The worn wooden door creaked open, revealing Mrs Brooks standing in the doorway.
"Elena baby…. you're going to be late for your first day.." She mouthed and came walking into the room with a warm smile, putting down a plate of freshly baked pancakes on Elena's bed, taking a seat too.
"Mom… it's today, the big day is finally here." She chirped, squealing happily and clasping shut the romance novel she was reading.
"I'll finally be able to clear our debts, Mom. Then you and I can travel the world, just like we've always dreamed. And who knows… maybe somewhere out there, I'll find my prince charming."
"Elena, it's just your first day of work…"
"I know, Mom… but I can already see it all coming together."
Mrs Brooks let out a soft chuckle, trailing her hand through Elena's dark brunette hair, tucking a strand behind her ear.
"You are one happy child, you've always been since you were a baby."
Elena laughed and hopped off the bed, taking one pancake and shoving it into her mouth.
"I'll see you later, mom." She still managed to kiss her mom as she forced her legs into her shoes, picking her laptop on the bed and dashing out of the room.
"Have a nice day." Mrs Brooks said after her, shaking her head as the warm smile on her face turned to a proud one.
"Taxi." Elena yelled, hurrying down the pavement, balancing her laptop against her chest, while frantically dapping at her lipstick hoping she wouldn't smear it before reaching the roadside.
"Oh goodness…. I'm late!" She gasped, dashing inside the taxi as her eyes landed on the watch on her wrist.
"Luxview Media, please…. 1035 Wilshire Boulevard, downtown. And could you hurry? It's my first day."
The driver grunted, checking out his rearview mirror, "It's Los Angeles ma'am. Traffic's always a nightmare."
Elena leaned back, closing her eyes for a fraction of a second.
"You got this Elena." she mouthed to herself, taking in a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
Today was the day–the beginning of a chapter that would free her widowed mother from years of inquired debts and finally set their lives back on track.
She was ready. She was excited.
"Can you turn on the radio… please." she spoke faintly.
The driver nodded and flipped the switch, a steady voice filled the cab reporting the latest city headlines.
"And coming up tonight–we turn our attention to one of the country's most anticipated events; former President Dominic Power's eighty-fifth birthday gala at his private Beverly Hills residence. Guests from around the world are expected to attend, and all eyes will be on Adrian Power, the rumoured successor. According to blind items circulating in the press, he is back together with his famous ex, Meghan Carter. Tonight, the couple is expected to make their first public appearance, five years after their highly publicized breakup."
The driver chuckled, mumbling something that sounded like, "hmmmp… Rich folks and their galas, meanwhile the rest of us are just trying to make rent."
Elena forced a smile, her bold blue eyes darting to the busy world outside the window.
She cared nothing for riches; all she longed for was a quiet life on some remote island with her mother, her dog, and the one man who would colour her world just like her romance novels promised. Happy with what she had, she never envied the rich and mighty–certain their battles were no less heavy than her own.
"We're here, ma'am." The driver announced just as Elena was about to doze off.
"Already." Elena mumbled, clutching her laptop to her chest as she hopped off the taxi.
"Thank you." She mouthed and handed the driver a few bucks, watching him speed away with a smile.
"Okay Elena." She let out a deep breath and turned, a soft gasp escaping her lips as her eyes settled on the towering glass high-rise before her. Her new work place.
"I work here?" She asked no one in particular before breaking into delighted squeals, twirling in her little happy dance, unconcerned by the eyes on her.
It was finally her time. Her moment.
"Is she okay?" She heard someone whisper and halted right in her tracks, embarrassed. She forced out a dry chuckle as she tucked her scattered hair back into place, quietly proceeding her way into the building.
"Good morning." She greeted as she made it past security, sprinting on her little heels and squeezing herself last minute into the overcrowded elevator.
"Hi." She mouthed to a girl beside her, forcing out an awkward smile when she didn't respond.
"Girl…. I hope that witch changes her mind about going to the gala with that brat Stacy. People like us deserve opportunities like this too."
"I know, right? Opportunities like this should be open to everyone. I mean, I'd totally love to get a chance."
"Who wouldn't." The other added,
The elevator doors swung open, and the ladies stepped out. Confused, Elena hastened her steps as she looked around for the Lead gossip columnist's office. The very office she was required to reach by all means before the clock struck eight.
"Excuse me…." She tried to call after the ladies but luckily spotted security.
"Hi… good morning, I'm looking for the Lead gossip columnist's office. My name is Elena Brooks."
"Oh…. You must be the new assistant for the gossip desk? Welcome. Mrs Marlowe's office is the last door on your right."
"Thank you." Elena mouthed and brushed past him, her heart beginning to throb again in her chest as she spotted the sleek black door at the end of the hall.
"You got this." She assured herself as her unsteady legs finally carried her to the door, her shaking hand trailing to the door knob.
"You have no idea how much I've been looking forward to this gala, ma'am. You can't do this to me!" a lady's voice cried out.
"Stacy I'm sorry… It's an order from management, and besides you're not even in my team anymore."
"It doesn't matter, ma'am. Just let me come with you one last time, just this time."
"I can't risk my job, Stacy. You're going to have to let it go."
Elena recoiled, and just as expected, the door flew open revealing a lady on the verge of tears.
"Hi…"
She shoved Elena aside, almost sending her crashing to the floor and storming off.
"Come on in." The lady inside ordered.
Elena forced a smile and picked herself back up, quietly and nervously making her way inside.
"Hello, Ma'am. My name is…."
"Save it." She interrupted, tossing a magazine on the desk before Elena.
"His name is Adrian Power. One of the country's most influential–and wealthiest–nepo babies. His grandfather once ran the nation and all eyes are on him to inherit more than just the family fortune. Tonight, our mission is simple; to be the first gossip magazine to confirm his reunion with his ex, Meghan Carter–with undeniable proof."
"But ma'am…."
"You're coming with me to the gala. And consider yourself fired if anything goes wrong."
A soft gasp escaped Elena's lips. She put down her stuff and settled on the small desk beside her new boss's luxurious own.
"I need you to study every little detail about him and Meghan Carter too. The success of this mission, guarantees your stay in this company, Miss Elena Brooks."
She picked up her purse on the table and catwalked her way out of the office.
Elena exhaled deeply, trailing her shaking fingers to the magazine before her.
"I am definitely not losing this job." She heaved as her restless gaze snagged on the photograph, and though the face was unfamiliar, a strange chill swept through her body–breath hitching, palms dampening, as if some buried instinct recognized what her eyes could not.
"Adrian Power." She uttered soundlessly, tucking in her suddenly shaking lip as her heart for the first time in her uneventful life, gave a painful jolt.