Chapter 3

Clair got to her workplace by eight thirty and packed her car in the space allocated for staffs. Office hours wouldn't be starting till around nine, but most of her colleagues arrive hours before the time to finish up whatever they were working on. The building stood before her with the name THE QUOTIDIAN NEWS plastered boldly on it. She smiled at she looked up at it like it was her first day at work. She couldn't wait to tell her Boss the news.

It was a monstrously huge modern skyscraper with Seventy eight floors. Every inch of the ediface was covered in glossy glass and metal. The entire building was own by the news company. Not only were they into newspaper and magazine publication, they also had a radio and TV station.

Clair walked the short distance from the revolving front door to the receptionist desk.

"Ms. Fisher, good morning. Hope you had a nice night?" The woman behind  the receptionist desk asked nicely.

"Thank you Grace. I slept like a baby." Clair replied with a matching smile. She walked to the desk to sign in and collect her locker keys.

"It tells. You're practically glowing. Mind sharing your secret because it can't all be on beauty sleep," Grace jested with quirky brows.

If only she knew...

"Darling, that's all it is believe it or not. I just woke up like this." She winked at the receptionist's direction to which Grace reacted with a happy laugh. When Clair was done signing in, she collected her keys and headed to her office.

"Have a nice day Ms Fisher. By the way, I love your shoes." Grace called after her.

Clair gave her a wave to acknowledge the compliments. Her office was on the seventh floor. She entered the elevator and pressed her destination.

Her workplace was a burst of activities. Everybody seemed to be in a hurry. All the flurry of movement did not surprise Clair because she knew what the fuss was about. The company was having a big conference coming up in two days time and every body had projects they needed to complete before then. Since Clair stayed up late to complete hers, she quietly went to her mini office to prepare for the day.

"Good morning Clair, looking lovely as usual." Said a young man that looked to be in his late twenties. He was walking briskly, carrying a pile of files on his hand .

"Why, thank you John."

"How you manage to stay calm in this intense chaos amazes me." A lady spoke this time. The lady that spoke had blonde hair trimmed to shoulder length with a little bang at her temples. She had the lightest blue eyes and a very charming smile. She was about the same height as Clair.

"Because, my dear Stephanie, I actually sacrifice some dose of sleep for the sake of peace and quiet while working. I can't say the same for you lots. Perhaps the noise helps you work better." Clair said with a smirk.

"Forgive me Ms. I-can't-work-with-noise. Stephanie said with emphasies on the Miss i-can't-work-with-noise. "I'm only realizing how wrong I was to assume that you would stoop so low to work with us noise-loving peasant. Forgive me thou high and mighty queen of the dead silence kingdom." Stephanie did a mock bow to accompany her speech.

"Silly." Clair gave her a dismissive wave. " Don't you have work to do?"

"Damn! Clair you're a bad distraction. Catch you later." Stephanie jogged off in the direction of her desk. Clair waved at her with a small smile and then continued to the small space that was her office.

No sooner had she sat down on her office chair than her telephone rang. She checked the caller ID, it was her boss.

What now. I just got here. She put the phone on loudspeaker.

"Hello Sir," she was massaging her temples, hoping he didn't need anything tasking.

"Good morning Clair, please can you come to my office? Now. It's quite urgent." The line went dead before she could give an answer.

"At least give me the opportunity to refuse." She spoke softly to no one in particular still massaging her temples.

This can't be good. What could he possibly want this early morning. Doesn't he have bigger projects to occupy himself with.

"Hi Clair". Her thoughts were interrupted. She knew that voice. That annoyingly persuasive but not so persuasive voice. Arghh!

"You still haven't accepted my proposal? I have dinner reservations for us at one of the best restaurants for any day of your choice."

"Jake? Not gonna work."

"That's what you always say, just one night..." He rambled on.

She sighed and got off her seat. She held him by the arm as she walked him out of her office and headed to her boss's own. When she got to her Boss's office, she didn't bother knocking. She just opened the door and entered.

"Clair" The man standing beside the office window said brightly. "I see you're still having issues learning how to knock."

"Not really Ben. I just don't feel like it. But should I tell you what I'm feeling though?"

"I'd love to hear it." Ben said trying and failing to hide his curiosity.

" Your wristwatch. Damn, that's one deadly beast you've got there. Bet it's worth a fortune. You didn't buy it with all of your last month's salary, did you?" Clair asked with lifted brows.

