Chapter 6 : A United Front

Media POV

“This just in, Caledon Booker, son to Vice President Edward Booker, is reportedly in a new relationship with Eleanor Harris. Eleanor is the eldest daughter to Arthur Harris, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” Samantha Waters said to the camera at the Channel Five news station. “We’ll be right back with more details about the couple’s secret love life after the break.”

“And we’re off,” Matt Withers, the news director, called from off screen. “We’ve got ninety seconds, people. Look alive.”

A team of makeup and hair stylists came rushing to Samantha’s side to powder and primp her during the commercial break. They smoothed out her crimson red hair and reapplied her lipstick while Samantha tried her best not to move. She read through her notes of the breaking story while they blotted away at her face.

“What a pig,” Samantha scowled, rolling her eyes as she read.

“Let me guess, you slept with him,” Jake Mitchell, Samantha’s co-anchor chimed in, swiveling his chair toward her.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Samantha scoffed, puckering her lips as someone dabbed them with a tissue.

“I would.” Jake smirked. “Come on, give me all the juicy details of your love life. Did you meet him at some event you were working, or was it a swipe right kind of thing?”

“Jake, stop being a creep,” Samantha uttered. “I hate it when you’re like this.”

“Fine,” Jake surrendered, willing himself to be serious. “So, why the pig comment?”

“Because the guy’s a pig!” Samantha pushed. “He’s been seen on multiple occasions leaving strip clubs, and taking home scandalous women on a nightly basis. To put it plainly, he’s gross.”

“Who cares?” Jake shook his head. “He’s a grown man, he can do as he pleases. Why does it bother you so much?”

“I don’t know,” Samantha answered honestly as her team of primpers scurried away. “I guess this whole relationship feels a little out of left field—and to someone so high class? I mean, what does a prestigious woman like Eleanor Harris even see in someone like Cal?”

“Ten seconds, everyone!” Matt Withers announced from behind a camera.

Jake shrugged. “Maybe Cal has a soft side.”

“I doubt it,” Samantha replied, turning her attention to camera one as Matt counted down.

“Welcome back to KNN, your daily dose of news on Channel Five,” Samantha began. Her posture was perfect, and she never once stumbled over her words. “If you were with us before the break, you’d have learned that Caledon Booker is rumored to be dating Eleanor Harris, daughter to Prime Minister Arthur Harris from the United Kingdom.”

“That’s right, Samantha,” Jake chimed in with debonair charm. “The couple was spotted together briefly during a visit to the White House today, just moments ago. The pair seemed to be all smiles as they shared whispers and held hands. According to sources, the couple seems to have been secretly dating for some time now.”

“Jake, what’s your opinion on all this? Do you think it’s strange that they’re keeping this on the down low?” Samantha asked, professionally stirring up the drama.

Matt gave a thumbs up from behind a camera to let her know he approved of her off-script question.

“Actually, quite the contrary,” Jake answered, playing along. “I think more celebrities should be dating in secret.”

“Really?” Samantha replied, feigning interest. “And why’s that?”

“Relationships are personal.” Jake said, this time believing his own words. “Why broadcast them? If more celebrities lived secret lives, I think we’d see less breakups and far less divorce in this country.”

“Wow, Jake, I didn’t know you could be so sentimental,” Samantha bantered, keeping the tone light.

“What can I say?” Jake chuckled. “I’m a hopeless romantic.”

“Thank you for your candor, Jake,” Samantha noted, returning her attention to the camera. “If you’d like to know more about the couple that everyone’s talking about, stay tuned. We’ll be discussing more about America’s cutest couples after a short break.”

“Also up next, is your toilet paper making you sick?” Jake asked, reading from the teleprompter. “When we come back, find out why so many people are switching from household names to more eco-friendly brands. I’m Jake Mitchell.”

“And I’m Samantha Waters,” Samantha added. “We’ll be right back, on KNN.”

The co-anchors held their smiles until Matt counted them off with his fingers. As soon as he reached zero, Samantha let out a dramatic sigh of relief.

“Thank god,” she groaned. “I need to pee.”

“Okay, but keep it brief,” Matt warned. “We’ve only got eighty-five seconds.”

Samantha nodded as she disappeared behind a door with an entourage of people trailing behind her. Jake shook his head, slightly disgusted with her diva attitude.

“Jake, do you have a minute?” Matt asked, approaching the long desk that sat in the middle of the set.

“Sure,” Jake answered, putting his notes down. “What’s up?”

“I wanted to ask you a favor,” Matt began, leaning over the desk so no one could hear. “I’ve got a job for you.”

“What kind of job?” Jake asked, his curiosity piqued.

“There’s a private event being held at the White House this afternoon.” Matt whispered. “I need you there to take notes. We’re on the list, but I can’t make it. There’s too much going on.”

“Private event for what?” Jake asked, proud that Matt had asked him and not Samantha.

“I’m not sure,” Matt said, practically mumbling the words. “It’s a classified meeting, but they’ve allowed for one reporter from KNN to sit in.”

“Who’s going to be at the meeting?” Jake asked, growing excited.

“I’m not sure of the full roster, but I heard the Vice President’s son will be there.” Matt admitted.

“Caledon Booker?” Jake asked, growing more curious.

Matt nodded. “You’re my best anchor. I want it to be you in there. Can you do it?”

“Sure,” Jake said, pretending like it wasn’t a big deal. “What time do I need to be there?”

“Now, actually,” Matt answered, checking his wristwatch. “I’ll have Samantha cover for you. Can you make it?”

