Chapter 27: chapter 27

A year later,         "Uncle, I heard you had many chocolates for Liya's birthday" I kneeled before him with a smile.He tried to twitch his lips into a smile. His right eye winked at me, "Don't tell, Tina about this" his voice slurred. But if we listen intently, we can understand what he is saying.I chuckled, "Sure, or else you will get a big lecture from her".He once again tried to smile and caressed my head gently, "I still can't believe he has you as his daughter" he sighed.Samuel Reid, Father of Jason Reid. I don't know how to ask sorry for what he did. So, I started to visit him 8 months ago. Besides, I don't want Jason to hold grudge against me anymore. We were in the same field and I don't want him to create more problems.At first, they didn't let me in. They looked like me as their enemy, but gradually I paved the path to them. Now, they were clear that I'm not like Collins and I'm also angry with him. We became attached slowly, I started to call him Uncle and his wife Tina as Aunt. Jason became like a brother to me.A week ago, Jason and his lover, Amy gave birth to a beautiful daughter. She is named Liya. They are going to get married after 3 months.I pressed my lips together, "Fate" I shrugged, "Where there is a good, there will be evil, right?""Very much so" he blessed my forehead, "I wish you to get all happiness in your life"."Thanks, Uncle"."Oh! Don't tell my favourite daily Soap started" Tina entered the living room with a tea tray."Not yet, Auntie" I replied.Uncle sat in his wheelchair, after taking years of medication and exercise he can now talk with slurring. His left parts started to respond to the treatment. Doc said if he continues it, he can recover fully within 3 years.Tina and I both occupied the couch in the room. The room was large with a hardware floor and painted blue walls, which had photos of Jason and his brother growing up, wedding photo of Samuel and Tina.I heard when Jason started to earn good, he gifted this big apartment to them."Umm...Auntie, if you don't mind, how the hell you watch this vampire shit?""Hey! Why there is any rule that teens should only enjoy it? You guys have any problems?"I and uncle looked at each other, "No...No...we don't have any problem, honey. You can continue" he replied.She sipped her tea and concentrated back on the show. We both secretly smiled, looking at each other. My phone rang, it's Jamie. I answered it, "Yes, Sweetie?""All process finished. They are waiting for you"."Ok, I'm coming. Just give me five minutes" I hung up.I stood up, "Sorry, Aunty and uncle. It's work call, I need to go".She scrunched her nose, "Oh! No! I thought to show my favourite part".Thanks to Jamie, "Umm...some other day" I took my bag and gave smooch to them, bidding goodbye to them.Our magazine became a good influence around New York and gained more popularity. As a result, we got more subscribers and more money. We shifted our magazine to another building, where we got more space and good view and recruited some others to work with us.I parked my car down in the basement and went inside the lift, pressing the 12th-floor button. I rehearsed once again my speech and stepped out of the lift. I opened the glass door which had the 'New Era' name designed on both sides. Now, we had a bigger conference room which can hold 30+ people, big cabins for ourselves and small cabins for employees similar to an IT company.I opened the door inside the conference room, all eyes focused on me. There Jamie and my friends were waiting for me. I apologised to them quickly and came to the centre of attention, where everyone can see meI looked at them all, men and women were approximately in equal proportions. Some Men's eyes admired me, I ignored that and started by clearing my throat, "Ahem...Hello guys"."Hello" Chorus reply came back."My name is Ana Thomas. I'm Co-founder of this Magazine, Jamie is another one. I hope you met him during the interview".Few heads nodded."So...umm...here there'll be no formalities. You don't want to call sir or Mam. Just call with their first or last names, whichever we are comfortable with. I'll go by Thomas" I shrugged, "Clear?"Again few heads nodded."This is not gonna be a tight workplace. We'll share our ideas and work-friendly with you. Let me introduce my friends under whom you are going to work. Even though you met some in the interview, it's my duty"."Jake Camp, art designer of the Magazine. He'll create any designs you want for the article"."Aaron Jade, Production manager, he'll control everything around the office"."Nyra Lamb, photo editor. She'll make final decisions which pic should be in the magazine"."Alex Parson and Henna Blake, for advertisement and marketing. They'll take care of our social media profiles and promotional activities"."Mac Stark, fact-checker. He'll confirm whether the news we collected is true or false"."Finally, Jamie Drew, sub-editor-in-chief. He'll check the final copy of the magazine and Me, Editor-in-chief"."This is the crew. I know they already drilled you too much".I heard some heavy sighs.I chuckled, "Relax! I won't disturb you anymore. In fact, you are having a day off after this. You can join tomorrow. Before that, I need to explain the rules of this magazine. Listen very carefully".All their eyes became sharp and focused."Rule number one, never intrude into celebrities personal life. Don't stalk them for a piece of news. It's their life, you don't know what they are going through. For example, if you hear someone is divorcing that should be in two lines and they are in a relationship, nothing more than two