Page 54 of Chandelier Enthralled
“Please, Greyson,” pleaded Jake.
I couldn’t move, couldn’t get in the car, couldn’t ruin this chance.
They blocked me from going back, as though both assumed I’d bolt at any second. Having Jake, a retired quarterback, take me down would be an experience.
They knew me as a man of order, comfortable in the precision of unflawed designs. Aworld I understood, a world where everything had its place, and no amount of deceit could be included without it becoming a glaring spectacle.
But I’d become the spectacle now.
Atticus had the passenger door open. “Sit with him in the back,” he told Jake.
In a daze, I climbed inside the car.
This wasn’t me.
I was drifting toward darkness, where reason had no voice, and the allure of revenge was impossible to resist.
In my sordid imagination, I had murdered Jewel Hadley, and been okay with it, which mademethe monster now.
Jewel is coming for Willa. And if anything happens to me, she’ll be left completely vulnerable.
“Get me the fuck out of here,” I said.
On Monday morning, I was back at Pulse360, trying to decide if I even suited this place.
I needed more time to figure out what to do, what would make me happy.
It was fun to sit in my cubicle and work diligently on a story, look up from my desk and watch the newsroom bustle with activity.
I brushed crumbs off my Mary Quant vintage skirt, having eaten my mozzarella and tomato sandwich at my desk, still a little uneasy about joining the others.
Chloe was out of the office digging around for details about her story. I missed the company and was eager to learn more about her article.
I had spent the whole weekend avoiding Cameron, which wasn’t easy considering we were staying in the same house. Thankfully, it was big enough to find a spot to lay low. From the movie room to the private gym, he had every corner of it covered with everything a human may need.
When he’d asked about me looking for a new job, I’d told him I was submitting resumés, and then made it look like I was heading out to explore the city.
I’d point blank refused security.
Asking Cameron about that beautiful chandelier snow globe might trigger more questions, so for now, I kept it in my bedroom hidden away. I’d never considered misleading someone, particularly not a family member, but this was the only way to prove I could be successful by myself.
I’d never taken risks before, and yet my brothers had, so this was merely me mirroring their bravery.
At 10:00 A.M., I was summoned to the twelfth floor by the senior anchor.
Riding the elevator, I braced myself to meet her, excited to be brushing shoulders with a woman whose job I coveted. A woman whose work had inspired me beyond all measure. Her even knowing my name gave me a rush.
Within minutes, her secretary invited me to enter her office.
As I walked in, Julia Sterling watched my every step from her red office chair, like a woman surveying her youthful competition—which I was so obviously not. There was no competing with this remarkable woman.
But this bright star in television had summonedme.
“You asked to see me?” I said, taking everything in.
“Willa, right? Nice to meet you.” Julia exuded that rare kind of charisma that had made her one of America’s darlings. Short blonde hair framed a delicate face and defined her high cheekbones. Her wide, sparkling eyes captivated anyone who looked her way. It was no surprise she had been handpicked from the newsroom to anchor the evening news. Her presence was magnetic.
I gave a nod. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
