I Heard A Rumor

Chapter 9: Clean Slate

After coming home from Georgia, I made a decision. It was arguably the hardest decision in my life, but when the prospect of working at the White House became very real, I found myself starting to see a future with Jon. I want my future to be with Jon.

There's one big barrier to that.

And that's how I find myself standing in front of the Washington Post headquarters on this fine Tuesday morning.

"Autumn?", I hear my name called out in the distance. Trey is running over to me and before I know it envelops me into a hug. "What are you doing here?! I've barely seen you for months.", he explains. I sigh, "You might see me even less than that. I'm resigning. From the assignment. From this job. I'm done."

Trey's mouth drops, "Did you and Jon break up? Already?! I swear to God I will kill that son of a bitch."

"No! He's been absolutely perfect. Don't you get it? I'm the problem. I'm hurting him and he doesn't even know it. And it's actually ripped me to shreds. I can't keep hurting him anymore."

He looks at me, "You're not saying.."

"I don't know what's going to happen. All I know is that I'm quitting my job here and telling Jon the truth. He deserves to know the truth, and I need to tell him. I can't keep this to myself any longer. What happens next is up to him."

Trey smiles, "I'm happy for you. I'm happy that you found someone to love and someone who loves you."

I shyly laugh, "What?". I'd been pushing myself away from saying that I..

"So you don't love him? You're giving up all of this for someone you don't even love? Look, I'm not going to tell you what you feel or what you don't feel, but love takes risks. Love happens at the most unexpected of times. What's prompting you to tell him right now after a few months? I think we both know."

My arms cling to my purse, trying to distract myself from the truth setting in. "I'm really going to miss you. Trey, you're the best person in this shithole. Thank you... for everything."

We hug and say goodbye, promising to keep in touch as I walk into the building and make my way to Michael's office. I find the door wide open, so I let myself in.

"Autumn, what are you doing here? You're thriving in your new position. You practically don't ever need to show your face here ever again! Just keep giving us the secrets of Jo-"

I shake my head vehemently, "No, I'm not."

"What the hell?"

"I'm not going to be your little dog sniffing for secrets anymore. I quit this assignment. I resign from the Washington Post. For good."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I'm in love with Jon Ossoff and I can't keep hurting him like this. I'm going to tell him everything tonight because he needs to know. It kills me more and more each day knowing that I'm being a horrible person by lying to him like this."

"So, this is it? You're going to throw all of this away for him?"

I nod, never feeling more sure of anything in my life. "Yeah, I am."

"Well.. Autumn Wilkes falls in love. I'm happy for you, I am. Gonna miss having you around here."

~
I walk out of the building with the biggest sigh of relief that I have ever had in my life. I feel so invincible having this shitty place behind me and a future with Jon in front of me.

Knowing that, I make my way back to Jon's apartment where I decide to surprise him with a fancy wine dinner (although my cooking is subpar, at best).

I have music on and watch as the time clicks done, when suddenly my phone starts ringing and I see Serena's contact come up.

"Hey Serena, what's up?"

"What the hell is happening right now?"

"What do you mean? I thought I told you that I was taking today off."

"No, you need to turn on the news. Everyone's talking about you here."

"Huh?", I abruptly hang up as I run over to the TV and turn CNN on.

My heart drops when I see what's on.

"BREAKING: Washington Post advisor Autumn Wilkes tricks Senator Jon Ossoff into an affair for secrets"