The Offer
K ali’s fingers danced across the keyboard, a steady rhythm that mirrored the hum of the office. The palpable tension in the air signaled that Amanda, our stern boss, returned. But unlike my early days at Apogee , I wasn’t as intimidated by her anymore. If anything, I felt a sense of relief knowing that she was back overseeing the office.
“You doing okay so far?” I queried as I skimmed her screen glowing with charts and data, a reminder of the relentless pace that we all had to embrace while working long corporate hours, a fact that Julian often pointed out with disgruntlement.
“Everything is great,” she lifted her head and smiled. “I am loving it here so far.”
Seeing someone else at Sophie’s desk still tugged at my heart. I struggled with change, even though I knew it was ultimately for the best. Kali had a warm personality so I hoped we would eventually become good friends too. I slid into my desk, ready to tackle the newest opinion column for our daily app.
“Happy Friday,” Misha, our office sycophant, twirled in with the charisma of a can of soda. “It took a while, but we’re finally here.” He puffed his chest.
“Happy Friday,” I managed to sound excited, even though the sight of him annoyed me. And yes, I adored Fridays, especially since they usually meant a late dinner date with Julian, but I wasn’t counting down the days of the week with despair from Monday to Wednesday either.
“So, I heard your boyfriend is opening up the Dubai resort this week,” Misha teased.
Kali’s eyes flicked toward me with curiosity, clearly anticipating his usual verbal diarrhea. She seemed to have already learned the ropes from her own encounters with him.
He straightened his back, jutting his chin out. “Lucie, I have a deal to propose.”
Begrudgingly, I narrowed my eyes. I understood that Amanda kept him close to gather information for her about office staff—a secret just between us—but it was definitely not a preference of mine. In my opinion, she would have been better off investing in an eavesdropping system. “What’s that, Misha?”
“I’d like to take a few pictures with Julian for my social media, if possible. I think it might impress the girls, you know.” He turned beetroot red.
Kali nearly spit out her tea, while trying to hide a chuckle at his vanished bravado.
“What’s the second part of the deal?” Skepticism crept into my voice. What could he possibly offer me in return?
“I have information.” He cleared his throat. “Something in regards to Jess and Sophie.”
I was done with the drama. I exhaled sharply. “Misha, we’ve closed the chapter with Jess recently. And I am not going to ask Julian for pics with you, that’s absurd. Why don’t you try to impress girls by becoming an upstanding citizen instead?” I raised my eyebrows. It was a warning not to push my buttons. “Maybe try not to park in disabled spots without a pass.” I was now beginning to sound like Sophie who had never gotten along with Misha. Had he been pestering her like this for years?
Kali glued her eyes to the screen, but her mouth stayed twisted in a mischievous grin.
“Miss Benton, my office,” a smooth voice sliced through the air. With the faintest sound of her light steps, Amanda strode in like a puma on the prowl. Her eyes swept the room, sharp and calculating, as she glided toward us. I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d overheard Misha’s little bargain, but it seemed unlikely. If she had, she would’ve shot him a deadly glance by now.
“Coming!” I leaped to my feet, eager to escape the awkward conversation.
“Chou chou of the office,” a nearby coworker whispered in a condescending tone.
And I couldn’t blame them for this nickname. At times, Amanda’s fascination with me felt almost morally wrong. Yes, I’d worked hard for it, and perhaps was great at my job, but the spotlight of Julian’s publicity had taken my career to new heights, pushing it into overdrive. Still, they only saw the success—none of them saw the struggle that came with it.
I followed Amanda intently, drawn in by the way her smooth, long ponytail swayed with each step, its rhythmic motion a testament to her poise. Soon, we reached her office, which felt more like a museum dedicated to her achievements. Displayed prominently were her Doctorates in Business and Literature, along with several prestigious accolades, including magazine covers like Vogue , National Magazine Awards, and the Harvard Humanitarian Award. Harper, her Bengali cat with striking leopard-like markings, immediately scampered over to greet me. According to Amanda, Harper usually retreated to the closet when visitors arrived, yet somehow, every time I came, we seemed to connect effortlessly, and she welcomed me with a warmth that defied her usual aloofness.
