Chapter 1
The bright sunlight fell on my face through the window, reminding me of another hectic day. Groaning, I pulled the blanket over my face, pressing a pillow against my ear to block out the alarm. I waited for a few more seconds, hoping it would stop on its own, but when it didn’t, I had no choice but to turn it off.
Just as I closed my eyes again, my phone rang, blasting "Love Me Like You Do" in the quiet room. Internally cursing the caller, I reached for it, already knowing who it was.
“This better be good news, or I swear—”
“He agreed.”
I sat up so fast that my head spun. “What?”
Cooper’s voice came through the speaker, way too casual for the bomb he just dropped. “You heard me. He agreed.”
I stayed frozen for a moment, letting the words sink in.
Fuck. He agreed.
He actually agreed to the interview.
After 45 calls and 111 messages, after weeks of stalking every possible contact, he finally agreed.
I patted my back internally. My hard work paid off.
“You sure?” I asked for confirmation.
“Yes, Thea. Now get ready and come to the office so we can prepare,” he replied.
“I’ll be there soon,” I said, already swinging my legs out of bed.
Oh wait, I didn’t introduce myself.
I’m Thea Calloway. I live in New York, in a rented apartment that eats up most of my salary. I moved here two years ago, chasing a career opportunity that took me one and a half years of struggle to find.
I worked in cafés to pay my bills. Some days, I even took babysitting gigs just to make sure I could afford food and rent.
Then, one lucky day, I met Cooper. He had walked into the café where I worked, typing furiously on his laptop, completely focused. When I sneaked a glance at his screen, I saw he was working on a high-profile celebrity interview.
I didn’t waste time. I approached him, made my case, and got his number.
Two days later, I called. A week later, I got an interview at The Chronicle Press.
And now, here I am.
All thanks to Cooper. He’s been my biggest supporter since day one, never hesitating to help me.
Anyway, enough about me. I have an interview to prepare for.
I got up and made my way to the bathroom, sitting on the toilet while my mind replayed the moment that led me here.
*****Flashback Starts*****
I was working on a political report that was about to be published when the landline rang. I picked it up without delay.
“Thea, my office. Now,” my boss, Mr. Kevin, said before hanging up.
I sighed, saving my work before heading to his cabin.
When I entered, my eyes immediately landed on Cindy, who stood in front of Kevin’s desk, smiling.
Not a good sign.
Cindy and I had joined The Chronicle Press on the same day, but within six months, she had climbed the ranks, securing a higher position.
People whispered that she was sleeping with the editor, who had pushed for her promotion, but I never really paid attention to the gossip.
“You wanted to see me?” I asked Kevin.
He smiled—a proud, almost smug smile—and I knew whatever he was about to say was meant to excite me.
“Thea, we have an important project for you.”
I nodded, waiting.
“We want you to interview Zander Knight.”
My mouth fell open.
Has he lost his mind?
Zander is the top player of the NY Strikers hockey team, but in his entire ten-year career, he has only given two interviews—both arranged by his father to clean up his mess after a scandal.
“What? But sir—” I started, but Cindy cut me off.
“Oh, so you’re back with your excuses?” She crossed her arms, her smirk widening. “Why don’t you just resign instead of constantly proving how incompetent you are?”
I clenched my fists but kept my mouth shut. I’d deal with her later.
Turning back to Kevin, I opened my mouth again, but he spoke first.
“Thea, we have high hopes for you. This interview could be the biggest achievement of your career.”
I saw the hope in his eyes. And honestly? It was a huge opportunity.
I took a second to think.
Then, I nodded. “I’ll get it.”
“Good luck.”
I left the office, torn between finding a way to convince Zander Knight to give me an interview—or finding a new job.
But I had made my decision.
And finally, after all the effort, he replied.
****Flashback Ends****
As soon as Cooper gave me the confirmation, I rushed to the office.
Since I live alone in New York, I’m almost never on time. But today was an exception.
I couldn’t afford to be late.
I reached before anyone else and immediately opened my laptop, scrolling through Zander’s social media and reading up on Rink.
Confession?
I’m a book nerd. I know nothing about hockey.
I did whatever research I could, but even after an hour, I still felt unprepared.
I was glued to my screen when the most annoying voice ruined my peaceful morning.
“Thea, I heard you got the interview.”
I groaned internally before glancing up at Cindy. “Yes, Cindy. I’m preparing for it.”
Her makeup was caked on, layers upon layers.
Where does she even get the time to put all that on?
She smiled sweetly.
Too sweetly.
“So…” she leaned down, her voice dropping to a whisper. “What did you offer Zander for this?”
She smirked. “A day or a night?”
I pushed my chair back and looked up at her.
Oh, Cindy. You really don’t know when to quit.
I leaned back in my chair, smirking. “If you were in my place, what would you have offered?”
Her face twisted in anger yelling, “Thea—”
“Yes, that’s me.” I grinned.
She opened her mouth again, but I turned away. “Now, get lost and let me work.”
The sound of her heels clicking away was the most beautiful thing I’d heard all morning.
Shaking my head, I turned to Cooper. “Cooper, I need help with the questionnaire. I don’t know much about hockey, and I really don’t want to mess this up.”
He took a seat beside me, scrolling through my screen. “Honestly? I don’t think you need much. He barely does interviews. I just hope he doesn’t back out.”
I gave him a blank stare.
Not helping, Cooper.
“So keep the questions low,” he advised, scribbling some notes.
I nodded slowly.
Okay.
But deep down, I knew one thing—
If this interview didn’t happen, Cindy would make sure I lost my job.
And I was not going to let that happen. to throw me out of the publishing house.
