbed my leather tote in my hand after confirming that it had everything I needed for the day's work before trudging out of the house.

I got to work in less than an hour, thankful for the non-existent traffic. I had a feeling it was going to be the best day ever, everything pointed to it.

“Good morning.” Greetings erupted from left and right as I walked to my department. I was surprised and slow in replying because it had never happened before. Despite my size, I was treated as invisible but now they were acknowledging me, passing me greetings, smiles and nods. A warm, fuzzy feeling grew in my chest and a silly smile grew on my face until I got to my seat.

“Oh, if it isn't my favourite journalist.” Mr Cobbs beamed as he sighted me.

I almost looked back to check if Bethany was behind me but I could see her shooting daggers at me from across the room.

“If you had done this sooner, would I have been so angry with you?” He asked, placing his hand around my shoulder. It felt uncomfortable but I allowed before he had never been this cordial with me. “How were you able to get that news?”

“I–” I started.

“ Well, it doesn't really matter how you got it.” He cut in and I clammed my mouth shut. “You know I only care about results and the ones you have provided are exquisite, I must say.”

I bowed my head to accept the compliments. It felt surreal and all my doubts about publishing the news flew out of the windows. I made the right choice and I refused to regret it.

“Keep it up,” was his parting statement. I nodded and watched him leave with a smile on my face. I sat down at my desk and pulled out my laptop, ready to finish any unfinished work but the shadow that loomed over my desk had me pausing and stiffening. I had an idea who it was and my suspicions were confirmed when I met the stormy eyes of Bethany.

I sighed, “what can I do for you?”

“You must think you are a hot cake right now,” she said, folding her arms. “How dare you even publish such news about Ivan?”

“I only reported what I saw.” I refuted, looking away from her. If looks could kill, I'd be dead already.

“Everyone here knows Ivan is my person so even if you had stumbled on a news like that, you were supposed to reach out to me.” Bethany said, her voice chilling.

I held back a shiver. “I don't answer to you. Everyone also knows that you are just delusional about your supposed relationship with him.”

“How dare you?” she screamed, making everyone look over. Realizing her mistake, she gave them her legendary smile that is capable of making anyone swoon, and truly everyone looked away. She turned back to me, a murderous look replacing the smile on her face.

“This is not over.” she promised and stalked back to her seat.

I sighed and messaged my forehead. Truly, most of the news published about Ivan from our side were usually written by Bethany and they were often pieces praising the man. I thought it was just admiration but it looked like she had a crush on him. I remembered when the news about his engagement to Melanie was released and she had a full blown meltdown right in the office, screaming at her laptop like it was going to change the state of things. I should have known then.

I opened my laptop, wondering about the state of the Internet. Was everyone as shocked as I was? How many reads and clicks did I get? I decided to check at the end of the day's work instead. By then, everyone should have heard the news. The rest of the day passed by slowly and it took a great deal of self control not to check it.

Finally the day ended and I did not have to control my curiosity anymore. I logged onto our company's site to check and I was mind blown. I had the most reads I had ever had, even surpassing that of Bethany. Looks like Ivan was a hotshot. I had a fun time scrolling through the comments, agreeing with all the people calling Ivan an asshole. Only assholes cheat. After I was satisfied, I logged out once again, reverting to the homepage of my browsers. I expected to see several other sites reporting on the infidelity of Ivan but all the websites on my feed were all reporting on other issues. I was perplexed, even searching it out specifically but all I got were positive posts about him.

Maybe they were just confirming. I reassured myself when a sense of dread started to develop in me. A twinge of guilt filled me when I remembered I did not confirm on my part. I shut down my laptop and arranged everything I needed to take home with me. I caught Bethany's eyes over the desk and I had to look away from the amount of dark intensity in them. If looks could kill, maggots would be feasting on my remains right now.

I kept my head down as I left until I got outside the building. Taking a huge breath of the fresh air, I felt better and free. I walked to the small parking lot at the side of the building. I pressed the unlock button on my key and my old but functioning car came to life. I smiled as I entered my car, happy I was going home. The smile slipped from my face when I felt a presence at the back seat. My eyes trailed to the rearview mirror and locked with the black eyes of a man peeking through a mask.

A scream escaped from my lips but the man's gloved hand came to muffle it. He used his other hand to signal to me to keep quiet. I nodded severally, anything to survive. When he was sure I was not going to scream, he removed his hand.

“Please, don't kill me. I am actually a broke woman.” I pleaded, my heart beating erratically in my chest. I wondered who I had offended to have deserved this.

Before I could react, the man's gloved hand came up again to my face, this time with a white cloth in it. My eyes widened as he pressed the cloth on my nose. I tried to inhale it but failed and soon I felt my eyes closing.

Then I fell into darkness.