Chapter Text
[ July 4th, 2003 | 4:30 ]
It was a tiring day, and she had just woken up.
It was a… unique routine for someone who is far behind her abomination of a schedule, just sit up, stand still, contemplate what she has just gotten herself into. It is not unlike anything she has seen before. Days were far worse than this one, be thankful, Atégina, be thankful to that voice in your head. The alarm wouldn't ring until an hour and thirty had passed, so this was her chance on a quiet morning. Be thankful, be thankful.
She had just woken up, and it already made her want to sleep again.
She is reminded of the heaviness on her shoulders, burden, is what they would call it, but for her? It was far different, worse than others could ever imagine it. It was a weight she was bound to shoulder forever, as long as she kept herself known in the place she has no choice but to stay in, she will face situations, circumstances an average person isn't supposed to go through. But yet she does. And Atégina deals with it.
She had just woken up, and she had to mentally prepare for whatever kind of day it happens to be.
Relax, that was what she had tried to have in half of her mind. At least until the serene atmosphere was opposed by the harsh light of her phone on the bedside drawer, she reaches to grab, checking in with little idea on who it may have come from. Either her brother, or some douchebag at work, worse of all– it could be mother. Whatever, or whoever it may be, it at least helped her break out of the trance she found herself asking a million questions in.
She had just woken up, and there was already something to jog her mind to.
———
[ Moron 5
> Hope your schedule's free today Gizem.
> We have got to talk about a recent scandal, be here at 8, better be early than late. ]
[ Purple eyes
K, I'll be there. < ]
[ > By the way, it's Independence day so I was wondering if you could buy me a free lunch ]
[ Fuck no. < ]
———
“Great, now isn't that a start.” She found herself talking to no one but the echo of her room. Tossing the phone on the bed with no care, she starts her day with no rush. Even though she most definitely should have been.
This will be a long day. And she had no chance to escape from it.
[ 7:30 ]
Forgive her for taking 3 hours to get ready, but it was hard enough to convince herself to even go to this impromptu meeting in the first place, let alone manage her hair, make some breakfast, choose an appropriate outfit for work altogether– colors and shapes meant more than what meets the eye when it comes to the news, and the public. So there she was, with a bag full of secrets, which are actually her equipment for photography, and to relay any news that the average American may decide to indulge in. Air conditioned, papers and photos all over, this was technically her second home, but Atégina begs to differ.
“Hey, you called?” Nudging the man watching the clock like it would kill him for it to reach 10 o'clock. Moron 5 aka Gerald turns, genuine relief washing over him upon seeing her, like she was some sort of saviour. Again, she begs to differ. “Texted actually, but sure, you got your notepad ready?”
She scoffs, internally rolling her eyes as she puts her bag down on a nearby table. Puffing up her afro curls, looking at an imaginary mirror in front of her. “We've been working together for a decade, Gerald. You think I'm that clueless?” The other raises his brow.
She sighs, grabbing a pen and notepad. “...Of course I got it ready.” He lets out a short chuckle, taking out a file in unison. “That's more I like it, no journalist can actually remember over 3000 words worth of details.”
“In this day and age? Definitely not.. Now, about this scandal you were talking about.”
“Okay, so… Our job is to relay news and interesting stories to this place, this nation, and sometimes even internationally. But recently, there has been a spread of photographs undocumented by almost all the branches of news and publishing. I say almost because w—”
“We haven't asked all branches, I get it, move forward Gerry.” A click of a tongue from the other confirms her deduction.
“Don't call me that, Gina.” She raises an eyebrow. Gerald abruptly clears his throat. “Anyways. Because of this, some branches of the network may need to be investigated, especially their journalists and employees for any unwarranted photo-taking near these parts.”
“Well, who are the subjects of these photos anyways?” “Well I… It's basically unflattering, diabolical, Atégina. No need for the additional information, plus, we'll be getting interrogated later, I just wanted to catch you up on the rumors since I know you're a busy woman.”
With her attention being able to be focused on the topic at hand, it wasn't difficult for her to figure out the lines in between what Gerald is letting on to. A perk for knowing each other for a decade or so. It includes the famous figures of our time, we are fucked, big time. “Huh, the less we know the better, isn't it?”
In which it echoes in her head, as some form of reply to the other. Idols, artists, network– even the senate, then. Gerald seems to get her, not a moron after all. “Well, I can promise you, it's just for now, we'll know more after the interrogation as soon as they confirm us to be not a part of the scandal.”
She nods along, grabbing her bag and thinking for a moment, before searching for her phone and wallet with little urgency, waving off the man in front of her. “—Which reminds me… I gotta text someone, give me a second. And you better take a breather outside, you seem much more nervous than I am. Grab some coffee or whatever.” Taken aback, however, with knowing Atégina, he lets a dragged out sigh, dramatic. “You know I can't go out, I got no money.”
She reaches to take his hand, opening his palm. “Well it must be your lucky day, Gerald. Here–” Handing him a few bills, a ten and a five. “Treat yourself for… independence day. Which is an odd occasion to ask for some money if you want to be independent.”
Genuine shock flashed on the man's face, before laughing it off and pocketing it. Nodding to her in gratitude. “Oh my lord thank you so much Atégina—” “Also we both know you're lying, you got money you just want me to give you special treatment.”
Silence between the two of them, Gerald looking more abundantly red on the face, scratching his stubble awkwardly, embarrassment flushed all throughout. “Fair enough, I'll head out then.”
“It's fine, just come back before 11:30 moron!”
And just before he had walked out of the door, he gave her a friendly wave of goodbye. “Noted asshole!”
She laughs to herself for a moment, who knew hanging out with someone who had no prejudice against you was so fulfilling? Guess she never expected to be treated like an actual person here at work, despite the years of being here. Which brings her to a contact she needs to check up on.
———
[ At. Gizem.
Is my dear brother still alive to communicate? I'll give him 10 seconds < ]
[ Al. Gizem.
> Sister must be happy to see me reply within 5? ]
[ Disappointed, actually. < ]
[ > What's the occasion? Murdered someone and need a lawyer to defend you? I simply can't count how many times I've had to explain to you that personal relationships cannot intersect with work. ]
[ I think you just want me to admit that somehow I murdered someone, which, no, by the way. < ]
[ > Overjoyed to hear that, if you can't tell. I've already been chewed up by white judges and pigs thinking I forged my way into law to take care of anything else. ]
[ Can say the same here. Well, It's about some scandal going around, photographs? Have influential persons as the subject, like actors and senators and journalists, heard of it? < ]
———
She wouldn't lie and say it didn't scare her how long it took to get a response after it. Until she finally did.
———
[ > Talk to me over the phone instead. ]
———
Atégina Gizem had just gotten over the 8 o'clock mark, and she already wants to get this over with.