Journalist in Disguise

Today is Sunday, the only day off I have for the whole week. I was walking around the street with my dog when my phone suddenly rang.

Mr. Perez is calling...

My brows furrowed when I saw the name of the caller. Why would my boss even call me during my day off?

“Good morning, Sir,” I greeted, still confused.

“Good morning, Miss Vasquez. I e-mailed you last night, have you seen it?” he did what?

“Oh... I’m sorry, I haven’t yet,” I heard him sigh on the other line.

“Oh God,” he whispered. “Meet me in my office today around 11:00 AM. We have something important to discuss. And please, Miss Vasquez, please don’t forget about this.” and with that, he hung up.

I decided to go home after he ended the call to prepare. I still have an hour before our meeting. I untied my dog’s collar before taking a shower.

After 30 minutes of preparing, I booked an Uber to pick me up. I was wearing a white turtle neck shirt tucked in my high–waisted denim pants paired with my cropped top denim jacket and a white sneakers. I decided to not wear formal since today is my day off, and as far as I know, there’s no need for me to come to work.

It took about 40 minutes before arriving on the office. It was located blocks away from my apartment. After paying the Uber I booked, I went inside the building. The security guards were curious why I came when today is supposed to be my day off.

Mr. Perez’s office was located on the second to top floor of the building which is at the 9th floor.

“Good morning, Sir,” I greeted after entering his office. He motioned his hands for me to sit in the couch on the side of his office. He stood up from his swivel chair to sit on the other couch on the opposite side.

“I’m sorry for calling you on your day off,” he paused when his secretary went in to give us coffee. I smiled at her in return.

“It’s fine, Sir.”

“I received a request from the Chairman’s daughter last night telling me to send one of my people to interview someone,” he paused to sip on his coffee, “And you’re the only one I know who could do this.”

My brows furrowed, “Me? Why is that?”

He slid an envelope in the coffee table in front of us. I took it to take a look on the information of the one I will interview. There is no name and a photo attached on the paper I’m reading. I looked at Mr. Perez with confusion, “How will I interview this man or woman if the information I need is not indicated?”

“That’s why I know you could do it. You’re patient enough to look for a reliable source. And in fact, you are one of the top journalists in the industry given that you are still young,” he stood up.

“Why would the Chairman’s daughter asks us to interview that person?” I asked while scanning the paper, still hoping that there is a hint of this person’s identity.

He shrugged, “I don’t know, Miss Vasquez. She just asked us to feature him once on our next release next month.”

Him? “Did she even said what kind of information does she want?” he shook his head after hearing my question.

“She did not. Just write anything about him, his lifestyle, motto in life, how he lives in a day, etcetera. It’s up to you,” his phone rung, “Will you please excuse me.”

I finished my coffee before standing up, holding the envelope that contains the little information I have about this guy. Mr. Perez was still busy talking to someone over the phone when I left the room. I’ll just send him an e-mail regarding this task.

I went to a Cafe near my block to grab a slice of red velvet cake and a green tea frappe.

Good thing I brought my MacBook with me, I’ll start searching this guy’s identity. I connected my AirPods on my MacBook and plugged one so I could still hear my name to get my order.

I was in the middle of searching the company where this guy is working when I heard my name. I stood up, not bothering on closing my MacBook. The corner where my table is not that crowded, so it’s fine. As soon as I got my order, I went back to my table.

“Are you planning on filing an application to that company?” someone suddenly asked while I was busy on reading some articles about the company.

“No, I was just searching,” I answered without even looking at him.

“Why would you do that?” this time, I looked at him with confusion.

“Job.”

“I thought you’re not planning to apply?” I could hear him chuckle silently from my seat.

“Why are you meddling with my work?” I raised a brow.

“Chill! I was just asking, I work for that company,” he smiled, showing his dimple.

“Oh? See you then,” I said before closing my MacBook, preparing to leave.

“I thought you’re not going to apply?” he asked with a hint of confusion.

“I’m really not. I have another business to deal with,” I stood up, “If you’ll excuse me.”

I was about to exit the Cafe when someone grabbed my arm.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

Should I tell him my name? Or should I just tell him my codename? But in the end, I still told him my real name.

“Athena,” I answered without looking back at him.

Monday came and today’s the day I will start my task— to interview this unknown man.

I was wearing a white button down shirt tucked in my black square pants paired with a black pumps. My medium length hair was tied in a high ponytail. I will meet the Chairman’s daughter today regarding the task I was given.

We all stood up to pay respect when the Chairman’s daughter came inside the meeting room.

“I won’t stay for too long so let me go straight to the point, I want you to know everything about Marco Javier. When I say everything, EVERYTHING,” she said, emphasizing the word ‘everything’. She then looked on her wrist watch. “Oh crap— I have to go.”

And with that, she left the room without even having the chance to ask her specific details regarding this task.

After having a talk with Mr. Perez, I booked an Uber to pay a visit on the company where this ‘Marco Javier’ is working. I don’t even know his position?

When I entered the building, I went straight to the receptionist to ask where I could find this guy.

“Good morning! How may I help you?” she asked with a wide smile, I smiled back at her.

“In which floor could I find Marco Javier?”

“Do you have an appointment, Ma’am?” I shook my head, “Oh. I’m sorry to say but you have to schedule an appointment first.”

I was about to ask her his schedule when I suddenly heard a familiar voice.

“I heard my name,” I could feel him standing behind me.

“S–sir Javier!” the lady widened her eyes. Sir Javier? This could be him.

I turned around, expecting to see a middle aged man, but instead I saw the guy yesterday on the Cafe.

“Oh, Athena!” he waved his hand at me. Why the hell is he here?