Scandalous Desires

Chapter 9

*Hello Readers!

My apologies for this delayed chapter. My device broke right before June, had to get a new one, then I had log in issues and couldn't access this story to update. All is (somewhat) resolved now. I will make it up to you all, I promise!

So without further ado, here's our better late than never... Chapter 9. Enjoy!

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"I'm not usually the person who deals with orienting newbees," said Melissa, as she and Micah walked down the hall towards her new work area. "But… since Simone is in an office meeting, and I had time on my hands I volunteered," she said with a cheery grin.

Melissa was a petite, latina with waist-length black hair pulled back in a ponytail that swayed from side to side when she walked. She wore a grey suit, with a skirt that stopped mid thigh, emphasizing her curvy pear shape. Her pumps clicked hard against the floor tiles, as she moved with a no nonsense air about her that made Micah think she was a few years older than her.

"Thanks, Melissa," Micah said.

"No problem, anytime. Let me know, 'cause, as you've probably noticed, there's not too many women up in here, and very few sisters of color," she waved her hand as they walked by so many very handsome looking guys, mostly caucasian, sitting at their desks on phones or typing away at their computers.

"Why are they so fine though!?" whispered Micah near Melissa's ear.

Melissa's eyes popped wide open, "I know, right?! It's like an eye candy store of GQ models or something!" They laughed. "I've only been here for 6 months though, and still trying to figure that one out."

"Maybe these guys are all standby's for Beau Magazine," joked Micah, as a man who resembled Boris Kodjo passed by them."Ladies," he said in passing, with a wink. Beau Magazine was Dickson Publishings' version of GQ; a male version of Belle Magazine.

Micah smiled at the man, but she noticed that Melissa did not.

"But be careful," she said when Boris was out of earshot. "Most of the eye candy here is Nice to look at, but I wouldn't touch," she warned.

"Girl, who are you telling!" said Micah, "You realize you saved me from you-know-who back there?" Melissa glanced at her with a knowing smirk. "He's so…" Micah couldn't find the words.

"Irritating, self-entitled, blah blah," she filled in.

"...yeah? What's up with him?" Micah asked.

"What's up is that he's the big boss' son," she said blankly, as she pointed and looked upwards, "literally! That's what's up, His office is on the top floor. His office is the top floor actually."

Micah laughed.

"And," she started to whisper. "Like I said, I've only been here for 6 months, but, I heard that his dad is not automatically making him the heir of the family fortune - so to speak," Melissa flicked some of her long hair back that had found its way over her shoulders as she talked.

"The buzz in the hive," she continued, looking around carefully, "is that Dickson junior is a… f-k up," she mouthed the last two words with one hand cupped at the side of her face so that only Micah could see her lips. Micah's eyes widened. "Google it, girl. He's a Playboy, seen with a different woman all the time. He's got misdemeanor charges, DUI's, and sh*t - pardon my French. He's a mess!"

"...and Dickson senior wants him to prove his worth by making him work his way up. That's why he's just a reporter and not some high level editor, or even in Hearte's position, as Editor and Chief," she explained.

Her voice became high pitched and cheery again as they came to a stop. "Here it is! Your work station!"

"This is cool," said Micah putting her things down on the desk. Her new little area came with the basics; a desk, swivel chair, computer, printer, office phone, and a small file cabinet. It was situated by one of the large floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Eastern part of the city, with the East River in partial view.

For some reason, seeing everything from that height didn't bother her. She was just excited that she had her own workspace. It meant that she officially had a job, she was squealing with joy on the inside.

She sat in front of her first Mac screen ever, "how do I turn this on?"

"No worries, I'm going to show you how to work everything, it's really easy," she explained. She pressed the power button on the side of the screen and they waited for it to power up.

"So…" she said as they waited, "he has a chip on his shoulder 'cause he is being forced to work for something he probably thinks he was entitled to in the first place?" Micah asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine, but that would explain his generally unpleasant attitude. So try to just ignore him,"

"Kinda hard when I've been teamed up with him for my first assignment," said Micah.

"Well, Damn," she said. Micah frowned. "But you know what this means, right?"

Micah shook her head.

