Chapter 1 — Breaking News: Jake's Arrival

Mia

The newsroom buzzed with its usual pre-broadcast hum—voices melding into the rhythmic clatter of keyboards, the urgent shuffle of papers, and the electronic chirps of alerts flashing on screens. From her glass-walled office, Mia Carter surveyed the scene. The faint aroma of coffee and printer ink drifted in from outside, mingling with the low thrum of conversation. Her polished heels clicked softly against the floor as she paced, her executive notebook clutched tightly in her left hand.

Control. It was the unspoken rule of this room, the thing that kept Sunrise Daily running like a well-oiled machine. Control was what Mia Carter excelled at. Except, today, her control was being tested.

“Jake Bennett,” she muttered under her breath, her tone a mix of disbelief and irritation.

The memory of her earlier meeting with Richard Price lingered like the faint trace of his expensive cologne, clinging to her even now. That morning, he’d summoned her to his mahogany-and-glass sanctuary on the top floor, his smile as smooth as his dismissive tone.

“We’re bringing Jake Bennett on board,” Richard had said, leaning back in his leather chair as though he’d just announced the weather.

Mia’s grip on her notebook had tightened, her thumb brushing the gold-embossed initials on the cover. “Jake Bennett. The investigative journalist who—”

“Who’s already making waves just by his return,” Richard interrupted, his tone sharp. “Exactly what we need. Investigative journalism with bite. And bite feeds the bottom line.”

“We don’t need waves, Richard. We need stability. Sunrise Daily thrives because we’re polished, reliable. Bringing him on—”

Richard waved a dismissive hand, his polished nails catching the sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Spare me the lecture, Mia. This isn’t a negotiation. He starts today, and he’s your responsibility. Make it work.”

“Why now?” she’d asked, a measured calm masking her growing frustration.

Richard’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Because polish doesn’t sell like it used to. Controversy does. Jake’s reputation may have its flaws, but it’s precisely why everyone will be watching.”

The conversation had ended abruptly, leaving Mia with the distinct impression that protest was not only unwelcome but futile.

Now, standing in her office, she exhaled slowly, trying to steady the unease that churned in her chest. Jake Bennett wasn’t just another hire. A reporter like him didn’t step into a newsroom—he stormed into it, upending everything in his wake.

Her gaze flickered to her notebook. The neatly divided pages of schedules and notes were a visual reminder of the order she’d built here, the reputation she’d spent years perfecting. Jake’s arrival threatened all of it.

Her grip on the notebook tightened as a shift in the energy beyond her glass walls caught her attention. Heads turned toward the entrance. Whispers rippled through the newsroom, a telltale sign that the hurricane had arrived.

Jake Bennett strode in with an air of effortless confidence, his tousled blond hair catching the light streaming through the newsroom’s windows. He wore a slightly wrinkled shirt with rolled-up sleeves and jeans—an outfit that would have earned a reprimand from her for anyone else, but on him, it seemed deliberate. A statement.

He moved like someone who expected the world to adjust around him, not the other way around. The hum of activity in the newsroom seemed to falter, conversations pausing mid-sentence as staff exchanged curious glances or whispered behind raised hands. Mia felt the palpable disruption settling over her newsroom like static before a storm.

She squared her shoulders and stepped out of her office, her heels striking the floor with quiet authority. Whatever chaos Jake Bennett brought, it was her job to contain it.

“Mr. Bennett,” she said, her tone calm and measured as she extended her hand.

Jake turned toward her. Blue eyes, sharp and assessing, locked onto hers with a glint of amusement. “Call me Jake,” he said, shaking her hand. His grip was firm, and his smile easy, though his gaze lingered as if sizing her up. “You must be Mia Carter.”

“I am,” she replied, withdrawing her hand and crossing her arms. “Welcome to Sunrise Daily. I assume Richard gave you an overview of our expectations.”

Jake chuckled, his voice low and rich, but with an edge that made her wary. “He gave me an overview of the ratings you’re hoping I can deliver. Expectations... well, those seem open to interpretation.”

Her jaw tightened, but she refused to rise to the bait. “Everyone knows your reputation, Mr. Bennett. I hope you’re ready to earn a new one here.”

Jake’s smile widened, though there was a flicker of something beneath it—guardedness, perhaps. “I appreciate your honesty. And don’t worry, I’m not here to blow up your ‘tight ship.’ I’m here to do my job.”

“Your job,” Mia repeated, her tone cooling as she straightened her spine, “is to contribute to this show’s success without compromising its professionalism or integrity. We don’t leave room for error here.”

For a moment, the playful glint in Jake’s eyes dimmed, replaced by a hard edge. “Good to know. For what it’s worth, I’m not here to prove you wrong. I’m here to prove myself right.”

Mia studied him, noting the tension in his jaw and the way his gaze flickered to the awards lining the walls and the polished chaos of the newsroom behind her. There was conviction in his voice—dangerous, perhaps, but also intriguing.

“Let’s hope you do,” she said, her tone softening just enough to signal the conversation was over. “You’ll be working closely with me, so I suggest we establish clear communication. My office is always open.”

“Noted,” Jake replied, his smile quirking back into place.

As he turned away to take in his new surroundings, Mia caught sight of Laura King lingering near her desk. The lead anchor’s sharp eyes were fixed on the newcomer, her expression carefully neutral. But Mia recognized the subtle tilt of her head, the way her pen hovered just above her notepad. Calculating.

Mia approached Laura, her professional mask firmly in place. “Something I can help you with?”

Laura’s lips curved into a practiced smile, the kind that never quite reached her eyes. “Just curious to see how our new hire performs. He certainly knows how to make an entrance.”

“Let’s hope his work speaks louder than his reputation,” Mia replied, her tone even.

Laura’s gaze lingered on Jake before she turned back to Mia. “I’m sure you’ll keep him in check. You always do.”

Mia held her ground, refusing to let Laura’s veiled barb land. “I always do,” she echoed, her voice cool.

Laura’s smile lingered for a moment longer before she returned to her work, her pen finally setting to paper.

Mia exhaled slowly, tucking her notebook under her arm as she made her way back to her office. The newsroom hummed on behind her, oblivious to the cracks forming beneath its polished surface.

Whatever Jake Bennett’s faults, he was now part of her team. And it was her job to keep the ship steady, no matter how fierce the storm.