I Heard A Rumor

Chapter 1: The Assignment

Do you ever look back at the past and wonder what the hell happened there? I guess that's what growing up is all about. Some say you're grown up at age 18, some at 21, or when you get your first job and start paying taxes. I'm a 28 year old and work at the Washington Post, and honestly? I still feel like a kid sometimes. I make stupid mistakes, but then again, don't we all?

Make mistakes, learn from them, and when life hurts you, because it will- remember the hurt. The hurt is good, it means you're out of that cave.

I'm no stranger to pain in my lifetime. My dad walked out when I was a baby and my mom passed away 10 years ago two weeks before I graduated high school. I've lived with my aunt since then. My aunt is Senator Amy Klobuchar and she's been the only constant in my life for the past decade. I made my way through the Journalism and Communications program at Northwestern University and worked for the Minneapolis Star out of college.

After a rough breakup in which my ex cheated on me with my then-best friend, I decided I needed to get the hell out of Minnesota. I was able to get a job at the Washington Post, and that's how I found myself here.

~~~

"Roberts said he has a special assignment for you."

Trey and I meet up every morning before work starts to grab coffee and talk about our days. Other than Amy, he's the closest friend I have here in Washington. There aren't many young people here, much less young women, so I'm lucky to have a friend like Trey here.

"Really? That's interesting. Is it to grab lunch for him again?", I respond, with annoyance. Michael Roberts is the Audience Design Manager for the Washington Post, and Trey and I are two of his assistants, meaning that we find news that's worth reporting in one of the biggest news sources in the country. Point blank, he's a dick, but a job (especially in DC) is a job and for that I'm happy.

Trey laughs, "Maybe, you never know he's done it before." I grumble, "Last time I grabbed lunch, he yelled at me for ten minutes because his onions were cut wrong. Like I have any control over that. And who gives a fuck about onions?"

As the youngest woman in the office, about half of my job consists of picking up food or running errands. It's annoying as hell, I didn't go to school for six years to be the food girl. Even at the Minneapolis Star, I was writing stories and interviewing people left and right.

Trey seems to notice my distress, "It's fine, you don't have to worry about Roberts. I've heard he has a pretty big assignment for you. He's probably been unpleasant because there's nothing interesting happening. Everyone's bored with Biden because he's doing his own job. We're not reporting anything big or dramatic nowadays, and that means less money."

I nod, and Trey and I walk into the conference room. There's Roberts, two old white guys, and Trey and I. I expected more of a department meeting, but I sit down and shake everyone's hands before sitting down. Everyone looks tense and there's an awkward silence.

"So, Trey told me that I have a new assignment?", I say, squeezing my hand, trying to combat my nerves. Michael nods in response. "Yep, and it's a big one, hence why Director Smith and Anderson are here. We've decided that we want you in the Capitol, working to get close with a senator. We're in desperate need of news here in politics, and people don't buy The Washington Post for entertainment and sports. Here at the Post, we thrive on political drama and we're just not getting that, and it's showing in our revenue."

I shake my head, not processing what he's saying. "What? So you want me to gauge senate secrets from my aunt and spread it like we're in a fucking teen movie?". Roberts sighs at my response, but he doesn't look surprised.

"Not your aunt. We need someone young, more innocent and new in politics, popular.... get close to Senator Jon Ossoff."

My mind feels like it's about to explode. I can't really process this. I'm in disbelief, thinking that Roberts would give me a real assignment. I look over at Trey, who's wide-eyed but gives me a small smile.

"So, you want me to seduce Jon Ossoff so you can make a quick buck? Don't you know how despicable that sounds? Sorry, but I can't do this, it's not right."

Roberts audibly laughs. "Never said you had to seduce him. Your words, not mine. But... you are doing this assignment, and my buddies can make sure of that. I can fire you, we can blacklist you from the journalism industry. You're just a young, naive, female reporter, I can do whatever I want with you. I wouldn't recommend not doing this assignment."

~~~

"Roberts is so fucked up. I thought I was going to get a real assignment, but he just enlists me to seduce a United States Senator? One of my aunt's friends? I can't..."

"It's not right, but it's not like Roberts is asking for Ossoff's life story, he just wants inside knowledge on senate happenings, and he chose Ossoff because he's young and only a year into his term. Besides, you barely have to show your face around here anymore for the foreseeable future."

I grin a little, "You're right, I'd barely have to see Roberts. I'll miss you though, Trey."

"I'll miss seeing you around here too. I wish Jon Ossoff was gay though, I would enthusiastically take this assignment. He's so hot."

I roll my eyes at Trey's comment. He isn't wrong, but I don't want to admit it out loud.

I wave bye to Trey as I walk to my car and drive away, knowing that tomorrow will bring a lot of interesting surprises.

I just need to make it through the next couple of months or so. I don't have to fall in love with him or anything.

Or so I thought.