Making Headlines

By Stephanie Williams

Tasha Jenkins is starting a new life. A new job and a new younger boyfriend, who happens to be her boss. He also just so happens to be the owner of a multibillion-dollar media empire. Too bad she doesn't know it.

Stefan Cartwright has found the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. However, the relationship is starting out with lies and insecurities. When his new love finds out who he really is—will it be over?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie Williams
• Release date: Feb 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393849094

Book preview

Chapter One

Tasha Jenkins grabbed the last of her bags and put them in the trunk of her sister’s car. This was another part of her journey, and although her sister didn’t approve; at least the driving part, she stood behind her.

I still wish you would fly, Latoya said, leaning against the passenger door of her old Kia.

I want to see the sights. Besides, by the time I get there, I’ll still have a week to settle in.

Great company, getting you a place to stay for six months until you find your own pad. And you’re an intern too.

"A paid intern. Tasha reminded her. It’s like a dorm for all the new employees."

I saw them on the internet, remember? Those look like high-end condos, Latoya said.

Tasha shrugged. The television station is owned by some rich mogul that had nothing better to do but buy a T.V. station. He turned it into a multibillion-dollar empire. Tasha slammed the trunk door closed. There, I think I’m ready. Thanks again for letting me have your old car.

Couldn’t have given it to a better person, Latoya smiled.

Tasha was leaving for the big city. This was the second biggest move and change in her life. The first, being her divorce from Curtis, over a year and a half ago. She had some regrets. Not about her marriage so much. How was she to know he would turn out to be a first-class creep. However, when dealing with men, the odds were always stacked against you.

She regretted quitting work. She worked in radio and television in production and editing. She learned everything from copy, edit, camera work, even interviewing guests. She loved her job. Then Curtis came along and promised her the moon.

He was a big-time agent, in the hip hop industry. At first, she didn’t believe him when they first started dating. There was always some dude, saying he had the ins in the hip-hop industry, or they were going to be a rap star.

However, when the concert of the year came to their small town and Curtis’s name was mentioned, she was a believer.

As time went on, she even helped him get television and radio time through her connections.

He proposed to her after a year of dating. He wanted her to quit her job. No wife of his was going to be seen working. He wanted her to be like the women on T.V. Hip Hop Wives.

Shopping in the finest shops, going to the biggest celebrity parties; all the trappings of someone in the industry. He wanted her to be a Social Status wife.

She was okay with it—at first. Being young, sorta, she was thirty-three at the time, she didn’t see an issue. In fact, it’s almost every woman’s dream to be taken care of and live the glamourous life.

But then things started to change. He began to resent the very thing he wanted her to be, what he agreed to—taking care of her.

All of a sudden, he started drinking. He wasn’t getting the bands, or shows like he used to. He was getting lazy. It was as if, he was deliberately not working in order not to give her the lifestyle he promised her.

She wanted to go back to work, but again he put his foot down. This time for different reasons. He didn’t want to look like he couldn’t take care of his wife.

But the money was going. So, what does he do? He takes her to the Midwest, where they downsized everything. House, cars, places to eat. Yes, the money they had saved was way more than what they needed to live in their new town, but life changed.

Life was boring. He was as boring. He changed and withdrew.

He started doing projects around the house, that soon became half completed. Then he hung out at the local bowling alley. They had different friends; people that stayed home gossiped and went to little league games. And even though they didn’t have any kids themselves, people invited them to parties, games and other family-friendly functions.

She was becoming a house frau, sans kids.

And she thanked God, she didn’t bring any into the world. She wouldn’t want them to see how miserable she was.

It wasn’t that she wanted to go back to that hip-hop lifestyle. She was of the mindset they were getting too old for that. But she did miss the shopping, the socializing, the impromptu vacations. She missed her charities and functions she organized.

It was like they were living in the witness protection program.

Curtis became a dull slug and he was dragging her down with him. Again, it was as if he resented her for living the lifestyle, he gave her in the first place.

They went on like that for a few more years.

Then the mysterious phone calls started coming. The hang-ups in the middle of the night. Him going out at weird hours. He didn’t change in appearance like the magazines and psychologists would have you believe. He didn’t start buying fancy new clothes or change cologne. He was still boring, but even more distance was put between them.

He found someone that liked that dull slug. Someone that didn’t really know who he used to be. Someone that didn’t ask for much from him.

Tasha began to wonder if she asked for too much. But no, she took what was being offered her.

She was gobsmacked. He was the one that told her to quit her job, so he could take care of her and show her off.

But like her grandmother used to say. Men will always be little boys. They never knew what they wanted. And their heads were easily turned when a shiny new toy came around.

Tasha wasn’t going to be his old toy. She filed for divorce. She got half of what they had left, which by now was less than a tenth of what they used to have. They spent money like it was being printed in the basement back then.

Now she had to go back to work. Not so much to go back to that fast lifestyle, but to make a decent living and be productive again.

Hey, don’t forget to call me at every place you stop, Latoya’s voice broke into her trip down memory lane.

Don’t worry, I will. She got in the car and started it up. Don’t look for my name in any of the credits on the news, you know I’m a behind the scenes kinda gal.

