Chapter two: A ray of hope.

THIRD PERSON POV

The early morning light filtered softly through the blinds of Emily’s small, cluttered apartment, casting long shadows across the room where she sat. She was surrounded by piles of notes and open tabs on her laptop. Her green eyes now red from the irritation from hours of research. Emily scanned the latest article she’d found on Alexander Blackwood, but the information was the same. Despite the myriad of articles on his business achievements and social appearances, the man behind the empire remained a mystery, a shadow slipping through the cracks of the public eye. The only thing that proved that he was still a man, and not a machine were some articles taking about some arguments he had with another billionaire. Apparently he was his nemesis, and they had a few encounters were things didn’t end up so friendly. Emily considered approaching this man first, but discarded the idea immediately.

Determined, Emily left her apartment that morning with a plan to approach Blackwood’s inner circle. She had to be subtle, so she couldn’t present herself directly as a reporter. Her first stop was at a café frequented by employees of Blackwood Industries. Disguised as a new entrepreneur seeking advice, she hoped to get insights or, better yet, contacts who could bring her closer to Blackwood.

As luck would have it, her eavesdropping paid off when she overheard a conversation about an upcoming charity event organized by a company closely associated with Blackwood Industries. The event promised the attendance of several high-profile business magnates, including the elusive billionaire himself. This was her chance to talk with Alexander Blackwood, her chance to revive the journal and to lunch her career.

With a new target in sight, Emily spent the next few days securing an invitation to the event. She called in every favor, leveraged every contact she’d made in her years at The Daily Chronicle, until finally, her persistence paid off with a golden ticket into the world of the elite. The event was on Thursday, meaning that her deadline was silently approaching.

The night of the event, Emily stood before the grandiose venue, her heart pounding harshly against her chest. Dressed in her best, but borrowed, evening gown, she felt like an imposter among New York's high-class. But the stakes were too high for self-doubt. She reminded herself of the weight of Kevin’s ultimatum hanging over her, propelling her forward.

Her dress, even though it was borrowed, looked fantastic on her. It was crafted from luxurious satin, the dress draped gracefully over her curves, creating a silhouette that was both sensual and sophisticated. The vibrant shade of red was bold and daring, drawing the eye, it was the perfect combination for her red hair and green eyes. She didn’t noticed it, as she was so focused on finding her objective, but everywhere she went people turned around to see her.

Inside, the ballroom buzzed with the hum of a hundred conversations, glasses clinking, and laughter that floated up to the ceiling. Emily navigated the crowd with a practiced eye, scanning for any sign of Blackwood. She mingled, making small talk here and there, while her mind raced, until she finally spotted him: Alexander Blackwood, standing on the far side of the room. His presence was imposing, even from a distance.

He was far more handsome than he looked in the pictures. His height was above the 180 for sure, his broad shoulders proved the time that he spent at the gym taking care of himself. And even from behind he possessed an air of quiet confidence that spoke of the years spent navigating the corridors of power with ease.

He was engaged in conversation with a group of equally distinguished-looking individuals, his expression one of polite interest. Emily’s heart skipped a beat. This was it, her moment of truth. She took a deep breath and made her way toward him, rehearsing her introduction in her mind.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans. Just as she was about to reach him, a sudden commotion at the entrance of the ballroom drew everyone’s attention. A well-known philanthropist had arrived, causing a stir among the guests and effectively pulling Blackwood away from Emily’s reach as he went to greet the newcomer. She debated on wether to follow him or stay behind, but in the end her nerves got the best of her, and she retreated her mission.

Disheartened, Emily watched as her chance slipped through her fingers, like running water. The night dragged on, and despite her best efforts, she couldn't find another opportunity to approach Blackwood. He seemed to be avoiding everyone, he stay as far as he could from the crowd, making it difficult for Emily to find another opportunity.

As the event came to a close, Emily couldn't help but feel the weight of failure settling in. She had come so close, only to return empty-handed. What was worse, she didn’t have another lead to help her, it was most likely that she was going to lose her job.

Exiting the venue, the cool night air felt sharp against her skin. The city, alive and vibrant around her, seemed oblivious to her defeat. It was a sobering reminder of the challenge she faced, going up against a world that guarded its secrets fiercely.

But as she walked back to her apartment, the disappointment slowly gave way to determination. Emily knew the road to uncovering Alexander Blackwood’s story would not be easy. Tonight was a setback, yes, but not the end. She had seen the billionaire in person, observed him in his element, and that alone had given her insights she hadn’t had before.

Armed with this new resolve, Emily began to plan her next move. She would need to be smarter, more creative, and even more determined. The story was there, hidden in the shadows of Alexander Blackwood’s world, and she was going to bring it into the light, no matter what it took.

She tired to get a cab to help her get back home, but they seemed to have disappeared. The only way was to walk back home, but it was at the other side of the city, it would take a long time. Her dress was starting to get dirty, as she walked the streets towards her home. That was until she heard a tire squeal near her, making her turn around.

She saw a black Bentley, but she couldn’t understand why it had stopped there. Was the driver waiting for someone?

“Miss Carter, Mister Blackwood would like to have a talk.” The driver opened the door from behind and gestured her to enter the vehicle.

Emily was startled at first, what could he want from her, and how did he find out her name?

When she sat she could see the imposing figure of Alexander sitting. His face looked like a work of art. His piercing blue eyes, framed by a thick fringe of dark lashes, held a depth that hinted untold secrets lurking beneath the surface. They seemed to flicker with a mixture of intelligence and restraint, revealing glimpses of his true nature. His face was angular and defined, with a strong jawline. He has straight black hair that was styled in such a way that he looked like a model from a magazine instead of a entrepreneur.

“Hello Miss Carter, it has being brought to my attention that you are seeking for an interview.” His deep voice was making Emily shiver.

“Yes, if you would let me.” She answered back. He gestured her once again to enter the car, and so she did. She tried to talk to him, but a call disturbed their interview.

The driver asked for her address, an even if it would have taken some time to get to her home, it was almost five in the morning. The traffic was not her ally at the moment.

As the first light of dawn broke over the skyline, Emily reached her apartment, and Alexander was still on the line. She tried to hear what he was talking about, but it seemed to be just one more business that he wanted to close. She said goodbye, but he didn’t answer back. As soon as she closed the door the drive took off. She was tired but not defeated. She has been with Alexander in his car, that is something unheard of. With a renewed sense of purpose, she sat down at her desk, her fingers poised over the keyboard. There was work to be done, and she was just getting started.