CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
KIRA
I had taken a bottle of water and some pain relievers for my headache. I felt better. I approached the Daybreak building. Something was happening in the office; there were a lot of cars and media people.
“It’s really happening.” I was now sure I was getting fired.
I guessed Edel had known it would come to this, that was why she had prepared me by taking me out last night. I began to weigh my options as I strolled into the building.
I was a freelance writer, and I could get a job online, or I could publish some of my books on Amazon and make my money from there. Finding another place like Daybreak Journal was going to be difficult, but I was hopeful things would balance themselves in the end.
More people flooded into the building. A lot of faces were unfamiliar. I didn’t even think of finding Penny or Edel now, I just wanted to know what was going on.
“Floyd, can I have a minute?’ I called to one of the security men I was a bit familiar with.
“Kira! Finally! Penny has been looking for you. Where the hell have you been? Your boss is in a tirade,” he continued in a lower tone of voice.
“I can’t talk about that now, but can you tell me what’s going on here?” I asked.
A brightness shined in his eyes. “We have a new boss. I think we are all going to like him.”
“A new boss? But Penny never mentioned it, that’s strange.” I was even more confused.
“I don’t know much about the new boss. I think you should see Penny, she is distraught,” Boyd returned.
“Okay, thanks,” I murmured and strolled briskly away.
Now I had to face two people: Penny and Edel. I could suffer the latter, as I had gotten her something she really loved, but Penny? Meeting with Penny whenever she was upset was hell. I dreaded those moments.
I walked straight to my desk and dropped my bag, then turned towards Tom and Edel’s office. I needed to see them first before going to see Penny. I wish I could have been given a heads-up on what was happening since leaving home this morning.
“Aha! Just the person we were waiting for.” Tom welcomed me with a hug.
Edel leaned on her desk with her hands across her chest. Edel looked happy, but I still felt guilty.
“How are you this morning? You got me really worried,” Edel asked.
“Um, first, I am really sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have said those things to you, you didn’t deserve those mean words. I come bearing gifts.” I grinned and offered her a bagel and a vanilla cappuccino, which were her favorite.
“Wow, you guys had a fight? That’s sexy.” Tom chuckled.
“None of your business, Tommy.” Edel took my peace offering.
“I was too hard on you, Kira. Maybe I deserved some of that tongue-lashing.” She opened her arms and invited me in for a warm hug.
“Isn’t that cute? It would be hot if you two could mud wrestle,” Tom teased, and we all laughed.
One problem was solved. Now I had to face Penny, but I needed to know what I was up against.
“Okay, what’s going on, guys? Have I lost my job?” I blurted out.
My friends both laughed. I hoped their laughter meant I had no worries because I loved working here. I enjoyed being around my friends and all these familiar faces of my coworkers.
“We don’t know what’s going on. It seems we are about to have a new commander-in-chief,” Edel gushed.
“Floyd said the same thing. Um, have you guys seen this person? This new boss?” I asked.
They shook their heads. I never saw this one coming. Penny had worked so hard for Daybreak Journal. Why would she just give it up so quickly?
“I am not judging her, but I think Penny just needs to chill, you know, be patient. One of us can come up with a big story.” I grinned.
“That will be you, I guess.” Tom winked.
“I had gladly accepted the challenge, anytime, any day.” I had taken some of what Edel had said to me to heart and I was ready to take some risks. I was prepared to get back my job.
“I have to see Penny,” I announced then strode towards the door.
“Hey, Kira…I am sorry I left you at the club alone. I came back looking for you, but the bartender said you’d left with a guy.” It was Edel’s turn to apologize.
I laughed as I remembered the moment I had found myself next to a naked man.
“We’ll talk about my misfortune later. For the record, I am not mad. We are good, Edel, we are all good.” I blew her a kiss then walked out of the door with a great feeling of doubt. I was uncertain of what lay ahead, whether times were dark or light, whether I succeeded or failed. I would be all right. I would put my head down and roll with the punches. I was not used to surprises but I was willing to be patient this time. I was ready to open this package wrap after wrap till everything was uncovered.
“Is she in?’ I asked Penny’s secretary once I reached her office.
“Yes, for now. She’s waiting to talk with you, Kira,” the secretary replied.
I nodded my thanks, strolled over, and rapped the door softly before stepping into my former boss’s office.
“Good morning, Penny. I am so sorry that I came to work late. I have a good explanation for my behavior, I am so sorry,” I apologized.
How colorful Penny looked today. She seemed almost excited, which was rare, and for the first time, she was not wearing her horn-rimmed glasses while working on some files.
She wore a dress with a floral pattern, and her brunette curls fell around her shoulders. Penny seemed like a different woman. She was beautiful. She had stopped what she was doing when I’d entered the room.
“Have a seat, Kira.”
“Thanks.” I took a seat without question.
“I don’t care about your reason for coming in late. It’s not something that happens often; I knew you had a good reason for it. How are you?” she asked.
“I’m okay.” I felt confused, light-headed, like I was a feather dancing in the wind, waiting for the dust to swallow me up. I just needed to be strong to hear whatever Penny had to say to me.
“I already told you that there will be layoffs and I wasn’t kidding when I made that statement. Daybreak Journal had her glory days, but we have failed to bring back that glory in recent years, and that made us bankrupt. I am not the type of boss who enjoys withholding rewards and benefits. I love hard-working people and I cherish resilience. This was the reason I made that tough decision to let people go, but things changed.” She smiled.
Can she just get to the point already? I thought to myself.
