Page 36 of Jockstraps & Newspapers
Chapter twenty-two
An unfortunate series of events
Cassiopeia
C ass stood by her driver's side door, staring up at Salamander Press.
Her heart slammed against the bones of her rib cage, threatening to toss itself into the parking lot.
Lyra parked on the other side of her, climbing out.
The sisters lingered in tense silence before Lyra slammed her door shut.
Cassiopeia jumped in her skin, wheeling to face her sister. "I'm getting boned, aren't I?"
"I'd fucking hope you were, have you seen Elliot? I mean, the boy is absolutely packing it—"
Cass chucked her notepad at her sister's head, snarling as the blonde-haired, sunglasses-wearing, evil lawyer of a Fae woman dodged.
Lyra caught the book and skittered across the parking lot.
The journalist bolted after her older sister.
As much as she wanted to beat Lyra in the face for making light of her anxiety, it did help.
As she came to a stop at the front door, Lyra opening the door for her, she tried not to swallow her tongue.
The massive, crystal panes made the foyer a glittering rainbow.
The receptionist beamed up at her, "There you are, cutie pie!
I was hoping to see you today. I was reading your article on McMatterson?
Oh! My! Dragons! You're so ruthless! I love it. "
Cass let out a pained laugh as she nodded, signing into the guest log. Lyra leaned against the counter, schmoozing the receptionist. "She's a hardcore killer, you know, the perfect Journalist. Ruthless, only wanting the truth and nothing but the truth!"
"That's what I'm saying!" the receptionist cheered, wiggling happily in her seat. "I love it, the whole sweet and dainty look but a vicious pen? That'll get you far, girlie."
Not far enough to save my skin from Mr. Pearson. Cass flashed her the best smile she could as she took the guest lanyard from her. Lyra gave the receptionist a two-finger salute and a wink. "Thanks, Barb. Have a good day!"
The elevator ride was oppressively quiet and Cass was a wound coil of anxiety.
Silver walls enclosed around her. Lyra's hand found hers the second the doors clicked closed.
Cass clenched her hand tightly. They didn't need to speak.
Lyra knew, she'd always known. Cass just hoped beyond hope that she meant what she said.
It's always you, Cassiopeia. The elevator dinged over their heads, and she exhaled loudly moments before the doors peeled open.
Lyra spared her an apologetic look. Cass tried not to choke on her own anxiety as they stepped into Mr. Pearson's office.
"Morning, ladies!" Mr. Pearson was furiously typing on his crystal pad, waving them inside swiftly. The pair of sisters sank into the leather, plush seats.
I'm toast.
Mr. Pearson didn't look up for two more minutes, clearly in the middle of an intense email.
I'm never going to work in this town again.
He finally sent the email and looked up to the pair.
I've ruined my life forever.
"Fantastic. Aqua, please hand Cassiopeia those papers.
" The door behind them opened. Cassiopeia turned into a stone statue, palms up.
A stack of papers was plopped sweetly into her lap before an assistant handed Mr. Pearson a basket with food in it.
"Thank you, how did you know I skipped breakfast? "
Aqua, a purple haired, blue-skinned, fiend in a pencil skirt smirked. "Sir, that's my job. Payroll called up and said they've got it good to go for the next check. And HR is ready for her when you're done."
"Thank you, Aqua." Mr Pearson raised his breakfast burrito to her like a champagne flute before taking a huge bite.
Cass finally looked down at her lap and found an employment contract. "What…what is this?"
"A job offer," Mr. Pearson murmured through a mouth full of eggs, bacon, and cheesy potatoes. Lyra glanced at Cass as she flipped through a heavy packet of parchment. The lines swirled before her eyes. She handed the packet to Lyra.
"Why? I-I-I thought I didn't…I thought I was still on a trial period?" Her throat nearly closed as she rubbed her sweaty palms against her slacks.
"Well, I don't think it's needed anymore. You've more than shown you've got the chops to work with us. You stuck to your guts, kept yourself levelheaded, and you can write. So, we're moving forward to bring you on board."
Lyra held up a page, "You have the hire date set for last month? Is that intentional?"
"Last? Month…" Cass blinked, looking between the two of them. "When I interviewed? Why?"
"So that way, if McMatterson comes for your throat, you were always an employee of Salamander, and therefore, untouchable." Lyra put the papers back into Cass's lap.