“How was the time I was away?” She jumped straight into conversation.
“Everything’s fine. Kali’s set,” I left out the app glitch that had almost shut us down and the all-nighter I’d pulled. It had been a hellish week.
“I am glad to hear that,” she assumed her seat, while inviting me to do the same. “Kali’s had a tough life, so I appreciate any support you can give her. I know it’s not something I need to ask, since it’s just in your nature to be kind.”
I gave it a subtle nod.
“Her role here is to be an assistant, and I’d like you to monitor her tasks and use her help whenever necessary. Her strengths are digital platforms so utilize her for all key features needed.”
“Thanks, Amanda.” I definitely needed the extra help.
“What specific needs do you have at the moment?” She jumped straight to business.
“Managing subscriptions, we’ve unfortunately received customer feedback that there are glitches with the free trial. I’d also like to see more interactive content, maybe that’s something Kali can project manage.”
“Offline access, I want to be sure we have that available as well.” Amanda petted Harper who was now walking across the desk. “Our user engagement is impressive. We’ve been analyzing the data this morning, and you’ve really outdone the projections we had for this.” She looked visibly delighted. “I had a nice time in Italy and I didn’t even need to think about my business.”
“I guess I have a good sphere of influence.” Staying humble was important to me in my industry where relevance didn’t last unless you continued to succeed.
“Not just that, but yes, your relationship with Julian certainly makes a difference,” she fixed me with a pointed, amused gaze. “But you know my opinion on men, we must keep on keeping on without them. We don’t want him to take credit for your accomplishments either. It’s not the case that you are successful because of him.”
I understood what she was trying to say.
“There’s something else I wanted to discuss with you, and I think this might be the perfect opportunity to give your sense of independence a boost.” Her tone shifted to one of greater gravity, surpassing its usual weight.
I swallowed. I didn’t need another task on my plate. Even with a new assistant, I’d still be underwater at this point in time.
“I’m selling Apogee ,” she announced, delivering the news like a shockwave.
What did this mean for us? Would we lose our jobs? Damn, I hadn’t seen this coming.
Amanda didn’t wait for my reaction to continue. “I’m taking Apogee public through an IPO with Hart Media,” she explained, her tone resolute. “We’ll bring in investors to raise capital and expand. It’s a big move, but it will be the right one for the company’s future. At the moment, I am considering retirement, Lucie,” she elaborated.
I tried to hide any worry, not to put her off with my weakness. I’d definitely be able to find a new job with my references, but Apogee had become a source of joy. It also offered much-needed stability in the otherwise harsh and lonely realm of fame alongside my billionaire crush. Not that I wanted to wallow in self-pity, but dating someone like Julian—someone with that kind of power—was far from the fairy tale most women probably envisioned. Apogee helped soften some of the loneliness that came with it.
“Retirement?” I fluttered my eyes. After losing Sophie, losing Amanda would be another hard transition.
“Once the investment bank determines the number and cost of shares, I’d like you to consider buying in,” she suggested confidently. “It’s not a goodbye, Lucie. By no means.”
Buying in? I hardly had about $20,000 in the bank. And I was still paying for school loans.
“Amanda, there’s no way for me to come up with the funds. And I really don’t have any family to ask for help.” I slopped my eyes. “I mean, I cannot ask Julian.”
She shot me a meaningful yet cryptic glance. “I wasn’t expecting that you’d have the money now,” she fiddled with a folder in front of her. “Consider getting creative with how you obtain it. An IPO takes about six months. One of the reasons why I’ve also been away is that the preparation for it takes time.”
I slightly relaxed. At least there wasn’t a current threat to my current job security. I’d have some time to figure things out.
“I plan to retain control through A shares, which will have superior voting rights,” she continued. “I’d like you to secure enough shares so that, between the two of us, we own all of them. I’m confident that in just a few years, you’ll see a substantial return on your investment. With the influx of investor capital, the possibilities are limitless.”
