Headline Love

Koan

Ah shit, I should've expected this

I returned to the dining room to find two very angry looking figures staring down at me. They looked as fierce as the Gods facing the lone Titan, luckily that didn't scare me. 'What?', I simply asked, 'Oh I'm sorry about that, I should've dragged her out in a more quiet fashion'

'We weren't in bloody danger!', Oliver exclaimed, banging his fist on the table, 'So what the hell did you do that for Reed?!"

The clang of the jumping silverware echoed through the room while I remained quiet. Starting fights is unnecessary, especially with lions. It is better to let them roar than bite. 'Look baby bear, we appreciate you doing your job', Alice chimed in, stroking her fuming husband's mane, 'But...we kind of need that girl'

'Need?

She sighed, 'That girl, she's somewhat helped us face reality'

I dragged a chair to sit down, this was going to be another long conversation, 'Go on'

'We realize that we had our time back in the day on the silver screen, but we miss that. The recognition, the fame, the roles we play...acting for us wasn't just our job but our life! and right now retirement is getting slightly boring.'

''That's an understatement', Oliver added, 'We want to make a comeback. Yes we're old but it's worth a shot. To be honest, Alice and I have been discussing ways to make this comeback but then that girl volunteered to do an interview with us and publish it. It was as though fate sent her straight to our doorstep.'

My head tilted slightly, 'And you're saying that every time I shoo her away I'm...straying you both further from your goal?'

'Yes', he replied without hesitation, 'So please, let her in, let her do her job. It's beneficial for both us and her'

I clicked my tongue and tightened my fist

'Well I just chucked her out of the house', I sighed, 'Are you saying I should go get her back?'

'That would be quite ideal', Alice hinted with impatience, 'After all we want to make a deal with her'

The aggravating tapping of her seashell nails kept edging me to go fix my mistake. 'Fine', I gritted with a reluctant smile beaming through my teeth, 'I'll be back'

--

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'They want to see you-no that's not right. I'm sorry, come in-that sounds scary doesn't it?'

Jasper's eyes wavered with judgement while we stood together infront of the door. 'I have to get this right', I explained myself to him as he just continued to nuzzle the door

I let out a sharp breath, I couldn't afford to screw this up for my clients, my guardians, 'Alright just like we practiced', I said to myself, '3,2,1'

'SORRY!'

My booming voice amplified in the wind and Jasper whined in embarrassment behind me. My mind screamed in shame as I slowly stared down at the confused and slightly concerned face of Yi Lin. 'Uh are you okay?', she asked as Bandit tilted his head next to her at my brave attempt of an apology

'Ahem', I cleared my throat and resumed my regular stance, 'Yes and uh the Etties..they want to see you'

Her sharp brow lifted, ''They want to see me?', she asked calmly, 'For what? to tell me off?'

I bit my lip assessing her surprisingly cool expression. I half expected her to be teary eyed with her bubblegum makeup disheveled beyond fixing but she remained calm, cool and composed..with a hint of impatience.

'Wait', I realized aloud, 'Have you been waiting here? knowing the Etties would call you back?'

She said nothing but her eyes rolled when she stood up to face me, making sure to brush past my shoulder whilst waltzing back inside. 'You know I think you need to work out your brain more compared to those muscles'

Her comment sliced my mind in two as my muscles tensed. Her words left me frozen in awe and could barely register her soft hand patting my padded shoulder in comfort to the burn heating my skin. 'Don't look at me like that', I warned Bandit who's giant brown eyes mocked me, 'I just-wow'

It didn't take me long to return to the dining room, the place looked as though it was brand new. The large wooden table was scrubbed clean leaving behind no trace of dinner and it was racked with fresh florescent decor that reflected the frilly springtime blooms in the garden. Next to it, both Alice and Oliver poured one of their many decadent ruby wines into 4 glasses, one of which was handed to Yi Lin graciously. 'I apologize for our bodyguard', Oliver began, the ruby red swirling around the clear glass while he spoke, 'He's just...protective'

'It is his job I supposed', she answered, stealing annoyed look at me. I swallowed with no expression, 'So, why do you both still want to see me?'

'You're a smart girl', he said, 'And I'm telling you that it's a smart idea to take our deal'

'Go on'

'Use your reporter skills and influence to get us back into the movie industry', he explained, 'Do that successfully and we'll grantee you that your future career is sealed'

I watched her, the way her eyes were frozen never blinking and the frivolous scratching her pointer made against the rough edges of her skirt. Motionless, and then a lightning bolt hit her propelling into the couple's arms like a fireball. I shifted forward, prepared to hold her back but when I saw their smiles, I stopped.

They were hugging her

They were smiling

My pupils dialed back and my body cooled it. My feet floored to a halt and I watched from a distance but their warmth oozed against my skin. 'Koan', Oliver suddenly spoke, breaking the moment, 'Tomorrow you'll pick her up'

'What?'

'We'll be meeting with her at the Arbour children's home', Alice explained, 'She'll be there to report and record us live'

'So I have to pick her up?'

'I'll send you my address', Yi Lin interrupted with a cheeky grin, 'What's your number?'

I peered at her outstretched hand while she waved her phone back and forth as though I was a dog being given a treat. I groaned and swiped it heftily before inputting my number as fast as I could. 'Don't spam or call me', I instructed, giving it back to her entertained face, 'Don't message me unnecessarily either'

'Yes sir', she chuckled as she rolled her bowling ball eyes, 'I'll save your contact as...Mr Bodyguard'

'Not even my name?"

'What did you save my contact as?'

I glowered and peeked at the words 'Wannabe Parker' while she smirked at my silence. 'Touche', I countered, 'See you tomorrow, Yi Lin'

Her burst laughter sparked with a newfound enjoyment at my shame, 'Same to you, Mr Reed'