HIS FIRST LADY(SANDRO MARCOS)

Chapter 49: The High Stakes

The moment Ash stomps off, the weight of my situation hits me. The pressure of the deadline Lila gave me looms large. Three weeks. Three weeks to do the impossible—secure an interview with Sandro Marcos, a man notoriously private and elusive. It's a challenge no one at the company has managed to meet, not even Ash with her years of friendship with Sandro. And yet, it's the key to everything: my job, my reputation, my future.

I take a deep breath and start mapping out a plan. If I'm going to pull this off, I need to understand Sandro better than anyone. I begin digging through every piece of information I can find—interviews, public appearances, even obscure mentions in blogs and social media posts. The more I learn, the more I see that Sandro is a man of principles, but also of contradictions. He avoids the spotlight but is fiercely protective of his projects. He shuns interviews but supports causes with an intense, quiet passion. Understanding what drives him might just be my way in.

But knowing about him isn't enough. I need a connection, something that will get me close enough to pitch the interview. I scroll through his known associates, scanning for anyone I might have a connection with. I pause at one name: Leonor Salcedo, a well-respected journalist who once worked with Sandro on a feature about his philanthropic work. She's since retired, but her influence remains strong in media circles.

I need to find Leonor.

The first step is tracking her down, which proves to be harder than I expected. She's deliberately off the grid, her social media presence limited to a handful of posts from years ago, and no current public engagements. But I'm persistent, and after several hours of digging, I discover a local writing workshop she occasionally hosts. It's happening tomorrow.

The next day, I attend the workshop, trying to blend in with the small crowd of aspiring writers. I spot Leonor at the front, effortlessly commanding the room with her wisdom and grace. I wait patiently until the end of the session, then approach her with as much humility and sincerity as I can muster.

"Ms. Salcedo?" I say, nerves tightening in my throat.

She looks up from her notes, her sharp eyes assessing me in a single glance. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm a journalist. My name is Rafha, and I'm trying to secure an interview with Sandro Marcos. I was hoping—" I hesitate, feeling the weight of what I'm asking. "—I was hoping you might be able to help me."

Her expression doesn't change, but I can tell she's measuring me, weighing my intentions. "And why should I help you?"

"I know it's a long shot," I admit, "but I'm passionate about this. I believe Sandro's story needs to be told—his real story, not the snippets the public sees. I want to do it justice, and I think I can, if I'm given the chance."

She studies me for a moment, then nods slightly. "Passion is important, but so is respect. Sandro values his privacy, and he doesn't give interviews lightly. Why do you think he'd talk to you?"

I take a deep breath, considering my answer carefully. "Because I'm not just looking for a headline. I want to understand his work, his motivations, and share that with the world in a way that honors his principles. I believe the public needs to see the man behind the projects, the one who's making a real difference."

Leonor's eyes soften, just a fraction. "You speak well, Rafha. But words are easy. What makes you think you can deliver on this promise?"

"Because I won't give up," I say, with more conviction than I've ever felt. "I'll do whatever it takes to earn his trust and tell his story the right way."

She's silent for a moment, then finally says, "I'll think about it. No promises, but if I see fit, I might put in a good word."

It's not a yes, but it's not a no either. "Thank you," I say, feeling a glimmer of hope.

Leonor nods, then turns to leave. As she walks away, I realize how much is riding on this—the sleepless nights, the stress, the weight of my future at this company. But I'm ready for it. I have to be.

Back at the office, the atmosphere is tense. Ash is keeping a close eye on me, no doubt expecting me to crumble under the pressure. But I stay focused, diving back into my research with renewed energy. If Leonor comes through, I need to be ready. I need to have every detail, every angle covered, so that when the opportunity comes, I can seize it without hesitation.

Days pass, and the deadline draws nearer. My nerves are frayed, but I refuse to let the stress break me. Each day that passes without a word from Leonor feels like a lost opportunity, but I can't afford to lose hope.

Then, just as I'm beginning to think I've hit a dead end, I receive an email late one evening. It's from Leonor. The message is brief, but it's everything I need to keep going.

"I spoke with Sandro. He's agreed to meet with you. It's not an interview, just a conversation. Don't blow it."

My heart races as I read the message again, hardly daring to believe it. This is it—my chance to prove myself. To secure my future.

And I won't blow it.