27 Rain check

Ivy barged into the hospital, frantically looking for Max. Kira's call had made her panic and she had ridden her bike at a crazy speed to reach Full Care Hospital as early as possible. Max was one of the few people she trusted more than anyone. She could not afford to lose him at any cost. Other than Daniel, he was the only person who knew about her father's disappearance. He was also helping her find her father by using all possible methods.

Kira had already told Ivy the ward number where Max was in. So, she didn't waste her time asking at the reception. She immediately walked in the direction of the ward, trying to avoid the people in her way. The ward door was wide open. She could clearly see a doctor taking a look at Max while Kira sat beside him. Although his face looked pale, he looked fine. She could not hear what the doctor was saying. But she could make out that there was nothing serious just by looking at Kira's relieved face.

Ivy entered the ward when the doctor left. She carefully examined Max's condition. There was a bandage on his head and his right ankle. Other than that, he looked alright.

"What did the doctor say?" Ivy asked, taking a seat beside the bed.

"When did you come?" Max asked, clearing his throat. He glared at Kira for giving a call to Ivy. He didn't want to scare her by telling her about his accident. But Kira couldn't keep her mouth shut and had informed her about it.

"Max is fine. It's just that he hurt his head a little and he has a fractured ankle." Kira answered her question.

Ivy folded her hands while she crossed her legs. She gave Max an angry look. Her intimidating aura made him lower his head subconsciously. He looked like a school kid who was being reprimanded for being mischievous.

"What exactly happened?" This time the question was aimed at Max.

"We had gone to meet one of the higher-ups in the management at the head office. While returning, we were crossing the road when a car sped in our direction. Though Max reacted in time by pushing both of us to the side, he couldn't escape from getting hurt." Kira blurted out without thinking.

Ivy glanced at Max silently. He knew what she was thinking. Her face was clearly showing all her emotions. She cared about him a lot and he too treated her like the younger sister he always to have. She looked like a ticking time bomb ready to go off any moment. However, much to his surprise, Ivy didn't scold him or get angry with him. Instead she remained calm, shocking the two people in front of her.

"Hmm. At least nothing serious happened. When are you being discharged?"

"Maybe tomorrow."

"Okay."

"Umm. Ivy, I want a favor from you?" Max spoke after a while.

"What?"

"I have an important event to attend today evening. It is the President's press conference. Since I cannot go, could you cover it for me please?" Max pleaded with both his hands. He knew Ivy would accept the job whenever he pleaded.

As expected, Ivy had no choice. Kira was not a reporter like Max. Though other people in the agency could take over Max's job, each of them had their own segments to take care of. As of now, only she was free.

"Alright. Give me the questions. Where am I meeting him? And who is the cameraman?"

"This is the list of questions. Choose the question as per the situation. Remember each reporter can ask only two questions." Max handed her a sheet that had twelve questions in total. "The press conference is in his office and begins at 5'o clock exactly. You will be accompanied by Sasha Rodriguez and Cedric Wyatt.

Sasha was Max's assistant. She was a Spanish blonde. Although she is efficient at her work, she was quite clumsy. She was quite a foodie and one could find all kinds of snacks in her bag. Cedric Wyatt was one of the best cameramen in the office. He was younger to Ivy by two years and he had a very playful attitude. He was the prankster in the office. Sometimes, Ivy joined in his pranks and would create a mess. However, when it came to work, he would immediately become serious.

"That's good." Ivy murmured. She then remembered her arrangement with Joshua. "Oh no." She smacked her forehead in frustration.

"Is everything alright?" Kira asked her. Ivy's actions had rendered them speechless.

"Yes. Yes. I'll be back. I have to make a call." Ivy left the room and walked towards the end of the corridor. She then made a call to Joshua and waited for him to pick.

At that moment, Joshua was having a bi-weekly meeting with his designers. They were designing a mobile based video game and it had already reached towards the end. The only problem was, some of the mobile phone models were not compatible with the high definition graphics. They were having a meeting to find a solution to their problem when Joshua's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and his lips raised automatically.

"Excuse me." He strode out of the meeting room and picked up the call.

"Missing me already?"

"Yeah, right. That's never gonna happen."

"You never know."

"I do. Now look Mister. I will have to take a rain check today. We will have to meet some other time."

"What? Why?" Joshua was looking forward to their second encounter. Now, Ivy was skipping it. It made him a little sad.

"I have some urgent work to do. So, I will not be available."

"Okay. I understand."

"Have a good day." Ivy chirped.

"Surely, if you will have dinner with me."

"Are you seriously this straight forward or is this only an act?"

"What do you think?"

"What I think is that you not my style."

"How can you be so sure without even trying? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"How is that relevant? We are only working together to find the information I need. That's it."

"Oh. It is very relevant. Trust me. So answer my question. Do you have a boyfriend or do you have a crush on someone?"

"No."

"For what are you saying no? Whether you have a boyfriend or whether you have a crush?"

Joshua's questions annoyed her more than her neighbor's cat. And by the way she hated cats.

"Both."

"Great. And last question. Was there any scenario where your parents or the other family members fixed your marriage with someone or something like that?"

Ivy gritted her teeth in frustration. This man was seriously getting on her nerves. Nevertheless, she still answered him. "No."

"Great. I'll text you about our next meet." Joshua didn't even wait for her response and cut the call.

Ivy took long breaths trying calm down. That man was seriously irritating.

"I'll teach you a lesson. Wait and watch." Ivy smirked, thinking about all the possible pranks she could play on him in their next meeting.