jaw and held Alicia’s eyes. ‘However, without any reference to whom Oz is dating, then we don’t have an article. It’s what our readers are interested in.’
The corners of Dirk’s mouth turned up ever so slightly at her apparent audacity.
Alicia gazed back, coldly. ‘It’s non-negotiable.’
As much as Yuri would rather crawl into the nearest, darkest and smelliest sewer than ask Oz anything about his love life, she was fully aware that if she agreed to these terms, Don would probably throw her out on her ear. All anyone was ever interested in was who Oz was dating. Was it the leggy model who’d just launched her own fashion label and who he’d been seen with last month? Were the rumours about him and his personal assistant true? Or, even more salaciously, was he actually gay and refusing to come out of the closet even in this day and age? As much as Yuri tried to tell herself that she didn’t personally care, it was the one piece of information that could make or break the article. At least she knew he definitely preferred girls.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘It is non-negotiable. We can agree the terms of the question and the depth of the answer, but it must be asked.’ She took another sip of water and folded her arms, hoping it made her look as if she was being strong and implacable rather than the truth which was that she pressing against her guts in an effort to quell another sudden queasy lurch.
Several other people entered the room and took up positions around the table. Alicia didn’t bother to acknowledge them; instead she kept her attention wholly fixed on Yuri.
‘We’re not going to give a little two bit operation like Yell get the scoop of the century.’
Yuri didn’t flinch. This was a battle of wills that she was suddenly damned if she was going to lose.
‘Now, Alicia,’ Dirk began, with a rather nervous cough. ‘I’m sure we can come to some kind of compromise.’
Alicia’s head whipped round in his direction, the look in her eyes effectively subduing him into silence. Despite herself, Yuri was vaguely impressed. She could almost give Medusa a run for her money. Almost.
‘I hardly think the romantic dalliances of a pop star will be judged as the scoop of the century,’ Yuri interrupted, keeping her tone as level as she could.
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Yuri realised what she’d said. Perhaps there really was a story here after all. Perhaps that was why frosty Alicia was so keen to keep it quiet. She swallowed down her continually rising nausea. Oz was clearly dating someone very important if it was deemed to be such big news. Her mind raced, considering the possibilities. Who could it be?
As if sensing the direction her thoughts were taking, Alicia snapped at her. ‘It’s none of your business.’
Yuri smiled grimly. No. It wasn’t any of her business. At least not Yuri Tateno’s business, anyway. But it was the business of Yell . As distasteful as it might be, celeb stories like this sold like proverbial hotcakes. She couldn’t let it go. And she had to get Alicia to agree to let the question be asked before Oz showed up and threw her out of the building. At least then she’d have something to give to Don and the writer who would ultimately replace her which might preclude her from being summarily fired.
Yuri shrugged as if the matter were of little consequence. ‘Then we have no story. We won’t run another piece that’s already been done a thousand times before.’
A malicious gleam lit Alicia’s eyes. ‘I don’t think you have much choice. You need us more than we need you. What will Yell do without Oz to fill in your last minute gap?’
Her tired hangover, combined with being made to feel as if she was a second class citizen barely worth this stupid woman’s time and her fear at Oz’s pending arrival, made something inside Yuri finally snap.
‘Do you really
The corners of Dirk’s mouth turned up ever so slightly at her apparent audacity.
Alicia gazed back, coldly. ‘It’s non-negotiable.’
As much as Yuri would rather crawl into the nearest, darkest and smelliest sewer than ask Oz anything about his love life, she was fully aware that if she agreed to these terms, Don would probably throw her out on her ear. All anyone was ever interested in was who Oz was dating. Was it the leggy model who’d just launched her own fashion label and who he’d been seen with last month? Were the rumours about him and his personal assistant true? Or, even more salaciously, was he actually gay and refusing to come out of the closet even in this day and age? As much as Yuri tried to tell herself that she didn’t personally care, it was the one piece of information that could make or break the article. At least she knew he definitely preferred girls.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘It is non-negotiable. We can agree the terms of the question and the depth of the answer, but it must be asked.’ She took another sip of water and folded her arms, hoping it made her look as if she was being strong and implacable rather than the truth which was that she pressing against her guts in an effort to quell another sudden queasy lurch.
Several other people entered the room and took up positions around the table. Alicia didn’t bother to acknowledge them; instead she kept her attention wholly fixed on Yuri.
‘We’re not going to give a little two bit operation like Yell get the scoop of the century.’
Yuri didn’t flinch. This was a battle of wills that she was suddenly damned if she was going to lose.
‘Now, Alicia,’ Dirk began, with a rather nervous cough. ‘I’m sure we can come to some kind of compromise.’
Alicia’s head whipped round in his direction, the look in her eyes effectively subduing him into silence. Despite herself, Yuri was vaguely impressed. She could almost give Medusa a run for her money. Almost.
‘I hardly think the romantic dalliances of a pop star will be judged as the scoop of the century,’ Yuri interrupted, keeping her tone as level as she could.
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Yuri realised what she’d said. Perhaps there really was a story here after all. Perhaps that was why frosty Alicia was so keen to keep it quiet. She swallowed down her continually rising nausea. Oz was clearly dating someone very important if it was deemed to be such big news. Her mind raced, considering the possibilities. Who could it be?
As if sensing the direction her thoughts were taking, Alicia snapped at her. ‘It’s none of your business.’
Yuri smiled grimly. No. It wasn’t any of her business. At least not Yuri Tateno’s business, anyway. But it was the business of Yell . As distasteful as it might be, celeb stories like this sold like proverbial hotcakes. She couldn’t let it go. And she had to get Alicia to agree to let the question be asked before Oz showed up and threw her out of the building. At least then she’d have something to give to Don and the writer who would ultimately replace her which might preclude her from being summarily fired.
Yuri shrugged as if the matter were of little consequence. ‘Then we have no story. We won’t run another piece that’s already been done a thousand times before.’
A malicious gleam lit Alicia’s eyes. ‘I don’t think you have much choice. You need us more than we need you. What will Yell do without Oz to fill in your last minute gap?’
Her tired hangover, combined with being made to feel as if she was a second class citizen barely worth this stupid woman’s time and her fear at Oz’s pending arrival, made something inside Yuri finally snap.
‘Do you really
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