2. Juliet
T he taxi’s dashboard read 10:45pm as they pulled up to Bryce Hotel. After paying, Juliet and Margot darted out of the sleet and into the plush, five-star hotel’s glittering lobby. A few guests at reception looked them over questioningly; they were wearing much less than anyone else, even with coats.
“We should’ve had a drink before we left to warm up,” Juliet said, breathing into her cold hands as they passed a cosy yet crowded bar just off the lobby. What she really wanted was something to settle her nerves. Social anxiety had been Juliet’s lifelong companion: a side-effect of being the illegitimate daughter of the Frost family, and the years of gossip and judgement that came with it. Margot had been her saving grace – she didn’t care about Juliet’s last name. Margot liked to use society to her advantage, but let very few people into her life. A trait they shared.
“I know, my fingertips are blue. I can’t wait for summer,” Margot groaned. “Bikinis and the beach are much more to my liking.”
In the elevator, Juliet’s heart started to pound as Margot started listing off all the important people who’d be attending. However, there was no turning back as the reflective copper doors opened onto the top floor with a loud ping. They were walking down the carpet-to-ceiling cream corridor when Juliet’s phone vibrated in her tiny purse. The two suited security guards posted outside the party shot her a warning glance. Clearly, phones weren’t welcome at this exclusive event. The Bryce Hotel’s golden stag logo embroidered on their jackets told her they were hotel security, not just hired by those throwing the party.
“Oh no you don’t.” Margot peered over her shoulder at the phone. “You can’t bail out now.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m just going to read the message to make sure it’s nothing important.” Juliet moved down the hall and away from the guards’ heavy stares.
Baum: URGENT MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION. Hugo didn’t send in his draft last night as promised, and it’s already a week past his deadline. If we’re to publish his biography by next Christmas, we need that draft NOW! Have it on my desk by tomorrow morning, so I can prep for the editor meeting Monday. If successful, we can discuss your promotion. He’s hosting a Christmas party tonight before he heads to London, and we CAN’T miss this opportunity. Bryce Hotel, Suite 4.
Juliet stared at the text in disbelief. Baum knows dangling my promotion at the end of an impossible task would lure me into the office on a Sunday. There’s no way I can turn down this chance to get out of the non-fiction department, she thought, trying to figure out how the hell she was going to pull this off. Harley the guard with a questionable eyebrow piercing and tattooed hands was looking at Margot like he would give her a kidney if she asked.
Juliet: Consider it done.
“All done, and as promised, I’m staying,” she said, snapping her clutch closed with her phone tucked safely inside.
“Are you serious? I thought if Baum was texting you this late it would be an emergency?” Margot asked quietly.
“An emergency of sorts,” Juliet agreed. “Baum wants me to pick up a manuscript from Hugo – who just so happens to be throwing this party.”
“Whaat?! No way! You totally owe me for dragging you out here, then. In that dress, Hugo won’t be able to say no to you.” Margot whispered.
“Ew,” Juliet shuddered, “don’t even joke. He is over twice my age.”
The men, who hadn’t smiled once, opened the door for them. The night had only just begun, yet the party was in full swing. An oversized flatscreen played Hugo’s music videos on repeat at a volume that made conversation a struggle. She wasn’t surprised, given his legendary ego.
“Funny how you don’t seem surprised. Did you arrange this somehow?” Juliet asked quietly as they walked to the champagne bar, receiving welcoming nods and a few stares. “It’s quite the coincidence that you received an invitation to such an exclusive party the same night I’d have to find my way in.”
Margot suddenly seemed far more interested in the décor of the suite. Every expensively designed corner was littered with ashtrays overflowing with cigarette stubs and lipstick-stained champagne flutes.
“How could I? I can’t read Baum’s mind, and I’d never want to,” she scoffed, still looking away.
Juliet grabbed two full flutes from the bar and handed her one so she’d be forced to meet her gaze.
“Stop staring at me! You’re making me nervous.” Margot sipped her champagne, scanning the room for potential clients. Her evasion told Juliet exactly what she needed to know.
