Page 12 of Julian's Curse

“How was the time I was away?” She jumped straight into conversation.

“Everything’s fine. Kali’s set,” I left out the app glitch that had almost shut us down and the all-nighter I’d pulled. It had been a hellish week.

“I am glad to hear that,” she assumed her seat, while inviting me to do the same. “Kali’s had a tough life, so I appreciate any support you can give her. I know it’s not something I need to ask, since it’s just in your nature to be kind.”

I gave it a subtle nod.

“Her role here is to be an assistant, and I’d like you to monitor her tasks and use her help whenever necessary. Her strengths are digital platforms so utilize her for all key features needed.”

“Thanks, Amanda.” I definitely needed the extra help.

“What specific needs do you have at the moment?” She jumped straight to business.

“Managing subscriptions, we’ve unfortunately received customer feedback that there are glitches with the free trial. I’d also like to see more interactive content, maybe that’s something Kali can project manage.”

“Offline access, I want to be sure we have that available as well.” Amanda petted Harper who was now walking across the desk. “Our user engagement is impressive. We’ve been analyzing the data this morning, and you’ve really outdone the projections we had for this.” She looked visibly delighted. “I had a nice time in Italy and I didn’t even need to think about my business.”

“I guess I have a good sphere of influence.” Staying humble was important to me in my industry where relevance didn’t last unless you continued to succeed.

“Not just that, but yes, your relationship with Julian certainly makes a difference,” she fixed me with a pointed, amused gaze. “But you know my opinion on men, we must keep on keeping on without them. We don’t want him to take credit for your accomplishments either. It’s not the case that you are successful because of him.”

I understood what she was trying to say.

“There’s something else I wanted to discuss with you, and I think this might be the perfect opportunity to give your sense of independence a boost.” Her tone shifted to one of greater gravity, surpassing its usual weight.

I swallowed. I didn’t need another task on my plate. Even with a new assistant, I’d still be underwater at this point in time.

“I’m sellingApogee,” she announced, delivering the news like a shockwave.

What did this mean for us? Would we lose our jobs? Damn, I hadn’t seen this coming.

Amanda didn’t wait for my reaction to continue. “I’m takingApogeepublic through an IPO with Hart Media,” she explained, her tone resolute. “We’ll bring in investors to raise capital and expand. It’s a big move, but it will be the right one for the company’s future. At the moment, I am considering retirement, Lucie,” she elaborated.

I tried to hide any worry, not to put her off with my weakness. I’d definitely be able to find a new job with my references, butApogeehad become a source of joy. It also offered much-needed stability in the otherwise harsh and lonely realm of fame alongside my billionaire crush. Not that I wanted to wallow in self-pity, but dating someone like Julian—someone with that kind of power—was far from the fairy tale most women probablyenvisioned.Apogeehelped soften some of the loneliness that came with it.

“Retirement?” I fluttered my eyes. After losing Sophie, losing Amanda would be another hard transition.

“Once the investment bank determines the number and cost of shares, I’d like you to consider buying in,” she suggested confidently. “It’s not a goodbye, Lucie. By no means.”

Buying in? I hardly had about $20,000 in the bank. And I was still paying for school loans.

“Amanda, there’s no way for me to come up with the funds. And I really don’t have any family to ask for help.” I slopped my eyes. “I mean, I cannot ask Julian.”

She shot me a meaningful yet cryptic glance. “I wasn’t expecting that you’d have the money now,” she fiddled with a folder in front of her. “Consider getting creative with how you obtain it. An IPO takes about six months. One of the reasons why I’ve also been away is that the preparation for it takes time.”

I slightly relaxed. At least there wasn’t a current threat to my current job security. I’d have some time to figure things out.

“I plan to retain control through A shares, which will have superior voting rights,” she continued. “I’d like you to secure enough shares so that, between the two of us, we own all of them. I’m confident that in just a few years, you’ll see a substantial return on your investment. With the influx of investor capital, the possibilities are limitless.”

Maybe her “retirement” wasn’t going to be a complete exit after all. It sounded more like a shift in how she’d retain control, just from a distance. But I wondered how I fit into this vision.

“So, it’s not justApogeeyou’re going public with?” I queried nervously.

She narrowed her gaze, likely amused by my naïveté. “No, Lucie,Hart Mediais an umbrella brand. This magazine is my most successful venture, but I also own a publishing house withmultiple divisions. Few people know, for instance, that I ownHart & QuillPress. I’ll send you the full list of brands today for you to check out. ButHart & Quillis the one I think you’d be most interested in per your application to work for me.”

She remembered something I’d written over a year ago? I’d read a few books published by them but had no idea the publishing house was under Amanda’s ownership. Just recently, I’d talked to Julian about my dream of working in publishing. Now, Amanda had managed to spark my curiosity—or maybe just dangle a dream in front of me that seemed completely out of reach.

“Do you plan to stay CEO?” An urgent desire to envision the future led me to ask this personal question. She was also somewhat of a workaholic and control freak, neither one of these two characteristics conducive to retirement.

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