Headline Love

Koan Reed

I wasn't fond of guests. Especially if that guest was a reporter with the energy of a thousand suns.

Thwack!

'Not bad', a rich leathery voice erupted from behind me

I broke into a relaxed grin, 'Not bad?', I repeated wryly as the bulked figure stepped out from the shadowed bar behind us, 'Alright Mr Graves, your turn then'

He rubbed his rough palm against the mocha brown scruff that etched on the side of his steep jaw before inhaling and gripping the cue stick forcefully.

TWACK!

My eyes wavered with shock as the cue ball bashed agaisn't the cowardly red and crisp blue, sending both into the dark chasm below the table with a loud thud!

'HAHA!', my friend cried, the echo of the stick filling his back porch as it struck the dull wood, 'As you were saying?'

I rolled my eyes, 'You got lucky'

'Lucky my ass!', he answered, 'You do know I used to play pool all the time in high school right?'

'And that's why you're lucky', I sighed back, edging by legs apart and locking eyes with the shimmery white pool ball

Twack!

It whizzed by the emerald green ball that smirked the number 6 proudly at my defeating move. 'Tsk', I gritted my teeth and tossed my stick into my left hand

'Yikes', the man next to me watched whilst cringing, 'Koan what the fuck was that shot? are you okay?, like that was a terrible shot'

I groaned, 'Yes Vince I'm totally fine. I'm totally fin that I have to deal with another reporter tomorrow and their also coming to the house!'

He blinked as I crashed onto his silver sofa tucked away into the corner under paneling, the plants spilled out from the cracks, trying to break free from their wooden cage. 'You need a beer?', he slowly asked, putting the sticks back on the rack

'That won't help', I replied glumly, 'Just make this girl go away'

Vincent leaned agaisn't the wall as silence enveloped us, I lifted my head sightly in annoyance.

'Aren't you going to say something?'

He simply smiled, 'You're getting worked up over a girl?', he chuckled, 'Well, luckily for you, you're terrible with women'

'Excuse me?'

An icy can was tossed into my arms before he snapped one open himself, 'Just be yourself', he continued, 'And she'll go away on her own'

'Am I that bad?'

He locked his fern green pupils at my face, 'Yes Koan'

'Yes you are'

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The morning after wasn't easy either. 'Koan!'

My neck turned towards the spiral stairs where a sheet of sky blue swirled around the midnight marbling all the way until the ground floor, 'Yes Ms Ettie?', I replied before returning to a relaxed position, 'You look...scared'

'OF COURSE I AM!'

Her blonde hair was oddly ruffled as well as her speech that oozed with British slang, 'The bloody alarm rang late and now my husband is hogging the bathroom when-'

'Aren't there at least 3 master bathrooms in this house?'

She frowned, 'Don't be smart with me young man!'

I raised my hands and stood up to look at her bare face, 'Look miss you're stressed about this interview, for what reason I don't know', I faced her seriously, 'But just go back upstairs, take your things, maybe brush your hair abit and wear whatever makes you feel comfortable but most importantly, stay calm'

Her shoulders trembled under my palms before she nodded, 'Yes well, we don't have much time anyway, might as well try the best we can'

Ding Dong

'WICKED BASTARDS!'

Her screech sent her flying back up the stairs leaving me to watch the comedy unfold. 'I wonder if I regret anything in life', I muttered as Jasper nudged his coffee colored fur against my thigh, 'Guess you're the only sane one in this house boy'

I gently scratched a tuft of his patchy chocolate chip hair before fixing my tie, 'Let's get this over with'

From what sounded like the fifth ring, I finally gathered my strength to swing the arched gate open making Bandit bark wildly at a now screaming girl. 'SIT!', I cried as I steadily walked towards them, 'Bandit!, heel'

A whimpering German Shepard bowed down and trotted next to his brother who had planted himself at my feet, 'Sorry about that', I apologized casually approaching her, 'Bandit has more energy than Jasper here'

The girl smiled politely, re tucking her straightened black locks back behind her ear. 'It's fine', she answered quickly, 'Um can I come in now?'

I outstretched my hand, gesturing her in right as the gate closed behind us. 'So...how are they like?'

My eyes glanced towards her round face looking up at me, those big brown eyes...I admit it was hard to not find her somewhat cute. Her puffed white sweater and mini pink bows dangling off her skirt reminded me of a cartoon lamb. 'They?'

'The Etties', she answered, stepping on the plate like rocks that adorned the entrance way, 'Are they nice behind closed doors?'

'They're one of the best mentors and family anyone could ever have'

That was what I would say but I bit it back, 'You can find out for yourself', I simply responded, opening the front door to the chateau for her, 'After you'

She pouted like a duck and I almost broke, her face could morph into any expression so effortlessly and smoothly. It was entertaining. She was entertaining.

'You know, if he didn't attack me, he's kinda cute', she suddenly commented, plopping herself down at the Burlesque sofa that lined one portion of the ginormous living room, 'Aren't you Bandit?'

She cradled his snout in her palms while he sniffed her crystal adorned ears'He's usually not that friendly', I commented in amusement

'Don't you know how amazing I am?', she quickly came back before aggressively scratching behind his fluffed neck, 'Who's a good boy? yes you!'

Again I bit back my smile and instead cleared my throat

'Are you ready to interview them?'

She didn't look in my direction and instead continued to scratch his scruff, 'I have no choice don't I?'

I was about to interject until a booming voice echoed through the brick walls, 'WE'RE READY!'

She blinked as I sighed and my body automatically moved on it's own, 'Let's get you to them', I spoke before extending my hand unconsciously

And yet to me it was strange because without a second thought, she thrusted her palm into mine to hoist herself up, 'Let's go then'