Fifth Winter, Fading Wind

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The elite circle of Washington, D.C. is full of strange people.

As the reigning queen of interviews, people always asked me why I never sat down with the business tycoon, Sebastian Croft.

After all, he was the scion of a powerful D.C. family, the uncrowned king whod left the political world to conquer the private sector.

My boss, David, flipped through my interview proposals, shaking his head in disappointment. The usual sneer crept onto his face.

"Isn't Sebastian Croft your man? Five years. Over two thousand days in his bed, and you can't even land one interview? Did he finally dump you?"

He gestured across the office. "That new intern has only been here a week, and shes already got a titan to come in and save her segment. And you"

His voice trailed off, his eyes fixed on something behind me.

I followed his gaze, and the smile on my face slowly froze.

The man who hadn't answered my calls, my supposedly missing boyfriend, was right there.

But the hand intertwined with his belonged to the intern.

I picked up my glass of water, my steps measured as I walked toward them. With a flick of my wrist, I flung the icy contents in their faces.

"Sebastian," I said, my voice dangerously calm, "you're so handsome. How did you go so blind?"

...

David gasped.

He tried to pull me back.

But it was too late.

Nina looked up, saw it was me, and her eyes immediately welled with tears.

"Cassie," she whimpered, "what did I ever do to you? Why would you throw water on me?"

David shot me a look of pure exasperation. "Sebastian was never that into you to begin with! Now youve publicly humiliated him? This is it. Youre really getting dumped this time!"

I ignored him, my eyes locked on the man striding towards me.

I wondered what flimsy excuse he would spin this time.

By the time Sebastian reached me, he had already dabbed the water from his forehead with a handkerchief, his usual air of cool, aristocratic indifference perfectly restored.

His brow furrowed as he stared down at me. "Cassia. I expect this will be the last time."

He didn't even bother with an excuse.

A bitter acid churned in my stomach.

I grabbed his sleeve, my voice tight. "You're wrapped around the charity case I've been sponsoring for years. Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"

Perhaps it was the redness rimming my eyes that finally got to him.

Sebastian, who had been silent until now, gave Nina a slight nod before pulling me aside, his voice a low hiss.

"I'm just pretending to be her boyfriend to help her land this interview."

Pretending?

For five years, Sebastian had been a master of secrecy. He never appeared in public with me. If we happened to be at the same event, we had to act like strangers. Aside from our innermost circle, no one knew we were a couple.

And now he was volunteering to be Ninas fake boyfriend?

A crushing weight settled on my chest.

I looked at him, my gaze unwavering, my voice hoarse. "Then what about me?"

Sebastian paused for a fraction of a second, then his expression softened. He gently traced a line on my palm, his tone shifting into the familiar, seductive cadence he used to coax me.

"Cassie, how about we do our interview next time, okay?"

"No. I want this one."

From the side, Nina chimed in, her voice trembling with manufactured fear. "Mr. Croft, maybe we should let Cassie go first. It's okay... I can wait."

She said it was okay, but her eyes were already red-rimmed and brimming with tears.

Sebastian's face hardened.

He slowly pried my fingers from his sleeve and took a step back. His voice was cold. "Be good, Cassia. Don't make a scene."

He ignored the tears gathering in my eyes and turned to lead Nina toward the studio.

But Nina wasn't about to let an opportunity like this slip by.

She broke free from his grasp and stepped closer to me, her voice a venomous whisper only I could hear.

"I'm sorry, Cassie. I know I shouldn't be stealing your boyfriend, but Mr. Croft insisted on helping me when he heard I needed this interview to get a permanent position..."

"I tried to refuse, really. But he said he wasn't busy these days and had plenty of time for me."

My nail snapped, digging painfully into the flesh of my thumb.

I couldn't count how many times I had begged him for an interview over the years.

His answer was always the same: I'm busy.

I had even told him this particular interview would secure me the director position. Hed agreed over the phone.

But now, hed stood me up, broken his promise, all for her.

I could feel the mocking stares and contemptuous glares of my colleagues without even looking up.

