I notice when her delicate hands grip the arms of the chair. “You can’t say things like that to me.”
“Why not, if it’s true? Also, I said I’m attracted to you, not that I’ll act on it.”
Her cheeks redden again, and it’s a lovely reaction, one I didn’t expect from an independent woman who is about to go with me to a strange country, agreeing to travel with her boss without knowing the destination.
“If that’s the kind of behavior you’d like me to help change, you’re going to have to double my salary because it’s going to be a very difficult task.”
“Consider it done,” I say because I’ve just come to the conclusion that I want this skittish girl as an assistant.
“What? No. It was a manner of speaking. The salary you offer is more than generous, even if I’m not willing to take it anymore.”
“Why? Is this the first time a man has told you you’re attractive?’
“To be honest, yes. However, that’s not the reason I’m sayingnoto your job proposal. I didn’t know that in accepting the position—and I believe that my cousin was also unaware when referring me to you—that it came with the condition of becoming the boss’slover.”
“I never pay to have a woman, Miss Turner.” For those who don’t know me, my voice sounds calm, but I’m boiling inside. “Though I’m sure everyone has a price.”
“Not me. There would be no money in the world that would make me go to bed with someone. Now, please tell mewhat I’m still doing here. Ever since I bumped into you, we’ve done nothing but argue.”
“I want you to work for me. Your dislike of me is an excellent qualification.”
“I don’t understand.”
“As my assistant, you need to know certain peculiarities of my life, Miss Turner.”
“Like what, for example?”
“I don’t have girlfriends in the strict sense of the word. I go out with women, always one at a time, for a period of thirty days, maximum. Then it’s over. I think you can understand why, even if I think you’re beautiful, you don’t suit what I look for in a relationship.”
She opens and closes her mouth several times, like she’s trying to process what I have just said.
Finally, she relaxes against the leather chair, looking at my face as if she’s facing a sphinx whose riddle needs to be deciphered.
“Don’t overthink it, Miss Turner. I’m offering you the assistant position at a salary far above the market rate. It’ll be a strictly professional relationship.” I pause before I play the final card. “And I’m still going to help you with your housingproblem.”
She swallows hard. “How do you know about that?”
“The whole world knows your father is broke,” I say, without mincing words.
“Wedidn’t know until recently,” she says, looking embarrassed.
Her father was the CEO of a pension fund and lost the wealth of thousands of people in risky investments. There’s also a suspicion that he may have diverted a good part of the funds to his own pocket. If that’s true, it’s only a matter of time before he’s arrested.
“I’m not saying it’s your or your family’s fault, but I’m aware of your situation. From what I see, our professional relationship is an excellent business move on your part. You will have a job, and I will arrange for you to move into one of my apartments in London.” I never imagined that, while interviewing Madeline Turner, I would have to convince her to be my assistant.
“Why are you doing this? You could hire someone more qualified than me.”
“Yes, it’s true, but your education comes from birth and not from a textbook, and we have established that we’ll never cross the line. Those things turn you into the ideal candidate.”
“You can call me Madeline. I mean, if that doesn’t sound toounprofessional, of course.” She doesn’t say it with sarcasm. I realize that, despite my first impression of her, Madeline Turner is sweet as a date.
“Call me Kamal,” I say, but then I can’t resist teasing her. “Ormy Sheikh.”
“Is that traditional? I thought it was Your Excellency.”
Her question is so innocent that I decide to back off. Madeline doesn’t look like she’s used to joking around.
“How old are you, really?” I ask. I know her age—it was on her resumé—but she looks younger and her naïveté doesn’t match her birth certificate.
