SCANDALOUS AFFAIR
1337 Words
CHAPTER 28: SCANDALOUS AFFAIR
“Director, you wouldn’t believe what we just received this morning!” Jeff, the one who was responsible for the mails disturb Minchin’s office. He was quick on his, and on his hand, he was holding a few mails, but what caught her attention was the brown envelop that he was waiving in front of her.
“What is it?” Minchin frowns.
She isn’t in the mood, but work is work, and she must deal with it.
“See for yourself, because I know for a fact that that it would be a big scoop for our department.” Jeff grins with triumph.
What he said made her raised her eyebrows at whatever he might be celebrating to.
Minchin reached out for the envelope in his and. But never once had she expected that it would contain photographs. It isn’t shock for her, only when she saw who is in the picture.
Minchin lips parted.
“Italia?” She asked lowly in utter confusion, but she also relieved.
The fact that she looks alright, and not as what the Police says about her being missing. But that doesn’t mean trouble ends for her.
In the picture, Italia was inside a car, it is own by no other than the bachelor known by many, Zamiel Erik Salvador.
“This...” When she flipper open the next, it shows Italia inside a club, but altogether accompanied by Jake Seven, one of the name who was making his way on top in modelling—both international and national industry.
Minchin was at lost for words.
“See? I told you that it is going to be a big scoop, director!” Jeff clasped both of his hand together. “Now, I’ll present them to our anchor and immediately flash a report about—”
“No.” Minchin’s features hardened.
The smile on Jeff’s lips disappear.
“What do you mean no?” His laugh was forceful as he sounded confuse this time.
“I’ll be the one to present it.” Minchin lied through her teeth.
“Oh really? Might as well, if you could placed my name on it, director.” He clasped both of his palms together, and he was grinning.
“I will. Thank you, Jeff.”
But Minchin haven’t had any plan to publish the photos.
She may have grudge against Italia, but that doesn’t mean she is a horrible person to spread rumours about her. But she couldn’t help, but get curious. Why is she with Zamiel Salvador, when she is with Gustav? Is it just coincidence? She haven’t had no idea, but she was certain that her connection with the Salvador’s were never cut, even when their engagement before never lead to marriage.
It explain then why Tristan was there.
“I never knew that I’ll run with you today.” After a moment of being surprised, Tristan smiled.
He chuckled, while staring at her. Minchin quickly close her lips and cleared her throat. Wearing the mask she had gotten used to, and block the thoughts that was running on her mind. She couldn’t let him peered through her emotions. Now that it was the first time again that they meet after a year of loss.
“Yeah...” Minchin did not pretend as if she were happy to see him here.
Her eyes are stoic, the same nuance never left her face. Dead eyes and cold tone just like before.
Yet Tristan doesn’t seems to mind them at all.
“Mind if I ask you for a coffee?” He asked.
Coffee? He’s asking me for a coffee? Minchin thought.
She wanted to be sarcastic at him. How can he just ask her as of they were friends and are close with each other, when they are not? Can’t he realized that it is much complicated?
Tristan is her ex-boyfriend. Some things happened, it became toxic and somewhat complicated until they can no longer stand each other and it leads to break up. That f*****g break up that made her cold, always serious, but he is also the reason why Minchin chose to work so hard on her field until she became where she is right now.
“I don’t like coffee.” Frankly she said.
“I didn’t know that you no longer fancy it.” He smiled softly.
That charming smile that used to captured her, but not anymore.
Her heart isn’t as soft as he think it was. It was hard, and stone cold after bring broken into pieces.
“People have different taste.” Minchin crossed her arms. “But if you didn’t have anything to say, I don’t want to waste my time here any longer—”
“Just a question before you leave.” He stopped her.
“What is it?”
“Do you have any idea, where Italia was?”
That certainly caught her off guard.
What does Italia have to do with Tristan?
“Why?” She frowns.
And why does everyone has been painting their fingers at her as of she were to blame for her disappearance?
Tch.
“She was gone missing, and you were the last person—”
“How many times do I have to tell you that I have no f*****g idea where she is?” Minchin was annoyed.
“I’m sorry.” Tristan scratched his face. “My boss was just looking for her, and he is kind of worried that she might be at risk somewhere.”
“Then, go and find her.”
With that said, Minchin turned her back with an annoyed eyes.
The nerve!
“Uhmm, Director?” Jeff’s voice cut her off from her reverie.
“Oh, what it is?” Minchin blink past, and shook her head, totally brushing away the memory.
“I said, when are you going to make it aired?” He was referring to the photos.
“Tomorrow.” She looked at him. “Is that all?”
“Yes, director!”
Jeff leave, while Minchin let out a relief sigh. But the moment that the door was shut closed from behind, Jeff’s expression changes.
“Tch. As if I would believe you.” He clicked his tongue before dialling an unknown number on his phone.
It takes a couple of rings before somebody picked up his call.
“Yes?”
“I wanted you to send me the pictures again.” He demanded. “I’ll double the payment, just make sure that when I say everything—that mean all of the pictures, got it?”
“Don’t worry, all your money would be worth it for this scoop.”
“I know.” Jeff chuckles before he hangs up the call.
He was humming, knowing in particular that those photographs could land him a promotion.
“Ow, m—my head.” Italia groans, when she woke up.
She didn’t know what time is it, but her body is still urging her to sleep. Her eyelids are heavy, but there’s something on her stomach, which seems to be much heavier than her own pillows.
Italia yawns, and find herself itching closer to his chest—his chest? Did she say that?
THUMP.
Her eyes slowly opened, when she felt a hot breathe fanning across her cheeks.
A silent gasp escape from her lips the moment she does. Her eyes meet Gustav’s sleeping figure. He seems peaceful, and she doesn’t need to ask him what happened yesterday night, because their bareness already left the answer for her questions.
Something happened. Her chest jumped, butterflies filled her stomach, but it didn’t last long, when she realized that probably he might regret it soon... That it was just the drink, and not his heart that was genuinely talking to Italia.
A bitter smile spread across her lips.
How ironic that she is solely the one who was burying deep herself to a hopeless romance without any promises of a happy ending.
- Writer
