Headline Love

Han Yi Lin

I awoke to the sound of screeching-actually it sounded more like somebody that just got shot. After reaching for my newly repair Iphone and knowing that it was 8am, I realized it was most likely my mother 'gently' telling my brother he was late for school. Groaning, I dragged myself out of my heavenly bed and pulled together a quick outfit consisting of shaded green cargo pants and a baby white T-shirt that hugged my pale olive arms before facing the wrath of the dragon.

'早安 (Zao an)', I greeted my scowling mother who was burning away her annoyance with a cup of brewed coffee

'早安 (Zao an) Lin', she answered calmly, 'Can you believe it?, Di di is late for school, again!'

I sighed whilst packing my laptop into my new leather messenger bag, 'Mama, maybe..it's time you let him off the hook'

Her gaze snapped, 'Off the hook?"

Feeling her icy stare, I took a deep breath, 'He's 16, he can make choices for himself', I explained cautiously, 'If he wants to be late then he has to face the consequences of that, you can't keep reminding him to get his act together all the time'

I expected her to unleash more of her fiery wrath with the flames burning me until I was out the door but she instead put her classic worded mug down and rubbed her temples, 'I know', she finally confessed, 'I just want him to succeed, any parent wants their son to succeed'

'Yea well I wish you said that to me a while back', I thought to myself watching her frail skinny body pull up her chunky sleeves

'I have to get going', I announced allowing the silence to break peacefully, 'Have a nice day mama'

'Same to you Lin', she replied stonily, '...same to you'

--

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The loud disco beats drummed into my ears as I arrived at the high rising office of the Daily News Scoop which now is becoming one of the top news platforms in all of Canada. I stepped in only to be swarmed by one of my many fellow colleagues at this empire. 'LIN!', she cried, 'THANK GOD YOU'RE EARLY!'

I blinked at the mousy chestnut haired woman who was practically stringing me along her face paced walk, 'Uh everything alright Millie?'

Her crystal blue eyes almost exploded when I asked, 'What do you think?', she seethed, 'Lady dragon wants to have a 'friendly' chat with you'

I cursed, not only did I have to deal with one dragon at home, there was one at work too. Our power wielding boss who's published countless articles and has met at least 100 celebrities goes by the innocent name Violet Frances, however in this office?, she's known as dragon who could spew fire if our work is not up to her standards.

Till this day nobody has left her speechless. No one.

My stomach folded and my brain was scattered with thoughts, 'I swear all my work is updated', my mind spoke, 'And I've been a good employee...sure I've been late a few times but who hasn't?'

I rubbed my hands and puffed out my chest swelling with false confidence before stepping inside the dragon's lair.

A rhythmic tapping filled my ears as I stood in front of the large glass table overseeing the entire windowed room. '20th floor has it's perks', I murmured to myself, peering out at the view of the CN tower shining gloriously in the distance

At once the intimidating woman perked her astute head up, 'What did you say?', she demanded, 'Yi Lin?'

I swallowed but pushed anyway, 'I said the 20th floor has it's perks', I repeated clearly making her nod and put down the golden pen she was using

'I heard you the first time', she clarified, adjusting her position to face me. Unlike her fiery temper, her face reflected a sweet docile woman with a lengthy ebony bob framing it like a photograph

'Er-', I began before she cut me off

'I was making sure you remember the basics of asking questions and comments as a journalist', she explained monotonously, 'After all you're one of our best'

I blinked, compliments weren't something Violet Frances handed out for fun, something was going on. 'You never compliment anyone Ms Frances', I spoke bluntly, 'Please tell me why I'm here'

My words returned a puzzled look from her right before she cracked a smile, 'Yi Lin, this is another reason I like you', she chuckled, 'You get to the point, I see that in your articles as well. No one else can get the story like you...'

Her eyes suddenly shifted, 'That being said, I've seen your work. It's good I admit but it's not...great.'

My heart pounded at her words, 'Not great?', I questioned softly

She nodded, 'I need a front page story from you, a headliner. Something to make the people's jaws drop the minute they see the paper', she narrated, 'And yet, you don't have one'

'Well, I can-'

'I'm telling you what you need to do', she interrupted once more, 'Look I want to help you and I never help most of my staff so listen up. Find a headliner! Celebrities are the popular news these days, so if you can find breaking news about them then I can guarantee you that your career will soar'

My mind blurred at those 3 words,

'Your career will soar'

All those sleepless nights of interning at various news stations, all the waking at the crack of dawn for just a single enchanting moment of meeting with a celebrity and sacrificing a perfectly stable career for this risky one, all of it would be worth it soon.

'Your career will soar'

My lips pursed, 'I'll find a story'

With my teeth gritted in determination, Ms Frances smiled again this time with a gleam in her cloudy eyes, 'I know you will', she simply answered

Closing the door behind me, I almost ran face first into Millie who eagerly stood outside, 'How was it?'

Her hair seemed awfully ruffled today instead of it's usual fluffy bun, seems like the lady dragon has been giving her more work than usual. 'It went fine Millie', I breathed a sigh of relief, 'But now I-'

'AMELIA!'

A thunderous voice boomed from inside the lair, 'Ah shit', she cursed, 'Seems like the dragon needs something else now'

'加油 (Jia you)', I wished her before pulling out my phone, 'Yara, let's meet up later, I know a place we HAVE to go'