So, Drake WANTED to be interviewed by Eddie Brock...meaning he knew the guy was a good reporter. Also, it could mean that Drake used to maybe idk frequently watch the show????
Maybe he was a big fan of it. Maybe he was a HUGE fan of Eddie’s, too, but you know rich people- they don’t rlly fangirl when they get to meet their faves.
It takes some time for him to think about it- he knows there are rumours about him being a crook flying around, and Eddie being a journalist would naturally dig deeper BUT there isn’t a high chance he even knows those rumours, since they’re pretty vague and yknw not based on solid proof.
Inviting his fave journalist over to interview him? GOD he fantasises a bit about how he’s going to appear, what he’s going to say, how he’s going to impress Eddie fucking Brock. And Eddie’s show will Ofc also grant him more popularity, which would mean more positive attention, eventually crushing the rumours beneath it.
Anyway, he wants to get on Eddie’s good side.
He wants to be friends, perhaps. He wouldn’t know, he hasn’t ever had friends beside Dora before, and he’s not even sure if they’re friends or just awkward acquaintances. There’s just something about that man that makes Drake want to......be with him.
So yes, it takes some “thinking” (actually courage-building, but will he ever admit that?) for Drake to send the request to the company, but he does it.
On the day of the interview, he’s excited. He’s buzzing. He smiles at all his workers. He jokes around a bit, even. He makes Dora coffee. He pops in to give the children at his institute a tour HIMSELF. He doesn’t usually have time for that. And then finally, Eddie arrives.
Drake almost RUNS outside
Keep your composure. Be cool. You’re Carlton fucking Drake.
They greet each other, Drake is too excited (inwardly, he’s barely showing it outside) to note the subtle look of disapproval on Eddie’s face.
They shake hands. Drake makes sure to keep it firm but not awkward. He doesn’t notice the way Eddie’s hand isn’t really....comfortable in his own.
Eddie starts off with some filler questions, the camera follows beside them, Drake almost can’t hear Eddie over the rush in his head. He doesn’t notice the hint of sarcasm, disdain- something bordering along the lines coming from the interviewer, but yes he does feel for a second as if Eddie isn’t impressed by his achievements at all. He doesn’t think much about it.
The atmosphere is getting stranger- and Drake finally realises why when he hears what Eddie is saying.
Oh, so he’s heard the allegations.
Drake wonders which ones.
He finds out soon enough.
And then he remembers; the look on Eddie’s face when he came in, the handshake, the way he had been speaking- Eddie meant to do this the minute he walked in. The moment didn’t build up to this question, Eddie had already planned this.
He despised, if not loathed, him.
The interview has to be...cut short.
Drake bids him farewell or something about having a good life as he leaves but he’s a little shunned.
It’s not showing, of course. Drake rarely shows what he feels; he’s learnt that.
It’s sad; having Eddie blacklisted and fired from his job. Drake liked the show. He liked Eddie. But....oh well. He doesn’t dwell on it much.