I’ll know your work, don’t worry.

They hugged through the car window, then Tasha drove off.

A new life at fifty-four. This had to be the scariest thing she’s ever done.

******

The new interns are here, sir. Show them around?

Stefan looked up from the latest news headline, and glanced at the administrative assistant for his department, peeking around the door. Yeah. Oh, Vicki!

Yes. She walked in smiling.

Make sure Hank has reservations all set for tonight, it’s eleven total, right?

Yep.

Stefan went back to what he was doing, but still felt the presence of a human body in the room. He looked up and saw Vicki still standing there. Yes, is there anything else? He leaned back in his chair, but his body language was still closed.

Oh, I was just wondering if there is anything, I can get you.

Stefan looked at the young lady before him. She was a cute red-head. Slight in build except for the fake breast job. Too much makeup, as if she were always posing for an Instagram pic.

In other words, she looked like every other girl that worked at WJEM. And just like every other female, she spent half her time on the job trying to hook him.

It would have been easy to go through half the women at this place. They were all willing to spend time with him. However, he wasn’t interested, and even if he was, it was unprofessional to date, let alone sleep, with anyone at the station.

No, I don’t need anything, go tend to those interns.

She frowned a bit and huffed off.

Whatever. Stefan shrugged, shook his head, and went back to work.

Stefan Cartwright was not his father’s son. Unlike his dad, he wasn’t some skirt chasing hound dog, or someone that married every other year. Stefan had more stepmothers than he could count. And his dad cheated on every one of them when the next young thing came around.

The only mature thing his dad did, was buy a television station, and that was completely by accident. He was just doing it for fun. It was Stefan that built it up to where it is today and expanded to one of the biggest media empires west of the Mississippi.

He made sure however, that he kept his true name under wraps. Cartwright was his middle name, he didn’t dare use his father’s last name, Holbrook. The station embraced the name however. In fact, the building in which the station resided in, was the Holbrook Building.

It was the Holbrook Cable news, the Holbrook newspaper, radio station, you name it, if it had to do with media, the Holbrook name was on it.

It was like Citizen Kane. In fact, his, father seemed to have channeled the characters’ persona in more ways than one.

Stefan made sure no one knew he was related to him. When he applied for the job as chief editor and head legal correspondent, he applied as Stefan Cartwright. And he made sure he had the legitimate credentials to back up his experience and knowledge. He worked hard, harder than anyone in his classes. Graduated in the top one percent in law school.

He didn’t want people to come back and say he got to where he was due to his station in life, or who he was related to.

Only two people knew who he really was, and they weren’t talking.

He got up from his desk and stretched. He looked out his office window out onto the city. He loved his job, he loved breaking news stories and being the one to make the headlines. He relished being on the inside. And like all reporters, he wanted to be there at the right place at the right time, when a big story broke.

There was one big story he was working on, but he needed help. There were so many other stories out there however, that he didn’t have enough reporters to spare.

It was a great story too. The school principal was suspected of embezzling funds.

He sighed and was getting ready to go back to his seat when he heard talking and laughter.

He went to the door and looked out.

It was the interns. They were all together, taking notes. They looked like the typical bunch of young school kids, fresh out of college. All wanting to be the top reporter or anchorperson one day. Stefan turned to go back in his office when he heard a deep sultry voice ask a question. He looked back and saw a tall, pleasingly curvy, African American woman. But that’s not what made her stand out.

She was older than the rest of the interns. A lot older; but not by looks.

In reality, she didn’t look old at all, it was that he figured she was more mature. It was the way she carried herself. Regal, classy. The questions she asked and the way she asked them. He leaned against the door jam, as he watched the woman and the station tour guide exchange in conversation.

He smiled. She was a breath of fresh air. He pursed his lips in thought. Strange though, an intern at her age, whatever that was. He knew she wasn’t in her twenties, but he also knew that she was old enough to probably have already come up in the ranks.

Was she starting over for some reason? Did she have to take this job?

He was intrigued by this mystery woman. He wanted to know her.

He would find out something about her at the intern dinner tonight.

He turned to go back into his office. Another thing he noticed about her. She was stunning. Dark chocolate, smooth skin, and nice....

Hey, Stefan. Something broke with the Fremont high scandal. Line two, said someone running past him, just long enough to give him the news.

Stefan ran to the phone and picked up the line.

Hello!

Hey!

It was Al... his insider. Hey man, what’s this I hear about a break?

Kinda sorta, Al said.

What’s that’s supposed to mean? You know I don’t want anything unless it’s concrete and verified.

"Look, my inside guys say word has it the principal might skip town, with over three million dollars of the schools’ funds

Damn! This made Stefan’s blood boil. It’s bad enough public schools were struggling just on their own, but to have teachers and other administration .... Look, keep your ear to the ground, when you get something, definitely call me on my special number.

Got it.

They disconnected.

Now, where was he? Oh yeah, thinking about the beauty that was in the intern pool. He wondered what her story was.

The newshound in him wanted to know anything and everything about her. Just then he got an idea. He got his cell and called Hank.

