Love in Tragedy (SAMPLE)

I’m in my office at The Daily Sun and awaiting my meeting with the boss. No one can ever be late for these meetings or else the boss will have their ass. I wanted to make sure I’m prepared because I’m never late and always on top of my game. I typed in what I needed for my next story and gathered my paperwork for the meeting. Taking the last swig of my morning coffee and heading for the halls. It’s always busy at The Daily Sun. Telephones ringing, chatter surrounding me, and lots of paperwork. I’m an editor, so that’s expected with the job. There’s no time to rest because there’s always a story to be told. It’s my job to get it, no matter what the cost.

My legs picked up pace as I quickly glanced at my watch. It reads the meeting’s in ten minutes and I’m never late. My bright red dress hugged my curves as I went, and my dirty blonde hair swayed with my movements. I ran for the elevator to catch it, but lost my footing and stumbled with some of my paperwork falling to the floor.

“Shit, I can’t be late.” I mumbled to myself as I gathered the paperwork and my hand connected with another. Instant current ran through my hand and up my body. I gazed up to see deep brown eyes piercing into mine and that smug smile that I always wanted to hate, but loved so much.

“Oh, great, it’s you.” I huffed as I pulled away, my hand breaking the contact. “I’m fine and I got this.”

“Are you sure, sweetheart?” Zach said with a cocky grin. “Looks like you could use a hand?”

I picked up the last of my paperwork in a hurry and flashed him an unimpressed look, even though my heart rate pounded at top speed. “Nope, all good, but I got to run.”

With that, I dashed off for the opening elevator and turned around. Pressing the floor number I needed and looking up. I saw Zach staring after me and his eyes locked with mine just as the doors clamped shut. The breath I’d been holding finally came out, and I fixed my dress. I quickly gathered myself before stepping out of the elevator. Zach gets under my skin and he’s a man I just love to hate. He’s gorgeous and charming, but totally off limits.

“Almost there...” I whispered to myself as I rounded the corner, dodging people as they came towards me and clenched my paperwork against my chest.

“Morning, Lisa.” I said as I entered Mr. Harris’s office and his secretary greeted me. “I’m here to see Mr. Harris because I have an important meeting with him.”

“Yes, right this way.” Lisa smiled brightly as she brought me towards a meeting room. “He will be right in and you may find a seat right beside him.”

Him? What is she talking about? I thought it was just us for this meeting and not extra people. As I walked into the room, I looked over to see my archenemy leaning against the windowsill. His arms crossed, and he looked way too good.

“What are you doing here?” I glared as my cheeks became flushed, and I hoped he took it as I’m anything but flustered.

“Looks to be the same reason as you, sweetheart.” Zach said with a smirk as his eyes roamed over my body.

I hate it when he calls me that. I find him insanely attractive, but untouchable because he’s off the table for me. Zach’s a huge player and everyone knows it. That is not what I’m looking for in a man, because I need someone trustworthy and reliable. After what I’ve been through, I need that in my life and not an uncertainty.

“How the hell did you get up here so fast?” I huffed as I slammed my paperwork on the table and hoped I seemed unimpressed.

“Well, I got amazing stamina, but in more ways than one.” Zach said as he never took his eyes off of me, found a seat and playfully winked at me.

“That’s far more than I needed to know.” I said as I rolled my eyes, but inside, my heart was swooning. Damn, he’s always so smooth.

“Good morning, folks! It’s a beautiful day!” Mr. Harris exclaimed as he rushed into the room like clockwork and found his usual seat.

I took a seat across from Zach, smiled brightly at Mr. Harris, and turned my focus to him. “Yes, it is, sir.”

“Morning, boss, it’s definitely a beautiful day, and you got that right.” Zach said as I looked over at him and my eyes locked with his.

“Y-you called this meeting for us both?” I asked, feeling flustered under Zach’s intense gaze, and his eyes felt like they were piercing into my very soul.

“Yes, I did, and as you both know, you’re the best editors I got. The Daily Sun is on top and I want it to stay that way. So what better way than to bring the two best editors I have together, but against one another.” Mr. Harris said as I looked at him with confusion.

I’m trying to understand what he’s getting at, but getting nowhere. Zach and I are the best editor’s at The Daily Sun. That’s why he’s my archenemy, but a sexy one at that.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not understanding, sir.” I said as my eyebrows knitted together and I fidgeted with my hair.

“I would have to agree with Hailey on this one because I’m not sure what you’re getting at either.” Zach said as he gazed on with confusion.

“Well, I didn’t quite get to finish explaining yet! Here...” Mr. Harris said as he slid two tickets across the table, one towards me and the other to Zach. “These are for you both. You’ll both fly out and travel across the world to find the next news breaking story. Once you land, you can both go your separate ways to find it. You’ll have a month to complete and produce it. Then you’ll catch your return flights home. Whoever produces the best story gets the promotion you’ve both been waiting for and something you’ve both been working towards. The position of Editor-in-Chief with a big pay increase and a brand new office.”

My mouth dropped open and a smile spread across my face because I couldn’t believe what I’m hearing. The news of a chance at a promotion and one that I’ve been striving towards for years. My whole life, actually. I couldn’t stop smiling at the thought of it all until my eyes landed on Zach. The smile faded as my thoughts drifted to being on a plane with a gorgeous and untouchable man. It’s in that moment that I realized I might be in for some trouble.