Chapter 9: The interview

Rita woke before sunrise, a bundle of nerves. Today, she would meet Ama Kusi, the journalist who wanted to share her story. The thought both thrilled and terrified her—Sunshine Pageantry might retaliate even harder if her accusations went public.

Still, she reminded herself of Eunice's courage, the girls who messaged her with thanks, and her parents' unwavering support. She wouldn't let fear silence her.

An Early Meeting.

At eight o'clock sharp, Rita entered a small local radio station where Ama had invited her. The lobby smelled faintly of coffee and old paper. Her stomach fluttered as she checked in with the receptionist, who led her to a cozy office lined with framed articles on the walls.

Ama stood to greet her, a warm smile on her face. "Rita, thank you for coming. You're doing something brave."

Rita's hands felt clammy. "Thank you for having me. I just want people to know the truth."

Sharing Her Story.

They settled into chairs across from each other. Ama clicked on a small recorder and nodded gently. "Whenever you're ready, Rita."

Her heart pounded, but she took a deep breath and began:

"I found Sunshine Pageantry on Instagram. Their posts promised fame and money. I paid the initial fee. Then they asked for more… I found out they've done this before. People lost their money, never heard back."

She described how the pageant organizers ignored her questions, how she discovered Eunice's warnings, and how a stranger threatened her on the phone. Ama listened intently, occasionally jotting notes.

Digging Deeper

When Rita finished, Ama leaned forward, her voice low. "I've looked into them as well. They've changed names multiple times. Registered websites come and go. It's a classic scam."

Rita's chest tightened. "So I'm definitely not the first, or the last, if we don't stop them."

Ama nodded. "Exactly. That's why your story matters. People need a real face to stand up and say, 'Enough.'"

A Sudden Call

As they wrapped up the interview, Ama's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, her eyebrows lifting. "It's from a blocked number."

Rita's heart skipped a beat. Another threat?

Ama answered calmly, putting the call on speaker.

A distorted voice crackled through. "We know what you're doing. Stop this now, or you'll regret it."

The line went dead before Ama could respond.

Rita's pulse thundered in her ears. "That was them, wasn't it?"

Ama set her phone down, lips pressed tight. "They must have caught wind of our interview. Don't worry. I've handled threats before."

But Rita could see the worry in Ama's eyes.

United Resolve

Stepping outside the station, Rita felt the sun's warmth on her face. Despite the threatening call, a sense of determination filled her chest. Ama locked the office door behind them, then turned to Rita.

"I'll publish the story soon. Let's keep in touch. And please be safe."

Rita nodded, hugging her notebook to her chest. "I will. Thank you for believing me."

As she walked home, her phone buzzed with supportive messages from Pamela, Faith, and Deborah. We're proud of you, one read. Stay strong, said another. Her parents texted too: We love you. Be careful.

Though fear still lingered, Rita felt stronger than ever. She wasn't alone. A journalist believed her. Her friends had her back. Even strangers online stood by her side. And soon, everyone will know the truth about sunshine pageantry.