"What?!"
"I know you will be shocked, but guess what, the boss asked for a volunteer to try to get him an exclusive from Drake, so I recommended you," Greg said with a broad smile.
"You did what?!" I asked in horror. My legs instantly gave up and I staggered backwards.
"Come on, Kel, don't be like this, I mean we both know just how much you…" Greg trailed off when he noticed Monica was staring at him curiously with arms crossed.
"I think I'm lost here. Who's this Drake guy, and why the hell did you put Kel's name on the volunteer list?" Monica questioned.
"W…well, you see-"
"Greg, that's enough," I quickly interrupted.
My head seemed like it was about to pull off my neck. I suddenly felt sick in the stomach. It seemed like I was in a dream. A dream of impossibility.
I shook my head, still not wanting to believe what I had just heard. There was no possible way. No way at all!
"Okay, I'll go now. The only reason I'm here is to inform you that the boss would like to see you," Greg lastly said before walking away.
That was it, Greg had finally taken a step to ruin me. How on earth was this happening for real?
The moment Greg walked away, Monica stood in front of me with a slightly raised brow.
"Tell me, what is this all about?"
What am I to say to her? There's no way in heaven I'm telling her about Drake.
"Actually, it's exclusive news everyone wishes to get their hands on," that wasn't a lie at all.
"Oh, but how come I never heard of this, Drake-"
I walked away immediately, not wanting to give Monica to ask more questions which I might not be able to answer.
For over a year now, I haven't visited the boss's office. This will be my first time this year, and I'm not even sure the boss still remembers me.
That wasn't even important at that very moment. What's important is what my answer would be. Am I to accept or reject?
I shook my head in utter confusion. Something I never even dreamed about doing all my life suddenly came out of nowhere, and I had to decide as soon as possible.
The moment I noticed I was around the boss's office, I paused immediately.
"Kel, you can't just walk in just like that, think, think…"
I began to pace around the little passage leading to his office. A muscle in my jaw twitched.
After much contemplation, I unclenched my hands, which I never knew were in a tight fist all this while.
I straightened out my shoulders and sucked in some hair. The did has already been done, there's no time to sulk now.
I walked to the door with all the confidence I had mustered up. I placed a firm knock on the door and waited a while.
"Come in," a graceful and thick voice echoed from within.
I slowly opened the door and walked into the room.
"Hello, boss, I'm here for-"
"It's you again," the boss stood up, giving me a steady look.
I blinked, not knowing the words to utter at that point.
"Kel is it?" He asked.
"Yes, sir," I muttered, without knowing it."
"Good! I knew you were a good boy from the first time you started working with us. I have always known you to be up and doing. You don't know how happy I am to know that you volunteered for something such as this. You're indeed an example for rookie journalists.
I went blank at that very moment. That wasn't what I came for. I clearly came to reject the offer and recommended Greg personally for the job. What on my earth is going on right now?
I raised my gaze up at him, with a fake smile plastered across my face.
"It is my honor to be given such a rare opportunity, sir. I will do my very best and make sure the company moves to the next level."
What am I even saying now? Why am I giving false promises now? I'm so done for.
"Good! This is what I wanted to hear from you."
I paused my lips as good as I could.
"Now this is a file containing all the questions you will be asking, just in case you finally get an audience with him.
"Okay, boss, duly noted."
I took the file from him and was about to exit the door when he called me back.
"Kel, I know this isn't an easy job for you, most especially when the person in question doesn't give audience to all of those seeking to have him interviewed.
Meanwhile, I trust you. If you could pull out that difficulty about the rape victim who refused to speak out, all because she was scared, I believe you could pull in on this one too."
"Thanks for the encouragement, boss. I will definitely do my best."
"Alright, I wish you the best of luck, Kel.
********
Standing in front of the ice-cream shop, I kept sighing and sighing. Some minutes ago, I was craving ice-cream, but now that I've finally gotten an opportunity to satisfy my cravings, I feel like the ice-cream isn't what I want anymore.
What I want to do is to get back home and lash out all of my frustration at Greg for putting me in such a tight spot. How was I supposed to carry out such a task, just how?
"Mr, are you getting the ice cream or not? Someone from behind asked with irritation in her voice.
I quickly turned around to the middle-aged lady holding a child who I guess was about 5 years old.
"I'm so sorry for delaying your time," I apologized, and quickly exited the line.
"Aren't you getting ice cream anymore, Mr.?"
"N… No, I changed my mind, I'm sorry."
Just as I walked away, I cussed under my breath.
Everything seemed to be getting out of hand. I couldn't eat, neither could I think straight. I need to get home and lash out on Greg.
"Kel, don't tell me you're mad at me, are you?"
"Do I look like I'm smiling? How could you do that to me?"
"What, I only did that to help you," Greg defended.
"You did that to help me? Jesus! How's that helping me, anyway?