"Hearte is testing you hard, which means she really likes you," said Melissa. That made Micah perk up a little.

"You think so?"

" Like I said, I've only been here for 6 months, but, trust me, I know so." Melissa patted her shoulder sympathetically. "Don't worry. You got this. The assignment won't last forever. Just keep your professionalism. Don't let him try to break you," she advised.

Micah nodded, and her breath quickened thinking back to his eyes on her, and his arms around her. Even though a brief incident, he'd already got her momentarily off balance - pun intended. She needed to make sure that didn't happen again, she felt too vulnerable in his presence.

"Got it," said Micah.

"Good girl,"

As promised, Melissa showed her how to set up her computer, and learn the inner office phone and internet messaging systems. She was great at guiding her through what was clearly an intricate system.

She also gave Micah a pin drive, courtesy of Hearte, with a digital, extended version of the Russell scandal file on it. Looking through it she realised there were too many pieces of the Russell scandal puzzle that she needed to catch up on.

It must have been another hour left before lunch when Melissa stepped away, having exchanged numbers, and telling her to give a ring if needed.

Using the office phone system, she was able to speak to Rick and they agreed to reconvene the next day. She was relieved at the idea of not having to go back to his office.

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Micah spent her hour piecing together the story and looking at the holes. There was the company, Chem Corp, whose factories processed the industrial chemicals causing the toxic waste in South City, which was about 30 miles away from her.

Apparently, Chem Corp was legally dumping their chemicals at a dumping site, but the chemicals were leaking into an old and unused local water source.

The issue became problematic when a deal was made between South City's local government and a bottled water company, called Mineral Springs, to privatize the city's fresh water source, and switch over to the old, and contaminated water source.

No one bothered to notify the public. This is how the city's water became a toxic poison that was causing health issues and deaths over a 1 year time span for South City residents.

Many were outraged because South City is mainly comprised of poor, lower class, and minority populations. They felt this was deliberate, as issues like this never happened in Central City, where Micah was, or North City, which were predominantly upper and middle class areas.

A class action lawsuit was filed. The city was being sued. Michael Russell, head of South City's Water and Sanitation authorized the switch, claiming that the water had been tested, and denied that there was any knowledge of contamination.

Worse yet, Michael Russell is a board member of the water company that took over the city's fresh water. He had a personal gain in the city switching over to the contaminated water source.

Even though a test showing the water was not contaminated at the time it was switched was released to the public by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the secretary's allegations were making it look really bad for Russell.

The issue that stuck with her was still the secretary. Micah was reading articles about how the secretary obtained the evidence, but most of the quotes from articles she read or news reports left her with more questions than answers.

"Buzz, buzz, busy bee" said a voice behind her. A pair of hands covered her eyes. "Guess who?"

Micah was so engrossed in her work she didn't even know anyone had walked up behind her. She immediately knew who it was though. She only had one friend so far.

"Is it… a food delivery? I'm starving," she grinned jokingly.

"No, but I can help you satisfy that hunger anytime, babe," he said suggestively. Micah laughed! Of course it was him.

"Elliot!" She stood up and hugged him.

"How's the first day so far?" He asked, with his arms planted snuggly around her waist. She stared up at him wondering how she had gotten so effortlessly comfortable with this man so quickly.

"So far so good. I've got a very short deadline for an important press conference… in two days."

"Looks like the queen bee already has you hooked to the Hive," he said grabbing her hand and pulling her along. She stopped him.

"Where are you taking me?"

"To satisfy that hunger, like I said," he gave that signature Elliot smile with the devilish glint in his eye. "Take a break and have lunch with me?" he said with a frown, he knew rejection was coming.

"Elliot…" she smiled, and kissed his cheek. It was her way of letting him down easy. "Rain check?"

"Ok…" he said with a pout, stepping away from her. "I'll bring you back something delicious. I don't want my babe starving on the first day. Text me," he said, giving her his business card.

She stared down at the card. The words, 'Mr. Elliot Hearte, Art Director, Belle Magazine' were printed in bold black letters with his contact info underneath.

"You're a lifesaver," she smiled as she sat back at her cubicle putting his number in her phone.