Hello boss. What can I do for you? Oh, before you tell me, I got the reservation in, and the rides over—

—that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Give me the names of all the interns and their ages.

"Okay, there’s Samuel Garret, 24, Katie Hill, 23.....

Stefan listened to him read down the list, he wasn’t that interested in any of them. It wasn’t until he got to one name that he perked up.

There’s Tasha Jenkins, 54...

Perfect, a name with the face, and what a face.

And Larry Bertran, 23.

Okay, great. Uh... as far as the rides go. I’ll take four, you take four and Vicki can take the rest. I’ll take Larry, Samuel, this Erik and uh...Tasha. Yeah. I’ll take them, you and Vicki decide who takes the rest.

Okay boss.: He disconnected.

This was good. He would take the three men and this Tasha to the restaurant. Then going back home, he would drop everyone off at the intern housing first. Her last.

He leaned back in his chair and swerved it around looking out the huge window. It was then he realized this was more than idle curiosity. He really wanted to know this woman.

It’s been a while since a woman grabbed his attention like that; and just on sight. Hell, they haven’t introduced themselves yet.

Tonight, was going to be fun. For the first time since doing these dull intern dinners, he was looking forward to the evening.

He ran back over to the door. The interns were still there talking. He smiled. He was debating whether he should go over and introduce himself; an impromptu type thing.

What has got your mind, young man?

Stefan felt a slap of a folder on his arm. He looked over at his good friend Linda Palmer. She was a lawyer like himself. He had her on as a guest on many occasions when it came to legal issues, and whatever headline was going on. She was also his confidant and yes, a very special friend.

Was I somewhere else? he asked, turning to her. He was watching the interns heading in another direction this time. They were split into separate groups now. Tasha was by herself, however.

Oh yeah, like another planet that hadn’t been discovered yet, Linda mused.

Stefan laughed. I’m just psyching myself up for tonight’s intern dinner.

Linda quirked her brow. When did you ever have to mentally prepare for that. You can do those in your sleep.

True, but.... Tasha was being joined by someone. It was Joey, from lighting, taking her down the hall. Interesting. Most, if not all the interns were there for news anchor training, being a reporter, anything to get their face on television and make a name for themselves. This one looked like she wanted to be behind the scenes.

Oh, he was really interested in her now. He looked at his watch. Seven o’clock couldn’t get here fast enough.

Stefan.

Huh? Oh, yeah. Linda, did you read up on the—

She wagged her finger at him, like a mother disciplining her child. She was the only one that could get away with that. Please. I saw your eyes roaming. Who is she?

I have no idea, but I’m going to find out tonight. She’s one of the new interns.

Ahh. Never seen you so keen on the new interns. You’re usually trying to run from them, especially the girls.

Nah, not this one, and she ain’t a girl. She’s a woman.

Well, Linda said, mockingly, then smiled.

Don’t look at me like that. I’m just curious about her. She’s unique, more mature than the others. I want to know her angle. You know, purely professional. Remember, I’m a newshound.

Uh-huh. That wasn’t your, I want to get to know her for a good story look. That was a, I want to know her in a biblical sense, look.

Why, Linda, I’m appalled, Stefan said, clutching his chest playfully.

I know you, hun. You don’t fall easy and when you do...

I’m not falling. I’m curious I tell ya.

Okay, Linda said, in a voice that told him she wasn’t buying it. She walked off to the green room, looking back at him and smirking.

Yeah, he wasn’t buying it either.

Chapter Two

It was six-fifteen. The six o’clock news was in full swing. Nothing new however, on the school embezzlement scandal. The tip about the principal skipping town didn’t pan out. At least not yet. He could be laying low, waiting for the right time to leave.

So far, the missing funds were just rumored. It could have been an error in the controller’s office. Since this was a public school, funds were handled out of there. So, it could have been an oversight.

That was their story and they were sticking to it. But Stefan and his crew knew better. They would watch and wait. His insiders never let him down.

Right now, however, his mind was on other important matters. Like Tasha Jenkins.

Stefan was freshening up when Vicki walked in his dressing room.

I got everyone together. I could have driven my SUV and then you could have ridden with me with more people, she said, smiling at him.

He looked at her through the mirror as he was taking off his tie. He didn’t want to be so formal. Interns were nervous enough. That’s okay. I don’t mind driving.

Oh.

He turned around and faced her. You and Hank go down to the parking area, I’ll be right there. And thanks a bunch for getting everything scheduled.

You’re welcome. She left without saying another word.

Stefan mentally shook his head. Vicki was really trying. Why he didn’t know. He never led her on or given her the slightest hint that he was interested.

He never gave any woman any hope at the station. Besides the professional angle, they simply were not his type.

He grabbed his jacket and made sure he had his wallet on him. He went downstairs to join the others.

Once in the parking area, he made his way to the little crowd. He spotted Miss Jenkins right away.

That was something else he needed to find out about her. Was she a Miss? He made a lot of mental notes of things he wanted to ask her. That was number one.

Hello everyone, he said, making his way to the middle of the bunch.

Hello, they all said.

"I want to welcome you to the WJEM family. I’m Mr. Cartwright, Chief Editor and head Legal