Seeing my silence, Nina leaned in even closer, her whisper turning sharp.

"You're old news, Cassie. He wouldn't even bother looking at you anymore, not even if you spread your legs for him."

I turned my head and stared right at her.

A derisive smile touched my lips.

"Is that so?"

"You're just begging for a lesson, aren't you? Fine. I'll give you one."

I raised my hand and brought it down, hard, across her smug face.

SMACK!

Amidst her shriek, Sebastian's expression transformed into pure fury.

He rushed forward and shoved me, hard.

His eyes were like chips of ice.

"Cassia, what the hell is wrong with you? Just because you're her sponsor doesn't give you the right to bully and hit her!"

I stumbled backward before I could even reply.

The sharp corner of a desk jabbed into my stomach, a brutal, stabbing pain that stole my breath. I couldn't tell what hurt more, my body or my heart.

My rivals in the office, smelling blood in the water, immediately jumped in.

"That's not right, Cassia. We all know you bully the junior staff because you're a senior reporter, but this is too much."

"Now that she has a powerful backer, you think you can still get away with it? You got what you deserved. You should get on your knees and apologize for being a petty, jealous bitch"

Nina, catching her cue, immediately started crying. "I wouldn't dare ask her to"

Sebastian pulled her into his arms, his gaze on me turning glacial. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

I sucked in a shaky breath, forcing back the burning in my nose as I looked at him.

"You're really going to protect her? Like this?"

He saw the moisture in my eyes and hesitated for a moment.

But then he glanced at Nina's tear-streaked face.

That flicker of pity vanished.

"Apologize to Nina, and we'll forget you hit her. Otherwise"

"Otherwise, what?"

Sebastian tilted his head, lighting a cigarette. After a long drag, he finally looked at me, smoke curling from his lips.

"I'll make sure her name is on the door to your office."

Nina's eyes lit up, though she quickly tried to mask it with a look of demurral.

A firestorm of rage erupted inside me.

I clenched my fists, my knuckles white, staring at the cold, handsome man before me.

"Sebastian, you can't do this! You're the one who stood me up, who humiliated me in front of everyone, and now you're blaming me?"

He narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint in them.

"Nina may have benefited from your charity for a few years, but that doesn't mean she deserves to be abused by you. You're her sponsor and her senior colleague. You, of all people, shouldn't be hitting her."

"I'm giving you a chance to apologize. Don't make me say it again."

I thought I was hallucinating.

But the pain in my chest was terrifyingly real.

Every word he spoke dripped with concern for Nina, as if she were the woman he loved.

Humiliation and fury surged through me like a tidal wave.

I took a step forward, feigning an apology.

Then my hand shot out again, swinging towards the other side of Ninas face.

Now both her cheeks were swollen, perfectly symmetrical.

"Cassia!"

Sebastians roar echoed through the office as he lunged forward, his fingers clamping around my wrist like a vice.

Just then, the executive producer arrived.

"What is the meaning of this? Arguing like this right in front of Mr. Croft!"

His tone immediately shifted to one of fawning deference as he bowed and scraped. "Mr. Croft, perhaps youd be more comfortable in my office?"

Nina seized the opportunity, sobbing as she tattled. "Director! Cassia couldn't get an interview with Mr. Croft, so she took it out on me! I could handle her hitting me, but then she started insulting him she even threw hot water at him!"

"I don't want to cause trouble, but I feel so bad for Mr. Croft... He's such a good person, he doesn't deserve to be publicly attacked like this!"

Her wail drew a crowd. Colleagues gathered around, their eyes dripping with scorn.

"Is Cassia insane? How dare she insult Mr. Croft? Everyone knows he's the station's biggest benefactor!"

"Some top interviewer. Throws a tantrum when she can't compete. With that kind of attitude, I bet she slept her way through all her past interviews. No wonder her boyfriend won't go public."

"Who'd want to admit they're with someone who's been passed around so much? Ugh, step away, the air feels dirty!"

Their curses were like needles, piercing my skin.

Sebastian just shot me a fleeting glance before positioning himself in front of Nina.