“You hacked Baum’s email again! After the interview incident, I told you not to do that again,” Juliet gasped. She’d be fired if they were caught.
“It was only her work email.” Margot rolled her eyes. “I didn’t see anything personal. Anyway, that time was an emergency. You wouldn’t leave the apartment or change out of your pyjamas because she was making you sweat about whether you got the assistant position.” Margot sipped her champagne.
“I haven’t been reduced to staying in my pyjamas this time. Why now?”
“I should’ve told you before I did it,” Margot admitted, “but Baum’s been overworking you for months, using this promotion as an excuse. I got pissed off when it seemed like she kept moving the goalposts, so I thought I’d just… check in. One small line of code, and I saw that the uppers at Harley they ran the largest non-profit shelters for women and children in the city. She didn’t want to interrupt her friend, but she needed some back-up.
“I don’t think leaving together would be very appropriate,” she hedged, not wanting to go anywhere alone with him. “I wouldn’t want to take you away from your guests.”
“I’m sure we wouldn’t be missed.” Hugo rested his hand on her lower back. Juliet made a mental note to burn the dress once she got home.
“Lead the way,” she sighed, managing to catch Margot’s concerned gaze as she followed the slimy man up the glass staircase to the second floor of the suite. “Watch your step!” she added as Hugo stumbled on the carpet and caught her arm. She steadied him before separating herself. He wasn’t the first letch she’d ever dealt with.
“Can’t I have your arm for support?” He mocked a sad frown.
“I’m afraid I’m not as strong as I look. In heels I can barely support myself,” she joked, but that only seemed to brighten his eyes.
“Afraid I might take you down with me?”
“Why risk it?” Juliet said, clenching her jaw as she tried to put her repulsion aside. Thankfully, he walked ahead, taking the not-so-subtle hint.
They reached the office and Hugo unlocked the door, Juliet wishing she wasn’t so far from the party. She felt some relief when she saw there was no way to lock the door from the inside. Hugo’s satisfied groan as he collapsed into the desk chair brought her attention back to him.
“What a great space to write in,” she said politely, admiring the small office. “Ms Baum is very excited to read your new pages.”
“All work,” Hugo sighed. “How about we have a drink and talk about the book? I’d love to hear your thoughts before I hand it over.” He licked his lips, making it clear that talking was the last thing on his mind.
“Oh, my opinion hardly matters. I’m only an assistant, and I think an editor would be much more equipped to offer a man with your success and reputation any suggestions,” she told him, remaining on the far side of the desk and out of his reach.
“You shouldn’t put yourself down.” His eyes wandered over her body, and she wished her dress wasn’t so short. “Baum wouldn’t send a nobody to my door. I’ve got an eye for talent, and I think you’re far too beautiful to be some assistant.” Hugo opened a drawer and produced a bound stack of papers. “With those legs and waist, those big brown eyes –my God, it’s a waste to have you stuck behind a desk.”
Juliet resisted the urge to roll her eyes; what did her body or her appearance have to do with her work? She was beginning to question what she wanted more – her promotion, or to slap this pathetic excuse of a man. But when his manuscript landed with a thud on the desk, she could almost taste the promotion.
“I’m happy at Harley Hugo’s wide pupils pleaded with her. “I don’t think you want to do that. Wouldn’t this be terribly bad for your recovered reputation?” she sighed.
“She assaulted me! If you don’t help me, I’ll make sure you’re fired!” The washed-up rockstar tried to regain his feet, but only got as far as his knees.
Juliet nodded. “You could have me fired, but then I’d go to the press and explain how you were trying to get into my pants by abusing your power while drunk off your ass. Harley & Rowe have a strict sexual harassment policy, and you’d be forced to pay back that sizeable advance – which I don’t think you have anymore.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lied. “No one will believe an assistant over me.”
“That’s true. Who am I compared to you? So, how about I go get the hotel security posted outside the suite? I must warn you that they’ll call the cops. With any report of assault you’ll be sent to the hospital, where you’ll have to explain all the drugs and alcohol in your system.” She watched the colour drain from his face as reality sobered him up. “With all the drama, I’m sure the tabloids will get wind of your relapse – and again, you can kiss goodbye to your advance.”
