CHAPTER TWO
DAYBREAK JOURNAL
“Call for me, honey, if you need another ride. My name is—”
“You can keep the change!” I cut off the cab driver and waved before rushing into the enormous chrome glass structure, which was my workplace.
Winning the tickets was terrific! A thrilling rush coursed through my body as I hurried into the elevator. Usually, I had to stay quiet when there were a lot of people inside, but today I couldn’t stop humming to the tune of Illicit surfing through my head.
In the beginning, I was not a big fan of Rock ‘n’ Roll. I was a Rhythm and Blues girl, but listening to Illicit the first time at a party made me think twice. Trash Monkeys was the first rock band that I liked after The Fantasy Makers. Rick DuPoint, the five-member bandleader, was everything a girl’s wet dream was made of. Blade Benefield of the Trash Monkeys is still my seduction of choice, I mused to myself.
I rushed out of the elevator into the large office which was for the Celebrity Gossip and relationship writers. Offices were allocated to writers based on the genre they were working on.
I dropped my handbag on my desk and steadied a shaky hand over my chest. I gave myself a little pep talk. This job is a blessing, it is great to work in a friendly environment, and I need to remain positive and stay calm.
“Are you okay, Kira?”
Edel’s familiar jasmine scent wafted through my nostrils. She was my friend at work and outside work, and I valued her friendship. Edel Smith was from Germany, and she spoke with a thick accent. She had icy-blue eyes and painfully thin lips.
“And good morning to you. I’m fantastic!” I grinned.
She scoffed, “Come off it, you look—” she paused.
I could tell she was searching for the right words to say.
“Excited,” she supplied.
“Really? Is it that obvious?” I giggled.
“Yes. Are you?” Edel shook her head.
“What?” God knows what she was thinking.
“Are you getting married, Kira? Or did you have hot sex?”
“Hell no! I don’t even have a boyfriend! You know that already, Edel.” I cringed as all eyes in the office turned towards me. The only hot sex I had was with my trusty vibrator, but I kept that thought to myself. “Okay, I don’t have a man in my life. That’s not such a big deal people!” I clapped back at them.
Edel laughed at the way our coworkers kept throwing us curious looks around the newsroom.
“I never knew you were single, Kira. I could introduce you to one of my homies.” Tom, another coworker, and friend joined the conversation.
“Seriously, Tom?” I rolled my eyes.
Thomas Banks was his real name, but we preferred calling him Tom. He was kind of on the chubby side, a comic book addict, and he reminded me of a cartoon character. He wore maroon sweaters most of the time. He had curly blond hair and a beaky nose.
He wasn’t much of a cutie, but I loved talking to him. He was mature and tolerant of other people.
Tom, Edel, and I had formed a clique of our own in the office.
“So, tell us why you look so happy?” Edel drummed her fingers on my desk.
“She must have had sex last night or this morning.” Tom grunted. “Because I get that same look when I score with a lucky lady.” He chuckled.
“Tom! Come on. That’s too much info.” I threw my hands in the air, snorting in the process.
I loved being with these two people. They always made me laugh.
“Okay, guys, I won two tickets to see the Trash Monkeys in New York City. I am thinking of going with someone…” I winked.
Then the argument started.
Tom was the first to speak. “I love the Trash Monkeys. I adore them, especially Blade,” he said in a sarcastic tone. “You should take me,” Tom added.
“No, you don’t, Tom. You have a thing against Blade Benefield. He is so handsome and sexy, but you feel he is a terrible singer. He is the lead singer, for crap sake!” Edel bashed Tom.
My ears tingled as I watched these two. They always argued about everything.
“You know what, guys? We are going to play a little game.”
“What game is that?” Edel asked.
“I’ll ask you both some questions about the Trash Monkeys. Whoever gets the highest score can come with me to New York.” This little game was the only way to stop them from arguing.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Tom grinned.
I knew he wasn’t so deep into the rock band, and he’d only been pulling Edel’s leg.
My friend, Edel, and I burst out laughing realizing Tom was not comfortable with the questions I planned to ask.
I was about to say something when I felt the landline on my desk vibrate.
“Penny,” I muttered, my heart pounding fast.
“Are you in the office, Kira?”
“Yes. Good morning,” I replied.
“Morning. Come into my office now. Thanks,” she responded and disconnected the call.
“I wonder what Penny wants this early in the morning?” Edel asked.
“Your guess is as good as my own,” I responded and dropped the telephone into its cradle and jumped to my feet. “I better go see what the boss wants. I’ll meet you two later.” I walked out and took the elevator up to office Penny’s office.
I had great admiration for the woman. She was the owner of Daybreak Journal, one of the most informative reads in the state. She was ambitious and serious-minded—I admired that part of her personality.
“You needed to see me, Penny?” I treaded nervously into her office.
“Geez, can you just relax for once, Kira?” Penny snapped at me.
I wondered if she could tell I was tense.
“You can’t blame me for being nervous,” I replied and settled into a chair across from her big mahogany desk.
“Take a chill pill, honey.” She laughed. “I need you to work your magic. We’ve been out in the cold for some months, and a new journal is rising. Ever heard of Pickets Daily?”
I had come across the name. “Yes, why?”
“It’s the newest journal in town. People are buying into their stories, their point of views, and that’s not good for Daybreak. We’ve worked too hard. We’ve dominated the writing scene for ten years now. I need you to bring me a hit story, something like the Britneyvolt.”
I swallowed as I remembered the article that had brought my writing into the limelight and ushered in my promotion.
I had written something on Britney Spears and how difficult it was for her to adjust to her divorce and weakening career. I made it clear to the media that she had shaved her hair out of frustration and not because she wanted to trend. Hence, they needed to respect that, and respect her.
I had titled the article Britneyvolt. It had gone viral in a few hours.
“It’s not that easy…” I stuttered. What she was asking was not that simple. Writers had their moments; maybe that was all that I would ever be.
“I don’t care. Just get me a big cover story. Something with a pop and crack.” Penny chuckled.
From her tone, I knew our conversation was over.
“Wow,” I murmured.
“What is it?” Penny asked, giving me a curious look.
I just had a great idea! What if I turned my upcoming concert trip into a business trip? Okay, I could find a way to get a big story out of the Trash Monkeys rock band, something that would go viral.
This assignment would also give me a good chance at getting me extra traveling money plus get compensated for my work. Maybe even a bonus! My mind was running a zillion miles a minute.