"That's a hilarious suggestion. No, I didn't buy it with my salary. My wife gifted it to me last week. She said it made me look dashing".

Clair scoffed. Benjamin Scaffold wasn't too hard on the eye but he was definitely far from dashing. He was about five feet nine and lean. He had a dirty brown hair and dull brown eyes. He has been sporting a goatee since Clair knew him and brags about how extremely tasking it was to groom one. 'Well, you can always shave it Ben and release yourself from its demanding hold', she would always say. But of course, he always refused each time she said that, insisting that it made him look like a bad boy. This part always amuses Clair because Benjamin was the most pliable person she knew. She found him incapable of original thoughts. He was so easy to convince and he always wants to be on the good side of those funding his wallet. But with all his flaws, it never changed the fact that he was still very smart enough to call the right and best shots for the company. And Clair still preferred him to the person that was before him. He was still by far a better option.

"Back to business. Is there something I can do for you Ben? I'm sure you didn't call me here to boast about how magazine worthy you are." Clair asked, wanting to get back to her office.

"No,  I didn't. Please have a seat." He moved around the desk to his seat and sat too.

"How's your project coming up? I hope you're ready for the conference. You know you'll be reporting for the 'what's new' show airing this  afternoon?"

"Yes, Patrick from the media department called to inform me about that. For my project, I'm ready with it as we speak. Can't be caught unprepared."

"That's very good Clair. Uhmm, Stephen Mang called me about thirty minutes ago."

I can't believe to this.

"Please don't tell me you dragged me all the way to this office because of that disrespectful narcissistic asshole"  Clair was starting to get pissed.

"Clair calm down and watch your mouth. That 'asshole' is the reason why this establishment still function and you can thank him for the salaries you use to pay your bills." Ben was taken aback by her vulgarity, not that it was a new thing with Clair but it never fails to shock him each time.

"Ben, I don't fucking care if he sponsors this company or if he owns it. If this place closes down tomorrow or I decid to leave, I'll find another place where I probably won't be reminded to kiss some entitled dingbat's ass for peanuts."

Ben sighed. " He said he called you to offer you a beneficial proposal and before he could even finish what he was saying, you insulted him and hung up on him. He even complained that..."

"That...?" Clair asked raising a brow

"That you called me an ass kisser, for Christ sakes Clair."

At that moment, Clair couldn't help but to let out a throaty laugh.  She noticed the serious look on Ben's face and the laughter ceased. "Sorry." She cleared her throat and shook her head. "That narrative dear Ben is very far from what really happened. Not like you are an ass kisser but you just really want to impress everybody no matter how condescending it is."

"So, what ensued between you two? Ben asked leaning back in his chair.

"Mang called me early this morning by some minutes past seven. Before then he's already left me six missed calls and two text messages that more or less read ' pick up my calls or you will be sorry you didn't'. When I eventually picked, he first of all scolded me for not picking, I explained why I didn't."

"So why didn't you pick?" Ben interrupted.

"Just what I was about to tell you... You see, I wasn't with my phone. Then he went on to suggest that I be his personal escort for a trip he planned to take next week. He said he wanted me to help clear his name from the mud of the recent viral murder event. He promised me that he would tend to all my personal needs during the travel. I told him plainly that what he was asking was unprofessional and I will not do it. He then reminded me of all the benefits I would be getting if I agreed to it. The money, the connection and at the end he did add that I do not want to be his enemy plus I have everything to gain if I was on his side. That was when I stopped him and told him point blank to go fuck himself. The end." Clair flashed her sweetest smile in Ben's direction.

"Clair, do you have any idea how exhausting you are?" Ben asked leaning forward and placing his hand on his desk.

"And here I was thinking I'm the easiest person anyone can ever deal with. Bluntest? Definitely but also easy going and sweet" Her smile was still plastered boldly on her face.

Ben sighed. "Clair, I know Mang can be demanding and overbearing at times..."

"That is putting it lightly." Clair interrupted

Ben glared at her. "But I would appreciate it if you treat him nicely. Talk to him kindly. You might not care, but think of the numerous number of people that would loose their jobs if Mang pulls out. Just write him the story Clair, it wouldn't take much from you to do it. You know how people respect your articles because they assume it's the undiluted truth. It will really go a long way in clearing the lies that has been circulating about him."

