Chapter 9: Genius journalist, Ivy West

A shiny jet black Street Scrambler stopped at the parking lot of a sleek building. Everybody stopped to admire the sexy bike and the rider. All of them were immediately stunned at what they saw, when the rider removed the helmet. It was a beautiful girl; not a man as they had expected the rider to be. The girl was wearing a blue shirt and black trousers. Her hair was tied in a bun, a few loose strands were swaying with the wind. She looked very stylish in her attire.

The girl noticed all the people gawking at her. She was used to this attitude, since the day she started working as a journalist at News4U.

"Buggers." She walked with her chin held high and with utmost confidence. Her eyes sparkled in the sun; her style alluring the observers.

She entered the building, pressed her ID card at the reader. She passed through the turnstile and strode towards the elevator. When the elevator opened, she stepped in and pressed the button for the sixth floor, where her cubicle was. As soon as she got off the elevator, she was engulfed in a hug. She staggered back a few steps due to the sudden impact.

"God, Ivy. How many times have I told you to answer your phone? I was worried about you." A high pitched girlish voice spoke.

"Relax Kira. I was a little busy." Ivy said pushing Kira off her.

Kira Simpson was Scottish by birth. Her family had migrated to the country a few decades back. She had ginger red hair, which captured one's eye just at one look. She was an associate producer at News4U. Her short frame easily concealed her actual nature. She had a sharp tongue, garnering her a nickname: Miss Pepper. She was a year older than Ivy.

"What were you busy with? You were gone for almost a week. Do you think this an amusement park that you can come and go as you wish?" She spat, glowering at her through her frameless spectacles.

"I'll tell you about it later. I have some explosive news, it is going to blow away everyone's mind. Where is Max?"

"He is in the broadcast room. He is deciding what to broadcast at the 8'o clock news."

"Oh, I have the best news for him. Come with me."

Ivy pushed the door open and witnessed Max engrossed in his work, while Kira tagged along.

Maximus Williams was a news director and the chief editor of the news agency. He was looked young, although he was in his forties. He was tall with a height of 5.9, he had dirty blonde hair and like Kira, he too was wearing spectacles. He had maintained his body quite well; nobody would believe him to be in his early forties. He could easily pass off to be in his late twenties.

"Look who decides to show up. I am blessed to be in your presence, Your Highness." Max kneeled on one knee and bowed his head. Kira stifled a laugh and Ivy gave out a cheeky grin.

"I have something that will make you both forget about me being lackadaisical. Have you decided on what to broadcast at the 8'o clock segment?"

"No, Ivy. All I have is some boring stuff. I want something exhilarating."

"Take a look at this." Ivy pushed a pen-drive towards Max.

Ivy took in Max and Kira's horrified expressions while they watched the video as she chewed on the gum.

"Holy Mother. Where did you get this news from?" Max exclaimed, still unable to believe what he had just seen. "This is going to shake the nation. Is this the news you were trying to obtain all these days? And here I was thinking that you were slacking off."

Ivy gave him a sarcastic smile.

"Thank you, Ivy. Keep up the good work."

Ivy noticed Kira standing silently, studying the recording.

"What is it, Kira?"

"Um. Ivy, did you find out anything about the virus Mr. peters was talking about?"

"No, Kira. I think it's something deadly. If my analysis is correct, he will let out the virus in a few days. It is bound to kill people or cause severe health hazards."

"In the video, he is talking about forcing the President to step down from his position," Max interjected.

"That means, he will challenge the President for his incompetence in discovering an antidote and protecting the people. The President will be forced to resign."

"Once this happens, David will release the antidote, making him a hero in the citizen's eyes. In order to avoid being suspected, he might do it after a few months." Kira put two and two together.

"New elections will be held and David will be the preferred candidate," Ivy concluded.

"I can't believe it. What a plan? Those bastards need to be exposed in front of the nation. Ivy, you are a genius." Max muttered, giving Ivy a thumbs up with both hands.

......

At the hospital.

"How long do I have to stay in the hospital?" Noah asked sulking. He felt perfectly fit and fine, but Ian did not think so.

"Two to three days, depending on your recovery."

Ian had come back to check on Noah. Joshua had gone to drop Rachel, after staying for over an hour and to keep an eye on Caroline.

"Where is Aria? I haven't seen her since the afternoon."

"When I was coming here, she was checking on her patients. Her shift ends at 6. She must have left, it's past 6'o clock." Ian looked at his watch.

"Dr. Davis, may I talk to you for a second?" Aria asked, clearing her throat from outside the room. The sulking Noah's face lit up hearing Aria's voice.

"Hey come on in. Why are you standing outside?"

"Dr. Davis, I'll be leaving for the conference in London in two days."

"Yes. I remember about it."

"Can you handle my patients for me?" Aria prayed with her hands.

"Sure, Aria. you didn't have to pray for that."

Noah was observing her from his bed. He was bewitched by the way her eyes shone when she spoke. And she looked very adorable with her hands joined together. His gaze traveled from her eyes to her lips. Her pink lips made him want to grab her and kiss her senseless.

'What am I thinking? Do I like her? But I don't know anything about her?' He introspected. He was confused about his behavior.

"Thanks, Ian. I'll get going now."

"Wait. Do you want to have dinner with us? It's boring to have dinner with only two of us. You know, the more, the merrier."

Noah smile, thanking Ian in his mind for his suggestion. He looked like a puppy wagging its tail, waiting for its master's attention.

"Sorry, Ian. I have plans. I am meeting a friend at 7."

Noah's face dropped like a deflated balloon on Aria's rejection. The temperature in the room plummeted instantly.

Aria shivered. 'Did she just teleport to Antarctica?'

Noah recalled the phone call he had picked a few hours back. Danny had invited her to have dinner.

'So he managed to contact her, in spite of her not having her phone.' He cerebrated.

'Was she going out with him or somebody else? Is it a date?' Envisaging Aria with another man, made his blood boil. His annoyed look was enough for Ian to usher Aria out of the room.

"Bye Ian."

Ian nodded and turned to look at the fuming devil behind him.

"Do you know who Danny is?"

"No."

"Does she have a boyfriend?"

"Not that I am aware of. Have you taken an interest in her?"

"Maybe."

"Are you sure? You just had a big blow because of Caroline."

"I was not in a serious relationship with Caroline. I was only playing along with her tactics."

"If you say so. By the way, why are you particularly attracted to Aria? There are other women out there who fancy you."

"She is the first woman to speak to me without considering my status. She knows what I am capable of, yet she doesn't treat me as a walking ATM, like the other women you talked about. I don't deny that there aren't good women out there. But she just happened to catch my fancy."

"Yeah. As much as I can say, Aria is an incredible woman. But isn't it soon. You have met each quite recently."

"I am confused about the same. I am not sure why I am attracted to her in such a short duration. Also, I know that she is amazing; that's what has made me take a liking to her."