Behind the mask

CHAPTER ONE Something felt amiss when Nora received a strange email from the head of media at CK Media and TV station. No doubt she has been awaiting their response all day and night since the day she applied to be an intent at their firm. Now here she is staring at the mail with a lot of suspicion on her mind. Why did they choose to send her a very confidential email with just a read-once option? Why does the email contain a lot of cryptic symbols and initials that she’s trying so much to understand? And most importantly, why did they request that she resume work the next day? Nora shakes her head in disbelief, yes all the details of this employment seem so creepy but this is the opportunity she has been waiting for and she won't turn it down because of her little fear. And, being a journalist she should be preparing herself for more of this, its work and its duty. Trying to make her way to becoming a top investigative journalist of top billionaires in the state is not a reward that will come with ease. She sighs, remembering her dreams and some of the top-secret jobs she has been tasked with at the formal media house. Gathering news about known personalities, especially top-rated billionaires is not an easy feat. Days require her to go in disguise, and days demand that she confront them, but one thing is certain, she is always on the lookout for stories that will interest the media and keep the whole country talking. As it is said, the news is sweet but rumors are sweeter. “A penny for your thought, girl!” Nora is shaken by her mother’s voice, she looks up to see her staring at her with a frown, hand akimbo, and leaning gently on her door frame. “Hey mum,” she muttered, dropping her phone on her scattered bed while standing up to usher her mother in. She gave Kath, her mother, a half hug, flashing a half smile. She is still contemplating how to go about breaking the news of the job offer to her mother. Kath lowered gently on the only chair that was in the room, her small frame not affecting the seat. Nora resisted the urge to sigh as she retreated to her bed. “Spill it now, don’t let me force you. I haven't seen you this miserable for a long time” Kath observed, drawing her chair closer to Nora who has picked up her phone and is staring at the screen. “One of my biggest dreams came true Mum, but I don't know how to react. Most especially, I don't know if you will take this” “What! Nora, don't tell me you’ve finally found the one!” Kath screamed, jumping out of the chair to hug her daughter on the bed. “What the hell mum!” Nora shrugged away from her mother’s hug. Surprised by where her thoughts were going. “That’s so unrelated to what I want to tell you,” she sighs as her countenance changes. Kath read the sign. She cupped Nora’s face with her two hands, looking her straight in the eyes. “Nora darling, you know I love you so much and will do anything in this world for you” Nora nodded and Kath continued. “It breaks my heart to see you this way. Tell me, my angel, anything. I am willing to support and stand by you, please share with me,” Kath encouraged. Nora hates to see pain in her mother’s voice, the woman she has been all her life. The woman that has given her her name and the shape of her face, the woman that has also given her a reason to sleep and wake up. Sometimes, she hates the fact that she resembles her father who she has never met so much. According to her mother, she is a split replica of him but no matter what she was told, she chose to see her mother in herself any time she looked in the mirror. She gave her a reassuring smile before taking her two hands in hers. “I got an internship offer from Mum, at CK Media and a TV station!” she revealed with a wild grin. Kath threw herself immediately at Nora upon hearing of the great news. “I am such a proud mother,” she mumbled with excitement, hugging Nora tightly as Nora giggled. “But…” Nora uttered, disengaging from her mother, her frown returning. “The station is in Boston and I am expected to resume work tomorrow” she broke the news all at once, fidgeting with her fingers. Kath noticed her nervousness, so she reached out and held her hands, stroking them as she had always done since when she was two to calm her uneasiness. “I get it, it’s so sudden but that’s not an issue Nora. Boston is just some kilometers away from Cambridge. I know it will be hard to see you go by tomorrow but I have Claire and we can always take care of ourselves. So, don't worry about me kid. Start packing and answer your biggest call ever my little miss secret investigative journalist,” Nora chuckled at her mum, relieved. It took her more than five hours to pack, bond with her mothers for the day, and visit her friend Amelia. Spent the entire night with Amelia, discussing their journey to Boston. Of the truth, she didn’t utter a word to Amelia about the format and the content of her job notification mail. The night was long and sleepless as Nora kept thinking about Boston and what was lying ahead of her, she felt like skipping sleep for the night and appearing at Boston. Luckily enough morning came and she made her way to Boston on the morning flight. The traveling expenses were covered by the media house as they were expecting her to join the board meeting this morning. She went to her apartment first, one whose expense is also covered by the media house. Of course, a media house like CK is known by its standards. She knew immediately she stepped into the media house that she was meant to be there. She let out a breath of accomplishment and pride as she strode the hall of the media house, not only watching the TV but finally standing on the golden marble tiles that exude class and high standards. She glances from department to department unsure if she can get used to the beauty of the place at just one glance as she is led by the security, a tall black guy in his mid-forties to the boardroom. Nora confirmed that she was in for something deep and big when she received an envelope with an instruction after the meeting, her body tensed as she read.