REIGN’S POV

My hands moved before my brain did as I quickly pulled my camera from my back and took quick pictures. It was a bit blurry from where I stood but it was obvious what the people in the frame were doing.

I stood up from my butt and escaped, my heart in my throat the whole time. I placed my hand on my racing heart when I finally reached the lobby, glad I was able to leave unscathed. I glanced at the time, surprised to see it was closing time already. I was relieved that I did not have to go back to the hospital. It felt like my camera was burning a hole through my back. Even on my way home, I bit my lips in thoughts on what to do with the pictures.

Hours later, I was sitting cross-legged in front of the coffee table with my laptop in front of me, staring at the edited picture of Ivan and his mistress. It will be 12 soon and all the story submissions for the production early tomorrow will close.

Could I really do this? I thought, wringing my hands together, a habit that I did whenever I was nervous.

I was sure if the story was published, both physically on the website, it would be an instant hit, shooting me up to the Pinnacle of journalism as well. I did not believe myself to be a greedy person but stars shined in my eyes at the thought.

I started to write, trying my best to remember every detail of Ivan's engagement to Melanie and linking it to the scandal. By the time I was done, I had a well crafted and structured story that Ivan would have a hard time combating.

Next, the email was constructed and all I had to do was just to press send, but something stopped me. I was nervous. This could make or mar my life.

Shouldn't you conduct further verification? I heard a voice in my head tell me but I was too far gone to bother with that. If 12 passed without me sending it, then the news would never see the light of the day again because I was sure I was running on some sort of adrenaline at the moment. If I had friends, I would have consulted them on what to do but I only had myself. I had to do it then, for myself and my career.

So I pressed send and my fate was sealed.

*********************************************************

The day felt fulfilling and energetic like I had moved to the next phase of my life and my career. I decided to dress up according to my mood, ditching the usual baggy pants and shirts two sizes bigger that I usually wore. Although it was a bad idea for a big person to wear something so big as it would only make them look bigger, I felt like it protected me and covered everything I wanted covered and protected me from criticizing eyes, not like people still don't find a way to call me names.

I pulled my pink blazer tighter as I skimmed over the white blouse I had underneath, paired with high waisted trousers that accentuated my ‘fat ass’ . I wouldn't have been so daring to wear this on a normal day but I suddenly had a confidence boost. I grabbed my leather tote in my hand after confirming that it had everything I needed for the day's work before trudging out of the house.

I got to work in less than an hour, thankful for the non-existent traffic. I had a feeling it was going to be the best day ever, everything pointed to it.

“Good morning.” Greetings erupted from left and right as I walked to my department. I was surprised and slow in replying because it had never happened before. Despite my size, I was treated as invisible but now they were acknowledging me, passing me greetings, smiles and nods. A warm, fuzzy feeling grew in my chest and a silly smile grew on my face until I got to my seat.

“Oh, if it isn't my favourite journalist.” Mr Cobbs beamed as he sighted me.

I almost looked back to check if Bethany was behind me but I could see her shooting daggers at me from across the room.

“If you had done this sooner, would I have been so angry with you?” He asked, placing his hand around my shoulder. It felt uncomfortable but I allowed before he had never been this cordial with me. “How were you able to get that news?”

“I–” I started.

“ Well, it doesn't really matter how you got it.” He cut in and I clammed my mouth shut. “You know I only care about results and the ones you have provided are exquisite, I must say.”

I bowed my head to accept the compliments. It felt surreal and all my doubts about publishing the news flew out of the windows. I made the right choice and I refused to regret it.

“Keep it up,” was his parting statement. I nodded and watched him leave with a smile on my face. I sat down at my desk and pulled out my laptop, ready to finish any unfinished work but the shadow that loomed over my desk had me pausing and stiffening. I had an idea who it was and my suspicions were confirmed when I met the stormy eyes of Bethany.

I sighed, “what can I do for you?”

“You must think you are a hot cake right now,” she said, folding her arms. “How dare you even publish such news about Ivan?”

“I only reported what I saw.” I refuted, looking away from her. If looks could kill, I'd be dead already.

“Everyone here knows Ivan is my person so even if you had stumbled on a news like that, you were supposed to reach out to me.” Bethany said, her voice chilling.

I held back a shiver. “I don't answer to you. Everyone also knows that you are just delusional about your supposed relationship with him.”

“How dare you?” she screamed, making everyone look over. Realizing her mistake, she gave them her legendary smile that is capable of making anyone swoon, and truly everyone looked away. She turned back to me, a murderous look replacing the smile on her face.

“This is not over.” she promised and stalked back to her seat.

