Blank Space

First Sight

"We were both young when I first saw you..." The tween voice twanged out of the radio, filling the expensive car with the epitomizing anthem of teen angst. Sean was familiar with the song, but only because of the extensive amount of research he had done in the last twenty four hours. When he got the call yesterday morning that the socialite, Taylor Quick was prepared to give one interview, and that she wanted to give it to him, Sean leapt at the opportunity. But now he was having second thoughts. There were too many unanswered questions, and he liked to be prepared.

Sean had graduated top of his class from Yale University with a degree in journalism. Everyone heralded him as a promising young writer and as someone to look out for. He was quickly hired at a prominent newspaper, and was eager to prove his worth and live up to his potential. And this story would do it. Sean didn't know how Taylor had heard of him, but he was certainly grateful that she had.

When he reached the end of the drive he tried to dispel the negative thoughts from his mind. He was lucky, he reminded himself. Any journalist or man would kill to have an opportunity like this. Taylor had been very popular until the scandal that shocked the world and ruined her career. After that she disappeared from the public eye.

Until now. Now out of nowhere she was ready to talk. And Sean would listen. He ran his hand through his hair and straightened his collar. He scooped the pile of papers that he had compiled for research into a folder and slid the folder into his brief case. He took one steadying breath and shot himself a quick grin in the rear view mirror and then exited the car.

He never would have imagined this as the place that Taylor would have chosen for her refuge. It was a large manor house in Long Island. It was secluded and dark. Ivy twisted up the brown brick and made the entire building look lost from time. He could see the path that led to the stables and gardens in the back of the house. He checked his phone, 9:57. The meeting was at ten.

Sean approached the door anxiously. Something still didn't feel right. He knocked and heard the sound echo on the other side of the immense door. He waited for a few seconds, and while he raised his fist to knock again, it swung open.

And there she stood.