AT THE EDGES OF HATE

THE UNINVITED GUEST

I spun around in a panic, staring at the screen buzzing violently against the bed sheet. Fear gripped my chest as I crept toward it, snatching the phone before backing toward the window. I peeked through the blinds, scanning the street below.

Heart hammering, I slid the icon to answer.

"Hello?" I asked, my voice trembling with hesitation.

"It's Gary," a calm voice drawled from the other end.

A heavy wave of relief washed over me. I exhaled sharply. "Gary?"

"Yeah. Save this number..I think we're going to get along pretty well," he said. Before I could process his words, the line went dead.

I pulled the phone from my ear and stared at the dark screen. Seriously? Was today specifically designed for me to cross paths with every lunatic in the city?

Raking a hand through my hair, I pressed my forehead against the cold windowpane, letting the chilly night air settle my frayed nerves.

I unlocked my phone and scrolled back to the video file. I knew I had to be out of my mind to rewatch it, but the chilling reality had finally set in. I might not have gotten an interview with Adonis Castillo, I got something more shocking.

*********

THE NEXT DAY

DARLINGTON PRESS HOUSE.

The moment I stepped into Darlington Press House, something felt off.

A few reporters glanced at me before quickly looking away muttering at each. Others weren't as subtle, they stared

"What now?" I muttered under my breath, but that was barely in my cup of tea. I barely had a good sleep as the incident kept ruling my thoughts.

I ignored it, walking to my desk and sat down.

"Diana!" Bobby hurried toward me, with a tablet clutched against his chest.

His expression was somewhere between concern and disbelief.

"Please tell me that isn't you."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.

Instead of answering, he shoved the tablet into my hands.

I looked at the screen. My heart dropped.

It was me.The video showed me slipping past security, running toward Adonis, tripping in front of him, and dropping my press badge.

Someone had captured the entire thing and posted it with the caption.

"Desperate reporter humiliates herself chasing Adonis Castillo."

The comments were even worse.

"Second-hand embarrassment."

"She thought she was the main character."

"Adonis didn't even look impressed."

"Poor girl."

My grip tightened around the tablet.

"F$ck..." I whispered through clenched teeth.

"I thought you said it was fine." Bobby gently took the tablet back. "It went viral less than thirty minutes ago."

I took in my lips nervous.knowing I lied, I felt everystate on me.

Damn it. I hate social media and I hate whoever recorded it. I looked at Bobby waiting for my reply.

Before I reason of anything intelligible to say. I heard my name.

"Diana!." Mr. Romano's voice echoed across the room. He stormed towards me.I stood to face him.

His expression showed our furious he is

"I asked you to get an interview."He hollered ."I did not ask you to embarrass this press house."

Each word struck harder than the last.

"I'm... sorry, sir."

He looked at me for a long moment before shaking his head.

"I'm disappointed."That hurt more than I expected.

Without another word, he walked away.

Silence settled over the newsroom. Shame engulf me to the point I couldn't even look at anyone, I just stood there my head lowered.

"Well..."Rosa voice came, a smug smile spreading across her face.

"I guess that's one way to become famous." She stepped closer.

"You couldn't even get past the lobby."

I clenched my jaw.

"And here I thought you'd at least make it to his office." She paused and laughed

"Oh wait...You did, but ended up on the floor.. I could feel your shame"

"That enough" Bobby chimed in.

"Mind your business, you faggot" she shot at him.

My nails dug into my palms.

Without saying a word, I brushed past her and stormed toward the Mr Romano desk.

"What now?" He looked at me.

Here go nothing.

I have something else.. that will blow the Internet" I said.

Okay".

That Mr Adonis.."

A scream erupted cutting off. Even Mr Romano stood up.

Mr Adonis Castillo" he gasped in bewilderment.

What?. Did I just hear him call .. I turned to check it was him.

Fear gripped me, my pulse slammed against my throat as the thought clawed me.

He found me.