Chapter 5: Into The Lion’s Den
927 Words
ORION’S POV
I sit alone in my office on the top floor of Starsign Tech.
The panoramic windows overlooking the city skyline. Yet my attention was not on this breathtaking view.
My laptop displayed a security report.
Unauthorized Access Detected.
The breach at the Global Tech Innovation Summit had been more serious than my security team initially believed.
Someone had gained temporary access to one of Starsign Tech’s encrypted development servers.
Nothing appeared stolen or altered.
But of course I knew better.
A hacker rarely entered a fortress just to admire the architecture.
Someone had been looking for something, or perhaps, planning something.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
‘Come in.’
Adrien walked in carrying another report.
‘We’ve gone through every security log.’
‘And?’
‘Nothing.’
I frowned.
‘Nothing doesn’t exist in cybersecurity.’
Adrien nodded.
‘Exactly.’
He placed another file on my desk
‘It’s about Lola Castle.’
I looked up.
‘I didn’t ask for a background check.’
‘Yeah you didn’t. I did.’, he replied.
I raised an eyebrow and he shrugged.
‘I was curious.’
I picked up the folder and inside were newspaper articles written by Lola.
Not gossip.
Not celebrity scandal.
Investigations exposing corrupt politicians.
Illegal land acquisitions.
Human trafficking rings.
Financial fraud.
Each story has been meticulously researched.
No sensational headlines.
Only evidence.
Like I said… she’s intriguing.
‘She has a reputation.’,he says.
‘For?’, I ask.
‘Publishing the truth even when it costs her.’
I slowly closed the file, and for the first time I wondered if rejecting her had been a mistake.
ACROSS TOWN
LOLA’S POV
I sit across from Lucas in his office.
He tossed another newspaper onto his desk.
‘Our competitors are already running stories.’, he starts.
‘They’re running speculation.’, I corrected.
‘They’re selling newspapers.’
He leans forward.
‘I don’t care whether Orion King is guilty.’
I frowned because clearly this has to be a joke.
‘What?’, I blurted out.
‘I care whether people believe he is.’
I find his words very unsettling.
‘That’s not journalism.’
He smiles coldly.
‘Welcome to modern journalism.’
He slid another assignment across the table.
‘I want and exclusive within 48 hours,’
‘And if I can't get one?’, I challenged.
‘I’ll replace you.’, he replies flatly.
I quietly picked up the file.
Never have I felt more alone.
LATER THAT AFTERNOON
I’m sitting at my desk when my inbox chimed.
I expected another rejection.
Instead…
From: Executive Office- Starsign Tech
Subject: Exclusive Access Granted.
I blinked.
The message read:
Ms. Lola Castle,
Mr. Orion King has agreed to grant you limited access to Starsign Tech for an independent investigation.
Conditions of your access will be discussed upon your arrival.
Date: Monday.
Time: 9:00am.
I read it three times.
Then a fourth.
Celine glanced over.
‘What happened?’
I slowly turned my laptop around.
Celine’s eyes widened.
‘No way.’
I flashed a smile for the first time in weeks.
‘He’s finally said yes.’
BACK AT STARSIGN TECH
ORION’S POV
Adrien looked at me with disbelief.
‘You actually approved it.’, he said.
I signed the authorization papers.
‘I did.’
‘You’ve rejected every journalist for two years.’
‘I know.’
‘So why her?’
I stood and walked toward the window.
‘Because she asked different questions.’
Adrien smiled knowingly.
‘Or because she wasn’t afraid of you.’
I ignored the remark.
‘If someone inside this company is responsible for what’s happening…’
I turned back.
‘...an outsider might notice what we’ve overlooked.’
‘So she’s bait?’
‘No. A witness.’
Unknown to Adrien, I had another reason.
When she challenged me at the summit, she didn’t seem afraid in any way. She didn’t look at me with fear. And that’s something I haven't experienced in years.
IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY
3RD PARTY POV.
In a dimly lit apartment, several computer monitors displayed live security feeds from Starsign Tech.
A hooded figure smiled while reading the email sent to Lola.
‘So…’
The figure whispered,
‘You’ve invited her inside.’
On another screen Lola’s photograph appeared.
A red circle was drawn over her face.
The figure typed a single message.
Target Added.
The message disappeared into an encrypted network.
MONDAY MORNING
LOLA’S POV
I arrived outside Starsign Tech wearing a navy blazer, carrying my notebook, camera and recorder.
The building was even more impressive than I remembered.
Glass walls reflected the morning sun.
Employees entered using biometric scanners.
Security drones quietly patrolled the perimeter.
A receptionist greeted me warmly.
‘Good morning, Ms. Castle. We’ve been expecting you.’
I was then handed a temporary access badge.
As the elevator climbed toward the executive floor, I took a deep breath.
‘This is it.’, I thought to myself.
When the doors opened, Orion was already waiting.
No assistants.
No security.
Just him.
Our eyes met for a split second and I felt warm.
None of us spoke immediately. We always seem to size each other up.
Finally he broke the silence.
‘Welcome to Starsign Tech.’
I smiled politely.
‘I wasn’t sure you’d actually let me in.’, I replied truthfully.
‘I almost didn’t.’
I raised an eyebrow.
‘I’ll try not to regret changing my mind.’, he said.
‘Then let’s begin.’, I said, extending my hand for a shake.
After a brief pause, Orion accepted the handshake.
His grip was firm, professional.
Something about that touch lingered longer than I expected and I'm sure he felt it too.
- Writer
