Betrayal (Infidelity Book 1) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,76
to court. My makeup was flawless, with just the right amount of bronze to highlight the red and blonde highlights in my hair.
Andrew and Patrick both stood behind me, waiting for my reaction.
Finally, I let the façade of indifference break away, and my entire countenance beamed with approval. “Wow! I don’t know what else to say.” I turned to Andrew. “Thank you. Obviously, you’re a miracle worker.”
“No. I’m an artist. All I did was highlight what you already have. You’re stunning. You were before I began.”
“Thank you.”
When Patrick and I eased into the backseat of a taxi, he said, “I’m going to be dropped off at Kassee.” When I looked at him as though I had no idea what he was saying, because I didn’t, he went on, “the design firm. I can’t miss this afternoon.”
My pulse quickened. “B-But…”
Patrick squeezed my hand. “I would miss it for you. I would. But there’s a big sales pitch this afternoon. I’ve put a lot of time into this and my boss wouldn’t understand. Remember, Infidelity is an illusion so I couldn’t exactly explain what I’d be doing with you today. Don’t worry. You won’t be alone. Cy’s going to meet you in the lobby of 17 State Street. He’ll escort you to Infidelity.”
“All right. Pat?” I asked tentatively. “Is this a mistake? I had planned on looking for a job, like other people do.”
“That’s still an option. Go to the interview. See what Karen has to say. Then, if you decide waiting tables or maybe working the box office at the New Amsterdam Theater is what you’d prefer to do, do that. There’s no obligation until you sign the agreement.”
Five thousand dollars.
That would double the money in my checking account. That would give me another month’s rent. I swallowed and nodded.
Before Patrick got out of the taxi, he kissed my cheek. “I can’t wait to hear all about this tonight. Be ready to give me a full report.”
I nodded, the blood draining from my cheeks. As the taxi driver maneuvered us back out into traffic, I straightened my shoulders and plastered my Montague smile in place. I told myself that this was better than what Adelaide had done. This was on my terms. This was one year. My mother and stepfather had forced my hand and I hadn’t folded.
One interview.
I could do that.
“YOU’RE STUNNING,” CY whispered as he kissed my cheek.
He’d been waiting for me in the lobby as I entered the blue-glass building with the distinctive curved façade.
“Thank you. Andrew’s a miracle worker.”
“No. I may be gay, but I know a beautiful woman when I see one. So will Karen.” He placed my hand on the crook of his arm and led me toward the elevators. “I wouldn’t have made calls last night if I had any doubts. Tell me about yours.”
“My doubts?” I repeated. “I’m nervous.”
Our voices were low.
“Think of this like an admissions interview. That’s what it is. Alex, you passed that interview for both Stanford and Columbia. I think you can wow Karen.”
Since we’d entered the open elevator and were no longer alone, I didn’t respond. Cy hit the button for the 37th floor. The elevator stopped at several other floors as busy people stepped on and off. With each movement upward, my anxiety increased. This wasn’t like Stanford or Columbia. Those were accomplishments that I could one day list on my curriculum vitae. I was most certain that Infidelity would not be mentioned as previous employment.
When the doors opened, the large lobby with a glass desk and the beautifully scrolled lettering spelling Infidelity on the fifteen-foot wall surprised me.
“I thought this was a secret company?” I whispered.
“No, Infidelity is a website that caters to an exclusive crowd. It employs hundreds of people, everyone from writers and photographers, to janitorial personnel. It’s a legitimate Fortune 500 company.”
Cy walked us to the desk and spoke to the receptionist. “Mr. Perry and Miss Collins here to see Ms. Flores.”
“Yes, Mr. Perry. Ms. Flores is expecting both of you. Let me tell her that you’re here.”
“Thank you.”
I watched as women and men walked past. They all seemed to have important business down one hallway or another. If I hadn’t heard Patrick’s elevator pitch the night before, I would never have known what other activities happened behind the walls of Infidelity.
“Cyrus!” a gregarious middle-aged woman wearing a navy skirt and jacket said as she rushed towards us.
“Karen,” Cyrus greeted her as they kissed one another on the cheeks. “Thank you for agreeing