Dylan
* * *
Email to Will Banks, cc. Dwight Anderson, Kira Taylor, Toshiro Fukuhara, Callum MacKenzie, Dylan Sinclair
From: Victor Petty
Subject Line: RE: RE: RE: INCREDIBLE NEWS - TOP SECRET!!
Will,
To reiterate what Dylan is saying, we at ABN would never put any of our employees’ lives at risk. We’re committed to upholding the highest safety and wellness standards for every member of the ABN family, so please relax and enjoy this new adventure.
We’ve got you covered,
Victor
* * *
Text from Dwight to me:Sounds like they’ve got it all under control. Have a wonderful trip!
Me:You better hope they do because you won’t make any money from my corpse.
Awful P.R. People and the Princesses Who Hate Them
Arabella
It’s Tuesday morning.Gran and I are having an early breakfast in the warmth of the solarium before we both begin our various functions for the rest of the day. The servers have finally left so we can speak freely among the lush, exotic greenery. Since Saturday night, I’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to tell her about my gargantuan secret, needing us to be completely alone and for her to be in a mood that lends itself to helping her youngest grandchild. And if there’s anything that puts Gran in a generous frame of mind, it’s eggs Benedict day. It’s her favourite meal, but since her heart attack, she can only eat it once a month. Lucky for me, today is that day.
I wait until she’s had a few bites and her face has settled into a satisfied bliss before I speak up. “Gran, remember the other day when you told me to make this life my own and to take the next big risk that comes my way?”
Raising one eyebrow, Gran puts down her fork and knife. “What did you do?”
Oh dear. The raised eyebrow is never a good sign. “Before I tell you I need you to promise you won’t say a word to Father—or anyone else, for that matter.”
“I'll make no such promise.”
“Fine.” I shrug as though the conversation is over, then slice into a strawberry and take a small bite.
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll go straight to your father and let him know you’re keeping a secret that will likely prove to be catastrophic.”
I’m about to say, ‘you wouldn’t,’ when I realize she most certainly would. I let out a sigh. “Do you remember that Will Banks fellow at the wedding? The one Tessa was teasing Arthur about?”
“The James Bond-esque man you were shamelessly flirting with at the champagne fountain?”
“I wasn’t flirting,” I say, feeling my cheeks warm. “And even if I was flirting a little, I would never do so in a shameless manner.”
“You absolutely were. Now, out with it. What did you do?”
“You’ll recall Mr. Banks hosts a nature documentary, and I thought it might be exciting to serve as a…co-host.” I pop a tiny piece of honeydew into my mouth and attempt to chew it casually. “I think it would be a real confidence boost, which is exactly what you said I needed—an opportunity to spread my wings and test my mettle.”
Sitting back in her chair, Gran runs her tongue over her front teeth. “Are you insane? You know you’re not permitted to hold a job.”
“What if all the money goes directly to charity?” I take a sip of tea. “In that case, it’s not a job, but a charitable act—and a considerable one at that, I might add.”
“As fun as that sounds, and as attractive as Mr. Banks is, this is entirely out of the question. There is no way the powers that be will allow it.”
“Yes, I know,” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. “That’s why I already signed the contract.”
