Island of Dragons (Published, Sample)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The pictures of the island were gorgeous, tropical, and unique. The problem was that there weren't many of them, just two. Miley was actually quite surprised when she looked at it. Most of the normal clients would have been bragging about such beauty.

There wasn't much in the file, contact information for the magazine company and what type of photos they were searching for, also directions on how to get to the island. It seemed that there was hidden beauty on this remote island, and the magazine wanted to uncover it.

The magazine company stated that they knew Miley would be the right person for the job. They had looked through her portfolio multiple times. Miley had begun to make a name for herself without the help of Siegel Images. She had become known to get the inside scoop and to discover things that other photographers had missed.

Miley felt that she had to go and explore the place. The rarity of anyone ever exploring the island made it just so tempting. This was a newly discovered unexplored island, what opportunities were waiting for her? Thinking about this made her wonder what they were really looking for.

Notes in the file had mentioned that the magazine company requested images of said island, of stone structures, rare animals, and unique features. The magazine was known for bringing new discoveries to people all over the world through their magazine.

Opening her computer and email... Miley began to type.

Dear Geography Decoded Magazine,

I am the elusive photographer, Miley Tanner from Siegel Images. I would love the opportunity to travel and explore the island in question. To add to the contract, I would like to propose full photo and digital rights, royalties at seventy percent. If these terms are agreeable, I could leave later this week.

Sincerely,

Miley Tanner

The email was sent. Miley folded the laptop back closed and waited.

She sighed. Why could not she get something more descriptive? She pushed her chair back as she closed the file, snatching it up, and stored it in the top drawer of her filing cabinet before leaving. Charles could wait until after lunch for her reply. She wanted to wait and see if the magazine company would reply. She did not want to call.

Outside, the streets were busy. New York had always been busy, let alone at lunchtime. Miley walked up to her favorite vendor and smiled. "Hey, Walt, what's on the menu today?"

Walt smiled brightly "Well, I have bbq, soup, and I know you probably don't want those so... just for my favorite customer grilled chicken salad."

"Awe... thanks. I knew I can always count on you for the best lunches," Miley gushed. She had been getting her lunches from Walt a few days a week for years now. He was such a wonderful old man.

"So, how did quitting the job go?" he asked with a slight chuckle. Miley had been complaining for a while now and seriously threatening to leave for the last week.

"I think Charles just offered me an opportunity I could not refuse," she shrugged.

"Really now?" Walt raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"NO, you sick old man... not like that," she blushed.

"Well, I just figured you're such a beautiful woman and he's been trying to get your attention ever since you started..." Walt suggested.

"I am not crazy enough to schmooze with Charles," Miley shuddered.

"It might be a great offer for a young woman like you..." Walt chuckled.

"Anyways," Miley laughed. "He offered double pay, an all-inclusive trip to an exotic island, which has never been explored, and I am going to get that corner office away from him," she smiled.

"Good girl," Walt smiled. "I knew you'd do it. Now get back there and tell Charles whose boss," Walt encouraged.

Miley grasped the salad, then handed Walt his money before she turned around and walked back toward the office.

She stopped for a moment. "Walt... if I am not around for a while, don't get worried. I might be going on that trip soon," She told him before rushing back and offering a tight hug. "Bye, gramps," she snickered before trotting away, her stilettos clicking as she left.

As Miley went into her office to eat her delicious salad, she noticed a very angry-looking Peter stomping down the hall. 'I wonder what got into him,' she thought.

After eating, Miley ditched her container in the trash. She pulled the computer toward her and lifted up the computer's top. Surprisingly, there was a message from the magazine

Dear M. Tanner,

The terms are perfectly agreeable and we have booked you a flight to the Galapagos for Saturday morning. A guide will greet you as you land.

Eagerly awaiting your photos

Miley smiled then went to seek out Charles. People started to wonder what was up as she confidently strode down the hall, but Miley did not care. She could easily explain everything in a meeting later when she got back, and, other than that, it wasn't their business.

Miley knocked once before she pushed open the door. "Ms. Tanner you can't..." the secretary screeched.

Miley did not listen. She continued inside ignoring the receptionist.

"Miley... uh..." Charles stuttered out as a blond lifted her head up from between his legs on the far side of the desk.

"Miley? I'm Jill," The blond scolded before she realized Miley was standing there.

"I am glad you moved on Charles." Miley snickered "Anyway, I'll take the client. In fact, I will be flying out first thing Saturday morning. Oh, and I get the corner office, right."

"That's Peter's office," Jill giggled dumbly.

"Not anymore," Miley rolled her eyes at the idiot.

"The one with all the windows," she smirked, her tone just begging him to disagree, it would be amusing.

Charles' head nodded "Anything," he begged. "This client's very important, I can't lose them."

"I figured. Well, I guess I'll make plans to leave," Miley told him. "I expect that raise and that bonus to reach my checking account before Saturday, or I guess we can forget the client," Miley shrugged as she went out the door. Just for good measure, she left the door wide open and turned her head back to say, "Oh, by the way, Jill, you could do so much better than sucking his pencil."

The secretary gasped and Miley was sure she nearly shit her pants as she continued down the hall. Many of the curious faces turned toward her in shock and surprise as they tried to gather around Charles' door and catch sight of Jill between his legs.

Ever since Toby's cheating, Miley could not help but feel hatred for most men. Charles was not an exception.