Chapter 1: Summoned

*Sophie’s POV*

"Hurry up, Jodi. You're going to make us late for the meeting," I scowled, grabbing my white mocha coffee from the barista.

"I don't know what I want," Jodi replied, gazing over the menu.

"Jodi, we come here every Friday. Just get your usual chai tea latte," I groaned.

"Hmm, I want something different today," Jodi noted, rubbing her chin.

"Ok, I'm leaving. I can't miss this meeting, Jodi." I shrugged my shoulders and walked towards the door.

"Ok, ok. I'm coming! Don't be such a snob. Besides, I'm supposed to be saving money by not eating out. I'll get some of the stale coffee in the office," she sighed.

"Aren't you excited? Finally, one of us lucky ladies will get the best news of our careers.” I smiled momentarily, envisioning hearing my name being called at today's meeting.

"Hmm, I'm not that excited. It's just an interview," Jodi stated as she shrugged her shoulders and looked away.

Jodi and I left Starbucks and walked into the news station next door.

I looked around the room and could tell everyone was anxious.

Nancy, our director, walks into the room. "Sit down, everyone. I know you're anxious, but I have some things to share.

‘Why can't Nancy hurry up and tell us who the lucky person is?’ I mumbled in my mind, hoping Nancy missed me rolling my eyes.

"Ok. As you all know, Celebrity News One station has been given a sneak peek into ‘The Billionaires Secret Society’ club, and one of you will be chosen to do the interviews." Nancy slowly looked around the room.

"I want you to know this is a special opportunity, and for one of you, it will define your career here at Celebrity News One," she said, continuing to make eye contact with every person.

"Ugh, get on with it," I whispered. Jodi softly nudged my arm to help me remain calm.

I could feel sweat running down my face, and my heart was beating faster by the second.

I worked my whole life for opportunities like this. My first job was at the Your News radio station, and I had to work the night shift, the shift no one wanted, when practically the whole world was asleep.

I spent the past ten years interviewing people, from firefighters saving pets to business owners cutting ribbons for a grand open. I did all the interviews no one wanted to do and shared stories most people don't care about.

Heck, I'd practically done everything to put myself in a position to get the juicy celeb stories besides sleeping with the CEO of news stations and celebrities. I succeeded because I earned it, not because I got with the right people.

This interview is an opportunity of a lifetime. How many people can say they've interviewed billionaires or were invited into their homes and get to see such a lavish lifestyle firsthand? I could be the next Oprah Winfrey if I was chosen.

I just needed Nancy to quit her yapping and tell us who the lucky person was.

"Ok, team. Are you ready?" Nancy asked before taking a deep breath.

‘I was born ready. The journalism gods have blessed me, and I know this is my day,’ I thought to myself.

Nancy slowly opened the envelope. My armpits were sweaty, and I wish I had worn my blazer to cover the wet spots on my blouse.

Nancy pulled the paper out of the envelope and cleared her throat.

I nervously rocked back and forth in my seat while taking small sips of my white mocha coffee to hide my anxiety.

"Give me a little drum roll, Steven," Nancy said as she unfolded the paper.

"It is…. Sophie Jones!" she shouted.

"Oh, my God. Yes! Yes! Yes!." I jumped out of my seat shouting as the staff clapped and stared at me, probably wondering why I sound like I was having sex.

I threw my arms in the air, spilling my mocha coffee onto my blouse, and walked toward the front of the room.

Immediately, I could sense that not everyone was happy for me from the stares of envy.

"Umm, here. You may want to wipe your shirt first," Nancy noted, handing me a few napkins.

I wiped my blouse, and Nancy cautiously hugged me, ensuring none of my sweat or coffee got into her blue dress.

"Congratulations," she said, handing me a golden scroll.

I grabbed the scroll and ripped the red ribbon off. I slowly unfolded the scroll and stared at the invitation.

"What does it say?" shouted one of the journalists.

I looked at all the journalists in the room, and I felt somewhat nervous for the first time in a long time. I wish Nancy had shared the news with me in private. I preferred private, as it coincides with my introverted personality.

I took a deep breath and stared at the scroll and read it out loud.

"You have been cordially invited to ‘The Billionaires Secret Society Club’ for an exclusive interview with Nigel Smith. A limousine will pick you up at Celebrity News One at 7:00 pm. No family or friends can accompany you. One of our guards will search you before and after the meeting. You can only ask five questions per interview, so we suggest you come prepared."

D*mn, was I interviewing billionaires or the King of England?

I glanced at the invitation again to check the date.

"Oh no, the interview is today!" I checked the time on my Apple watch.

D*mmit. It was 3:00 pm. I only had a little time to prepare. Billionaires, why would they schedule the interview on the same day as sending the invitation? What questions would I ask? What would I wear?

