Chapter 4(pt-1)

The blanket was ruffled as one of the pillows was on the side. There were clothes kept on the corner of the bed on the side. They were like a hill on the side. A small transparent tablet was playing the news of the day. “….. the police stated a high alert on the city to be careful of the new killer on the loose……”

The news was read by a reporter. She was wearing a gray suit on the cold morning. Her long hair stayed on the side as her eyes tapped on the desk, reading the news, showing fear in her eyes. The room had green-colored walls on one side and white on the other as the occupant was in the bathroom. The place looked more like a college student’s bedroom. There were books on the wooden shelf unorganized. They were mostly on novels. The occupant was interested in stories. The sound of the shower from the bathroom could be heard loudly as the windows were closed with dark curtains to make sure no light entered the room. If someone entered this room, they would think this is a student who likes to stay alone. A one-bedroom studio apartment for a single occupant in the city X

The clock ticked as the minute hand moved to the number twelve. The alarm rang from the clock as the door of the washroom opened. A woman entered the room with her bare feet as her hand rubbed her hair with the towel on her hand. She closed her eyes and then walked closer to the tablet set on the table. It was standing on the makeshift stand on the glass. Her hand reached over and stopped the alarm from ringing. Her black t-shirt was clinging to her body as she watched the news. She took two deep breaths as her eyes moved to read the lines on the screen. The news caught her eyes as her hand pulled the towel from the side and read the few lines.

She took a deep breath and pulled on the phone on the table. “... City X is not seeing this for the first time. The 100 faces have killed famous people in the city. The question that is highlighted now is, will the people of City X be saved this time? Experts say….”

She reached for the phone and scrolled on the screen to call, but before she could click on the dial option, the screen changed; a call was coming from the other side of the screen.

She blinked her eyes and dabbed the towel again on her face to get rid of the water residue on her face before answering the call.

The window opened as she clicked on the green button. The woman put her phone on the table before pressing on another icon on the phone screen. The caller became visible as a projector just above the phone screen. A man could be seen from the projection. He was wearing a suit and a tie similar to the color the woman was wearing.

“Blythe Throne, we need you to return to the office immediately.” The man spoke. Blythe watched him blinking her eyes for a bit. She stayed still for a while and watched the man. It was like she could not believe her ears that the man was talking to her.

“Is it for the news? It is done well already with Selena.” Her finger pointed at the tablet screen.

“You are needed in the office for further research. She is only reading what is given to her.” The man cleared his throat before replying. Blythe cracked her neck and threw the towel on the head of the chair as she took the seat to stare back at the man. He was only visible in the projection till the arms on the side. He had a disturbed face; there was no satisfaction in making the call. That was clear from his expression. Blythe took a deep breath as she addressed the man before her.

“I took a vacation from all of these, you know.” Her sighs made it come out in the open. She sounded disappointed.

“Look, I need my chief editor. Even if you are on vacation, I need you to come back and help the team; this is too big of a project to leave to anyone who is not experienced.” His words were grim when he spoke; this time, instead of looking at her, he was hiding his eyes to look at the other side.

The small figure before her made her stay quiet for a bit, then move a bit to lean closer, making her face come close to the virtual figure. Her nose was just a few centimeters away from the small figure of the man talking to her.

“I will come back to the company, but I want a raise, Charlie.” Blythe just turned around and picked up the tablet from the table and started to type with one hand while the other one kept a hold of the device.

“Come on! Blythe don’t be stubborn that much. You know how it is. The boss would not be lenient to anyone else other than his daughter, and she wants to prove her worth. Why don’t you just help out, eh?” The man-made his voice softer, trying to make her understand the importance of the job.

Blythe kept on scrolling; she had no interest in his words. The man always tries to coax her and then moves to lick the boss’s boots. Blythe sighs.

“I know it is important for them to have help in the report, but if they wish to use my work as their own. I should get paid for it as well. This is hard work, Peter.” Blythe answered back her eyes did not leave the tablet. Her fingers moved as she turned on multiple articles on the screen to search.

“Has the police confirmed that this is the work of the 100 faces? Or are we deluding ourselves?” She peeked from the tablet, asking Charlie.

“It is what is found; now please will you come to the office? I will talk to the boss about overtime.” He rubbed his temple.

“I thought I said ‘raise.” Blythe stopped scrolling and watched him. Her fingers stayed in the middle of the air; she did not wish to work until there was confirmation. Charlie felt he was in the middle of an iron press. There is pressure from so many places.

“Why do you…ugh…fine, I will talk to the boss, but that is all I can promise.” The little virtual projection raised his hand and put them both before her as stop signs. He is admitting to the limitation of his power.

Blythe wanted to argue again, but Charlie quickly spoke again.

“Okay, I will take it as an agreement. I know you will not fail me. We have a deal….” Charlie quickly finished the call. Blythe took a deep breath and sighed. There is something with Charlie Newton. He is a good negotiator; even though Blythe pressured him, there is nothing achieved. She was confident even this time she would be given just a small compensation for the report and the minimum payment for the overtime.

The City Beat 24/7 is one of the famous channels for City X. The latest headlines, the latest situation of the city, and the trending gossip of the next superstar—one can get everything from here. This channel is the one open on everyone’s television first thing in the morning. They would wait for the latest update as the famous anchor Selena enlightens them with the morning news. Selena Dawn was almost as popular as any film superstar in the industry. However, she is the reason for a lot of people’s envy. While others see her as someone who takes opportunity away from their hands, Blythe just finds her irritating.