More Lies, More Cameras and Much More Action

Chapter 3

MADDY

I looked out the plane window, seeing the clouds soar past. It still felt surreal, I was finally returning to England after all this time away, fixing myself. 

I didn't want to come back, not at first anyway but the more I thought about it and discussed it with my family, the more I knew it was the right thing to do. It had been so long, too long and now I had the perfect excuse to return.

FLASHBACK

It was the afternoon, a nice sunny one in California when an email popped up on my screen. I opened it, like I always do and read the words, 'Good afternoon Maddy, Amanda would like to see you in her office as soon as possible.' Amanda was my boss and as far as bosses go, she wasn't too bad.

The strict school and England trip combined had taught me some proper manners and discipline, as well as how to have a more positive outlook on life. If you had put old me in this internship, I would of probably hated it. However, new me loves it.

I locked my computer screen and downed the remaining coffee in my mug before getting in the lift and travelling up to the floor of Amanda's office. The building our magazine was in also had many other magazines offices in it so was very large.

'Maddy! Hi.' Amanda's assistant Diane, who had emailed requesting my presence just moments before, smiled at me.

'Hey.' I smiled back. I was good friends with Diane, ever since I went into the toilets a few months ago and found her in tears because her boyfriend had spilt up with her. I spent a hour with her that day, reassuring her that the world was still turning.

I hadn't told anyone at the magazine or my new school about Joe. There was a few girls at my new school who knew about me from watching his past videos, but none of them ever really mentioned him as we were all so dedicated to our studies. 

At first, it was tough and I felt empty inside but as the days went by, I thought about him less and less. There were still days I would cry to Gabby and miss him so much it felt as if the world wasn't turning anymore but there were also days where I didn't really think about it. Gabby definitely helped me through it, like a sister should.

'Amanda is just on the phone darling, she'll be done in a minute.' She informed me. I thanked her and took a seat on the green sofa.

'How are you then, Diane?'

'I'm alright thanks.. Guess what! I'm going on a Tinder date tonight!' She laughed.

'No way! Show me pictures, now!' I laughed, getting up and joining her behind her desk. She produced her phone from her designer handbag and started flicking through pictures of an alright looking man with a beard.

'He's a firefighter!' She said excitedly.

'Always handy to have around!' I winked at her.

'You need to get yourself a man Maddy, way too much beauty being wasted!'

'Don't be silly, I don't need a boyfriend to feel good about myself.' I laughed, feeling good that I could laugh about it. My self esteem was at an all time peak and I was at a point where I could finally accept that I can be happy without men's attention.

'True, anyway, I'm worried he's too young for me!'

'I hope you girls aren't talking about anything that's not related to work?' Amanda's voice projected through the office, I turned to see her leant against the glass door with her eyebrows raised.

'Of course not!' Diane defended, shoving her phone back in her bag and turning back to her computer.

'I'm only joking! I would say carry on but I need to speak to you, Maddy, before my meeting; come on through.' She smiled going back into her office. I shared an amused look with Diane before confidently walking into my bosses office. She was sat at the meeting table, reading something from a piece of paper.

'Do sit down, do you want a drink?'

'No thank you.' I smiled.

'How are you getting on work wise?' She asked politely, looking at me.

'Really well, thank you. I am really enjoying my time here!' I replied truthfully. Sure, it wasn't the most fun job as I spent most of my time making coffee and doing odd jobs but the environment was amazing. I worked with some amazing people who kept me entertained and on my toes.

'That's great, really good.' She said, taking a look over me.

'Anyway, you know Hanna? Our celeb girl?' She asked, I nodded in response, Hanna had the best job of the company. Our magazine had a celeb special in every issue that she was responsible for. She'd travel around the world to meet the celebs and write a different thing every month, sometimes just an funny interview and other times a Kim Kardashian wardrobe tour; she's so lucky.

'She's going on maternity leave soon and we need a replacement. I know you haven't been here long but you have really impressed me with your work, you're a brilliant writer Maddy!'

'Really?' I smiled enthusiastically, feeling so privileged to have my work recognised by the owner of such a big magazine.

'Yes! Your internship ends next month, so I believe?'

I nodded to confirm, feeling sad about having to leave this place.

'Well, I want to keep you on. It's not everyday you get bright, young talent like yourself, we wouldn't normally take someone with just one internship as expensive but you're seriously good. Of course I'm not going to just give you the job but I want to trail you in it before we open applications to the public.'

'What?' I said, struggling to understand if the words I was hearing were actually the ones coming out her mouth. I felt as if my heart had stopped beating, I couldn't believe the opportunity I was being given.

'If you want the job of course?' She asked.

'Of course I do!' I pretty much shouted from excitement. You would be stupid to turn down a job at such a high profile magazine like this, especially if you had so little experience like me that you probably wouldn't get anything close to this in normal circumstances. 

'I'm going to fly you out to London next week where you'll meet with one of the most influential online celebs to show me what you can really do. I can just see it now! You'll do a 2 page spread about him, I have a special article in mind.'

'What's that?'

'A real day in the life of Joe Sugg.'

And I swear my heart did stop beating that time.

A/N

Hi everyone!!!

I need your help, should the next chapter (Maddy and Joe being reunited in the Gleam office) be in Joe or Maddy's POV? Comment below and the one with the most votes will be done!

Twitter - @JoeSuggLCA

Love you all :) xx