"That's exactly the problem Ben. People value my writings because I say it as it is. I don't want to give them a reason to start doubting it. I cannot write on what I'm not certain about and until I have investigated this Mang's case and find him truly innocent, I am not writing a single word about it." She was disappointed at Ben for even suggesting that to her.

"Ok. Whatever you say Clair. Just be careful not to piss Mang off while you're at it investigating. It wouldn't do to have something happen to you." Ben said.

"When you talk like that it makes me wonder if there's something you know that I don't."

"The only thing I am sure of Clair is that some stones are better left unturned. Don't go looking for trouble that could easily be avoided."

"Thanks Boss, I appreciate your concern. I'll keep that piece of advice in a very secured place for when I need it because it looks like I would." She faked a smile and stood from the seat.

"Yes Clair, that reminds me. I recall you said you were sending siltek pharmaceuticals a mail to request their permission to  do an exposé on their products. How's that going so far." Ben asked.

"Great. Absolutely great. The ceo wrote to me personally and asked me to come to their research compound in Alaska. I'll be spending four days there. I intend to leave a day after the conference."

"Wow Clair, just wow. So if I hadn't ask, when exactly were you planning on informing me about this little travel? So much for respect." He glared at her shaking his head.

Clair shrugged. "I'm sorry Ben. I would have eventually. Probably tomorrow or next. Talking about Stephen Mang doesn't exactly put one in the mood to share happy news. No offense intended Ben. You know I respect you. Very much."

"Well, not that it would make much difference to you but you have my permission to take the four days off. I assume you're all packed and set for the trip. It's not everyday you get opportunities like this. And please be nice." Ben said, genuinely happy she got the interview.

"I know right. Although I haven't had time to pack considering that I just got the message this morning, some minutes after Mang called. Can you imagine the joy I felt after seeing the message. It cleared all the lingering gloom I felt from speaking to Mang." Clair replied.

Ben indulged her with a smile. "I can imagine. Now get your troublesome self out of my office." Ben waved her out of the office.

"You're the one who made me come here. I'd rather be over at my desk, sipping coffee and doing some really productive work." Clair countered.

"Off with you already."

"Awwn, am I wearing you out? And here I was thinking we were enjoying each other's company. Don't worry I'll take my overbearing self out of your glorious office so you wouldn't faint." She flashed him another bright smile and left. He smiled in return. Clair has always made him proud since he became her boss. He knew that and she never hesitated to live up to her words and commitments.

When she got back to her desk, she booted her computer and logged into her mail account. She proceeded to fill the Medical form and every other document sent to her by Rick Silver that she needed to fill. Clair saved them in one folder and focused on the articles that needed her urgent attention.

There was a small tap on her transparent door, Clair looked up and saw Stephanie standing on the other side of it. Clair signalled for her to come in. She sat in the chair facing Clair.

She was carrying two plastic disposable cups in her hand. "What's up! Went to get coffee and thought you'd want one. Care for?" She asked Clair, raising the cup in her right hand.

"Steph, have I ever told told you want a wonderful angel you are?" Clair asked her in turn stretching her hands to collect the cup.

"Maybe once or twice but I wouldn't mind hearing it again." Stephanie replied with a shrug.

"Baby you are a darling, I will say it over and over again." They both laugh.

"Thanks Clair. I saw you coming out from Ben's office. Gotten yourself in trouble again? You seem to have a knack for that."

"Well this time, trouble came to find me. Literally."

"Hmm, that's new. Not strange though but I guess a little bit switched up."

'Tell me about it Steph. Stephen douchebag Mang called me this morning to request that I  be his escort for an exotic trip to France..."

"Well that's romantic." Stephanie interrupted her, chuckling when Clair glared at her. "What? It is romantic and what better place to stay than the city of romance itself."

"Keep at it girl and you might loose your front tooth." Clair threatened. One look at her face and Stephanie knew that she wouldn't hesitate a moment to carry her threat through.

"Ok. Ok. Easy with the claws" Stephanie said raising her hands in surrender

"Not just any ordinary sort of escort but one with benefits if you know exactly what I mean..."

"Surely you don't mean what I am thinking?" Steph asked cutting her short again

"That is exactly what I mean and what's worst, he even went to the extent of reminding me of all the things I stand to gain if I agree."

"Wow, unbelievable. Isn't that guy married with two kids?"

"Three. Three kids and he still can't keep his dick in his pants. Benjamin advised me to be careful with how I relate with him so the company doesn't loose it's funds. What a total jerk."

