Page 46 of Julian's Curse

“Thanks Amanda, Kali has been of great help with not just that,” I needed to give her some praise, for all the loyalty she’d showed me.

“Dear, Lucie, that’s why I’ve hired her. I knew you needed the help.”

I swallowed. Another thank you would probably sound dumb so I stayed silent.

“How’s the MBA program?” She asked, her eyes drifting over my wardrobe—a grey patterned dress with decorative buttons.I smiled inwardly at the irony of it—choosing to wear grey, the very color I had associated with feeling like a mouse earlier. It really wasn’t the best to get so down on myself, but anyone knowing Amanda would understand why she sometimes made everyone feel small. People like her didn’t have problems, they crushed problems.

“It’s manageable. I am enjoying the content, and I think I’ll finish the program early, even.” I assured her. The overachiever in me wanted to show how dedicated I was to self-improvement.

Her gaze was sharp, taking in every detail, and I couldn’t help but feel the weight of her scrutiny. “What are younotenjoying about it?” An amused smile tugged at her thick lips.

“It feels like it’s taking my attention from work atHart & Quill. I’ve been sorting through manuscripts and I’ve found a few I am considering. Still, I do not know, Amanda, if I’ll manage to hit my revenue goals in the timeframe left.” I exhaled sharply.

“What you got?” She shot me an excited look.

“Right now, I am interested in a fiction story about a girl who decides to stay single her whole life because of a guy she’d met previously. It’s quirky yet deep. I’ve been considering that manuscript, and have even sent it to our professional editors.”

She paused, her tone shifting slightly. “I heard the writer’s been a bit difficult to negotiate with, demanding higher royalties. Are you close to reaching an agreement that aligns with our margins?”

I confirmed with a nod. It all didn’t seem like enough, though. I needed something better than just this.

“Great,” Amanda seemed satisfied. “Lucie, I’ve called you in here for a different reason today—not just to talk business,” she continued, her voice shifting to something more serious. She rose from her seat and walked toward the ceiling-high glass windows, her silhouette framed by the light. “There’s a problem.” Her voice carried an edge of frustration.

I cursed quietly. I really didn’t need another one.

“When was the last time you spoke with James Stone?”

My heart thudded in my chest. How did Amanda know about our connection? Still, I didn’t need to keep any secrets from her. She’d been a powerful ally since my very first few days in San Diego. “It’s been a couple of weeks. He mentioned me indirectly in a podcast. I got afraid that the news would connect my name to him, then to Julian.”

“Well, someone figured out you’re linked to him from the past.CelebrityBits,” she explained, clearing her throat as if the name itself left a bad taste in her mouth. “The editor-in-chief gave me a courtesy call. I consider her a friend, but this is too good for her to pass on it.”

Shit. This was the last thing I needed.

“I tried to see if I could buy the rights to the article from them, but they know they can make a lot more if they release it. They wouldn’t even name the price.”

My heart was still pounding. “Do you know what they’re saying, Amanda?”

“Famous popstar obsessed with Lucie Benton, but will she choose her dark billionaire lover anyway?’” She paraphrased the subject line. “They wouldn’t let me read it, so I do not know the details they’d collected. But you can bet that it’s going to attempt a cross between salacious and trashy. Trashy is what it’s mostly about.” She sniggered. Amanda looked visibly annoyed, clearly frustrated that someone was prying into my personal life during her IPO.

I felt like I was about to throw up, and it wasn’t just because of my pregnancy. “Sorry, Amanda, how unprofessional that this is going to affectApogee,” I muttered, sulking as I placed a hand over my belly. I almost did it for emotional support, as if the baby inside me could understand. “When are they releasing it?”

“Tomorrow,” she said, her irritation growing. “I know it’s not much heads up but you may want to talk to Julian, Lucie. Also, don’t come to the office as I think that even with the security we have in place, reporters will line the streets. From what I know, James Stone is quite the star, even though I don’t follow pop bands.”

If only she knew that Julian was unreachable. “Amanda, I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that, unfortunately. He’s on a trip and he doesn’t have much reception. However, I’ll talk to his head of security.” The moment I said it I realized how stupid it sounded. No reception?

She eyed me with curiosity. “Has he been away?”

“Yes, for several weeks now. The time apart is a great way to keep our relationship healthy, though. Each of us is finding our own purpose.” I assured her. “We’re fine as a couple. It has more to do with his self-development.”

She now sat on the edge of the desk, her face just inches from mine. “Good to hear.”

Her tone said otherwise, though. I could tell she’d picked up on something.

How are you feeling after the illness?” She switched the subject to my unexpected time off.

“Somewhat better,” I lied. In fact, every morning was getting more challenging than the one before it. I needed to survive on a maximum of 200 mg of caffeine and get through my day without throwing up in public. Two seemingly impossible tasks on top of the actual work I had to do. All I wanted to do was sleep, but I didn’t have the luxury of time to justify extra rest.

“Tabloids can affect people’s mental health,” Amanda continued. “I need to know that you’ll be strong enough to handle whatever the article claims are.”

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