Caught On Camera The CEOs Scandalous Muse

SUSAN'S POV

I adjusted my grip on the phone, kneading my forehead with my other hand, as a headache cropped up.

The recipient on the other end of the line, had launched into a lecture I had heard so many times by now- of a past I wished everyone would forget.

It had become a painful reminder; it would have been easier if the lady had just turned me down from the start.

"What? No! I can assure you, I am not an alcoholic." I emphasized for the umpteenth time that day, "I really do not know what happened. I-".

The older woman cut me off before I could defend myself, her tone curt and full of distaste.

"It's disgraceful, Susan. We hold an honest profession. You should know better than to do... that!"

My cheeks flushed slightly.

She couldn't even say the word.

I couldn't either.

I was still so ashamed, even though time had passed.

"My kids could have seen that!" The older lady continued, and then sighed, "Susan, you're a talent, I know that for sure. But I'm sorry, N Media cannot accept someone with such a promiscuous record."

I sighed heavily, as she dropped the call.

At least she didn't hang up immediately, as soon as she heard my voice, like the other media houses I had called earlier had done.

I looked around my apartment, and blinked back tears. With my rent due, I doubt I could still call it mine.

My gaze fell on a stack of unpaid bills on my desk. Their words seemed to scream at me. The letters from the banks to pay up one loan or the other, seemed to mock me. I had exhausted all my savings, and frankly, I needed a plan.

The tears that had been threatening to fall, slowly rolled down my cheeks.

"F*ck!" I cussed as I wiped them off hastily.

I was so frustrated that my past haunted me.

***

FLASHBACK

The last time I felt in control of my life was two years and one hundred mistakes ago.

My life was perfect.

At least as perfect as it could be.

I was one of the top twenty news anchors in the country, with the highest rating on my shows in my company. People recognized me on the street, asked for autographs. I got praises, and I was heading towards a promotion.

I was living the dream.

Back then, as an ace anchor, I was gaining popularity that I hadn't anticipated. I had friends and connections in places that matter. I was very well favoured.

I had also caught the eye of Josh Stuart, one of Sky Networks' highest paid anchors.

If I was among the top twenty best anchors, he was among the top three; he was that good.

I didn't understand what he saw in me to take interest in me. It was all too surreal. After about a year of dating, he proposed.

I said yes, obviously.

I mean, who wouldn't?

He was the man of every girl's dreams, and I was just lucky to be the one he chose.

Everything was just too good to be true... until it was not.

Just a week after my engagement party, I was still riding on the high of it all, with a wedding to plan on my mind. I had spoken to my mum and she was happy for me.

It was a Wednesday afternoon, when my world turned upside down.

I was getting ready for my noon broadcast, and I needed a caffeine boost. With little time to go get it myself and prepare, I asked an intern to get me some. I took it in haste as soon he arrived and I downed every last drop.

Ice Americano, no sugar.

That was all I remember taking.

Nothing else.

"Susan? Susan? Susan!"

I blinked hard at the caller. My vision appeared to see more than one person. I shook my head, trying to come back to my senses, and realized it was a guy from the production crew. I couldn't remember his name.

"Are you okay? You're up." He seemed genuinely concerned.

I frowned, "Yeah, I'm fine."

I headed to the studio and sat down as the makeup crew touched my face a bit, and the production crew fit in my microphone.

I began to mutter my lines under my breath as I read from the paper in my hands. Few seconds to time for my broadcast, I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. I stared at the words again and they seemed to blur on the pages.

What was going on?

Was I tired?

The microphone in my ear told me that I had five seconds until cue time. I stared directly at the camera and put on my TV ready smile.

"And cue!"

"Good afternoon, and thanks for tuning in to Sky News at Noon. My name is Susan Carter with the news." I read expertly from a teleprompter.

"Why is her speech slurred?" I heard someone say.

"Susan, your eyes look a bit unsteady, are you okay?"