Maybe her “retirement” wasn’t going to be a complete exit after all. It sounded more like a shift in how she’d retain control, just from a distance. But I wondered how I fit into this vision.
“So, it’s not just Apogee you’re going public with?” I queried nervously.
She narrowed her gaze, likely amused by my na?veté. “No, Lucie, Hart Media is an umbrella brand. This magazine is my most successful venture, but I also own a publishing house with multiple divisions. Few people know, for instance, that I own Hart & Quill Press. I’ll send you the full list of brands today for you to check out. But Hart & Quill is the one I think you’d be most interested in per your application to work for me.”
She remembered something I’d written over a year ago? I’d read a few books published by them but had no idea the publishing house was under Amanda’s ownership. Just recently, I’d talked to Julian about my dream of working in publishing. Now, Amanda had managed to spark my curiosity—or maybe just dangle a dream in front of me that seemed completely out of reach.
“Do you plan to stay CEO?” An urgent desire to envision the future led me to ask this personal question. She was also somewhat of a workaholic and control freak, neither one of these two characteristics conducive to retirement.
“Yes, Lucie, but I would prefer at this point to become more of a face of the business,” she shared with me. “I am planning to relocate to New York, at least half of each year. I want to be more around my son too.”
I finally understood. This was about her family.
“He and his wife are expecting a baby in the fall,” she beamed. “But please keep this private, as I prefer when the media stays out of my personal life.”
It finally clicked—she was about to become a grandmother. She’d had her son when she was young.
“I want my business to be a legacy.” She declared passionately, running a hand through Harper’s coat. “Jayden, however, he’s not interested in publishing.”
Her son was a renowned surgeon.
“Yet, I’ve built an empire that I want to monetize and watch flourish. Still, I don’t believe board members, investors, and most shareholders should dictate how my company is run. Their only role should be to secure more funds for additional ventures,” she explained further.
“What do you estimate the cost of the A shares to be?” I cleared my throat. I’d only worked for her close to two years now, so it seemed preposterous to even be considering me for anything else but maybe middle management.
She leaned back slightly, considering my question. “Well, if we look at the company’s current valuation, I’d estimate it to be more than 1 billion. You’d need around 13 million to retain ownership of at least twenty percent of A shares, the minimum requirement to be in a leadership role. Those are, of course, estimates, and it’s still dependent on the investment bank pricing. If it ends up being more, I’ll work with you. And as a bonus, you can have Hart & Quill full A share ownership.”
She was giving me six months to make 13 million dollars? Merde , I cursed out silently in French, because my Gram’s language was always best used to express intense emotions. I glanced at Amanda, trying to mask my unease. She’d made an utterly impossible proposal unless I’d want to be a “kept” woman, a notion that she utterly despised herself.
“If I can’t come up with the sum, would you consider keeping all A shares?” I pondered out loud. If she wanted to retain control over the business, she didn’t need my help.
She stood up, gazing at the skyline that framed San Diego’s Coronado Bridge. For a moment, she closed her eyes, allowing the distant sounds of the city to wrap around her like a well-known comfort. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow that made her look almost regal.
“This isn’t just about business, my dear Lucie. It’s about recognizing potential,” her voice carried a weight of conviction. “You’ve shown me what you’re capable of, and I want you to have a stake in this company, to truly be a part of its future. I know this may require some effort on your part, but I believe you have what it takes to step up. And to answer your question, yes, I fully intend to keep all A-shares unless you can secure the funds. But I see you as a strong business partner, not just an employee. At least think about this opportunity. You can’t be a high officer unless you own twenty percent.”
High officer? I’d been at Apogee for barely two years, so the thought of being placed anywhere beyond middle management felt completely out of the question.
“Here,” she said, handing me a stack of papers. “I don’t want to overwhelm you, Lucie,” she added, her tone almost apologetic. “For now, I’d like you to apply to a few of these MBA programs. I don’t care where you go, as long as it’s accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Apogee is covering the cost as part of your position here. Please have Kali take on as much of your workload as possible, so you can make time for this.”