I sighed and messaged my forehead. Truly, most of the news published about Ivan from our side were usually written by Bethany and they were often pieces praising the man. I thought it was just admiration but it looked like she had a crush on him. I remembered when the news about his engagement to Melanie was released and she had a full blown meltdown right in the office, screaming at her laptop like it was going to change the state of things. I should have known then.

I opened my laptop, wondering about the state of the Internet. Was everyone as shocked as I was? How many reads and clicks did I get? I decided to check at the end of the day's work instead. By then, everyone should have heard the news. The rest of the day passed by slowly and it took a great deal of self control not to check it.

Finally the day ended and I did not have to control my curiosity anymore. I logged onto our company's site to check and I was mind blown. I had the most reads I had ever had, even surpassing that of Bethany. Looks like Ivan was a hotshot. I had a fun time scrolling through the comments, agreeing with all the people calling Ivan an asshole. Only assholes cheat. After I was satisfied, I logged out once again, reverting to the homepage of my browsers. I expected to see several other sites reporting on the infidelity of Ivan but all the websites on my feed were all reporting on other issues. I was perplexed, even searching it out specifically but all I got were positive posts about him.

Maybe they were just confirming. I reassured myself when a sense of dread started to develop in me. A twinge of guilt filled me when I remembered I did not confirm on my part. I shut down my laptop and arranged everything I needed to take home with me. I caught Bethany's eyes over the desk and I had to look away from the amount of dark intensity in them. If looks could kill, maggots would be feasting on my remains right now.

I kept my head down as I left until I got outside the building. Taking a huge breath of the fresh air, I felt better and free. I walked to the small parking lot at the side of the building. I pressed the unlock button on my key and my old but functioning car came to life. I smiled as I entered my car, happy I was going home. The smile slipped from my face when I felt a presence at the back seat. My eyes trailed to the rearview mirror and locked with the black eyes of a man peeking through a mask.

A scream escaped from my lips but the man's gloved hand came to muffle it. He used his other hand to signal to me to keep quiet. I nodded severally, anything to survive. When he was sure I was not going to scream, he removed his hand.

“Please, don't kill me. I am actually a broke woman.” I pleaded, my heart beating erratically in my chest. I wondered who I had offended to have deserved this.

Before I could react, the man's gloved hand came up again to my face, this time with a white cloth in it. My eyes widened as he pressed the cloth on my nose. I tried to inhale it but failed and soon I felt my eyes closing.

Then I fell into darkness.

IVAN’S POV

I clenched my fists in anger as I watched the constant ringing of my phone. The shrill, annoying sound definitely succeeded in ruining my mood further. Tired of the sound, I switched off the phone and threw it on the table harshly. Christian came in at that moment.

“We have taken the news down but it has already spread wild. Everyone now thinks you are a cheating bastard.” Christian snickered.

A hard glare was what he got in response but it didn't scare him a bit. Anyone else would have pissed in their pants, but not Christian. After all, he was my best friend.

“Who was the journalist that released it?” I asked, trying to stay rational and ease the bloodlust brewing in me. The realization that all my carefully thought-out plans were ruined overnight did nothing to alleviate the wrath I feel about the situation.

“A pretty lady called Reign Abbot.” Christian replied, making the most of the situation to piss me off. “Don't be pissed at her though. It definitely looked like you were kissing someone else from whatever angle she took the picture from. She is a skilled photographer, I must say.”

“Do you want to die?” I growled.

Christian laughed. “Come on, this will pass in a while. You just have to give them something new to gossip about.”

I messaged my forehead and sighed. I have not had a single moment of rest since that news broke out in the morning. I had just finished my workout routine and showered when my phone started ringing incessantly and I was hit with the dumbest news ever.

I was caught kissing a woman, while engaged to another.

It was laughable, really. People must assume I had a lot of time on my mind to entertain not one woman but several. I had more pressing issues to worry about. I had a damn cage to get out of.

That damn reporter! I sneered

“Has Melanie said anything?” Christian asked, taking a seat, since he seemed like he would be here for a while.

“I've not heard from her.” I shrugged. “She should be logical enough to know it's not true though. I barely have time for her, where then could I have found the time to go frolic with someone else?” I said, convincing myself. She would understand. She had to understand.

“Well, she could think you don't have time for her because you are with someone else.” Christian smirked. I wanted nothing more than to beat it out of his face.

“I am more worried about the stocks right now.”

“Don't worry too much. It's stable at the moment but you have the shareholders meeting in 10 minutes, I think you should worry more about that instead.” Christian said, scrolling through the tablet in his hand.

“Those old geezers are gonna milk the fuck out of this situation.” I groaned. “What about my father?”

“No word from him yet.”

