Page 15 of Duplicity

‘So, Marlowe,’ he says, settling into the opposite end of the couch with casual confidence after Elaine’s left us, ‘tell me what brings you to Seraph after your time at the Royal Academy.’

His tone is conversational, but those blue eyes are assessing me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle, because the way he’s checking me out is most definitely outside of the remit of this interview. He’s not playing fair, and I have to remind myself that nothing about this situation is fair. If I’m going to get flustered the second my potential future boss eye-fucks me, I won’t last a day in this job.

‘I was there for five years,’ I say as steadily as I can. ‘It felt stagnant. It’s a wonderful place to work, but it’s quite set in its ways. I’m looking for a new challenge.’ This may be my first job interview in years, but even I know thatI’m looking for a new challengeis as desperately cliché as it gets. I clear my throat and channel my inner Athena.

‘I got tired of not learning new things. I know that an executive assistant position will give me so much access, and I imagine the work is different every day. I love the idea of that. I may not be the most experienced EA you’ll ever meet, but I’m really hardworking and seriously focused. I’d just love the opportunity to show you.’

Okay, I might have gone in a little hot and heavy with the pitch right then, but I’m not leaving anything to chance here. I’d rather he thought I was an embarrassingly keen “pick me” than someone who was apathetic. I wait for him to say something, but he’s staring at my mouth like a man on drugs.

The realisation hits me that this part of the interview may just be a technicality. While it stings, it’s also a relief. Today I’m not the good girl who wants goodwill and validation and gold stars, who wants her every effort recognised. I’m a grown woman who has a clear goal and averycompelling motivation for that goal and who, most importantly, is not above using every trick in the book to reach it.

I lick my lips. Not in an overt, porno way; just in a subtle way, but his eyes track the flicker of my tongue, and the first surge of power hits me in the gut like a shot of tequila.

He wants me.

Of course he does.

Athena’s told me so over and over. I’m so stupid. I’ve been so stressed about how high the stakes are, and how much I need this guy to take a chance on me, and I’ve let that freak me the hell out. I’ve let it make me feel completely disenfranchised, but perhaps my looks, something I can’t take credit for and something I’ve deliberately underplayed since Joe chewed me up and spat me out, give me far more agency here than I’ve accepted up until now.

Sometimes, catching a man’s eye is a bad thing. Joe told me so in as many words, over and over again.

My little prize.

My gorgeous little secret.

If my colleagues could see me now, buried inside the most beautiful student on campus.

Being the woman whom men want to conquer, to claim, is a liability. I learned that the hard way.

But it’s dawning on me that sometimes, in the right circumstances, it’s a breathtakingly powerful currency.

At the end of the day, Brendan is just a guy. A stupidly hot, stupidly rich guy who’s clearly very smart and successful but is probably also quite straightforward. If he’s interested in takingthis forward, then all I have to do in this interview is ensure I give him zero reasons not to.

This approach goes against every feminist bone in my body. My and Athena’s former headmistress would die if she knew I was using my physical attributes to land a job—but then she’d die if she knew that two of her most studious alumni were selling their bodies in the first place.

I cross my legs in as ladylike a fashion as I can, and Brendan’s gaze drops to linger on my bare knees. It’s been so long since I’ve entertained the slightest bit of interest from a guy that this feels completely alien to me, but the feeling is not unpleasant.

‘You asked why Seraph in particular,’ I continue softly, and his eyes flash up to my face. God, they’re striking. Being the focus of his attention is really full on. ‘I realise it’s not the most conventional agency.’ I give him a little smile that I really hope is coquettish, because I’m far too rusty at this flirting business. It’s a relief when the sight of it has his eyes widening a fraction. ‘But I love their philosophy. I love the idea of working alongside a man who’s as insanely busy and stressed and prevailed upon as you and being the person who can make some of it go away. Not all of it, obviously. But I think it’s the full-service element that appeals to me, and by that I mean the holistic nature. I want to help you.’

I spread my hands wide. ‘I’m a natural-born helper. So if there are stressors or headaches or obstacles that stand in your way, whatever they are, I’m going to make it my mission to make them go away. I’m scrappy and resourceful and fierce and really, really hardworking, and I promise you I’ll do my utmost in every situation to give you every last thing you need and want.’

Except anal, you know.

I’m not sure where all this stuff is coming from, but I mean it. I may not be Athena-level smart, but I’m like a dog with a bone when it comes to fighting for the people in my corner. Ifthere’s a pit bull element to this job, I’ll excel. Every CEO should think about hiring the mother of a sick child—we’re resilient as fuck and tough as old boots and we don’t take no for an answer, because we’ve fought every fight and challenged everynoand hustled every single medical body with laser focus and indefatigable commitment to a single cause.

He leans forward. ‘Elaine’s been doing a joint PA-slash-EA role for a while now, and it’s become clear that I need dedicated personnel for both of those roles. I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending that’s the only reason I signed up with Seraph. But while the role is complex and ever-changing, the ideology behind it is pretty simple—and you’ve just nailed it.’

He allows himself a leisurely peruse of my body, and I force myself to relax as he mentally undresses me.

‘I’m tired, you know? I work hard and play hard. Sometimes it feels like everyone’s an idiot. I’m looking for someone who can protect me from the idiots and make my life easier. Someone who can anticipate problems and make them go away, and help me work through the stress when they can’t.’

He licks his lips after the last part in a not unsexy way, and there’s no denying that he’s referencing both sides of the job. I nod with what I hope is an understanding smile, though I’m rolling my eyes internally. Oh, please. I’m sure this guy doesn’t lift a finger. He probably has chefs and drivers and minions galore. I bet he hasn’t put a wash on or stepped foot into a dry cleaner or opened his own mail for years and years.

Sure, he has a huge job, and I’m sure he works his arse off at it. But we all work hard, and some of us come home from our jobs and cook and clean and then find ourselves in A&E at all hours of the night.

For most of us,playing hardis unfathomable. But I’ll suck it up, because him needing a glorified nanny equates to the biggestopportunity I’ve ever had. This overprivileged playboy is Tabby’s lifeline, and I won’t forget it.

‘I can be all those things for you,’ I tell him. ‘I’ll make it all go away. If you hired me, your wellbeing would be my sole focus, I promise.’ During office hours only, pal. I have someone whose wellbeing is far more worthy of my attention in real life. There’s an eight-year-old girl with insufficient oxygen circulating in her body, and she’s known stress and pain the likes of which you can never, ever imagine.

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