Margot crouched down beside him. “How about we do you a favour instead? We’ll leave, and this never happened?”
“Seems fair,” Juliet added, her hand on the office door handle.
“Get out!” Hugo barked, too embarrassed to look at them.
“Absolutely. I’ll be sure to send Ms Baum your best.” Juliet closed the door behind them, hoping this incident would make him think twice about trying the same stunt on the next assistant sent his way. Her hand shook as she gripped the manuscript tightly, and she followed Margot through the crowd of guests to the door. Hopefully Margot had had enough time to make a few contacts, because she needed to leave.
Leaving the suite, Juliet bumped into a guest heading in. The smell of aftershave filled her senses, and an embarrassed chuckle escaped her. She’d been distracted, glancing over her shoulder to make sure that Hugo wasn’t following them.
“Sorry,” she muttered, before being utterly frozen by a set of dark eyes staring down at her.
The man’s scowl softened, and for a moment he stared at her as though he recognised her. “I—” he started, only to shake his head. His eyes narrowed, as though he was studying every inch of her face. Juliet chewed her lip, waiting for him to speak or let her pass, since his broad stature was blocking her path.
“Juliet?” Margot called from the elevator.
“Excuse me.” Juliet blushed, sure her cheeks matched the shade of her dress.
Thankfully, her friend’s words seemed to break the man from his trance. He offered her a small smile, though the crease in his forehead made her think something was bothering him. The guest, whom she guessed to be in his early thirties, moved aside to let her pass, and she felt his eyes on her back as she did so. Glancing over her shoulder, she noted that security let him in without question.
How strange . Maybe he mistook me for someone else. She didn’t recognise him. If they’d met before, she’d remember such a nice jawline. Still, no matter how handsome he was, nothing would drag her back inside the party.
“What was that about? Do you know each other?” Margot asked, once Juliet joined her in the elevator.
“I don’t know. He didn’t say anything. I probably just surprised him.” Juliet shrugged, hitting the button for the lobby.
“He looked like he knew you. If a man looked at me the way he was looking at you, I’d have swooned!” Margot swayed dramatically.
“What is it about tall, dark and handsome men that turns us all to jelly?” Juliet tried to hide the heat in her cheeks, still unsettled by his gaze.
“Is that a serious question? Don’t act all unbothered– I saw you eyeing him up. I mean, that man was giving you serious bedroom eyes. I could feel the tension halfway down the hall. I should have just left you to it.”
Juliet glared at her, but once the doors closed, they erupted into laughter.
“There was no way I was going back to that party with Hugo probably still licking his wounds. I can’t believe you hit him!” Juliet giggled, trying to forget about the mystery man.
“He deserved worse! When I saw you going upstairs, I knew there was no way he would let you go easily,” Margot said, drying her laughter-induced tears.
“Thank you for coming up. If you’d arrived a second later, I’d have slapped him with the manuscript,” Juliet told her, hoping Hugo would take her threat seriously and keep his mouth shut.
“If I remember correctly, the hotel bar looked rather inviting on the way in,” Margot said with a long sigh. “We both deserve a drink to celebrate.”
“And what are we celebrating?” Juliet clutched the manuscript as though her life depended on it. For getting her the invitation to the party and saving her from the washed-up perv, she reminded herself to get Margot a very big Christmas present.
“I’ve booked three clients for the New Year, and you’re about to be promoted.” Margot beamed, eyeing the manuscript.
“I’m so proud of you,” Juliet said, squeezing her friend.
“Of us!” Margot amended as the elevator doors opened.
“Now I’ve got to make sure his pages are somewhat decent. If it’s terrible, Baum might use it as an excuse not to give me that promotion!” Juliet hooked her arm through her friend’s as they walked past the gleaming Christmas tree and into the bar.
“Celebration first,” Margot countered, waving down the penguin-suited bartender across the brass bar. “First round’s on me.”