Yay! I’m kind of excited to get to work with a female videographer and audio person. It will be an all-female production!
“Isla Foley,” I say, extending my hand to each of them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“We also have some people from The Downforce Network here to watch,” Allyson says.
Wait … what?
“Here, let me introduce you.” Allyson leads me farther into the villa. Soon I’m in a chic living room, surrounded by people from the network. Some I immediately recognize.
Like Craig Banton, the PRESIDENT of the network. Who is making a beeline straight toward me.
“Isla, it’s a pleasure to meet the woman who got Caleb Collings to sit down with us,” he says, clasping my hand in a firm grip. “This is unbelievable.”
“Thank you,” I say, shaking his hand and arranging a smile on my face. “I’m looking forward to having a good conversation with him.”
“This is a huge get for the network,” Craig continues.
In the background, I see lights being set up near two oversized plush chairs that are arranged to face each other. I bite my lip, as I really want to check out the logistics outside.
I turn my brain back to Craig. “I’m just glad you’ve given me the opportunity to conduct the interview on behalf of The Downforce Network.”
More people walk up, and I’m introduced to the head of advertising, representatives for public relations/social media, and the head of programming. I’m becoming both confused and alarmed as to why all these people are still here.
A woman with pink hair and inked arms approaches me. “Hi, Isla, I’m Michele, and I’ll be doing your hair and makeup for the shoot. We probably should get started.”
“Go on,” Craig encourages.
“Wait, before we get started, I need to meet with Derna and Melody about where we’re going to conduct the interview.”
Craig furrows his brow. “Well, they have a place set up for you over there,” he says, pointing to the chairs I noticed earlier. “Plenty of room for you and for us to observe.”
Wait … observe?
“I’m sorry?” I ask, furrowing my brow.
“Well, yes, we’re here to observe the interview,” Craig says matter-of-factly. “It’s a huge moment for the network.”
Oh hell no.
I know I should keep professional boundaries as a young freelance reporter, but I also know I have to stand up for myself.
And for Caleb.
“I understand the interest level, but that arrangement doesn’t work for me,” I say calmly.
The room goes quiet, except for the sounds of Melody and Derna moving around furniture.
“I beg your pardon?” Craig asks.
“Caleb Collings agreed to sit down with me for a conversation. It will be hard for me to do my job—and for him to be natural—if he’s watched like an animal in a zoo. So respectfully, I have to ask for this to be a closed set. Or there will be no interview this afternoon.”
Chapter Nine
Craig stares at me in shock.
Actually, everyone is staring at me. Even Melody and Derna have stopped to watch and see what happens next.
Apparently, nobody expected the young freelance reporter to have issues with the president of the freaking network on her third assignment.