lines. Don't dig how they met, when they kissed first blah...blah...except they want to make everything public, okay?""Rule number two, Don't bring some shitty content like famous actress changing the diaper of her baby. I mean everyone will do that. If that type of article comes here, Aaron will reject it immediately"."Rule number three, as I said earlier, don't intrude into someone's life unless it is important. If they are doing drugs" I stopped for a second, "Don't make it big and never bring that to my table unless if they are forcing on someone or doing something illegal. You have the right to publish illegal things. If they are cheating their partners, bring that to me. I'll take care of it. Again, don't flash it everywhere"."Rule number 4, No gossip contents and if you gonna publish an article about celebrities personal life" I showed my assistant, "Lucky Greenwood, she is my assistant. You need to submit it to me, I'll cross-check and I'll sign on it for approval. After that, our publisher Samantha will print it. Remember if there is no sign of mine, it won't work. If I'm not available, Jamie or Aaron will take care of it"."Finally, rule number 5, if I find someone is overstepping my rules" I snapped my fingers and made a serious face, "You'll be fired on the spot without any memo".It took a second for them to take it inside."So these are the golden rules of this Magazine. Together, we shall start we New Era, okay?""Okay," they shouted back."Good, our motto is to prove celebrities are also normal people, not God and use our power in good manners. Is there any questions?"A young lady raised her hand."Yes, Mam?""Umm...What if celebrities roams casually on the road. Are we allowed to snap pictures of them?""Why, whether they have 4 hands, 3 eyes or 2 noses?" I crossed my arms.Smiling voices echoed around the room. She felt embarrassed.I smiled, "It's okay, there is nothing wrong clearing the doubt. We have events, fan meetings to snap at them. If they are casually walking, it's their private time. Don't make them to regret for coming there" I winked."Clear" she nodded."Is there any doubt?" I questioned once again.Silence covered the room "Alright then, will meet you tomorrow. Have a good day, guys".Everyone went out of their room, discussing something. When they finally left, I asked my friends, "Do they really respect other's private life?""Yeah" Jake replied, "We scrutinized them very thoroughly"."Ok then, you guys must be tired. Take a rest, we can meet tomorrow".They nodded and I walked towards my Cabin with Lucky, "Is there anything important today, Lucky?""No, Thomas. As usual routine, umm...today also you had a package from Rovan"."What you did?""As you ordered, re-send that to the same address"."Good"."And...umm...Chuck is waiting as usual"."Thanks, Lucky. You can do your work now".She nodded and went to her table. I came to my cabin, Chuck was waiting for me inside on a couch. He stood up seeing me.I went to my chair and took my seat before my table. I opened the laptop, checking for any mail and didn't eye him."Ana" he called me after a minute."I told you n times that I'm not gonna meet him. Get out" I still kept my eye on the screen.He sighed, "But, he wants to"."I told you to get out".He walked away. Before closing the door, he said, "I'll come tomorrow"."No matter how many times you visit me, my answer is the same and stop sending this gift shit".When he left the room, Jamie came inside with some magazines in his hand, "The same routine?" He asked taking the seat before me."Mm-hmm" I nodded."Ana" he sighed, "Don't you think you are punishing him more than he needed?""What?" I squinted my eyes."Listen, if it was your brother, your only hope of your life. What you'll do?""I won't try to take revenge on an innocent"."Ana...""Listen, Jamie, I'm not punishing him. Everything is over between us. I forgot him"."Oh! Yeah? Then, why the hell you are single?""No, I tried to date others"."That's because we insisted to and they didn't call you back after the first meet, cause you creeped them out"."Jamie...""Ana" he throwed a magazine before me. He was with a woman, holding his hand. His face was completely covered in beard, he looked away from the camera. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore it, "This is two weeks ago," he said.He throwed another one, he was with another woman walking in the park, "This, a week ago".He showed another one, again a different girl, "This was yesterday"."Can't you see what he's doing?" Jamie asked me sadly, "He is following his brother's way. He is trying to sneak attention from you and if you don't give any, you know what will happen".I know...but I didn't answer. Jamie finished it, "He'll destroy himself".Meanwhile Chris,     I kissed the woman before me, trying to forget everything. I don't even know what her name is. She enjoyed it and ran a hand through my chest trying to undress me and take it to another level.I caught her hand and pushed her away, "Get out" I ran hands through my hair."But...you...are enjoying it"."I was wrong, I can't do it. Get out!" I ordered her in a stubborn voice."Chris, what's the problem? You were good before the camera and now what's disturbing you?""You got the attention, you want. Now get out before I can yell at you. Get out of my apartment".She left with confusion and mumbling the words 'Ass' and 'Jerk'. I touched the pendant on my neck closing my eyes, remembering her touch.At first, I tried to hate her. So I can move on, but I couldn't. She is worth every pain.My phone rang, it's Chuck, "Yes, Chuck?""Sorry Chris, the same answer" he sighed.Fuck!