Blank Space

10

Sean and Karlie are sitting in the New York Times office the next day, going over the data recorded on Selena's device. They sit at opposite ends of the desk in silence as they listen closely to the conversations.

"Most of this stuff is useless." Karlie sighs. "Selena's not gonna be happy..."

"Sssh!" Sean snaps. "We'll find something! I'm sure we talked about cars at one point...maybe she mentioned Noah's red Maserati..."

Sean rewinds the recording to the beginning and plays it again for the third time.

"All I'm saying is that from this, it doesn't sound like you've even touched upon her past. She's never gonna bring it up unless you have the confidence to ask."

"Wait, I've got it!" he interjects suddenly. "Maybe I'm not asking the right person..."

"What?" Karlie narrows her eyes in puzzlement.

He replays a small section of the tape:

Is he the only person who works here?

Yes. He's the only one I can rely on. He's been my most loyal servant from day one.

"Mendes. I've got to speak to Mendes."

"Sean, you might be onto something after all!" she cries ecstatically. "You're a genius!"

For a moment, Sean thinks she might kiss him. Alas, he is mistaken.

"On a side note, Mr Kahn said he wanted you to work on an article about America's favourite Christmas jumper for Sunday, but I managed to the deadline extended so you could attend Swift's birthday bash without stress."

"I think you should come too."

"To Taylor Swift's 25th birthday party? Are you insane?!"

"I could surely get you on the guest list. After all, you'll be driving me there."

"I'm not sure...I would feel a little awkward going to her birthday party when I've never even met her."

"Don't worry about it, I'm sure she won't mind! Besides, I bet plenty of your new modelling friends will be there too..."

An uncomfortable silence settles on the desk between them, broken by Taylor's mischievous chuckle playing out of the computer.

"I'm gonna go and check my emails." Karlie announces awkwardly. "I'll see you later."

She gets up and strolls swiftly out of the office. Sean watches her go despairingly. She knew of his feelings for her and had chosen not to act upon them: that was final. Although it was only for a few more months, he doesn't know if he can continue working under these conditions. The atmosphere was almost unbearable.

***

Meanwhile, in Woolworth Mansion, Taylor is in her music room, sitting at the piano. A haunting melody echoes around the house: she is in the midst of her song-writing process and does not like to be disturbed. However, Mendes is eager to speak to her, and lingers outside the door until she finishes playing to proceed.

"Miss Swift?" he calls as he pokes his head round the door.

"What is it, Mendes?" she rotates on her piano stool to address him.

"I just wanted to confirm the plans for Saturday. You want Calvin Harris as the DJ, correct? And a dark green colour scheme for the decor?"

"I said a dark blue colour scheme, Mendes." she grumbles.

"My apologies, Miss Swift. The cake has already been delivered and the invitations have been distributed. Pardon me for being intrusive, but will Mr O'Pry be attending the event?"

"Of course, Mendes, why ever would he not?"

"Of course, ma'am, of course. I assume things must be getting pretty serious."

"Well, we have been on two dates now." she laughs. "I've managed to keep hold of him for almost two weeks. I was actually considering writing a song about him."

"It would seem rather appropriate." Mendes nods in agreement. "So may I ask...are you over Noah?"

Taylor gazes out of the window, across the lawn and into the distance. "I don't know. I still think about him sometimes. I wish he had been here to see my birthday. But, what's past is past. I'm moving on and I've found a new man. I don't think he knows it yet, but being invited to my birthday party is basically like a marriage proposal, especially in the eyes of the media. Sean is going to get the shock of his life on Saturday."

"I'm dying to see how this one ends." Mendes says with a twisted grin. "I shall leave you to your music."

He closes the door as she returns to flexing her fingers on the piano keys. It wasn't quite time to break it to her. He had to do a little more digging before he could be certain. Once he knew the full story, he would make sure that Mr O'Pry paid the price.