Juliet

Two days later, Herald invites me into his office. I’m nervous as I close the door behind me, ruffling the curls that make a halo around my head. I cross my legs awkwardly on the chair, pulling at the rim of my skirt to cover my knees—I wouldn’t want him to think that I’m trying to seduce him in some cheap way, right?

“One moment, Juliet.” He holds up a finger without looking up from the paper he’s reviewing with a frown before signing. It takes a while until he acknowledges me again. This might seem condescending to others, but look at it this way: Herald Gruff is the boss at a highly reputable magazine, one could go deaf on the bustling in the cubicles room just outside his office alone. That’s a lot of responsibility, not to mention it requires a fuckload of authority, sure he seems an asshole.  

“So,” he says, pulling out a drawer and pushing a file under my nose. “Because technology isn’t to be trusted nowadays, I’ll approach this sensitive subject in paper form.”

I glance from the file to him, trying to process “don’t trust technology” and “approach subject in paper form.”

“But our work is entirely technology-based. We’re an e-zine, we don’t even sell printed issues. Actually, we loathe all things ‘printed’, don’t we?”

“Just open it,” he prompts.

Herald Gruff is a bit older than me—okay, a whole chunk older—so he can get cranky. He doesn’t have the most handsome face, but a good body, since he swims daily, and intelligent if not pretty eyes. There’s something of a skinny bulldog to his face, but he was once obviously attractive. Not that it matters. Nothing is more attractive than a man who exudes self-control, power and authority.

As I leaf through the file, he says, “Radek Basarab, the prince you picked on a few days ago at the press conference.”

“This isn’t much more than what I’ve covered on him,” I note as I go through the file rapidly.

“It’s hard to get information, the guy is very private about everything.” Herald leans back, pushing his hands through his ashen hair. It’s good to see him relax a little.

“I believe he’s blocking foreign investment in infrastructure in his country from the shadow, you know that. I want you to discover his reasons and then help me expose them.”

I blink at him. This opportunity isn’t only huge, it’s a career-making turning point. A you-almost-got-me smile stretches on my face, while I wave a finger at him.

“Come on, what’s the catch?”

“Catch?”

“You’re not offering me this job just like this, are you? I mean, this is huge, and probably for someone with far more experience. Why me?”

There’s a pause and steady eye contact before Herald replies. “Because you’re the only person he has shown interest in in a very long time.”

There’s zinging in my ears, and my stomach twists. Shown interest. This feels surreal.

“What did you just say?” I whisper.

“I’m sure you heard me the first time, Juliet.” Herald points to the file like an unhappy teacher at sloppy homework. “This file is only scratching the surface of a very deep, dark lake. I need you to probe this lake.” He leans in, gaze pointed like a gun to the center of my forehead.

“But, Herald.” My voice cracks on his name, and I clear my throat. “In wha, er, in what way did he show interest in me?”

He smirks, giving me a once over. “I was surprised at first, too.” He motions with a hand towards me from head to toe. “I mean, it’s not like you’re not cute and all, but compared to the kind of women who must surround him....” He purses his lips and whistles, waving his hand like he just touched something hot. It’s as if he’d forgotten all about the night two weeks ago, the office party, when he crammed me in a corner of this very office and kissed me, confessing under his breath that he secretly wanted me.

I still vividly remember his eager tongue, tasting of vinegar from the wine he’d been drinking. Even though I wanted him, I wanted him sober, smelling and tasting nicely. I felt his desire rock hard pressing urgently against my mound, and pushed him away on an impulse, saying, “Not like this.”

“You have nice natural blond hair, curly and all, but face it—it’s too short, barely even reaching your shoulders, it’s a mess on top of your head. With your pale eyebrows and eyelashes and snow-white skin, you look like a pretty corpse,” Herald continues, analyzing me with sharp eyes. “You could use some contrast, like dye your hair and your eyebrows or something.”

Jesus, what comes next, pump up your lips, get a nose job—God knows I could use one? I push myself off the chair, swiping the file off his table.

“Why are you doing this, Herald?” I demand, pacing slowly around and pretending to leaf through the file. It’s easier for me to stand up for myself when I’m not looking at him, he’s too intimidating and easily angered. “Is it because I ran out of here two weeks ago? Because, if that’s the case, you could make a move on me now, sober, and I wouldn’t say no.” My gaze rests on him. He’s smirking, dark eyes glinting at me from under ashen eyebrows, the corners of his mouth pushing his cheeks aside into a wrinkly smile that speaks of experience, resilience and authority.

“Get this job done properly, and you’ll have that and more, Juliet.”

My heart gives me a pang of outrage. Is he offering himself as a prize? No offense, I might not be the prettiest, or the smartest, but I am like a lifetime younger... Then I want to slap myself. How can I be so conceited? He’s far more valuable than me in so many ways. If I can prove myself to him, then I might assume some of all that value for myself.  I raise my chin, closing the file and holding it against my chest. I’m looking at him from higher ground, since I’m standing up, feeling grand, even if for only a moment.

“You can rely on me for this job.”

“I hope you appreciate that I trust you with it, considering your lack of experience and your young age.”

I frown at him. “There’s a reason why you chose me for the job, which reminds me. In what way has the prince shown interest?”

“His people called the e-zine to inquire about you. They wanted to hire you, and offered to purchase you from us if it must be. I figured his interest must be serious, since he can have anyone he wants, you know.”

My ears start buzzing.

“Purchase,” I repeat quietly. “But what could he possibly use me for?”

“That’s for you to find out.” He gets up from his chair, walking to me. I barely register the time lapsing until he reaches me, placing a hand on my shoulder. I tilt a bit under it. Looking straight into my eyes, he says, “I agreed, Juliet. I agreed to trade you, but I have my own agenda.”

“You traded me like I’m a thing?”

“No. I traded you like you’re Ronaldo.”

I have this overwhelming urge of hurting him. Rage heats up my face. “How can you be sure I won’t betray your agenda to the prince?”

He smiles, which makes his cheeks look like a wrinkly bulldog’s again. “I’m sure, because the prince can’t offer you what I can. You see, while he can pay a thousand times better, his headquarters is deep in some obscure, impossible to penetrate mountain forest. Money won’t be of much use there, not to mention that the social environment... Well, I imagine it’s not what your half German half American upbringing has taught you to strive for and adjust to. I, on the other hand, offer you money and position when you’re back here in Berlin.” He brings his face closer to mine, and I realize I’m pushed against the wall, clutching the file as the only shield between us.  “Because I will have you back. And when that happens, with all the data you’ll have on the prince, we’ll go huge. You’ll have fame, all doors will be open for you, and you’ll be made editor-in-chief immediately.” He shrugs, taking distance and letting his hand drop off my shoulder. “Many will offer you career choices, though. If you’ll want to go for a position at one of the 5 best journals in the country, you’ll be free to do so. We can set that in stone through contract right now, if you like.”

I must admit, career advancement baits me. When I’m alone I fantasize about power—me in a black Armani suit to starkly contrast with my blond hair, pale face and pale eyes, looking striking if not attractive to whoever walks into my sky rise office.

Soon I’ve signed two contracts—one that transfers me to the prince’s company, and one stating my liberty of choice when I’m back with Herald. The job description I have with the prince’s firm is still drawn in general lines, but it includes my PR-ing for him, especially polishing the personal profile he’ll show Europe. Pretty much creating a better defined public persona that he can then display.

Of course, I remain aware the prince could have hired anyone else, anyone he wanted. He sure has a secret agenda with me, which makes my skin prickle. Curiosity eats at me like crazy, and I wouldn’t miss the chance to feed it if it kills me.

***