Page 20 of Desire
The inside of the building was ultramodern and bustling with business. The energy was gripping. I was soon handed off to a woman named Tori Royal. She said she was an associate producer for the show and escorted me to a more private elevator. Tori never stopped talking about all the perks the job had tooffer. There were free meals in the dining hall, which was more like a four-star restaurant. The gym came with my own trainer to keep me on track with a healthy workout regime for when I was on and off the road.
“Do you run, Holly?” Her studious gaze went from my head to my toes then back to my face.
“Um, yes, usually. But I haven’t done it in a while.” I was disappointed with myself.I could blame Jasper Christmas for that too.
“I can tell. You have a runner’s body. The treadmills are high-end.” She went on about free massages, facials, and sleeping suites on the top floors in case I needed to catch a quick nap. All flights were first-class. I could book a car to take me to the airport whenever I wanted.
She would’ve kept listing perks if the elevator doors hadn’topened.
Rachel was standing in front of us with her arms open wide. “You’re here,” she sang, and we hugged.
“I am,” I said in the same jubilant tone.
Rachel looked the same, with her easy smile, dark-brown hair, and hazel eyes.
My eyes traveled up and down her thin frame and her expensive black pantsuit. “Will I have to dress like that every day?”
“No, no, no,”she scolded. “Don’t start searching for a reason to bail out now. First”—she slapped her hands together—“did you enjoy your rides to and from the airport?”
I smiled at the light in her eyes. She was purposely going to make it difficult for me to say no.
“Yes, I did.” Except the last part when Jasper Christmas called to hound me about being in the city.
“Good. Now, how aboutwe get down to business?”
“The sooner the better,” I said and followed her into the elevator.
She tookme on a tour of the newsroom, including the editing bays. Rachel revealed that I would spend most of my time on the road. But she explained how I would work from a satellite truck with an editor and a producer who would be sitting in the editing bays where we were standing. It was the place where they would build my news story for the broadcast.
“We’ll give you one to fivedays to have your story ready,” she said with a glint of passion for her profession in her eyes.
Then she introduced me to a team composed of a field director named Tabatha, a cameraman named Luke, a lighting guy named Richard, and an audio tech named Scott.
“You’ll also have two field producers, who are really good,” Rachel said.
Every time I shook a hand and introduced myselfto capable team members, it became harder to tell Rachel that I would have to pass on her offer. The operation was impressive but overwhelming. I was already missing my quiet little office in Philadelphia, where I had complete autonomy.
Then we entered a nice office with an off-white leather sofa and two high-backed black velvet chairs. A big desk was right in front of the window, whichprovided a stellar view of Central Park.
“Wow, what a nice office,” I said, noticing the floating wall shelves, which held a few trinkets. “You haven’t done much decorating, though.”
Rachel pointed her hand at the executive’s chair. “You sit there.”
I tilted my head slightly. “Why?”
“Just sit,” she urged. Then she took the seat across from the big chair.
I sighedwith a moan but did as she asked. “I’m still not convinced.”
“Well…” She folded her arms. “This job is also going to come with the story that’s going to take your career to the next level.”
Then I remembered. “Right. You have something on the Christmases.”
She smiled coyly. “On Christmas Industries.”
I sat up straighter. “So spill it.”
“Uh, uh, uh.” She shookher head. “If you’re going to follow this story, then you’re going to do it for us.”