I rushed to my seat and grabbed my bag.

“Congratulations!” Jodi shouted, wrapping her arms around me.

A few staff members walked by to congratulate me, but all I wanted to do is run to my office and spend some time researching this Nigel Smith to prepare my questions.

"Thanks, everyone." I smiled and hugged a few journalists before rushing off to my office.

I opened my laptop and searched for information on Nigel Smith. To my surprise, the only information I could find about him was that he's Miami's hottest billionaire bachelor. Unfortunately, he's not on any social media platforms, and there were very few pictures of him.

"Alright, time to get moving," Stephanie, the stylist, yelled, bursting through the door.

"Ugh, what? I asked, leaning back in my seat.

"We have to start getting you ready for the interview," she replied, winking her eye.

"Stephanie, what do you think I'm doing? I'm trying to get ready by researching this billionaire. I don't have time for you to work on my hair and makeup right now," I stated, throwing my arms in the air, frustrated.

"Well, that will have to wait," Stephanie replied, as she walked to my desk and closed my laptop. She then grabbed my arm, yanked me out of the chair, and pushed me out of the door. We walked down the hallway and entered the dressing room.

“We are going to find you the perfect outfit,” she noted as she rolled the clothing garment rack towards me.

“Hmm, I’ve never seen these before,” I replied, running my fingers through the dresses.

“These are brand new,” Stephanie replied, pulling the plastic covers off the dress.

I continued to run my fingers through each of the dresses. Hmm, I wanted something that stood out but was not too distracting. Wait! This was an interview with billionaire, why not go all out?

“So, which outfit do you like?” Stephanie asked.

“Hmm, I think I’ll try on this one,” I replied, pointing to a blue dress on the rack.

“Ah, the navy blue Seychelle dress. This midi dress is flirty, fun and an elegant masterpiece. The midi length, thin straps and elasticized waist is designed to show off your physique and the detachable waist gives it an extra touch of glamour to create the perfect hourglass silhouette,” Stephanie recited as she grabbed the dress from the rack and handed it to me.

She clasped her hands together and smiled as if she was helping me to prepare for attending a royal ball. “I’ll step out of the room for a few minutes so you can try on the dress. If you like it, we can put it aside and begin working on your hair and makeup.”

Stephanie exited the room and I walked towards the mirror and started undressing. I do a good job with eating healthy and exercising and hoped I could fit into the dress. I stared at my body for a few minutes while looking into the mirror.

My mother would make such a fuss about being the perfect size. “You won’t catch a man with love handles” she used to say. I was honestly shocked that I was not plagued with body image issues.

I pulled the dress over my waist and the straps over my shoulders. I twirled a few times to get a glimpse of how I look from the side and back. Hmm, I liked it. It was classy, yet a little sexy.

Stephanie knocked on the door. “Are you dressed, Sophie?” she yelled.

“Yes, come in!.”

“Oh. My. God. You look stunning,” she said, pulling the ruffles on the dress.

“Ok, dear. Let’s finish getting you all dolled up. Meet me in the hair stylist room in thirty minutes.”

“Wait! I need at least an hour to prepare my questions for the interview. Surely you can give me an hour before we start working on my hair and makeup?” I asked, throwing my arms in the air.

“Oh, no dear. We must wash, and blow dry your hair. Then we must style it and after that, we need to do your makeup. We also have to pick out the perfect accessories and shoes for your outfit. You have about thirty minutes to grab a bite to eat and then, it’s off to stylist room.”

I sighed in frustration.

Stephanie walked towards me. “Sophie, this interview could make or break your career. Everything must be perfect,” she said, gently grabbing my shoulders while smiling.

‘No pressure, huh.’ I thought to myself.

***

“Ohh, la la. Look at you!" Jodi shouted as I walked down the hall.

I didn't know the whole news station was going to be here. The only thing missing was a red carpet. It was uncomfortable having everyone staring at me, especially knowing not all my colleagues are happy for me.

I tried to hurry down the hallway to the door but could barely walk in these five-inch hills.

Finally, I reached the door, and Stephanie handed me the scroll. "You'll need this to get in," she said, smiling at me.

I grabbed the scroll from her hand and took a deep breath.

"Wait, my lucky black leather notebook! I can only interview with my notebook."

"You know I wouldn't let you leave without it," I heard a voice from behind me. I turned to see Jodi walking toward me with my notebook in her hand.

I smiled and hugged her. Jodi and I have been close friends since I started working for Celebrity New One. She knew me better than I knew myself.

"You got this!" she whispered.

I walked out the door and enter the limousine as if I was Cinderella heading to a ball.

It was time for the biggest interview of my career. I just hoped I was ready.