NOT UNTIL JUSTICE IS SERVED

London, UK

Clarissa

“Oh, come on, girl! Come with us. All you do is work. What are you? Some kind of workaholic? You went to that competition in Sicily just for the pleasure of playing the cello. And for some reason, I won’t understand why you participated under your nickname. How are people supposed to know you? You don’t even know if you won.”

“I don’t even care, friend! You know why I went there” I rolled my eyes just for Hannah to see. We had been best friends since high school and I followed the same career in journalism as she did. I enjoyed what I did for a living, but Hannah was right. 

Sometimes I was so addicted to my work but also my hobby, the cello. “Hannah, you know that I have to cover the biggest story ever. The magazine would not forgive me if I screwed this up”

“Do you think I don’t know that? The big boss put you in charge of the story of your lifetime. I almost got jealous!” 

“Don’t you go there, girl! We had no choice but to accept our tasks. And besides, Milena said it is ok for you to come with me to France to cover the story” I said with a broad smile on my face as I watched Hannah's eyes widen in amazement.

Milena had asked me to interview one of the greatest masters of the piano. Besides, all the women, including Hannah, thought he was a Casanova. I didn’t have time for such nonsense.

“Well, something good has to come out of this one. I mean, that man is… THE MAN!” 

My eyes got so big that I could take the entire room in them. She knew exactly why I took this assignment.

“Yes, whatever. I have so many things to think about right now, but a man! And especially him” I emphasized the last word strongly so Hannah could hear and not insist. When that happened, I felt relieved. 

“Ok, I will not insist on you talking about this subject. Finally, it is your life. But be careful, the clock is ticking…” I hated it when she made threats like that.

I only got the chance to raise my hand over my head. Hannah was already far in the kitchen. She often said that, but with no bad intention. She had been married for five years now. No kids so far. She was just making sure I would not forget the woman inside me.

I followed my friend to the kitchen and found her at the table having a coffee. “Do you want some?” she asked, as if the conversation from earlier didn’t even take place.

“Yes, please,” I said resignedly.

I took a seat near her. The morning sun was coming in through the window. Hannah poured some hot coffee into my favorite cup. The argument seemed to be over.

“Here you are, Clare!” she handed me the cup in worry. Hannah used to call me that, when she noticed my thoughts were leading me into the past.

I sipped from the cup while closing my eyes, and was just mesmerized by the flavored aroma.

“I was thinking, Clarissa… you need a new dress! “She suddenly spoke and I was shocked by her conclusion. And it really came as a blow, especially since I wasn’t used to buying clothes all the time.

“Why do I need a dress? I am a journalist. I will go there, have my story and then get out” 

“Oh-my-God! Clarissa, you just didn’t say that. An elegant one, I might add. You do not go there to be… different. You go there to be stunning! So, you definitely need a dress! You’ll meet the man at a gala” 

“If you say so…” 

I gave up every weapon I had because dealing with Hannah was useless. If she said I needed a dress, it was because I did. I just exhaled in a way that my shoulders went so relaxed and Hannah made a grimace of victory.

“Come on, we have to be at the Devilish Ink in about an hour,” she added, sipping the last gulp of coffee.

“Just let me grab my bag and my keys” I almost begged, dragging my feet to the door. 

The drive to the tabloid Devilish Ink was so quiet that I thought at some point I was hearing my own thoughts. A story cover of the tumultuous life of the one and only Pierre Trottier. How in the world did I get into this position? I had so many cover stories by now, but this one was different. So different that my heart skipped a beat just to think of the importance of this story.  

“Hey, Clarissa! Earth to Clarissa!”

“What?” I answered scared as if awakened from the deepest sleep. Hannah’s voice caught me when I seemed both guilty and lost.

“What do you mean, what? I was asking you what kind of dress you prefer?” 

“It doesn’t matter! Just to be a… dress” I replied bored that this subject was not over yet.

“Okay, don’t tell me. You’re lucky I have to drive, otherwise I would have dragged you to the first store, but we don’t have time for that now”

“Well then, lucky me… I guess…” 

The rest of the drive to the magazine was again so quiet that perhaps I could now hear my friend’s thoughts. I knew she meant well by taking me dress shopping. However, she may be right. I would have to travel to Paris, in the heart of magnificent France, the city of love, to a big and elegant mansion and see so many famous musicians with lots of money and fame. So, it was mandatory to shine that evening. And there was also the story I had to cover. So, it would be a pleasure mixed with duty. Well, more duty than pleasure. Sitting in a room full of rich people was not how I would have liked to spend my weekend, but I had no choice.

