Page 77 of Only If You Dare

Again, I opened the door and strolled in without so much as a knock. It didn’t matter either way because Fredrick was busy fussing at a fellow reporter about something she’d missed. The girl was obviously new and looked like she had made the biggest mistake of her life.

“Ms. Stevens!” Fredrick yelled. “I’m surprised to see you.” He checked his calendar and his wrist watch. “You’re a few days early,” he frowned, “There’s nothing wrong is there?”

Fredrick was so paranoid that I’d ruin any chances for the Houston Report to get this story he almost pissed himself.

“Dana, you can go, but remember what I said,” he reiterated.

Dana fled past me like a freight train. In a few years, she’d be me. Fredrick turned his attention back to me when Dana left the room. I handed him the white envelope. His eyes pierced.

“What’s this?” he said while simultaneously opening it. His eyes fled across the words and a frown appeared on his face. Fredrick looked up at me with an arched brow.

“You’re retiring now when you’re in the height of your career?”

“How exactly am I in the height of my career? I’m in the same position doing the same things I did when I first started, despite my credentials.”

Fredrick swallowed, and he cast a look around the room nervously. I knew what that was about. He was afraid I’d take this current story and run. He should be. Even though I signed non-compete contracts, I was still brave enough to use it as a scare tactic.

“I need a letter of recommendation from you. And I need it by tomorrow.”

Fredrick sat back in his seat.

“I also need a letter of recommendation for Santana. She quits, too.”

Fredrick smirked and shook his head. “You have some nerve coming in here telling me what you need. I need that report from you, pronto, and I’m not sure if you and Santana deserve letters of recommendations. You’re Ms. Independent right? Get your jobs elsewhere using your own credentials. Fredrick tossed the letter at me, and it glided down to the floor right before my feet. I glanced to the fallen envelope then glared up.

Taking a step forward, I placed my hands on his desk and leaned in so he could hear me good. “You will write letters of recommendations, and if you don’t, I will take this story to the Houston Chronicle. If you think I’m kidding, I want you to try me, Fredrick. I have no reason to bluff. I’ll only say this once you disrespectful mule. When I leave this office,” I glanced at my wrist watch, “Which will be in about thirty seconds, I’m taking Santana with me. We’ll go to lunch, and I’ll write this report up like the award-winning reporter that I am. And when I come back here tomorrow to deliver it, you, Fredrick Jones Carter, will have two finely written letters of recommendations waiting for me. At that time, we’ll trade.”

I turned around and walked to the door. “Oh, and I know Mr. Rose never signed a contract or agreement that he would be giving you first dibs on this report, so the non-compete clause doesn’t work with this project.” I left his office and slammed the door behind me causing a few heads to turn my way.

“Nothing to see here people, back to work,” I said approaching Santana’s desk. “Grab your things, we’re leaving,” I said.

“We?”

“Yes. You, and me. Now let’s go, unless you want to stay.”

Santana glanced around her desk and gathered her things a bit too hesitant for my taste. “Santana.”

“Hmm?” She turned to me hopeful.

“You know I got your back, right?”

Her face relaxed. “Yeah, I know it.”

“Then come on. I’ve got to type up this report, and we’ve got some packing to do.”

Santana tossed her bag over her shoulder and opened her large desk drawer pulling out what looked like a beach bag. I arched a brow at her, and she smiled sheepishly.

“Let’s just say, I was prepared for this,” she said.

“Apparently.”

We walked through the halls of the Houston Report for the final time as employee’s, and I was already feeling light on my toes.

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