The Royal Contract

She was going live in a few minutes, but she wanted the editing of the wedding coverage to be perfect. She planned to show some clips of it in her live show.

Her program would definitely hit the ratings with this one. A real live royal wedding that many young and old fantasized about. A prince and a princess united in a magical fairytale-like ceremony.

"This is what showbusiness is all about." One of her production assistants said as they watched a short clip of the wedding ritual. 

Many would definitely speculate that this was just another publicity stunt of the royal family to strengthen their monarchy. While for the rich, well power and wealth were the motivation.

"No, I don't think so," Harlowe disagreed with her as she examined the video clip. "This couple is legit. They are marrying for love and not just as an arrangement."

She could sense it in her interview with the couple a few days back. She had tried to twist and turn her questions, hoping to catch them with a lie. But both passed with flying colors.

In addition, nobody could fake the passion and love she had seen in their eyes. The way they moved and touched one another with affection. It was something she had longed for but regretfully lost the chance because she chose her career.

"Really. Wow." Another one of her staff expressed her disbelief. "I never thought I would still see a modern-day fairytale in this lifetime."

Everybody agreed that the couple was perfect on the screen. Men and women alike would adore the steaming love team of the newlywed. However, there would be haters too.

"Well, feast your eyes on our new celebrity couple. They are the real deal." Harlowe could not blame people for being cynical. Most wealthy people only marry to increase their business portfolio, celebrities to gain more fame, politician to strengthen their political ties. Only a few got married for love. 

Some thought it was love, but it was usually some twisted perversion of love. It was a factor in the increasing rate of divorce around the world.

"What about the case I ask you to look at?" She turned her attention to two of her best investigative reporters. 

They used to be two of the best detectives in the force until they retired. They might be bulging in the front side and could hardly run a mile. But their deductive skills and uncanny ability to dig up information were still at par with the best.

She had hired the two as outside sources for most of her stories. So far, they had not yet disappointed her with their outcomes. Most of them were beneficial and were a great help in building her background story.

"Interesting fellow. He has quite a colorful life." The elder one spoke up with a little too much sarcasm, grabbing a file he had compiled for her.

"A very well respected businessman in the industry. Successful at that too." The other man answered her. But his tone suggested there was more to his report.

"What are you two saying?" She grabbed the paperwork, excited to see the juicy details the two had dug up for her. 

If that man was as sleazy as she had expected, then these two would discover quite a handful of stories about him. She could be bet that he was not as legitimate as he seemed.

She checked the first page, but it was nothing she had not seen on the internet when she searched about him. Basic things about him and his past relationship with Ms. Daniella Hamilton.

"Read up. You will surely enjoy that compilation with a nice bottle of wine." The older chap told her, not wanting to reveal the suspense. "I better go because I still have a few leads that I want to check."

"I am coming with you." The other man also said as they both stood up and bade their farewell. They had done their job for the day, but it did not mean that the job was complete.

"Thanks. I hope there are more of this from where it came from." She jokingly yelled at them, wishing they could produce more materials for her project.

She was about to read more, but the line producer was already signaling to prepare herself for the live show. She dropped the papers inside her bag, planning to review them later, once at home with a bottle of wine as the two suggested.

Her thoughts momentarily went to the other night when he saw him at the party. It was late when he arrived, but he certainly knew how to make an entrance. 

Several women followed him around with their gazes as he searched for someone inside the ballroom. Finally, she watched him, careful not to be noticed by him. He met up with the prince.

From the way they were talking, they seemed to be well acquainted. She surmised that Prince Edward must be his contact inside the palace. She doubted the newlywed would invite him to their wedding.

"Ms. Harlowe, are you ready?" Someone caught her attention, snapping her from her reverie. 

She smiled at him and walked over to her position, preparing herself for the live telecast of her weekly report. People loved her show because she was not afraid to discuss anything under the sun.

Whether it be famous people and their dirty laundries or politicians who made scandalous decisions. It could be anything that created headlines.

"Tonight, we are not talking about a disastrous affair or the end of the world as we know it. Instead, we are about to see hope and love. A fairytale love story of two people born to be together in our modern times." She began her spiel as the camera rolled.

A series of cheering and applause ensued in her statement, signifying the beginning of her program. She talked about the couple, showing the edited version of her interview with them.

As expected, the ranking quickly increased, and not even half the show, they were already on the top of the chart, rating number one.

"Your stories are always top ranking." Her producer congratulated her once the show was over. Her director praised her tremendous work. 

"Expect more from me." She assured them, knowing that she was not done yet with her career. 

She loved what she did with her life. Although it could be lonesome at times, she would never exchange it for something else. She sometimes regretted not having a family. But it was a necessary sacrifice for her goal.

As soon as she reached her home, she changed into comfortable clothes and sat on her reliable armchair in the middle of her living room.

She grabbed the bottle of wine she took from the fridge and poured herself a glass. Then, she took the thick file that the two had given her. It would be an interesting read, she thought as she sipped her wine.

"What do we have here?" She continued flipping to the page until she reached the portion that did not seem familiar to her.

It was a new story she had not read about him.

Suddenly, she remembered that Ryan still had to report to her. He was a young investigative journalist who was training under her. Compared to the two detectives, Ryan was more aggressive in his ways and more hands-on. But, she just had to wait for his report tomorrow.

She poured herself another glass, amazed at what she was reading so far. "Interesting was not the word for this." She corrected her friend. 

"This story is a priceless masterpiece in the making," Harlowe uttered excitedly, tapping her fingernails on the file.