Sitting at my desk, tapping away at my keyboard, when my boss David calls me into his office. He hands me a file, his expression is more serious than I've ever seen.
' Isabella, I have an uh assignment here for you. It's big, career securing big. '
he says, his voice tinged with urgency. As I open the file and scan the contents, my heart pounds. The DeLuca crime family. This could be my most significant exposé yet. My insatiable curiosity and relentless commitment to uncovering the truth surges within me. I knew I had to take this on, no matter the danger.
David leaned back in his chair, studying me for a moment before speaking again.
' Isabella, you'll need to attend the Annual Charity Gala this Saturday. It's a high-profile event, and the DeLuca family will be there. This is your chance to get close, gather intel, and maybe even get an interview. Here's your admission '
The weight of the assignment settles on my shoulders, but I nod, determined. The Annual Charity Gala was known for its glitz and glamour, I've never been one for the fakeness that seems to be deeply ingrained in most of the folks who live for that lifestyle.
I've worked my ass off to get to where I'm at, since 15 I've always known where my heart was, investigative journalism. I can't fuck this up so I'm going to have to look hot, put on a smile and turn up my charm. Which I've heard mixed reviews about.
I look at David and tell him Thank you as I turn around to head back to my desk. My stomach doing backflips with excitement and nerves.
' Hey Is ' I hear David say to stop me, so I turn around to face him.
' This is a very dangerous assignment, but you're the only one of my gotdamn journalist that's not useless. I'm putting full faith in you darlin '
' Thank you, I appreciate it sir.. Do you mind if I head home.. I have a lot to prep for before Saturday '
' Well considering it's Thursday why don't you just come back next week and show me your progress darlin. This is huge, take your time, be careful and most of all THINK. About anything and everything. Everything is a story '
I smile and head back on my way, I stop at my desk to grab all my shit and rush to leave before anyone tries to talk to me. David is right most of the other journalists are just there to publish cheap easy bullshit, fantasy writers if you must. They have not one single investigative bone in their body. Just there for a paycheck, no love for thrill or truth.
It's raining when I leave through the doors, I hail a cab and thankfully get it quickly. As I sit in the back I grab my cell from my bag and check all the social media's to see if there's any news going on and I see an article about the Charity Gala with a photo of lasts years top donors, Mr. & Mrs. DeLuca.
On the surface they're a very wealthy and gorgeous yet extremely generous philanthropist power couple.. Dig a little deeper and .. Noone knows because they are either killed or bought off... Or atleast so the underground says.
There's a lot of unknowns about them but I too am a very personal person so I can't judge on that.
I'm not sure what to wear but tomorrow I'm going to have to head to that bougie boutique. They should have everything I need.
I spend my night studying all of the paperwork my boss gave me, it's thick. With only a single page dedicated to the actual ' targets ' and I do find it funny.
Don't ask me how I made it to 24 and have never worn or owned a ball gown, even growing up in a well off home I've never worn one. Hell, prom night I wore a babydoll dress and Chuck Taylor's. That was more of a rebel thing I did in my defense.
I text my my best friend Hanna, telling her I need her help, the admission is good for a plus one and there's noone I'd rather have go with me. Asking her if she would like to go with me even though I already know her answer.
She doesn't even text back she video calls me. We spend almost an hour on the phone as I tell her we'll grab some lunch by the boutique afterwards. She's giddy.
' Hanna Marie Baker ' - My best friend since 7th grade. We've always been thick as thieves... Honestly since day one but that's all because we became best friends after I punched her bully in the face. Hanna is not shy but not one for confrontation. It was a glorious day.
After we hang up I start thinking about Saturday, I'm very excited to get dressed up, I rarely have the reason to.. Especially since I haven't worn anything that's not work or casual for longer than I care to admit. I fall asleep looking at the paperwork.
I awake at about 9am as I drag myself up, pee, and head to make my protein breakfast shake. I've got a little over an hour until I'm supposed to meet Hanna at the boutique. I throw on some jeans and a crop top as I throw my hair up into a messy bun, finish my shake and I'm on my way.
Reaching the boutique right on time I see Hanna there as I greet her with a hug. It's been like 2 weeks since I've seen her.
' Izzzzzzy ' I hear her squeal as I let go, she grabs my hand as we walk inside the store. Neither of us have ever been here, but it's absolutely breathtaking.
We're both immediately greeted by a gorgeous middle aged blonde woman.
' Hello, can I help you ladies find anything ' she asks. Hanna blurts out we're looking for gowns for the charity Gala for tomorrow. The woman smiles as she tells us to follow to her and we do.
She takes us to the back where there's a whole section for appropriate gowns. I see so many gorgeous gowns I honestly don't even know where to begin. I think the woman takes notice. Hanna walks away taking in the essence of the place looking to find her dress. I on the hand am stuck.
' I can help if you need it ' I hear the woman say to me and I just say please as she smiles and I see her scan my body..
' You have a wonderful figure hun, I have just the gown for it, plus it'll look perfect with your tone, here follow me.'
I follow the woman and she brings me to a sheer white ' chic strapless high side slit gown ' as I watch her grab it and she holds it to me as she says perfect.
I have to admit it's absolutely breathtaking. I ask her for a pair of heels that would go with it, she brings Sansa Costa white glitter stiletto pumps and I fall in love. Hanna trails behind over excited for her dress as she gasps when she sees mine.
' OH. MY. GOD Isabellaaa '
I smile at her as I give the woman my card. After Hanna checks out we walk to get lunch, giggling like school girls. It's a small Italian restaurant with an added outside patio seating and that's where we sit.
We order two Aperol Spritz, they don't take long to be brought to us. I order a simple Caesar Salad.
' Ew guess who I seen the other day with some trash boat ' I hear Hanna say.
I have one guess. James. My ex. We broke up last year due to him being verbally and emotionally abusive but to be honest I think catching him in our bed with some bimbo was the line.
' James, that prick. Ugh you were way to good for him.. Too hot too Is. '
I hear the sincerity in her voice. I gulp down my drink and ask for another.
' Well he's her problem now Hanna, only thing I miss is the mediocre dick '
She chokes on her drink from laughing. It was the truth. He was my second boyfriend ever, we started dating after my 21st birthday, until last year.
I will say most men and some women look at me funny when I tell them I've only been with 2 men. The night I lost my virginity, I was 15, teen party, one night stand. It was awful and honestly turned me off from sex until James. It was actually that incident that got me into investigative journalism.
The aftermath was traumatic for me and I just couldn't deal. But high school was only tolerable because of Hanna. She helped me through the rumors and lies. They caused a few suspensions and groundings because a lot of the girls talking do just that. They like to talk shit and I like to fight. I've always been a fighter.
As I take a big drink I take notice of a man staring at me, he's a few tables behind Hanna. I finish off my drink and we pay our bill as we hail a cab, we'll share since we're less than two blocks from one another. I'm dropped first and I'm happy to be home.
I lay the gown down on my bed and just stare in admiration, the thoughts causing backflips in my stomach.
My Friday night is spent cleaning, prepping, a lot of liquor and music. My preferred method of my time outside of work. Hanna and I have been texting since we left lunch, she's I think more excited than I am.
I end my night taking a two hour bubble bath with champagne just laying in hot water enjoying my solitude. As I climb into my bed I lay there for awhile with many scenarios running through my mind until I finally succumb to my drowsiness.
The following morning I awake to the morning rays of sunshine blasting through my windows. I stretch and grab my phone.
Saturday. The day of the Charity Gala, and I'm here for it. Praying to get a head start on this exposé at the very least. Here's to tonight and all it brings.