The Interview

Chapter 23: Rejected

On Monday, everything feels normal again. I had time to process the rumors and how Scarlett and I will handle it.
It still felt like a lot but I went on a long walk and thought it over to sort through my thoughts.

Now, I am calm and know it'll be just a memory in about two weeks. As much as I hate how this has blown out of proportion, I know people forget really soon. I don't wish a new scandal on anyone else, but I will be glad when I don't have to wonder if people are looking at me because they are wondering if I sleep with the people I interview or because they thought I looked nice or weird.

Having all that attention on me is weird and I don't like it. I'm just glad my family and Rowan haven't heard of it yet, or they have and didn't mention it to me. I'm not ashamed of kissing Scarlett but it would be weird to talk to them about the picture and the whole article.

Although, I'm pretty sure, Rowan would just trash-talk Kennedy. She never liked her and this is not helping. Right now I don't like Kennedy either, even less than after our breakup.

I considered confronting her about it but what use would that be?

We'd fight about it but it wouldn't change anything at all. It's just a conflict I'd put on my own for no reason.
It's not like she would apologize and publish another article saying it was all a lie. No, she'd just be mean and I would stress over it and she doesn't deserve that kind of attention.

It surprises me though that she went as low as writing gossip columns.
Even with her name beneath. She always said she prefers writing serious pieces, real ones, touching ones. This is not real or touching. It's pure gossip.

If I was her boss, I wouldn't know how to feel about that as it gnaws on her credibility. Writing gossip can make people wonder if the serious pieces you write are really that serious.

But all that isn't my problem and as mean as it sounds, I do hope this caused her some awkward moments and talks.

I step into the elevator to ride up to the level I work on. My mood isn't the best but better than it was when I first got these news. As bad as it was, it doesn't overshadow the night I spent at Scarlett's place and that certainly puts a smile on my face.
We might not have done anything else but kissing and some cuddling but it still felt special and I could feel our connection, assuring me that even when it gets difficult, I can count on her. Maybe not so much at the moment as we're supposed to keep physical distance but in general.

I arrive at my office level and leave the elevator, mentally getting ready for work and going over what I have to do today. I still have a bit to catch up on from my vacation but after today, I should be done with that.

There's a piece I wanted to write and have to talk to Mr. Matthews about it. I prefer talking to my boss about it before beginning the research as it's frustrating and time consuming to do all the work and then get told off.
Even if I really want to do a piece, I can't put my energy in it when I don't know if it'll be approved of.
Getting approval for this might need some convincing as it's a bit of a controversial topic but an important one.

I sigh internally, for bits like that, I wish, I had my own magazine to just address topics that are controversial and will get the people thinking. But I don't, so I'll have to talk to my boss.

As I consider how to pitch it to him, he suddenly steps in front of me and I wonder if I conjured him to pop up.

"Miss James, can I speak to you in my office?" He asks.

Not how I had my morning planned but that's okay. I might as well pitch my idea to him this morning. Maybe he has another interview for me. Or another bit he needs me to write.