Avery

When Serena calls both of us into her office, I know something big is brewing. It's not every day that she asks Maverick and me to assemble together. The last time that happened, it ended with us practically snarling at each other over the same story.

I walk into her office, finding Maverick already there, leaning against the wall with that annoyingly casual posture he always has. I take a seat, trying to keep my expression neutral.

Serena looks at both of us, her gaze sharp and assessing. "I've got a new assignment for you two," she says, not bothering with any small talk. "Zephyr Kane. He's about to launch a major real estate project, and I want you both to interview him."

Zephyr Kane. Just hearing his name grabs my attention. The man is practically a legend in the business world—rich, powerful, and always in the spotlight for some big deal or another. This interview is a huge opportunity.

Serena continues, "I need you to get the full picture—what this project means for the city, his vision, and any insights that will make our piece stand out."

I nod, mentally preparing myself for the task ahead. An interview with Zephyr Kane could be a career-defining moment, but teaming up with Maverick? That's less thrilling. We've never seen eye to eye, and I'm not looking forward to playing nice.

Serena hands us the details, her expression making it clear she expects nothing but the best. "This is high-profile, so make sure you're both on top of your game."

I glance over at Maverick, who is already skimming through the dossier with his usual intense focus. I can't tell if he's excited or just as annoyed as I am about this sudden partnership. Knowing him, probably a bit of both.

As we leave Serena's office, Maverick lets out a low sigh as we walk back to our desks, and I know he's just as annoyed as I am. But here's the thing—I don't back down, especially not from a challenge. If this is the hand I've been dealt, then fine. I'll play it and play it well.

No matter how irritating my partner might be.

Maverick

Getting called into Serena's office is never a good sign, especially when I see Avery sitting across from me, looking just as annoyed as I feel. Serena doesn't waste time getting to the point—Zephyr Kane. Big name, bigger ego, and now, my next assignment.

Great.

Being paired with Avery isn't what I had in mind when I walk into the office this morning. We've butted heads too many times to count, and now I have to share what could be one of the biggest interviews of my career with her. Just perfect.

Serena's instructions are clear: get the story, and make it good. Kane's new project is going to be all over the news, and it's our job to make sure our interview stands out. I skim through the papers she hands us, my mind already working through the questions I'll ask. This is big, no doubt about it.

As we leave Serena's office, I glance at Avery. She looks just as irritated as I feel, and I can't blame her. We're both used to running the show, and now we're stuck with each other. Wonderful.

I sigh, more out of frustration than anything. This is going to be a long assignment.

Avery

When I arrive at the office to meet Maverick, he is already deep in setting up for our interview with Zephyr Kane. He has that irritatingly confident air about him, as if everything is already under control. I can't help but feel a twinge of annoyance as I approach.

"Hey," I say, trying to keep my tone friendly.

Maverick looks up briefly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Morning. Ready for this?"

I set my bag down with a bit more force than necessary. "Oh, absolutely. It's not every day you get paired with someone who thinks they know everything."

Maverick raises an eyebrow. "Just trying to make sure we get it right."

"Right," I reply, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Because we both know how much you love sharing the spotlight."

We finish setting up the cameras and microphones in silence, both clearly annoyed but doing our jobs efficiently. When we finally walk into the sleek office building where Zephyr Kane's interview is scheduled, the air is thick with the kind of pretentiousness that only comes with high-stakes business environments.

Zephyr Kane greets us with a practiced smile and a firm handshake. He is impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that radiates power and control. His office is decorated with minimalist elegance—expensive art, a panoramic city view, and a large desk that seems to command respect.

As we settle into our chairs, I take in every detail. Maverick starts with the usual pleasantries, easing into questions about Kane's latest project, Phoenix. Kane's responses are smooth, but as the conversation continues, I notice subtle signs of discomfort—slight shifts in posture and fleeting moments of impatience.

"So, Mr. Kane," I begin, leaning forward, "Can you tell us what makes Phoenix different from other real estate projects in the area?"

Kane's smile widens, but there is a brief pause before he answers. "Phoenix is more than just a building; it's a vision for the future. We're incorporating cutting-edge technology and sustainable design to redefine urban living."

I observe him closely. "Interesting. And what about the timeline? How do you plan to manage the various phases of construction and ensure everything stays on schedule?"

Kane's gaze flickers to the side, and he shifts slightly in his seat. "We have a robust plan in place. Our team is experienced and highly skilled. We've factored in every possible challenge."

I note the way his fingers drum lightly on the armrest, a subtle sign of discomfort. "And what about the community impact? What steps are being taken to ensure local businesses and residents benefit from this development?"

Kane's smile falters for a split second before he regains his composure. "We're working closely with community leaders to ensure the project benefits everyone involved. It's important to us that Phoenix has a positive impact."

Each time Kane tries to steer the conversation back to generalities or his grand vision, he avoids specific details. His polished answers seem rehearsed, as though he is concealing something.

As the interview wraps up, Kane's demeanor is a mix of charm and guarded wariness. The way he adjusts his tie and straightens his suit as he walks us to the door feels like an attempt to reclaim control over the situation.

The interview leaves me with a sense of unease. I can't shake the feeling that this interview is just the beginning. Whatever Kane is hiding, I am determined to find out.

Maverick

As we walk into Zephyr Kane's office, I can't help but notice the polished, almost clinical precision of the space. Everything screams control, from the minimalist décor to the carefully placed art. It's clear that Kane's public persona is meticulously crafted, but I am more interested in what is behind that facade.

Kane greets us with his signature firm handshake and practiced smile. I take my seat and start with the standard questions.

"Mr. Kane," I begin, "Phoenix is being touted as a groundbreaking project. Can you elaborate on the financial backing and investor involvement? How is the funding being managed?"

Kane's expression remains steady, but there is a brief pause before he speaks. "We have several high-profile investors who believe in our vision. The financial structure is robust and has been carefully planned to ensure long-term success."

I note the way he sidesteps specifics. He doesn't give us any concrete numbers or details about the investors, which strikes me as odd. It is clear he wants to keep the financial details under wraps.

Continuing, I ask, "How do you address concerns about potential environmental impacts? Are there any independent assessments of Phoenix's sustainability?"

Kane responds smoothly, "We've conducted extensive internal assessments and have partnered with leading environmental consultants. We're confident that Phoenix will set a new standard for sustainable development."

His answers sound polished but lack depth. He avoids any detailed data or third-party evaluations, which makes me question the transparency of these claims.

Finally, I ask, "What about potential challenges in the development process? Have there been any unforeseen issues or delays?"

Kane's response is immediate. "Every project faces challenges, but we've mitigated risks through proactive planning and a skilled team. We're on track and prepared for any issues that may arise."

While his answers are delivered with a confident tone, I note that he seems overly quick to downplay potential problems. It feels like he is avoiding discussing any real challenges or setbacks.

As the interview wraps up, Kane's demeanor remains controlled and somewhat distant. He is careful to steer the conversation away from anything that might reveal more than he intends.

Once we are out of the office, I have a nagging feeling that there is more to Phoenix than meets the eye. Kane's evasive responses and tight control over the details make me think there might be something he is deliberately hiding.