Page 13 of Julian's Curse

“Yes, Lucie, but I would prefer at this point to become more of a face of the business,” she shared with me. “I am planning to relocate to New York, at least half of each year. I want to be more around my son too.”

I finally understood. This was about her family.

“He and his wife are expecting a baby in the fall,” she beamed. “But please keep this private, as I prefer when the media stays out of my personal life.”

It finally clicked—she was about to become a grandmother. She’d had her son when she was young.

“I want my business to be a legacy.” She declared passionately, running a hand through Harper’s coat. “Jayden, however, he’s not interested in publishing.”

Her son was a renowned surgeon.

“Yet, I’ve built an empire that I want to monetize and watch flourish. Still, I don’t believe board members, investors, and most shareholders should dictate how my company is run.Their only role should be to secure more funds for additional ventures,” she explained further.

“What do you estimate the cost of the A shares to be?” I cleared my throat. I’d only worked for her close to two years now, so it seemed preposterous to even be considering me for anything else but maybe middle management.

She leaned back slightly, considering my question. “Well, if we look at the company’s current valuation, I’d estimate it to be more than 1 billion. You’d need around 13 million to retain ownership of at least twenty percent of A shares, the minimum requirement to be in a leadership role. Those are, of course, estimates, and it’s still dependent on the investment bank pricing. If it ends up being more, I’ll work with you. And as a bonus, you can haveHart & Quillfull A share ownership.”

She was giving me six months to make 13 million dollars?Merde, I cursed out silently in French, because my Gram’s language was always best used to express intense emotions. I glanced at Amanda, trying to mask my unease. She’d made an utterly impossible proposal unless I’d want to be a “kept” woman, a notion that she utterly despised herself.

“If I can’t come up with the sum, would you consider keeping all A shares?” I pondered out loud. If she wanted to retain control over the business, she didn’t need my help.

She stood up, gazing at the skyline that framed San Diego’s Coronado Bridge. For a moment, she closed her eyes, allowing the distant sounds of the city to wrap around her like a well-known comfort. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow that made her look almost regal.

“This isn’t just about business, my dear Lucie. It’s about recognizing potential,” her voice carried a weight of conviction. “You’ve shown me what you’re capable of, and I want you to have a stake in this company, to truly be a part of its future. I know this may require some effort on your part, but I believe you havewhat it takes to step up. And to answer your question, yes, I fully intend to keep all A-shares unless you can secure the funds. But I see you as a strong business partner, not just an employee. At least think about this opportunity. You can’t be a high officer unless you own twenty percent.”

High officer? I’d been at Apogee for barely two years, so the thought of being placed anywhere beyond middle management felt completely out of the question.

“Here,” she said, handing me a stack of papers. “I don’t want to overwhelm you, Lucie,” she added, her tone almost apologetic. “For now, I’d like you to apply to a few of these MBA programs. I don’t care where you go, as long as it’s accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.Apogeeis covering the cost as part of your position here. Please have Kali take on as much of your workload as possible, so you can make time for this.”

MBA? I walked in expecting just another assignment, and now she wanted me to pursue a degree. But there was no time to process it. She was my boss. Or was she becoming more? I lost my mom a long time ago and never had anyone to truly guide me—until Amanda came along. As a powerful Black woman, she had become the support I never knew I needed.

“I’ll give it all some thought!” I blurted out, trying to hide the sadness that was starting to creep in. I knew earning a degree was doable, but finding the extra money to buy into her business was another matter entirely. I wanted to keep the conversation going, to learn more about her vision, but instead, she gestured toward the exit and dove back into her packed schedule.

She’d left me reeling, the shock of her words echoing in my mind like a thunderclap, shaking me to my core. It wasn’t just what she’d proposed—it was the way she said it, as if she had the ability to bend reality itself with a single glance. She wielded her power like a master sculptor, shaping trends and carving outpaths for others to follow, her decisions leaving a mark on the literary world that felt as heavy as history itself. And yet, there I was, caught in the wake of her influence, trying to make sense of a future that had just been thrust upon me. The weight of her expectations settled on my shoulders, and I could almost feel the pressure of the decision she had laid out for me. My mind raced, torn between the opportunity she was offering and the daunting reality of what it might take to grasp it.

I decidedto take a long walk home. The cool evening air brushed against my skin, a welcome contrast to the whirly uncomfortable feelings that had built up inside me. I could suddenly feel the burden of the day’s anxieties begin to melt, replaced by a sense of clarity. I could either choose to stagnate or embrace the opportunities ahead.

You okay baby?Julian texted when I was a few minutes from home, his security guard tailing me closely. He could be quite intuitive, knowing when something was off with me. Over time, we’d developed a remarkable connection, leading me to believe even the most far-fetched stories about love relationships. With that, Sophie had recently made me a believer in the twin flame theory, a concept from New Age spiritualism. It suggested that twin flames reflected each other’s unresolved issues, fears, and insecurities—leading to intense challenges and profound growth. When I met Julian, I definitely felt pushed to confront parts of myself I had long avoided or hid.

Be safe out there, he followed up.

I hated the fact that I’d now had two secrets to keep away from him. I didn’t want to tell him about the 13 million, becauseI knew he was used to throwing his money at problems and I didn’t want him to do that.It’s an investment and you can pay me back, I knew what he’d say. But this was entirely about me making my way in the world. Then I also remembered. I’d forgotten to deal with James, another issue that I’d have to face soon without Julian’s knowledge, if possible.

I am. I just needed some time to myself, walking through the city. Work’s been hectic, and you know I can be a bit of an introvert sometimes. Just trying to gather my thoughts after a busy day.I messaged candidly. The lights of El Cortez flickered, as they often did, with a few of the neon letters stubbornly refusing to shine, casting an uneven glow over the street.

I made a reservation for us at Mister A’s. We got the whole deck for ourselves.Julian offered.

Mister A’s was an elegant French eatery on Fifth Avenue, just a few blocks from where we lived. Perched atop the Manchester Building, it featured a stunning 180-degree view of the San Diego skyline. There was no other place I’d rather be on a Friday night than at that exact location.

Thrilled!He possibly had to rent the whole restaurant to make such an evening happen, so I would hurry home to make the most out of it.

I only needed to shoot a quick message to Sophie, because there was nobody else I’d rather consult about things on my mind than her. I felt that a conversation with her would help me see some solutions. Sophie’s schedule booked up fast, and it most certainly had to be something in the morning, as in the afternoon, she was usually doing open houses for her listings.

Wanna grab brunch this Saturday, maybe after Pure Barre? I keyed while I approached our apartment. Ever since she’d started going out with Mark and working as a realtor, we’d both built a separate social life with our partners. I’d need towork harder to maintain our friendship as strong as before, but I would.

Lu, I’m in!she replied instantly. I could almost envision her goldfish mouth and over-the-top reaction when I’d tell her about Amanda’s outrageous proposal. Her dramatic reactions were just one of the many things I missed when not seeing her daily at work anymore. But I’d been adjusting to her absence. As long as she was still around, I’d deal.

Julian and I strolled hand in hand along Fifth Avenue. Thrilled that he was in the mood for an evening walk, I nestled up beside him in a half-embrace.

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