“Daybreak Journal is about to witness something big. I don’t believe in miracles, but what just happened this morning, what is about to happen, is a huge miracle!” There was a heavy dose of excitement in her voice.
I couldn’t relate to what she was feeling. From what I had learned, she was selling the Journal to some other person. Was that a miracle? Undoubtedly, that was not worth celebrating. I didn’t mean to be a wet blanket, I was just musing around the facts in my head.
“That’s nice…” I forced a smile because I didn’t know what else to say.
“This morning, I received a call.” Tears welled up in her eyes. I could see she was fighting so hard not to cry in front of me. “Someone offered to work with us, and by doing so this person will help us build a fan base with their influence. That way, we get back the popularity that was lost. It’s a rare opportunity for a person like this to make such a great offer. I feel blessed. I feel the Daybreak Journal is set for greater things. I feel we’re lucky. Plus, I get to stay on here and do what I do best.” Penny never stopped smiling.
“Wow.” I was shocked by the rumors of her selling and by this new offer. This was indeed a miracle! But that didn’t explain why I was in her office, and I was too scared to come at her directly.
“There is someone who requested you anchor the interviews. This is why I called you. The new owner has been reading your articles and following your publications. He thinks you are brilliant and deserve this opportunity,” Penny informed me.
Now this was interesting. “This turn of events is unbelievable,” I muttered.
I knew I had over a thousand likes per post on Facebook, but I never knew someone would pick me out from the hundred people working in Daybreak Journal for something like this.
“It’s believable, Kira. You are one of the best writers I have, and this was the reason I felt really disappointed when you failed to present the big story you promised,” Penny replied.
Her words made me feel special. She encouraged me without deliberate effort. “So, if you considered me one of your best writers, why did you demote me then and threaten me indirectly?” I asked.
“I needed to make you sit up and take notice. I wanted you to know that you’re not indispensable. You must work your ass off for every story and make it happen no matter how challenging your assignments becomes.”
I nodded because everything Penny said was right. “Who is the new person in charge?” I asked.
“Patience, Kira. I was just drawing up a plan. But he is a very busy person, so the interviews you will have with him will last for three days. You’ll get to ask him a lot of questions about his job, his career, and his love life. You’ll cover both for the television and for the Journal, while Edel and Tom will work on our social media pages. I trust you, I know you will not fail me, please don’t. This is our last chance. We as a working family need to survive.” Penny leaned closer and placed her hands on the desk. “The ball is in your court, Kira. Run with it.
She was setting me on the apex. If I fell, everything would equally fall apart. This was a great responsibility, and I didn’t want to let her down, I didn’t want to be remembered as that girl who’d missed out on a great opportunity.
If I played my cards well, I would not just bring Daybreak back into the limelight, I would be announcing my own strength as a writer and a reporter.
“Promise you will not let me down?” She peered into my eyes.
I knew the power of vows and the sacredness in promises; it was a holy covenant that was meant to be kept no matter what happened.
Fear welled up inside me. I had never been placed in the spotlight. What if I failed? What if I let Penny down? This was more than Penny; the jobs of a hundred people were dependent on my ability to handle this responsibility well. If I failed, then half of those people who had families and needs would lose their jobs, and that would be on me.
Could I do this? There was still time to back out, there was still time to give up the fight for progress. I had time…it was ticking. Different emotions ran through me as I stared into Penny’s eyes. She appeared eager to hear my answer.
“I promise…I will not let you down.” I nodded.
The night before had taught me a great lesson. It was the lesson of conquering, becoming, and transformation. I’d been so afraid of walking into the club, and when I’d forced myself, I’d almost ruined my relationship with Edel, but I’d risen and fought back. I’d faced my innermost fears, I’d battled my demons, and had taken control of my life. Though I’d ended up in a stranger’s bed, my purpose had been driven, and my faith had been renewed.
I could do anything. I could surpass the limits set by others for me. I could soar above human expectation. I was brand new; I was Kira Martin.
“I’ve handled worse things, I will do this.” I was speaking of Blade Benefield right now. If I could muster up courage and walk out on a man who earned millions from a show, missing out on the opportunity to be with a man who was both rich and famous, then I could handle anything.
“Very well then, everything is yours. Here’s what I’ve prepared.” She handed me a file she’d been working on. “That’s like clay, do whatever you want with it.”
“Thanks.” I caressed the wrinkled edges of the file. I was about to open the data when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Penny called out. “Oh! Kira, our guest is here.” Penny had a happy look on her face, then got up to receive him.
I dropped the file immediately, then rose to welcome my new boss. I swirled and faced him. My heart jolted then stopped as I stood face to face with the man who had broken my heart.
“Hello there, Kira… Penny has told me a lot of things about you.”
I was dumbfounded and terribly confused. What did he think he was doing? I was annoyed that Blade would trespass. Why would he pay me a visit at my workplace and feed my boss with what…more lies? I was enraged! Did Blade think he could fix everything with his money?
“Say something, Kira, don’t just stare. I knew you would love Blade. He is one of the Trash Monkeys you met. I deliberately left that part out, so you’ll be thrilled.” Penny giggled excitedly like a schoolgirl who’d been offered a trip to Disney World.
I felt sorry for Penny. I was going to disappoint her after all. I just couldn’t stand to work with Blade. I just couldn’t be around him.
I opened my mouth to say something, but it felt dry. What magic spell had he cast on me? Tears burned my eyes as I looked at him. Why couldn’t he just leave me the hell alone?
“I am sorry…I can’t do this. I can’t work with him,” I mumbled, then rushed out of Penny’s office.