“I-I guess I’ll have to,” Jake said, standing to his feet. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

Matt thanked Jake as he gathered his things to leave.

“Hey,” Matt said, reaching for Jake’s arm. “Whatever happens, remember that you have a duty to the American public. If they swear you to secrecy, comply.”

“Yes, sir,” Jake stated, as Matt’s ominous words settled in.

Jake briskly walked to the back of the studio just as Samantha was returning from her bathroom break.

“Alright, we’re back in fifteen seconds!” Matt called out, corralling the rest of the crew.

“Where the hell are you going?” Samantha asked, as Jake passed by, almost lunging into her shoulder.

“I’ve got somewhere to be,” Jake answered. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Wait a minute!” Samantha called out, visibly annoyed. “You can’t just leave, we’re in the middle of a show!”

“Talk to Matt,” Jake noted, not bothering to look back as he exited through a side door to the parking lot.

Once he made it to his car, an all black BMW truck, Jake quickly got in on the driver’s side and headed for the exit. He pulled out onto the street and headed straight for D.C. Luckily, the KNN studios were only about twenty minutes away from the White House.

Jake made it there in record timing. He pulled his car up to the gate where several guards stood, daring him to enter. Jake inched his way forward until he was right in front of the security gate.

“Name?” a man dressed in an all black suit said, approaching Jake’s window. His voice was deep and it made Jake nervous.

“Jake Mitchell,” Jake noted, suddenly feeling a little out of place.

The officer checked his clipboard, scanning down a list of names. Jake watched the man as he read, eyeing the gun in his holster all the while.

“I don’t see that name,” the officer replied, turning his attention back to Jake. “What’s your business here?”

“I-I’m supposed to attend the press event,” Jake answered, as his palms grew sweaty. “KNN.”

“One moment,” the officer said, stepping backward into the security booth.

Jake watched from his window as the officer made a call. He whispered something and then nodded a few times before returning to Jake’s car.

“You’re good,” he said, handing Jake a pass. “Follow the arrows to the parking lot. Someone will be there to greet you.”

Jake let out a sigh of relief as he took the pass from the scary officer. He thanked him and followed his instructions as the gate opened to let him in. He quickly found a spot and gathered his things.

Just as the officer promised, there was someone waiting to greet Jake at the far end of the parking lot. A small blonde woman, no more than five feet tall, stood smiling as Jake approached.

“Jake Mitchell?” the woman asked, with a warm smile.

“Yes, ma’am,” Jake said, respectfully, and the pair shook hands.

“Kate Janston,” she said, in a sweet voice. “I’m Vice President Booker’s head of scheduling. Come with me.”

Jake obeyed as Kate scanned her badge on a door near the back of the building. They entered together and Jake made sure to follow closely behind her. He was surprised to find that it was much quieter than he’d assumed it would be.

“Wow,” Jake said, trying to make small talk. “This is nothing like the movies.”

“Hardly.” Kate laughed, eyeing Jake’s suit. “Put that pass around your neck. You don’t want to be caught without it.”

Jake quickly did as Kate said, as the pair continued to walk through the historical building. Jake was in awe. Everything he’d learned about the White House was now being brought to life as he walked its halls. It was incredible. After what Jake interpreted to be endless walking, Kate finally brought him to a door.

“Here we are,” Kate said, turning to face Jake. “The meeting’s already begun so you’ll have to catch up. Don’t ask any questions, just take notes. That’s your only job.”

“What are the notes for?” Jake asked, hoping for more insight.

“For record,” Kate said, plainly. “At the end of the meeting you’ll sign an NDA and then you can collect your paycheck down in accounting.”

“Paycheck?” Jake asked, caught off guard. “I-I wasn’t told I’d be paid.”

“Interesting…” Kate mulled, leaving it at that.

Kate opened the door, escorting Jake inside the press event. The cameras were flashing as Vice President Brooker stood at the podium with his wife, Bella Brooker. She was rigid in her stance, and the first thing Jake noticed was that neither of them were smiling.

“Psst!” Kate said, widening her eyes at a mindless Jake.

Jake snapped out of it and turned his attention toward her. She pointed to an empty chair in line with at least thirty more, all filled with reporters from various news outlets.

“Sit!” she whispered.

Jake fumbled over to the chair and quickly pulled out a notepad. He uncapped a pen and tried his best not to bring any more attention to himself as Vice President Brooker began his speech.

It started out pretty standard, with the Vice President discussing political updates and bills in review, as well as what the President—who couldn’t attend due to a prior obligation—had in store for the future of America. However, things took a turn when the Vice President began to discuss his son, Caledon and his progress with his “philanthropic endeavors”, quote on quote.

Jake and most of the other reporters here knew that Caledon Brooker was trying to appease his party past by helping in ecological initiatives overseas and in America, but what’s new was the mention that while in Europe, Caledon met Eleanor Harris.

At this, everyone’s attention piqued and pens began furiously writing, including Jake’s. Then, not long after, out walked Caledon Brooker and Eleanor Harris, hand in hand, confirming what KNN broke minutes before—that they were, in fact, together, and that they were more serious then ever.

Jake smiled to himself as he scribbled on his notepad. But as he continued to listen, Jake couldn’t help but feel like there was something else to this story—something the Brookers and Harris’ weren’t saying.

He tried to ignore the flags going off in his journalistic mind. He was questioning because he was trained to do so, and that wasn’t his job here. His job was to take notes and report on the event.

And not only was he going to have great news to share with Matt, but this might even warrant a promotion. One over Samantha. This made Jake smile again. Oh, the public was going to eat this up.