Chapter 2 - A Fair Trouble

The news from the previous day turned out to be great as their employer, Mr Wallace had a large smile on his face. 

"Great work. All of you did such an amazing job." He praised as he came out of his office chamber and all of the workers cheered as it brought the company into a light. 

"A big round of applause for Miss Joana Steve. She has brought us amazing stories to offer." He said to the brown skinned lady beside him as she grinned and everyone applauded. 

She was young but her effort for getting the news was outstanding. She was tasked to get more information on the case as cops and investigators were involved. She somehow managed to interview them and got all the juicy information. 

A pile of papers came to Stacy's tables as she started to work and heard some of her colleagues talking about the case. 

"I think it has something to do with Sebastian Rodriguez," said a woman from another desk. Her name was Lily and she would always see everyone suspicious.

"Why do you think so?" asked another one of her colleagues, Brooks who sat just behind Stacy. 

"C'mon, everyone is talking about that business mogul. The dead bodies were all from his rival company. And you could see his deadly expression when his competitor had challenged him," said Lily.

"But his rival, Mr Benson said they weren't his employees; besides, Sebastian has no dark marks in his career, in his life, in his character." Brook was also involved with covering all the details along with Joana so he had everything prepared.

"Exactly. He is just too clean to be true. He never comes for any interviews, we could hardly see his face just one time we could photograph him when Mr Benson of Benson group had a complaint against him. And there is just no controversy about him. No girlfriends, no family issues. Like nothing."

"You can't complain if he is just too clean for his royal background." Brook scoffed.

"Boo! You guys are just too swoon about his Royal-ness. I bet 100$ he is not clean like he portrays he is." Lily challenged as Brook laughed.

"Fine. You owe me 100$ once Joana collects all the information." 

Stacy had been only a listener because she had no clue who Sebastian Rodriguez was and who Mr Benson was. She could bet she had heard their names just a minute ago from her colleagues who were arguing over the murder case. She didn't know much about the case but people were saying the underworld had something to do with it because the dead men had been arrested before for drug dealings and some illegal activities. 

Nonetheless, Stacy wasn't interested in those things since she loved her life the way it was now. She released a breath and started to edit the papers one by one while her colleagues still argued on other subjects. 

She had finished her work and now she got ready to go home when the clock said it was five already. Today she didn't have much work but Joana came at the last moment to change the news as she got a good clue from the cops. 

Stacy had to modify the news two times so it could get the front page and people would not leave without buying the paper. 

She left the office and she recalled Mikaela was still sick so she didn't head for the cafe instead went straight home. 

As she reached she saw Mikaela was ready and she had worn a sexy dress but she was rummaging through her desk and cupboard. 

"Are you searching for something?" Stacy asked.

"Yes. I need the damn recorder and I think I might have forgotten my laptop in my office because I can't find any of those."

"Recorder?"

"Yeah. I think," she turned around and thought for a moment, "I think I had left it in my office." 

She sat on the bed palming her face. Although the make up had done a great job, she still looked weak. 

"When do you have this meeting?" Stacy asked as she put down her bag and pulled off her coat.

"Around 8 but I need to go back to my office," she answered. 

Stacy nodded and said, "It's not that late."

"Yes but I barely feel any energy in my body." 

Stacy chuckled and agreed as Mikaela stood up. 

"Thanks for the food and the medicine. I feel much better." Mikaela said as she put on a long coat and added, "I am leaving now. I might not come tonight."

Stacy nodded as Mikaela left and she went to have a shower. 

Stacy was reading her book when her phone rang. She saw it was Mikaela. She picked it up. "Hey."

"Stacy, I know it is your resting time but can you please help me? It's urgent!" Mikaela's voice was breathless as if she was running a marathon.

"Okay. What is it?"

"I forgot the pass in my drawer and it might take me some time to go and get it. Can you come to the royal suite, Court Royal?"

"Okay. But it is far from here." Stacy said as the hotel was one hour away if she took public transport.

"Take a cab." Mikaela suggested.

"Okay." 

Stacy opened the drawer and saw a paper where information of the booking was. It must be the pass she was talking about. It was indeed there along with her ID card. How could she forget that?!

Stacy was about to wear her jeans when her phone rang again. 

As she picked up, Mikaela said in a pleading voice before Stacy could even say hello, "I am so sorry but can you please go into the suite and meet the client? All you just have to do is wait for me."

"What?!" Stacy's eyes bulged out from her sockets. "Meeting your office clients? Are you serious? You know it will put your work in danger."

"I know. Just tell them that you are my assistance. I really need to crack this deal. Please?" 

Stacy thought for a moment. She had never done any kind of interactions that would impress a client and it must be a really important client since her office had agreed to give her ten thousand bucks. Suddenly, Stacy felt really scared. What if she messed everything and Mikaela ended up losing her job?

She knew Mikaela for two years and they took the small apartment together, sharing the rent. Both of them were struggling in the beginning and Mikaela had changed two work since then. This was a multinational company she got and it paid her well. Although they made work her like a slave but she said she would endure anything for the sake of her career. 

And for the past eight months, she had been working tirelessly and was making more money than Stacy. 

Stacy was happy for her but she would always worry for Mikaela's health since Mikaela was the only friend she had. She was more or less like a sister.

"Stacy? Please? I would forever be at your mercy." She joked as Stacy giggled.

"Okay. You owe me dinner in a five star restaurant."

"Anything you wish! Just wear your best outfit and do a good make up. Don't forget to take your ID." Mikaela said and she nodded.

"Okay. But what's the number of the room?"

"607." 

Stacy cut the phone as she dashed to the bathroom and did her make up. She was never fond of putting on too much makeup but as she remembered Mikaela's make up, she tried to imitate it. 

She came out and wore a maroon-red dress. It wasn't overly formal and it wasn't too revealing. Just a decent one. She wore a coat over the dress matching it and let her brown hair loose on her shoulders. 

She had natural wavy hair and it suited her outfit perfectly. She took a purse and put all of the documents inside, careful not to forget anything. 

She looked at the watch and she barely had time as she needed to reach at 8. Without wasting time, she put on her pump heels and locked the door. She left the apartment in a hurry.

She called Mikaela. On the third ring, her friend picked it up. Some noise came through the phone along with the noise of horns.

"Hey, Mikaela. What would I say when I reach?" Stacy asked as she waved for a taxi.

"Just tell them to wait and order some dinner. I am on my way. You are my assistance and you will start discussing the project. I am sending you the first two pages, just read it and tell them. Alright?" She tried to give her assurance but Stacy's heart started to beat loudly.

"What if I mess up?" Stacy said, panicking. She felt her hands frozen because cracking a deal wasn't her forte. She would just sit before the computer and do her task. That's what she had done ever since she had started to work. No conversations, no interacting and certainly no selling any products. 

"Don't worry. I will handle it once I reach the hotel. But this damn traffic!" She huffed frustratedly.

"Okay. I got a cab." Stacy said as a cab finally stopped and she got into it.

She gave the driver the address and Mikaela said, "Don't worry. You can nail it."

"I could only hope."

"Alright. I'll see you there." Mikaela said before cutting the phone and Stacy felt nervousness crawling on her skin. She just hoped that Mikaela somehow reached there.