I was so lost in myself that I didn’t realize we had already arrived at the Editorial.

“Clarissa… Clarissa… oh come on girl, not again! What are you thinking, hon?”

I winced again at Hannah's stern voice.

“I am sorry Hannah, it is just… Never mind, let’s just go inside…” Even if I were to explain it over and over again Hannah wouldn't understand anyway. She lived for fashion and beauty and somehow wanted me to easily get into that zone. If not totally at least flirt with it a little. 

“Ok, but promise me once we get home you will tell me all about it. I am your friend and I can help… if you’ll let me!”

“Done. Now come, Milena is waiting for the morning gathering”

Every morning at Devilish Ink, Milena would gather all the columnists into the meeting room and, with her bossy attitude, she would share the stories to every single one of us. But now it would be different. We already had the stories, but Milena said we needed a plan of attack. That the world we were entering was full of famous people that we weren’t allowed to disappoint. I went inside with my mind set up that they were also people.

“Ok, meeting everybody!” Milena’s voice was like a wake-up call. We all jumped out of whatever we had been doing and followed her into the meeting room. 

Every day I got filled with curiosity when I would enter that room. But now, it was almost as if the cat had killed curiosity and replaced it with excitement that something big was about to happen. “We have new information about the gala that will take place in Paris”

We were already shocked and the place filled with everyone's whispers. “Please keep quiet! I know this is short notice, but the gala would take place in Mr. Trottier’s home”

“No way!” Every single look in that room was on me. I knew I had to say something clever. “I mean, is he ok with that?” I tried to fix my awkwardness as much as I could. 

“Clarissa, I know you have to cover the story, but I assure you that this was Mr. Trottier’s idea. So, his home, his private space, his territory”

“And you say that the organizers agreed?” I insisted that maybe I didn't hear it right.

“Not only did they agree, but they’re very pleased about it. They said that this would be a great opportunity to put his fame at a whole new level. That it is a marketing thing and also to reveal his sensitive side of helping those in need, if a charity thing might happen in the future. You know, show us his human side.”

“He does not need this kind of advertising so that people would know that he is kind and giving, does he?” 

Even though I didn’t know him personally, I defended him. I had done so much research on his life that I could say I already knew him. I had to do that so I won’t be caught off guard.  

“You have a point there, Clarissa, but it is not for us to decide but for his agent. He knows what is best for him and what is not. The television will be there too. So, in other words, we have to glow, inside and out. Especially you, Clarissa, for being next to him. You know that where he would be, you would be and also the television. You think you can handle this?”

Her question was like a guillotine waiting for me to speak so it could cut my head off. It was a great responsibility for what I had to do. I also heard that he could be so intimidating and he enjoyed being so. After all, he was single and an army of women was on his tail.  

“I am aware why you ask me this Milena. I am a professional, so yes, I can handle this, and more!” I proudly said of my position I had reached in the publication. Because I knew my limits and my capabilities.

“That is precisely why I have chosen you on this mission. Ok, the rest of you will find on your computer the chores you have to fulfill until the next release of the Devilish Ink. I expect from you to be the best, understood?” Milena’s voice echoed throughout the entire room.

“Yes, madam!” Everyone agreed.

“Clarissa, I will wait for you in half an hour in my office!” Milena continued before striding out.

“Ok… I will be there” I almost shouted after her intrigued wondering what she wanted?

The bustle was on again. Suddenly, I felt Hannah’s hand dragging me to the open door all the way to the cafeteria. She did not lose the grip on my hand until we arrived in a much quieter place. Then she turned to me.

“Clare, are you sure you can do this?” she asked, worried.

“Not you too Hannah…” 

“Clarissa, you know what I am talking about. I know you are very capable of taking this assignment to an end and with congrats and all. What am I asking you is that with all that happened to you…? I mean, it is a world full of men. You only did famous women so far, because Milena understood your restraint, but now you specifically asked for this”

“I know Hannah. I just thought that it was time for me to push a little forward and get as close to the truth as possible. And maybe let the wound heal for a change”

“And have they? Have they healed Clarissa?” 

“Until I do this, I will not know for sure. I am positive that I want to sort this out and move on with my life. And before you say anything else, no, it was not Milena’s fault!”

“But she sent you to the lion’s nest. How could it not be her fault?”

“She doesn’t know. I am sure she didn’t…”

“Ok, if you say so… but I will not rest until you find your peace. And Skyler’s peace too. I know you are just following a lead, but when will this all stop, Clare?” 

“Not until justice is served, my friend. Not until justice is served!”