Chapter 25
Amelia
The next day, I sit at my desk, fingers hovering over the keyboard, staring at the half-finished article about a burnout incident in town. The smell of my old coffee mixes with the faint scent of ink and paper. It’s not the kind of story I want to be writing, but right now, it’s all I have.
My foot taps restlessly against the wooden floor. Luna still isn’t back. And until she is, I won’t know if I got the promotion. Adrian’s words aren’t lost on me. What if she does give it to Tannis or someone else? The thought makes my stomach twist with anxiety because I don’t know what I’ll do.
Violet strolls over. “You ready for a break?”
I glance at the screen, sighing. “Give me a couple more minutes. I need to wrap this up, and I want to get new photos of the burnout.”
Folding her arms, she leans against my desk. “Fair enough. Any guesses on who did it?”
I shrug, lowering my voice. “Honestly? I don’t care.”
“Not a cop, just a reporter.”
“Exactly.”
The office is busy around us, but my focus is slipping.
My mind keeps drifting back to Luna’s office, envisioning myself sitting behind her desk, assigning stories, editing pieces, bringing in something new, something different.
Maybe even a new column with more worldly, compelling stories instead of mundane local incidents.
It could happen. If I get the promotion.
Violet nudges me. “Come on. Coffee first, then to the scene.”
We walk the couple of blocks to the diner. Inside, Genevieve shoots me a knowing look before shaking her head and turning away.
“What was that about?”
Violet shrugs. “No idea. Maybe you weren’t smiling the right way.”
“Not in the mood to fake one today.”
We order our coffees, but as we wait, I can’t shake the feeling of eyes on me. A couple of people whisper, glancing my way. My stomach knots.
Paranoia? Maybe.
“Any idea when Luna’s announcing the promotion?”
I clear my throat, turning to Violet. “She said when she gets back from vacation.”
I let myself drift into the fantasy of the new position again.
“Order up!” The words break through my thoughts, and I shake it off, grabbing my coffee.
As we step outside, Mia from the hair salon passes us. “You never told me you had a boyfriend.” She playfully whacks my arm.
Heat creeps up my neck as confusion floods through me. “What?”
She winks and rushes off to answer her phone before I can ask anything else.
I turn to Violet. “Okay, what the hell is going on?”
“No clue, but people are acting weird toward you.”
The unease follows me as we reach the scene of the burnout.
I snap photos, interview a few shop owners.
Each has a different version of the story: out-of-towner, a reckless new driver, someone who shouldn’t even have a license.
The usual mess of speculation. I write down their statements and start heading back.
The second we step into the newsroom, Olive calls out, “Oh my God, you little devil!”
I turn, whispering, “What is everyone talking about?”
Olive grins, waving her phone. “You. And the hot doc.”
My stomach drops.
My heart follows.
No, no, no.
Violet steps in before I can even speak. “What? Where? What are you talking about?”
I swallow hard. She doesn’t know. No one knows. Not about him. Not about us sneaking around the last few weeks. Not about any of it.
I reach for the phone, but I already know what I’m going to see. A headline. A picture.
The Naughty Doctor and the Scandalous Reporter
Breaking News: Pulse Point Romance Sparks Controversy
A shocking photograph has taken both the medical and journalism worlds by storm, exposing the unexpected romance between Dr. Pierce, a physician recently dismissed from New York City Hospital, and journalist Amelia Richards.
The two were caught in a passionate kiss at Pulse Point, igniting debates over professional boundaries and the risks of mixing business with pleasure.
Sources reveal that Amelia Richards, known for her hard-hitting stories, has been working toward a big promotion, a career milestone now overshadowed by the media firestorm. “The office was buzzing,” an anonymous coworker disclosed.
Meanwhile, Dr. Pierce, already facing scrutiny over his controversial departure, now finds himself under an even harsher spotlight. With staff and patients whispering about his latest scandal, the question remains, will this romance survive the winter, or will it cost them both everything?
Dr. Whisperer.
A chill runs down my spine. The image is clear as day: me and him passionately kissing.
Violet turns to me, eyebrows raised, catching my hand, pulling me into the conference room, and closing the door.
“Girl, what the fuck?” She smiles playfully. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. You naughty girl.”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I’m trying to process how this photo even exists, let alone how it’s spreading around town.
“It’s not like that,” I finally manage, but it comes out wrong.
She crosses her arms with a come on, I’m not stupid look. “Amelia, it’s okay. I’m happy for you.”
“It kind of happened fast.” My voice is weak.
She tilts her head, unconvinced. “That picture doesn’t look like ‘kind of’.”
I rub my temples. “We only just spoke about wanting to be together. We wanted to figure it out privately first. That’s why I didn’t tell you. I’m sorry.”
She grabs my arms, rubbing them. “Don’t be sorry. I’m happy for you. But now I expect a full debrief.”
We don’t have much time before someone finds us here, so I tell her everything quickly.
When I get back to my desk, I snatch my phone.
My hands tremble as I stare at Adrian’s contact.
Should I warn him? Ask him what the hell is happening?
The thought of calling him makes my stomach roll.
What if he thinks I leaked the photo? Before I can decide, an email from Luna pops up about a meeting.
The subject alone makes me feel like the ground has just shifted beneath me. Urgent: Need to Discuss.