6 News Articles

It was too bright. I squinted at the light peeking at the gap between the curtains and realized that I woke up later than my usual time. Again. I made an irritated noise upon realization. Though, I did plan to go at a later hour since I wasn't feeling well yesterday.

My phone blared loudly again, signalling a call. It was also the sound that dragged me out of my sleep. I took it from its place in the nightstand and Heather's caller ID blinked nonstop on the screen.

I frowned, not liking the hunch I'm getting from it.

It was only past 7 am and Heather wouldn't be calling this early if it wasn't important.

Heather's voice came out upon answering the call, "Good morning, Miranda. I'm sorry to disturb you this early but I thought you'd want to know about this immediately."

"Go ahead."

"News articles came out regarding your breakup. It wasn't that bad however the Remingtons were painted in a better light and we got the shorter end of the stick."

Remington?

My sleep-addled brain struggled to make the connection. Oh right. Brad, my ex-boyfriend's last name, is Remington.

"What's the result?" I replied, finally sitting up and focusing on the conversation.

"There was a slight dip on our stocks but it was around normal range. Do you want me to send word to the PR Department?"

"No need. It will go back up soon enough. I'll be coming to work soon. I'm sure those idle geezers there would love to throw the blame on me again. I'll see you at the office," I ended the call and proceeded to make up my bed when I heard a quiet tinkling outside.

I went motionless as I tried to hear movements outside my bedroom. There was a slight rustle and I immediately went on alert. No one knew the passcode to my door so it was impossible for someone to be there without my knowledge.

I quietly went to the side of the bed and took out the bat I put underneath it for safety reasons. I held the bat on a ready position to swing and slowly exited my bedroom. I managed to reach the main room without a sound. As the penthouse was an open floor plan, I already had an uninterrupted view from my position all the way to the kitchen. The sight was so unexpected that I froze, bat still in a half-swing motion and all.

Ethan was stirring a cup of coffee, judging from the smell of it that was spreading in the room. After a few seconds, he finally discovered my presence. He walked towards my direction with the cup in his hand while I stared in disbelief at his nonchalance.

"Good morning. Heather expected that you'd want to go to the office immediately so I was told that I'd be needed here. I'm pretty sure you need this since you're the talk of the town right now or shall we say the business world?" he said, grabbing the bat and putting the cup in my hands while flashing me a disarming smile which finally triggered my delayed outrage.

"You do know that you just broke into my house, right?" I accused him, even if he gave me coffee as a bribe.

He wagged a finger at her and said, "No, it's not since you gave me the codes yourself."

"You were cleared by security?" I asked, doubting him. The penthouse has strict regulations. I don't believe that he can just waltz in that easily.

"They even greeted me this morning. Probably because you introduced me as your 'driver' that night. It also helped that you looked quite sober even when drunk so the security took you seriously. I'll wait here until you're ready," he told her with amusement as he took a seat in front of the kitchen counter, looking at home already.

I suddenly remembered something important that I've forgotten. I woke up back then, assuming that it was the girls who sent me home but now I discovered that it was actually him.

Who changed my clothes then?!

Concentrating on more important matters and ignoring my mess, I arrived at the office in record time and Heather immediately passed a tablet. She compiled all the articles floating on the internet. I scanned the headlines and had the urge to laugh in spite of my earlier irritation. There was only one proper article from a business column and the rest were trashy tabloids citing from that article, increasing their word count with assumptions and gossip.

"Power couple? I didn't know we were that influential. How did they even get a hold of this?" I chuckled curiously at one of the cliche headlines, not bothered any more.

"Do you want me to contact Mr. Remington's secretary?" Heather asked.

I have been discreet about it and I know that Elaine and the rest wouldn't spread the information as well. It can only come from Brad's side, whether it was intentional or an accident was another matter altogether.

"No need, I'll look into it myself. Use this news to benefit our upcoming collaboration. Bad publicity is still publicity. I should thank whoever did me the favor."

I noticed Heather's gaze wasn't with me anymore and was looking at my back so I turned around.

It was the company's marketing director.

Dressed in a typical pricey suit that was immediately obvious just by one look in the ensemble that was even more polished by his meticulously styled hair. The cocky smile on his face was even more fitting. I had to stifle the urge to roll my eyes.

I don't like him because of his attitude but I personally scouted him myself. As long as he doesn't hit my bottom line, I can tolerate him because he was great at his job.

Arthur neared and flashed a smile, "Hey Miranda, can you take a look at this for a moment?"

He passed on a folder without waiting for my agreement and from his posture, already expecting me to take a look at it right then and there.

I didn't comment and instead reviewed the file. It was the marketing proposal for the recently closed deal with Mr. Lee.

"How long has it been since you've worked for the company?" I asked him as I flipped through the pages.

"I believe it's almost a year," he replied confidently.

"But why does it look like you're regressing?" I glanced at him with raised eyebrows.

His irritating smile faltered at my question.

"I don't think the company pays you a high salary just to present me with half-assed work. The company we're collaborating with prefers simplicity over extravagance. Elegance over flamboyance. Have you forgotten to research even this simple thing or maybe you're getting complacent with your position? Let me know and I'll relieve you of this burden immediately," My words were pointed and harsh but I was disappointed.

I hired him myself and saw great potential in him but this guy was just half-assing everything as time goes by. He was eager to show off with an audience. Why should I be shy with my opinion?

I returned the file back to him, ignoring his shocked face and went inside the office without caring for his reaction.

"Are you always that cruel?"

I looked back at Ethan, not showing my surprise that he was following me inside without regard for my permission, and raised my eyebrows at his actions.

When it was clear with his casual stance that he won't be budging, I sighed in annoyance.

I spoke upon seating in my chair and fixed a glare on him, "I prefer the term, bitch. Besides, no one survives in business by being a goody two shoes. We're not running a charity here. Thousands of employees rely on me and one wrong move can jeopardize everyone. He's greater than that and that's why I hired him. I don't hire dead weights and I expect him to live up to his potential not to mention his salary. Call it cruel but I don't tolerate half-baked work."

He was quiet for a moment and I couldn't resist, with the weird feeling of being questioned for the first time, adding sarcastically, "Does that answer satisfy you?"

"Is that why even your relationships are business arrangements?"