Secret Blessing

Chapter 5: New Ambassador

Winter’s staring at the newspaper as she read the headline. “FURY’S AMBASSADOR’S SCANDAL IS LEAKED” was written on the front page with the censored image which is from the said video.

She sighed. This is another headache for her. She placed the newspaper on her desk. “Did you already send it to a professional?” She asked the same employee who told her about the scandal.

“Yes, Miss. It was analyzed and the results are what you saw in the newspaper.”

Winter nodded. “Find another possible candidate for our new ambassador. We’ll terminate her contract with us. Then, prepare a meeting.”

The employee nodded and left her office.

Winter opened her laptop and checked her e-mails. One possible collaboration with the other brand, Bulldozer, was turned down because of the scandal.

She frustratedly closed the laptop as she leaned her head on her hands. It was one of the moments that she felt everything turning upside down. When things are slowly starting to fall into place, some fall to the ground, bringing others with them, like nothing’s working out.

She opened her laptop again, opening her presentation for the said collaboration. It’s useless now that the Bulldozer’s not interested anymore.

“Everything will work out eventually, you just have to believe it.” Demetria’s words were ringing in her head. When something like this happens, she gets to hear those same words, but it’s not the words that are encouraging her, it’s Demetria’s soothing voice. How she wishes she was still here by her side. She always wishes that she was.

She stood up, walked out of her office, announced an emergency meeting, and immediately went to the conference room.

“We have to do something, something that will distract the press from the scandal,” Winter started. “And the public.”

“Should we do a contest for our new ambassador?” an employee asked.

“This is not a beauty pageant,” Winter said. “Besides, no one would want to work with us now. We have to go to them.”

“We have our new model, right? Should we introduce it to the public?”

Winter thought about it. “But it would be great if we had our ambassador first because he could be an influencer about Fury, possibly gain more customers,” she said.

“What if we could find someone who’s famous on social media platforms?”

“Who has a lot of followers or subscribers,” Winter said. “That’s a good idea. Let’s have a meeting by the end of the week and discuss it, clear?”

The employees nodded.

Winter stood up. “Dismissed.”

*

Winter left the office as she finished fixing her things and turned off the lights. She went to the elevator and went down to the building’s basement. She walked to her car and tossed her bag on the passenger’s seat as she went inside. Turning on the engine, she left the basement.

As she passed by the front of the building, she saw a familiar figure. It was Cassandra. It seems like she’s waiting for someone. Winter decided to approach her as she pulled on the breaks and opened the window.

“Cassandra!” she called.

The girl turned to her. “Oh, hey!” she greeted and smiled.

“What are you doing here? Are you waiting for someone?” Winter asked.

Cassandra nodded. “I was waiting for you.”

“Oh. Is there a problem?” Winter asked again.

Cassandra shook her head. “Just a rough day. I was hoping I could hang out with you,” she said.

Again? Winter thought.

Cassandra waved her hand. “It’s okay if you don’t want to. I can just call some other friends.”

Now, I feel bad. She came all the way here. Why didn’t she call me anyway? Winter thought.

“I called you earlier, no answer,” Cassandra said.

Oh. It’s me who didn’t notice.

Winter nodded. “Maybe I could use some company again.”

“Really?”

“Come inside,” Winter said as she rolled up the window and unlocked the door.

Cassandra went inside.

“Put on the seatbelt,” Winter reminded her.

The other girl complied. “How’s your day?”

“Disaster,” Winter briefly said.

“I heard about the…,” Cassandra started.

“Yeah, I don’t want to talk about it.”

Cassandra nodded. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Winter said. “Have you eaten?”

“Not yet. You?”

“I haven’t. I planned on cooking at home but I feel lazy. Let’s just eat out.”

“I know a restaurant if you don’t mind,” Cassandra said.

“Sure, I should try new places.”

Winter continued to drive to the suggested restaurant. She’s pretty hungry, she’ll order delicious food.

They went inside and walked to a two-seater table and asked for menus.

Hmm... Fine-dining. Winter thought.

She ordered an appetizer even though she didn’t need it anymore. Since she’s hungry, she’ll eat more food than she usually eats. She just asked for water for her drinks.

She turned to the girl across her. “Do you come here often?” she asked.