My eyebrows raised in question. That was really weird and out of character for him. Usually ,he would be screaming my head down, reminding me of how incompetent I was. I already had a lot to worry about so I pushed it to the side. I ran my hand through my dark locks, irritated that everything seemed to be out of my control.

I stood up and grabbed my suit from the hanger and my phone. “Let's go.”

Christian nodded and trudged behind me. The clacks of our shoes rhythmic as we walked down the corridor to the conference room. My hands slipped into my pocket, embracing the nonchalant facade that I was known for. Not even a crack could be seen betraying the turmoil that I felt inside.

The conference room was full when I arrived and I almost laughed at how punctual they were. They all stood up when I walked in and it made me feel powerful, gradually easing all the tension in me.

That's right. I am Ivan Hamilton. It would not be that easy to bring me down.

I sat down and waited for them to settle down as well and start firing unnecessary opinions and they did just that.

“Mr Hamilton, the news about your infidelity has spread everywhere. Public opinion is not on our side right now,” one of them said.

“I would not blame you for cheating, Mr Hamilton, after all, it is in a man's nature to cheat. The only thing you did wrong here was to get caught.” Another one added.

That caught my attention and my eyes landed on the geezer that had said that. For someone with a gradually balding palate and overweight build, he sure has a lot of confidence.

“Interesting,” I smirked, “you must cheat on your wife a lot then.”

“I–” He started.

“Just because you are rotten inside out does not mean the rest of us also disrespect our spouse.” I snarled, resisting the urge to snatch him up from where he was sitting and pummel him to the ground till his member would never rise for any other woman aside from his wife.

“There is evidence that you are the same,” he refuted, his face red, either from anger or shame.

“Listen to me. To avoid more stupid opinions like that, I would only say this once.” I said, making eye contact with as many of them as I could. “I, Ivan Hamilton, have never cheated, not that day, not today and not ever.”

I held up my hand when some of them opened their mouths to speak. “I would not be interrupted.” I warned, glaring darkly at them. I hummed in satisfaction when they glanced at each other in terror.

“This was just a case of bad reporting and I would sort it out, like I always do while you all sit your ass at home, like you always do too. Understood?” I declared. I stood up and left without waiting to confirm if they did or not.

“Well, that was shorter than expected.” Christian mumbled.

“Let's go get my fiance.” I said, heading for the elevator instead of the office. “Her silence is bothering me.” That of my father too but I did not say it out loud. “Any idea where she is?”

“According to her schedule that you had me get instead of just asking her about her whereabouts like a normal person, she should be in Platinum Palace right now.” Christian said.

I ignored his jab. “What room number?”

“Room 1155.”

*********************************************************

I rasped my knuckles three times on the other before returning it to its place in my pocket. I did not have to wait too long as the door opened and the familiar figure of Melanie appeared.

She was dressed in a simple sundress that accentuated her small waist. Her feet were bare, making her look really homey. She was a beautiful woman but that was where my appreciation ended. She did not cause stirs in my loins or my heart. I was my usual self with her. Calm and collected. However, I needed her and couldn't let her go.

“Hi.” She greeted me, lightly twirling whatever was in the flute she was holding.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure, it's not like we can speak at the door anyways.” she replied, pulling the door wider for me to step in.

“It is a surprise to see you but then again, it is not considering the rumors flying around.” Melanie said, as we made our way to the couch. “I can't even remember the last time I saw you.”

“Well, yeah.” I murmured, wondering where to start. I hardly remember us having any conversations, at least deep ones. “You know the rumors are not true, right?”

She chuckled and took her sweet time drinking before replying. “I am not sure what to think. It doesn't really matter whether it's true or not.”

“It's not true.”

She hummed and stood up. “Do you want a drink?”

I nodded and watched her trudge to the kitchen to get an additional glass. She joined me once again and filled it with champagne before stretching it out to me. I thanked her and accepted the flute.

“Your answers are quite vague. I don't know what to make out of it.” I took a sip of my drink.

“Well, I am glad you came to find me before I could. You know the circumstances surrounding our engagement so I am not surprised you would do something like this.” she shrugged.

“I said I did not.” I growled.

She laughed. “No need to get so defensive. I won't beat around the bush anymore. Let's break our engagement.”

*********************************************************

I pulled the door open and stalked out, not caring about the loud bang it gave as it closed. I clenched my fists and resisted the urge to drive them against the wall and make it collapse like all my expectations.

I could feel the walls closing around me once again, trapping me in and making me feel powerless. No. I won't go down that easily. I pulled my phone out of my suit pockets and called Christian. He had stayed downstairs when I came up.

“What's up, man? Did she understand?” Christian asked.

“I don't care how you do it but book me a room in this hotel and get that damn reporter here.”