Page 4 of The Photograph

When my device vibrates in my hand, I jump. It’s Cara. I can hear the smile in her sleepy voice. “Tell me everything.”

After I tell her about the project itself, I chew on my bottom lip and exhale. “But I’m competing against the best interior designers in the state, probably the country though—”

Cara groans. “Angel, you’ve made hundreds of drawings of this house, and I bet you know it better than the person who bought it. Don’t worry, you’ll get the project.”

My cell glued to my ear, I inhale deeply and nod even though she can’t see me.

“When’s your presentation due?”

I breathe deep and cross my fingers. “I have to send a digital copy in two weeks and if my designs are selected, they’ll invite me to present in front of a panel.”

“Good, good.” Cara yawns. “Who bought the house?”

My sweet, perfect sister. My sleepy sister. “My Cara, go to bed. We’ll talk later, okay?”

“Who’s this, liebchen?” a sleepy male voice asks in the background.

Cara’s voice is muffled as if she placed her hand over the mic. “My baby sister just landed her dream job. Go back to sleep, Andreas.”

Ooooh. Who’s Andreas?“Cara, go back to bed, I’ll text you when I hear something. Love you and say hi to Andreas for me.”

She chuckles. “Love you, angel.”

“Love you, my Cara.”

****

Three weeks later, the last day I was supposed to receive a call if I’d been selected, I stop pacing my living room to peer through the window opening on the quiet street. It’s nearly midnight. I drop on my sofa and curl my legs under me.

They didn’t like my designs.

Tears press behind my eyes, and I hug a pillow.

****

Gabe

“Gabe, her designs are, by far, superior to the other candidates. Her presentation is respectful of the period, but modern and with flair. Plus, she’s young and has a very good reputation. It’ll be good to have a fresh perspective.”

Leaving my post by the bay window of the boardroom, I cross the anthracite plush carpet to the oval mahogany table. I peer over my assistant’s shoulder at the plans and designs on the table.

She’s more talented than I thought.“You’re right, Ann, it’s exactly what I had in mind, just better.”

When Ann dropped her name in the ballot for the tender proposal on Holloway, I kept my surprise to myself and let the selection process run its course. And now, according to Ann and Smithson, Aelin Thorne is now the clear winner.

The investigator I hired found her a couple months ago, and I was ready to make my move, but this works even better.

Time to pay for your sins, Aelin Thorne.I bury my hands in my pockets and dip my chin.

“Let’s have her and the two others before the panel on Thursday.”

After tapping her tablet, the petite woman gets on her feet. “I can put it in your schedule for tomorrow.”

I check my wrist. “Thursday will be fine. Set it up after my return from Brussels. I’ll see you tomorrow.” As I walk to the heavy double door, Ann calls out.

“Gabe?”

“Yes?”

---