“Yeah, I guess,” Cassandra answered. “My family usually comes here to celebrate certain occasions.”

Winter nodded in understanding. “So, what happened to your ‘rough day’?” she asked.

“There’s been a mistake on our current project and Ms. Victoria was really mad,” Cassandra said.

Winter shrugged. “Don’t take it personally. She’s just dedicated to her work as much as you do,” she said. “It’ll pass.”

“You think?”

“Tomorrow, she’ll act as if nothing happened, I’m sure,” Winter said. “Don’t worry.”

Cassandra smiled. “Thanks.”

Winter raised her eyebrows. “For what?”

“Just thanks.”

“Uh… You’re welcome?” Winter said as she smiled awkwardly.

When their orders were served, they started to eat.

“Do you have a favorite restaurant?” Cassandra asked.

Winter shook her head. “I don’t. Do you?”

“I have. Maybe I could take you some time?”

Winter hesitated. “Like a date?”

Cassandra noticed that Winter was uncomfortable, so she denied, “No. You can take Ms. Victoria with you, I’ll bring mine.”

Winter nodded. “Okay…”

Cassandra smiled. “Just hanging out.”

Winter reciprocated her smile. “Sure.”

After they ate, Winter offered to drive her home again.

Cassandra shook her head. “I don’t want to bother you anymore. My roommate’s picking me up.”

Winter nodded. “I can wait with you,” she offered.

Cassandra waved her hand. “No. You should go. You’re pretty tired.”

Winter hesitated. “It’s getting late.”

“It’s okay.”

“Okay…?”

“Drive carefully,” Cassandra said.

Winter nodded. “Take care,” she said as she went to her car and drove off.

After a few moments, Cassandra’s roommate showed up driving a car. She opened the passenger seat and went inside.

“Was that her?” Sarah, her roommate, asked.

Cassandra put on her seatbelt. “Yeah.”

“Wow. I can see why you’re all over her.”

Cassandra shrugged. “But she’s not interested.”

“Maybe, not yet,” Sarah said as she rubbed her shoulder.

“Let’s just go home. Thanks for picking me up.”

“Anytime.”

*

Winter arrived home and immediately called Victoria.

“What’s up, Win?”

“I forgot to ask. Why did you give my number to Cassandra?”

“Well, why not?” Victoria asked.

Winter rolled her eyes. “She was waiting for me earlier and asked me to hang out.”

“Oh, yeah?” Victoria teased.

“It’s not a laughing matter, Vic,” Winter said.

“Don’t be so sensitive. She’s just being friendly,” Victoria said. “Don’t worry.”

“Well, I want her to be the least of my worries,” Winter said.

“Hmm… Because you’re still into Demetria,” Victoria said.

“That’s already a given fact, Vic,” Winter said. “It’ll always be Tria.”

“Okay, okay,” Victoria said. “I won’t bother you anymore.”

“You should have done that a long time ago.”

“Yeah. I should have.”

“How’s Sum?”

“She’s okay. Have I told you we already did the procedure?”

Winter raised her eyebrows. “You’re having a baby?”

“If it’s successful.”

“Just don’t stress her,” Winter said.

“I’ll take that advice.”

“I’m gonna hang up now. Good night,” Winter said.

“Good night. I hope you’ll sleep tight and meet her in your dreams,” Victoria bid good night, too.

“Thanks.” She hangs up.

I always see her in my dreams.

*

It’s the end of the week, so Winter went to the conference room along with her employees.

“Let’s start,” she said. “Have you found people who can endorse our product?”

“Yes, we also gave them a call. Most of them are skeptical because of the current issue, but there’s one who’s willing. She’s also willing for a face reveal.”

“Face reveal?” Winter asked.

“She’s an internet sensation but she doesn’t show her face.”

“What does she do?”

“She does covers of songs. She has a great voice.”

“Do you think she can meet us the following week?”

“We’ll give her another call.”

Winter nodded. “Okay. I guess we’ll get through this sooner than expected.”

Meanwhile, Cassandra’s at work receiving a call.

“Hello?”

“Hello, this is Fury. It’s about the endorsement. Are you available this coming week? Can we make an appointment?”

Cassandra smiled. “Sure. Anytime will do.”