Scandalous Desires

Chapter 18

Hopping out of an Uber at the entrance of Dickson Publishings wasn't as exciting as it was for Micah as it had been earlier that week. She had a head splitting migraine headache and it was getting worse by the minute.

She was frustrated and angry at the same time for what happened at the press conference. Not only that but she didn't even get to have it out with Rick on the way back, because he decided to stay in South City after being approached by the Mayor and Russell for further discussion about the questions he had asked at the conference - her questions! Her research! She couldn't believe how he played her.

The least he could have done was offer for her to hang out with them. She could have met the mayor, and discussed her research. But instead he gave her the company card - which she didn't even know existed until then, but of course Rick would have one. She was told to use it for her own ground transport home. Maybe she should use it to buy herself a spa day to make up for all the stress of this job - Rick Dickson specifically- has caused her!

The man was a d**k for real. That's why she planned to go straight to Ms.Hearte and tell her everything. He won't get away with this. After what Micah intended to tell her about what happened, Ms.Heart would have no choice but to fire him - Hmm… could she fire her boss' son though? Technically, yes. But realistically not. But the man literally stole her work, and that can't go unpunished.

She didn't care how Hearte did it, but would knew she'd do something. Micah thought as she walked through the glass doors. Sylvia sat at the front desk as usual. With a smile and a wave she continued towards the elevators as she got her thoughts together.

"My hands are tied, there's nothing I can do," said Kathleen after Micah approached her in her office.

What!?

"Rick came to me first with the entire file of info claiming he had done the research himself. He even pitched the idea that I told you yesterday that we were going to run and you said nothing about any of this."

"What!? He pitched my article idea as if it were his too?" Micah couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"What did I tell you about sharks?" said Kathleen. Micah let out a sigh.

"Ms. Hearte that was my folder, with my research, my questions, written in my handwriting. I told you before he did yesterday morning that I had discovered some new information about this case,"

"Yes but he brought it to me first as his findings. And He already submitted an approved draft for print. We want to get this out first before all the other papers could go to print," she said looking apologetic through her glasses, which were burgundy rimmed today and matched the dark red outfit she wore.

"Not even a reprimand or slap on the wrist for his wrongdoing!?"

"At this point it's your word against his. Since he came with the file first it's on you to prove he's lying, and you clearly have no proof. And, His father already caught wind of his article and wants it on the front page. My hands are tied," she said with a sympathetic shrug.

Micah stormed out of Hearte's office feeling dejected. She couldn't believe how cut throat behavior like this was actually condoned. It wasn't fair that nepotism took precedence over what was fair and right. Hearte was being a bit hypocritical, and Micah couldn't help but feel a bit of regret about working for her.

When she got to her desk she decided to check her messages. There was yet another message from her mom expressing her worry from lack of contact in almost a week. Another was from Elliot confirming their lunch date in half an hour. And yet a third message from Lexi who apparently watched the news for once and was worried about her, considering she didn't see her asking any questions at the live televised conference. She also said she had something to tell her.

She sent a quick text apologizing to her parents and letting them know things were ok with her new job and that she'd be over for dinner on the weekend with details.She decided to hold off on sharing her stresses until she saw them in person. She sent another text to Elliot confirming their meetup. She really needed a good pep talk and he was just the person to lift her spirits. And she would wait until she got home to talk to Lexi. Explaining everything that happened to her now would only make her migraine worse.

"Hey babe, running a bit late with a client. Meet me at Pepito's on 45th and 8th," replied Elliot.

"Mexican food! Anything smothered in melted cheese and grease is right up my ally," she texted. She definitely had an appetite and could use a change in atmosphere.

Micah then went to the bathroom to freshen up before going downstairs to wait for her Uber ride.

Looking at herself in the bathroom mirror, Micah appeared fine on the outside but felt like hell on the inside. She popped an aspirin and drowned it with water for the head pain. Her hand was shaky as she tried to freshen her makeup and smudged it accidentally. She checked each stall of tissue to wipe the smudge but the first two didn't have any. She decided to check the very last stall which had an "out of order" sign on it. Surely since no one's been using it there must be a roll, she thought stepping into the stall.

"I can't believe they are making you miss lunch and making you do overtime… again!" said a woman entering the bathroom.

"Yeah it sucks. I was so looking forward to the free drinks they are serving today at that new restaurant, Delish."

Micah peeked through the stall door. She saw two ladies who she didn't recognize. One was a tall brunette with a short bob, and the other was a short blond with a long ponytail.

"And there's no way to get out of this one, apparently we are printing early Friday… as requested by the big boss upstairs," the blond said with a roll of her eyes.

"Yeah, I heard…" the brunette began to say softly. She looked around the bathroom ignoring the last stall and checked underneath for feet. Micah immediately stood on the toilet to hide hers. "I heard," she continued, "Dickson jr. finally caught a breaking story on some South City court case…. So they're pushing the story hard." Micah rolled her eyes. That was her story!

"Right. And of course daddy warbucks and mistress dearest are all pressed for it,"

"Mistress?" The blonde took the words out of Micah's mouth.

"You didn't know about Hearte and Dickson senior?"

"Isn't he engaged to his soon to be 4th wife, that actress….?"

"Right, and she's now running for Councilman of East City. Apparently that's not enough for the multi billion dollar mogul upstairs."

"How do you know they are together?"

"Simone, her secretary, saw them. But they don't know. And of Course she told me because I'm her friend."

So much for confidentiality among friends!

"I'm not surprised about Hearte. I heard she sucked her way up to where she is now, blow by blow, so… If it walks and talks like a duck... " said the blond with a laugh.

"Or a d**k…son". The brunette chuckled with her.

Micah's mouth dropped open. She was both disgusted by the talk but also shocked by the implications, if it were true. Being intimately tied to Dickson senior, it would make sense that Hearte wouldn't reprimand Rick for what he did.

Micah's brain started to hurt more. She really needed to get out of there. She stayed quietly in the stall until the ladies left and quickly headed to her lunch date with Elliot. Although, she wasn't sure she was looking forward to hanging with Hearte's brother now.