His protective stance was all the confirmation they needed.

I bit the inside of my cheek, the taste of blood doing nothing to stop the tremors wracking my body.

Nina, seeing my state, put on a show of magnanimity. "Thank you, everyone. It's just a small misunderstanding between me and Cassie, its nothing Ill apologize to her later, and we can put it all behind us."

Her words earned nods of approval from both the producer and Sebastian.

The producer glared at me, his eyes full of menace. "Cassia, as a senior employee, you should learn from her! Look at her grace. Youre not only unprofessional, youre a conniving snake!"

If I didn't clear this up now, my reputation would be destroyed.

The man didn't matter, but I refused to let him destroy the career I loved.

Taking a deep breath, I looked straight at him.

"Sebastian. Tell them. What are we?"

During our last date, I had whispered in his ear, "If you don't make us public soon, I'm just going to go home and get married."

He had been on top of me at the time, and a low chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Alright, alright. You're that desperate to marry me? We'll go public after this interview."

I actually believed him.

I had even secretly noted his ring size, already preparing to buy our wedding bands.

Looking back, David was right. I was desperate.

Pathetic.

My stubborn refusal to cry seemed to sting Sebastian. He sighed, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

"Just listen to me, Cassie. Apologize, and I'll propose to you tonight."

A dagger twisted in my heart. I stared at him, numb.

I had imagined his proposal a thousand different ways, but never, not once, did I imagine it would be a bargaining chip used because of another woman.

A woman I had personally sponsored.

Sebastian's words left everyone stunned.

David finally stepped forward, raising his hand as if taking an oath. "I can vouch for it! Sebastian is Cassia's boyfriend. They've been in a secret relationship for over five years. They were supposed to go public after this interview."

The crowd exchanged confused glances, unsure who to believe.

Nina just sobbed harder. "It's okay, whatever Cassie says, is true! I'm fine with anything!"

This only made Sebastians heart ache for her more. He dabbed at her tears, handing her his handkerchief.

The tide of opinion turned against me again.

Someone shouted, "You say they're a couple? Where's the proof?"

The woman held up her phone, showing Nina's social media profile to the assembled colleagues.

"This is from last year, when Mr. Croft took her to see the snow in the Swiss Alps. He flew her there on his private jet. I was there, I saw it myself."

"And here they are, sailing on the Mediterranean... and deep-sea diving"

Photo after photo, trip after trip, all evidence of Sebastian taking her on lavish vacations.

So this was what he meant by busy.

Busy cheating on me. Busy taking my sponsored student on romantic getaways.

Finally, the woman grabbed Nina's wrist, pulling up her sleeve to reveal a diamond ring on her finger.

She grinned triumphantly. "And just a few nights ago, I personally witnessed Mr. Croft get down on one knee and propose. It wasn't just me, other colleagues from the live broadcast were there too."

Several others behind her nodded in agreement.

The woman's gaze returned to me, her smile dripping with sarcasm.

"Cassia. You claim he's your boyfriend? Do you have any photos of you two being so in love? Do you have a proposal? Do you have any proof at all?"

My face was a frozen mask. My throat felt like it was filled with cement.

I couldn't utter a single word.

Sebastian looked at me, his eyes pleading, mouthing the words I'll explain at home.

Davids face was flushed with anger. He tried to grab my phone to show them my social media accounts.

But no matter how much he scrolled, how much he searched, my profiles were barren.

Nothing.

"Cassia, where's the evidence of your dates? Your photos together? Why isn't there a single one?"

Yes.

I wanted to ask the same thing.

Over the years, Sebastian and I had tried every position imaginable, used every brand of condom on the market.

But in the end, we didn't have a single ring, not one photo together.

Even the ones I took secretly were always deleted by him later.

He said his family was sensitive, that it wasn't the right time to go public.

So I was understanding.

But it was never about his family. He was never too busy.

He just didn't want to go public.

He didn't care about me.

David's gaze fell on my message history with Sebastian, and he froze.

It was a wall of text, all from me.

Sebastian's replies were few and far between, curt and distant.

