Page 110 of A Bossy Surprise

“Yeah, it’s not the end of the world.” I turn to Amanda. “This really could’ve waited until after the debate.”

“No, it couldn’t.” Her eyes shift between Adam and me. “There’s more.”

I massage my temples. “Amanda, we really don’t have time for this. Can you tell us the full story?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to have to be telling you this tonight of all nights. That’s why I’m a little apprehensive.”

“What is it? Just say it.” Adam says.

“Okay… Now that people know you have a son together, they’re saying that Kayla only got her promotion because of her proximity to you.”

“Well, we expected that.” Adam shrugs. “People gossip. It is what it is.”

“It’s not as benign as that,” Amanda says. “I’m hearing rumblings about something the staff is planning. Some kind of sabotage. I’m not exactly sure what, but people aren’t happy about your relationship. They feel like if the only way to get ahead here is to be in a relationship with the boss then they don’t want to be part of GNN. Some people also feel taken advantage of. They feel like you two are toying with their futures.”

“How?” I ask.

“They see the both of you as a couple of rich people whiling away time by playing journalist; as if this is a pet project for you. They don’t think you care about the company and are jerking them around.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Adam says.

“Yes, it is, but it is how they feel. I just thought you should know, because whatever is coming down the pike is going to be soon. Maybe even tonight, and with the debate I felt I should warn you in case they try to mess with it.”

My heart stops. “You don’t think they would actually mess with the debate, do you?”

“It’s unlikely. Messing with a national presidential debate is no joke, but if I were you, I would keep my eyes peeled,” Amanda advises.

I take several deep breathes and Adam puts his arm across my back and pulls me into his side.

Once I regain my composure, I look at the watch on my wrist. It’s one minute till we go live. “Amanda, thanks for warning us about this, but we really do need to get back in there.”

“Of course. Good luck!” she says as she steps out of our way.

Adam and I rushed back into the MCR just in time to jump back into the driver seat.

Although I’m on edge because of what Amanda told us and am watching everything like a hawk, what follows is 90 minutes of the best presidential debate I have ever watched in my life.

I’m very aware of my bias. So I’m trying to be as critical as possible, but we don’t step a foot wrong the entire night.

Consuela is a rock star of a moderator. She commands enough presence that when she speaks the candidates listen, but she’s very aware of her function there. She’s an expert mediator. She only speaks to asks questions and when the candidates veer off topic. Consuela does a fantastic job of holding the candidates’feet to the fire. The woman is a force. Although we have fact checkers in her ear to help her, she doesn’t need them. Every time one of the candidates tries to misrepresent facts or bend the truth, Consuela is right there to call them out.

I’m enthralledas I watch on the main screen in the control room. Once or twice I even forget that I’m not a casual spectator and that I’m at work.

I know she did a lot of work in preparation for this, but I am extremely impressed at how she’s holding her own out there.

After tonight she is going to be a household name. That is exactly the reason I’m so glad she’s a jewel in our crown.

When the debate is over and the credits start rolling, a booming round of applause bounces off the walls of the MCR.

“I can’t believe we did that,” Adam says.

“Honestly? Me neither” I reply.

A minute later, Adam’s phone rings. He looks at the screen and says, “It’s Arthur. The viewership numbers must be in.”

He answers the call and has a hushed conversation with Arthur. By the time he’s gotten off the phone, the whole room is still. We’re all waiting to see how well we did.

Adam smiles. “81 million.”