News With The Neverseen

Episode 31

[A/N: Sorry, but you're going have to wait until the next chapter to find out who the source is. /nm]

I sat in my cubicle, staring at my phone and chasting myself. I couldn't believe what I was about to do. [A/N: This story is some sort of half-AU, so there are phones.]

"Call Cassius Sencen," I said.

I squeezed my eyes shut when he picked up. "Uh, is this Cassius?"

"Gisela? What are you calling me for?" Cassius' voice sounded even colder than usual over the speaker.

"Listen, Cassius. We need to talk."

"No, we don't. We're done, and we have been for a while. Never call me again."

"Wait!" I called. Thankfully, he listened.

"What is it?" Cassius asked, annoyed.

"Have you... Have you seen the news lately?"

"No." He answered shortly.

"Well, you're all over the headlines. You need to be careful, or your personal life—and mine—is about to become public knowledge."

"Why would I be in the news?"

"Do the words 'the Black Swan' ring a bell?"

I heard Cassius gulp. "I don't know what you're talking about. Is this some kind of prank?"

"No, Cassius. And if you want any kind of personal life, I suggest you go into hiding immediately."

Hands shaking, I hung up the phone.

Calling Cassius was the right thing to do, I assured myself. Any information the investigators collect about Cassius could connect him to me. And if they found out that I had a relationship with the infamous Cassius Sencen, even if it was in the past, NWN would fire me. Again.

"Gisela?" Fintan approached me with a smile. It faded when he noticed my expression. "What's wrong? Why are you shaking like that?" "I was just, uh, watching horror movies on my phone. What do you need?" I asked, trying to look as un-suspicious as possible. I was most definitely not calling Cassius Sencen, the mysterious man all the news stations were obsessing over.

"Well, you know how I gave you the job of researching Cassius Sencen a while back?" He waited until I nodded, trying to hide my frustration. Of course Fintan had to choose the worst time to discuss Cassius with me. "Well, now that the public is excited about the topic again, I thought I would ask you to research him once again. You are one of my best workers, after all. You may just earn yourself an office sometime soon." He winked.

My jaw dropped open. "I thought you had no more offices left to give to people."

"You'll see," Fintan grinned. "You'd better get working."

Then he walked away, leaving me gaping after him.

Nobody had gotten an office in months—for a reason. There was very limited office space, so only the best workers got one. What was Fintan doing, giving someone as new as me an office? What was he up to?

+++

I was innocently researching Cassius on my computer when someone tapped me on the shoulder, making me jump.

"I heard you got the job of researching Cassius Sencen," Umber said with a troublemaker's smile. "How's that going?"

I glared at her. "Can we not talk about this now?"

Umber continued on like I'd said nothing. "Well, since I've known you for years, I know a little about your romantic history. And I seem to remember someone named Cassius Sencen being your boyfriend and the father of your child. Have you failed to tell Fintan that information?"

I gulped. "Listen, Umber, if this information got out–"

"Oh, I know. And unless something goes wrong, I don't intend to share it."

"What could go wrong?" I asked.

Umber sighed like she was training a puppy that refused to cooperate. "I think you know."

Making a 'zipped-lip' motion, Umber walked away. I was more confused about her than ever.

All I knew was that if Fintan found out what Umber knew, I was done for. The only consolation was that if Umber revealed my secrets, everyone would find out who she was.

+++

"Sign your petition today!" A voice boomed through a speaker. I peered outside a window. Outside, Gethen had a table set up, covered in papers. As to what they were for, I had no idea.

"Do you want game segments back? It's time to do something about it!" Alvar advertised.

Suddenly, it dawned on me. Alvar and Gethen were finally making that petition they were discussing to bring back the game segments they loved so much. Before I was a member of NWN's staff, I participated in those segments. The thought brought a wave of nostalgia.

A line of people were waiting to sign the petition, but I knew that Gethen and Alvar were hoping for way more signatures. The more there were, the better the odds that the owners of the company would agree to bring the game segments back. Even if that was the case, the chances would be slim to none.

Still, I walked out to the street to join them.