Ok.

Fine.

Later.

The last message I'd sent was: "I bought a new toy, want to try it with me tonight?"

Nina, feigning innocence, read the entire message out loud.

A roar of laughter erupted.

It was as if they had found their smoking gun.

They swarmed me, jabbing their fingers in my face, hissing curses.

"Shameless whore."

"This is proof she seduces her interview subjects!"

Someone grabbed a fistful of my hair and slammed my head against the wall.

Someone else picked up a potted plant from a desk and smashed it over my head.

Nails dug into my arms, trying to tear strips of flesh from my body.

They were a pack of wild animals, their faces twisted with rage, unleashing all their pent-up resentment on me.

One word from Sebastian would have stopped it all.

But all it took was one look at Nina's tear-streaked face, and the foot he had lifted to step forward fell back into place.

All he could offer me was a pair of guilty eyes.

I curled into a ball, gritting my teeth against the waves of pain.

Then, through the mob, I saw a familiar, stooped figure. My grandmother.

My heart seized.

I had wanted her to see Sebastian today, to see the man I loved, during the interview.

Instead, she was seeing me at my absolute lowest.

My grandmother was fiercely protective. She couldn't stand to see anyone bully me. She raised her cane and charged into the fray, trying to shield me.

But the mob was in a frenzy. Someone snatched her cane and brought it down on her frail body, again and again.

After a few blows, my silver-haired grandmother crumpled and fell backward.

"STOP!"

I scrambled forward, catching her just before she hit the floor.

Blood seeped from a gash on her forehead, her body trembling uncontrollably. I whipped my head around and screamed at Sebastian, "What are you staring at? Call an ambulance!"

Sebastian, jolted out of his stupor, fumbled for his phone.

But Nina slapped it out of his hand.

She tugged on his sleeve, her voice a pitiful whine. "Old people are always pulling scams like this. Shes probably just faking it to get sympathy!"

"If you call a doctor, she'll never let it go. Not only will our interview be canceled, but you might not even be able to leave this building"

Hearing this, the flicker of concern in Sebastian's eyes died out.

The panic on the faces of my colleagues melted away, replaced by annoyance.

Someone even lifted their foot and brought it down, grinding their heel into my grandmother's face.

"Damn old grifter! The granddaughter sells her body, no surprise the whole family is trash!"

I went feral, launching myself at the person, scratching and biting.

"Get off her!"

But my reward was a series of stinging slaps across my face.

David, unable to watch any longer, tried to make a call.

His phone was snatched away, thrown to the ground, and stomped into a thousand pieces.

They beat him, too, leaving him half-conscious on the floor.

I tried to crawl to him.

But a foot slammed down on my back, pinning me to the ground.

I lifted my bloodied face, my eyes meeting each of theirs in turn.

"She needs a doctor. Let her go, now."

"If you don't, I will make every single one of you pay."

Nina walked over and loomed above me, her expression one of condescending pity.

"Oh, Cassie. You look so lovely right now"

"I've been taking your money for ten years, but I've never seen you looking so spectacular."

I gasped for air, staring at her coldly.

My lips moved, but no sound came out.

She answered my unasked question with a sweet, cruel smile. "You became the top host at this station because of Mr. Croft. If you could do it, why can't I?"

She held up her phone and wiggled it.

"From this moment on, your reputation is ruined. You've gone from the queen of interviews to a common whore who trades her body for favors. Are you satisfied with how I've repaid your generosity?"

Her voice was a whisper.

Sebastian couldn't hear.

Perhaps our pathetic state finally broke through his indifference.

He turned, his dark eyes finally focusing on me.

"Stop being stubborn. Apologize to Nina, and I'll get you both out of here."

Nina could barely contain her triumphant smirk.

I lay on the floor, staring at him blankly.

My heart felt like it had been ripped in two.

I glanced at my grandmother. My pride was no longer a luxury I could afford.

I crawled on my hands and knees until I reached Ninas feet.

I pulled myself up, onto my knees.

Facing the woman looming over me, I gritted my teeth and lowered my head.