"And Payroll is going to get you that backpay on your next check, and HR has your employee packet ready for you." Mr. Pearson shoved more of his breakfast into his mouth.
"So…is this to protect me, or because I earned it?" Cass darted her attention between Lyra and Mr. Pearson.
"Both," they answered in unison.
"So…I'm not fired?" she exhaled, looking at the pen that Lyra smoothly slid into her hand.
"Quite the opposite," Mr. Pearson returned to his crystalpad. "Fuck McMatterson."
"You mean it? I'm a journalist for Salamander Press?"
"Ms. Darling," Mr. Pearson snorted, "You're not only a journalist here, but you're going to write me a piece for King's Falls Daily the moment this season is over.
I've already got a few juicy stories for you to chase.
You're gonna be a name in this city, Cassiopeia Darling, and people are going to want to snatch you up.
So, you better remember who fostered your growth, and helped you get there…
and, of course, sign that employment contract.
You belong to me, Ms. Darling, for two years minimum.
After that, we can talk about a non-exclusivity contract. "
Cassiopeia glanced at Lyra. She mouthed, 'do I sign this?
'. Lyra nodded with a warm smile. Her sister mouthed 'good deal' to her and gave her approval.
So, Cassiopeia Darling put pen to paper and signed her way into the life she'd always dreamed of…
she was a journalist for Salamander Press…
she was somebody now. Her name meant something.
Her name in flashing lights glittered behind her eyes as she curled the last edge of her name.
"T oday was sooooo long," Cass groaned, head hung back.
They'd been through the whole building. From Payroll to get her set up to direct deposit so they didn't have to print her checks.
To HR, where Lyra got into a riveting word battle with the man behind the desk.
Terry was nice, but Lyra was a lot to handle.
Then, the pair grabbed lunch in the employee cafeteria.
Their pasta bar was fabulous and the two sat there, talking forever about steps going forward.
Lyra had thoughts about all her online content and how to protect her copyright.
Then, Mr. Pearson asked her back in to discuss a small suit McMatterson already filed about defamation.
It was currently being seen by the Council.
Lyra wasn't worried, citing it would get thrown out.
Cass wasn't so sure. Lyra made a great case, but money was money.
And Marvin McMatterson had a mansion full of gold, a stadium, and hungry lawyers on his payroll.
Lyra, however, mentioned that no one got to threaten her sister or her client and get away with it.
Cassiopeia was glad that Lyra was ruthless and without shame.
They traipsed through the building and slowly headed back out the front. Barb, the receptionist collected their badges and the pair barely got out with their ears still attached to the sides of their face. Cass's feet ached.
"You think I could convince Elliot to rub my feet?" she whined, pulling her sunglasses out of her purse. The evening sun was low in the sky, making it nearly impossible to see through the glistening glow.
"I bet if you asked him to crawl over coals, the boy would drop to his hands and knees. So, yeah, I think he'd rub your feet…and other things," Lyra snickered, winking at Cass playfully.
"Oi, don't think about what he rubs on me when you're flirting with the secret prince from the Maylor Kingdom," Cass retorted with a wiggle of her shoulders.
"He's so big. Just a…big of heart, dumb of ass, juicy man of steel.
He could probably bench press me then fuck my brains out.
" Her sister gave a dreamy sigh, staring out into the sunset with her cat eyed sunglasses.
Cass rolled her eyes, shoving her sister by the shoulder.
Lyra giggled evilly, sauntering out into the parking lot with an extra swing in her step.
"Might call him up, see what my dragon daddy is up to this evening?
You think I could get him to bend me over my work desk? "
"You're! So! Bad!" Cass raced after her sister, swatting at her sister's arm.
"Psh, like you're not worse. I know you two were secretly whispering how he was going to break in that bed of yours. You're going to need some rubber bouncers for that frame, it's not Minotaur safe." Lyra wheeled around to face her sister, her back to the cars.
"That wasn't what we were whispering about.
" Cass scowled, crossing her arms under her chest. Lyra cocked a brow, smug and self-assured, a shit eating grin curling her purple lips.
Cass chewed on her lip, "I mean, we did realize I need bumpers on my frame and that his horns got caught up in the slats, but that was after we passed the fuck out. "
Lyra rubbed her hands cartoonishly, "Excellent."