Page 29 of Julian's Curse

Subject: Proposal

Hi Amanda,

I hope you’re enjoying your time in New York!

I’ve reviewed the documents you left with Kali, and I have a plan for your publishing business. I also find myself needing to make some extra money this year. Here’s my proposal: if I can increase the revenue of Hart and Quill by the amount needed for the A shares, would you be willing to pay that out to me?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Lucie

Asking Amanda such a significant question made my stomach feel queasy. But she’d asked me to level up knowing well that I didn’t have the means. The worst she could say was no, but as a businesswoman, she would evaluate carefully what I had to bring to the table.

Next, I went through my student portal and added my new class schedule to my daily calendar. It looked like the following months would be nothing short of hectic. Yet, it didn’t feel overwhelming because I was always up for a challenge. Besides, working had to some extent turned into a passion, one more reason why my English major had paid off in the end contrary to what my father had predicted.

I browsed my emails to fill my calendar, only to be astounded by the briskness of Amanda’s response. I opened it too fast to even give myself time to be nervous.

Subject: Re: Proposal

Hi Lucie,

I’m glad to see you’re staying productive! You’ve got yourself a deal. Any profits at Hart & Quill above the number from last year will be yours.

I’ll send you the contact info for the current Managing Director. Please let them know you’ll be replacing them. I really think we should…

Best,

Amanda

Naturally, she had to remain the draconian boss we all knew and loved, throwing an extra hurdle in my path to test my resilience. She expected me to toughen up, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t suppress the emotions bubbling up inside me. I’d tackle the specifics later—maybe I could find a workaround for whatever the managing director needed. But for the moment, my heart was racing with excitement. I had finally seen a clear path toward my dream. Sure, I had no prior experience in publishing, and the clock was ticking to generate revenue from scratch. But I had something now that I hadn’t before: a tangible sense of possibility.

The next day,I was so caught up in my new venture that I decided to skip the office. I texted Kali to check on the offline access, then slipped into my comfy black baggy sweatpants and matching tank top, and brewed a cup of alarmingly strong coffee. Next, I browsed the folder that Amanda provided for ideas how to improve our fiction sales. In just a few hours, I’d compiled a list of twelve goals that I planned to hit within a year. I also shot a quick email to the current managing director, with a heads up that we needed to meet asap.

Got a dress already?Julian texted while I was posting a new employment ad for a marketing director.

Oh hey, baby! Not yet, but when the time comes, it’ll be the most beautiful dress you’ve ever seen,I vowed.

It’s the woman who makes the dress, he flirted.I am coming home tomorrow. Just wanted to check in and wish you a beautiful day. I miss you like hell.

We’d both had some separation anxiety.Me too. Next time, I am going to try to make time to come with you, Julian. In the meantime, I’ve got news. I couldn’t wait to tell him.

Yes?

Amanda is having me run the publishing branch of her business. She’s going to pay me a hefty paycheck at the end of it, assuming things go well. And I want to use that money to buy into Apogee. It almost felt silly to share this with a billionaire who could probably initiate an immediate transfer and make my pain go away. But I was proud of it.

How many books do I need to buy?

Of course, he would respond with something like that. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could throw at him.Julian!

Just kidding, I am incredibly happy this is happening for you. Let’s go out and celebrate tomorrow?

Can’t wait, I felt such relief that his trip would finally be over.

Love you, Lucie, he texted at last. I quickly followed up with the same, my heart warming at our exchange. Now, feeling like I was on Cloud 9, I dove back into work. I was confident that with enough hard work, I would not fall short of my ambitious goal.

I didn’t get much more done, though.

My phone dinged again, and I quickly checked it, expecting it to be still from Julian. But, it was Valentina this time.Lu, is there anything you want to tell me?She included a sad emoji with her strange message.

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