"Clair, he has a point though. Not with the company loosing sponsorship but with you being careful. If there's any truth behind the rumors that has been going around about him, then I'm sure you don't want to piss him off. He's a man of so many resources and has the means to dispose off a lot of people."

"Now you're beginning to sound exactly like Ben. It's disgusting." Clair rolled her eyes and took a sip from her coffee cup. "Hmmm. This tastes heavenly. Thanks for the coffee once again babe. Exactly how I like it."

"You're welcome but don't try to change the topic. This is very serious. I'm just looking out for you. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Awwn, Steph. You're going to make a tough girl like me cry. Just to be clear, I won't forgive you for that. But I suppose you do have a point."

"Of course I have a valid point. If I'm asked my opinion, I would say that Mang is responsible for the death of that man. But that is just me running my mouth, I'm not 100% certain but I have a hunch about it."

"Ok, I will be careful. But I'm not writing anything on it without fully investigating the case. I need to write what I sincerely feel about the event. Do you understand? Cause if I don't, I will feel like I still owe the people."

"Of course. People adore you for your honest albeit blunt reports. But enough with the depressing talk about Mang. I heard you going to Alaska for a few days. When were you planning to tell me?"

"Wait, how did you know that?" Clair was confused. It hasn't been up to an hour since she informed Ben about her plans.

"Ben called John and told him that he'll be filling in for you because you'll be travelling to Alaska for a few days. John told me about it when he saw me. You look surprised."

"I am. I just got the news this morning and it's been barely over thirty minutes since I told Ben about and you already know. I have to say I'm shocked to my very bones."

"What can I say dear. News travels with the speed of light around here."

"I can see that now. Amazing."

"So..." Stephanie quirked her brows.

"So what?" Clair asked blank faced.

Stephanie quirked her brows again. Claire quirked in return.

"Really Clair? Are we really doing this? She quirked her brows again.

"You don't expect me to understand that right? It looks like you are having a seizure but only on your face."

"That's my 'tell me more' face. Okay, what are you going to Alaska for? Happy now." Stephanie gave up.

"Darling I have so much going on in my life right now. If you want to inquire something you have to specifically spell it out."

"Ok, now I know. Ms booked and busy."

"Last week I sent a mail to Siltek INC requesting an interview with them. They didn't reply until this morning when the CEO himself wrote back to me to confirm the meeting."

"Wow, you go girl. Siltek is like one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Lucky you. What Clair Fisher wants, Clair Fisher gets."

"I know that right"  Clair agreed, snapping her fingers. "But for an exposé that is untrue, no he won't."

"I'm sure you'll be getting VIP treatment. Have they booked your flight yet?"

"Not yet. I won't be traveling till three days. I'm sure they'll send my ticket before then." Clair stretched in her chair.

"Babe I'll trade places with you in a blink of an eye. But as it stands, I've got better things to do than to sit here all day and drool over your perfect life. See ya"

"See ya." Stephanie took her cup of coffee and left.

If only you knew Stephanie. My life is very far from being perfect.

They all had their demons to fight and Clair was fighting hers too but she put in effort into hiding it and making it look like she's got it all covered.

A notification bling snapped her from her reverie. It was a mail from Siltek INC. Not from the CEO directly but from the company nonetheless.

Ms Fisher,

Please kindly find attached to this mail your flight ticket. We wish you a safe travel and look forward to meeting you in person.

FILE

Sincerely,

Alice from Siltek INC.

Clair quickly downloaded the file. It was indeed a flight ticket to Alaska.  First class precisely.

She couldn't wait till she could travel. At this stage of her life, she was going to maximize any relaxing time she could get but not at the expense of her dignity like Mang was suggesting. She wondered slightly if Rick Silver was any different. He hadn't made any snide comments to her so far but then again it's not like they've had any real conversation. All she has to conclude from was two email messages barely up to six lines. She hoped he was nothing like Mang. Physically though she had to agree they couldn't be anymore different. She had seen several pictures of Rick Silver online. Where Mang had black hair and eyes, thin lips and dropping eyelids, all the pictures of Rick that Clair saw, he looked like he jumped out of a vogue magazine cover. Always out to leave a statement wherever he was seen.

