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I was sitting at my table drinking a cup of Café Bustelo coffee, extra French vanilla creamer and two Splenda’s. The coffee was made to perfection and the way it hit the back of my throat was well needed. It was the pick me up I needed for a busy day story hunting. I was Tatum Reece, one of the best, non-giving a fuck reporters in the state of New Jersey. I told stories, I found stories, I could all together end your career if need be. I was the one you called if you wanted your shit to reach all angles of the world. I hated to toot my own horn but I was that girl. The sound of my phone vibrating on the table brought me from my thoughts. I looked at it and it was the private investigator Louis that I used from time to time.

“Yes, Louis what could I do for you?”

“Hello Ms. Reece, I found some shit on Carol Peterson. Where would you like to meet?”

“Louis, I have to head in the office today so how about we do dinner tonight?”

“OK, no problem text me the address and time when you get settled.”

“Going out to dinner, what if I wanted to do something with you tonight?” I looked up and there Mario was all in my conversations like always.

“Ear hustling are we?” I sassed.

“I hate that you always treat me like a fuck Tatum.”

“That’s exactly what this is Mario, nothing more nothing less.”

Mario wanted me so he claimed, but he hated my job and always worried about what his family and friends would think. I never have a good outcome with relationships because of my job so I just don’t worry about them. Sex from time to time then my toys the other times and I’ll be just fine.

“You always saying that dumb shit Tatum until another bitch is involved.”

“Mario you can do whatever you want, just know when another bitch gets involved your days of fucking me will be over. I don’t do confrontation, so when you ready to settle down just let me know ahead of time.”

“You know what I’m getting out of here. I don’t feel like dealing with your shit today.”

“Bye Mario, lock my door on your way out.” I said and went back to enjoying my coffee. My mind drifted back to Carol Peterson’s sick ass. I had heard shit about her over the years, but nothing concrete, nothing I could blurt out at the moment. I couldn’t afford to get sued so I was just going slow with this one because I knew for sure this would be my big break story.

After finishing my coffee, I made my way up to my room, and stopped by my full-sized mirror that sat in the hall right next to my room. I looked at my curly tresses all over my head. I knew I was looking crazy as fuck after the night that I had with Mario, too bad I knew what we had was just about over. No matter how good the dick was, I just couldn’t deal with him anymore. After looking at myself once more I headed to my closet to see what I wanted to wear. I decided on a casual look which consisted of me squeezing these thick thighs in a pair of dark blue stretch jeans, with a white button-down shirt, a brown blazer, and on my feet, I figured my Steve Madden leopard Alston booties. Once I had everything laid out I headed to the shower to take care of my hygiene. So, ready to get this day started.

A half hour later I was in my car bopping my head to GloRilla, “Let Her Cook.” I had to listen to this every day before I walked into Media Frenzy. I hated working here and one day I wanted my own shit. I made the most money here and most of the time Josh let me do my own shit even if it meant he had to take the slack from the people ahead of him. I gathered my purse, laptop bag, and my phone and made my way in the building. All eyes were on me, they hated me because I was good at this shit. The crazy part was they all knew it, but still continued to hate me. I was always taught by my mama that if they ain’t hating you ain’t popping. That thought made me giggle and I needed to pay her a visit this evening when I was done work.

The minute I sat my bag down Josh was screaming my name. I let my eyes furrow while sucking my teeth before I got my thoughts together and headed to his office. I already knew what this was about, I also knew what he was going to say. I also knew he had to put on a front because the head office was on his ass. I took a deep breath before I entered his office. The look on his face told me all I needed to know.

“Hello Josh! What can I do for you?”

“Please tell me you don’t have someone following Carol Peterson.” I looked at him with a raised brow before I spoke.

“I have everything under control Josh.” I said in an honest tone.

“Tatum, I don’t want no problems with that sick bitch. I can’t afford no lawsuits and you know this.”

“I know Josh and trust me, I have it covered. And once I’m done, this will be the biggest story of our careers.”

“I’ma hold you to this and if you fuck this up you know you’re out of here. I promise you that, and not because I want you too. But because I have no choice.” I already knew what it was, so it wasn’t no reason for me to say anything. I just hoped when I made it to Louis’s tonight, he had some good news for me.