MBA? I walked in expecting just another assignment, and now she wanted me to pursue a degree. But there was no time to process it. She was my boss. Or was she becoming more? I lost my mom a long time ago and never had anyone to truly guide me—until Amanda came along. As a powerful Black woman, she had become the support I never knew I needed.
“I’ll give it all some thought!” I blurted out, trying to hide the sadness that was starting to creep in. I knew earning a degree was doable, but finding the extra money to buy into her business was another matter entirely. I wanted to keep the conversation going, to learn more about her vision, but instead, she gestured toward the exit and dove back into her packed schedule.
She’d left me reeling, the shock of her words echoing in my mind like a thunderclap, shaking me to my core. It wasn’t just what she’d proposed—it was the way she said it, as if she had the ability to bend reality itself with a single glance. She wielded her power like a master sculptor, shaping trends and carving out paths for others to follow, her decisions leaving a mark on the literary world that felt as heavy as history itself. And yet, there I was, caught in the wake of her influence, trying to make sense of a future that had just been thrust upon me. The weight of her expectations settled on my shoulders, and I could almost feel the pressure of the decision she had laid out for me. My mind raced, torn between the opportunity she was offering and the daunting reality of what it might take to grasp it.
I decided to take a long walk home. The cool evening air brushed against my skin, a welcome contrast to the whirly uncomfortable feelings that had built up inside me. I could suddenly feel the burden of the day’s anxieties begin to melt, replaced by a sense of clarity. I could either choose to stagnate or embrace the opportunities ahead.
You okay baby? Julian texted when I was a few minutes from home, his security guard tailing me closely. He could be quite intuitive, knowing when something was off with me. Over time, we’d developed a remarkable connection, leading me to believe even the most far-fetched stories about love relationships. With that, Sophie had recently made me a believer in the twin flame theory, a concept from New Age spiritualism. It suggested that twin flames reflected each other’s unresolved issues, fears, and insecurities—leading to intense challenges and profound growth. When I met Julian, I definitely felt pushed to confront parts of myself I had long avoided or hid.
Be safe out there , he followed up.
I hated the fact that I’d now had two secrets to keep away from him. I didn’t want to tell him about the 13 million, because I knew he was used to throwing his money at problems and I didn’t want him to do that. It’s an investment and you can pay me back , I knew what he’d say. But this was entirely about me making my way in the world. Then I also remembered. I’d forgotten to deal with James, another issue that I’d have to face soon without Julian’s knowledge, if possible.
I am. I just needed some time to myself, walking through the city. Work’s been hectic, and you know I can be a bit of an introvert sometimes. Just trying to gather my thoughts after a busy day. I messaged candidly. The lights of El Cortez flickered, as they often did, with a few of the neon letters stubbornly refusing to shine, casting an uneven glow over the street.
I made a reservation for us at Mister A’s. We got the whole deck for ourselves. Julian offered.
Mister A’s was an elegant French eatery on Fifth Avenue, just a few blocks from where we lived. Perched atop the Manchester Building, it featured a stunning 180-degree view of the San Diego skyline. There was no other place I’d rather be on a Friday night than at that exact location.
Thrilled! He possibly had to rent the whole restaurant to make such an evening happen, so I would hurry home to make the most out of it.
I only needed to shoot a quick message to Sophie, because there was nobody else I’d rather consult about things on my mind than her. I felt that a conversation with her would help me see some solutions. Sophie’s schedule booked up fast, and it most certainly had to be something in the morning, as in the afternoon, she was usually doing open houses for her listings.
Wanna grab brunch this Saturday, maybe after Pure Barre ? I keyed while I approached our apartment. Ever since she’d started going out with Mark and working as a realtor, we’d both built a separate social life with our partners. I’d need to work harder to maintain our friendship as strong as before, but I would.
Lu, I’m in! she replied instantly. I could almost envision her goldfish mouth and over-the-top reaction when I’d tell her about Amanda’s outrageous proposal. Her dramatic reactions were just one of the many things I missed when not seeing her daily at work anymore. But I’d been adjusting to her absence. As long as she was still around, I’d deal.