With a golden blonde hair, a clear blue eyes and a body fit for an Adonis, it'll be no surprise to find women swarming his way. He looked so young for someone who has accomplished as much as he has. Once, she zoomed in on one of his pictures to the satisfaction of her eye's scrutiny. She couldn't wait to see if his eyes were as blue and shiny as they appeared in the pictures. Thinking of him this way made her smile fondly.

Strange.

******

"Thank you everyone. You can all go back to you stations." Rick Silver said to his employees. They had just finished a conference to talk about the new product and all the things that has been kept in place for it's launch. Rick was quite impressed with their progress. Everything seemed to be coming along nicely. Except for the product's publicity. He couldn't wait for Clair Fisher to arrive and work on that. He trust her magic words to give the machine the hype it deserves. He really looked forward to her arrival. He was confident that he was going to get nice reviews and hence good publicity.

"Good afternoon, Mr Silver." A tall man on black suit and black sunglasses greeted him

"Todd, I don't know why you insist on being so formal. I've told you a dozen times to call me Rick."

"I'm sorry Mr Silv..I mean Rick" The man stammered. Rick shook his head. He doubted Todd would ever get used to calling him by his first name. Todd McDonald was his head of security for the entire cooperation. He was in charge of ensuring that the research compound, the staffs and even Rick himself was kept safe.

Although Rick couldn't be killed in any traditional way, of course magic always had its loophole, he still kept a crack team of bodyguards on hand wherever he went. In the past, he's been attacked more than a dozen times. Because his products actually cure diseases instead of subduing them for sometime, Rick has accumulated a handful of enemies in his industry. They hated him for cutting their money making schemes short. These companies had attempted to have him dealt with more than once, and he didn't want to have to explain surviving an explosion or a headshot. So every car was scanned and guarded, and armed guards accompanied him everywhere.

Todd McDonald was in charge of organizing the team of bodyguards that followed him around and most times he accompanied Rick himself. He was Rick's favourite maybe because he was the head of his security team. Oh actually he never thought about that.

"Never mind. Call me whatever you're comfortable with Todd, ok?"

"Yes sir."

"A female reporter from the Quotidian news will be arriving here in a few days. Her name is Clair Fisher. I want you to organize a crew to escort her from the airport to the private airstrip when she arrives. Makes sure she gets here safe."

"Alright sir. I'll get to that. How many days precisely sir?"

"Three, she'll be here in three days."

"That's fine Sir. I'll check the roster to see those that can be spared for the job and assign someone to do that."

"You do that Todd." Rick said collecting his briefcase from the conference table.

"Have a nice day Sir." Todd said with a brisk nod.

"You too, Todd." The head of security then left the room. Rick carried his bag straight to his office. The dark interior welcoming him like a mother welcomes her child that has been away for a long time. He settled into his office seat. The dull ache inside of him intensified, he felt his head pounding and his heart heavy. He had been having this feeling for days and could not explain what it was. Then he felt an urge. As if a puppet controlled by the strings, he searched for Clair Fisher on his computer again. He filtered the search results by image and his screen filled with images of the young reporter. He stared at the screen scrutinizing the image it displayed.

She had hair, hair the color of chocolate and plump red full lips. But it was her eyes that caught him like a deer in the headlights. Her eyes were sea green, very bright and clear. They reminded him of Sil's. Her eyes had been exactly the same shade, sea green, bright and shiny. He remembered all the long hours he spent looking into that eyes, loving it's owner with the whole of his being, fantasizing a whole lifetime with her but life had dealt him a fatal blow and took the only thing he held dear from him. His precious Sil. Flashes of her image never left his mind's eye.

He moved his head from side to side as if it would shake off the depressing thought from his mind. He didn't want to go down that lane, not at the moment anyway. He forced himself to look back at his screen. One of the pictures caught his eyes, so he clicked on it.

In the picture, Clair was wearing the red stone necklace and that was what caught Rick's attention. The moment he saw it, the effect was astonishingly shocking. He felt like a wave of electricity jolt through his entire body. He zoomed in on the necklace. Rick couldn't trace exactly where he'd seen that necklace before but he was very certain he recognized it from his past. It was like an intriguing piece of his life from his past. He couldn't understand the emotions running through him as he looked at the pendant but something about the stone was drawing him to it and he couldn't help but stare at it. He decided that when he met Clair, he was going to ask her about the necklace and how she came about it.

He could feel it in his guts. He had seen that pendant before and there was only one person it reminded him of.

His Sil.