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Later in the afternoon, after tiring of the whispers and looks from the rest of the office, I’m holed up in the legal library getting some work done. That’s where Taylor finds me, gives me a big hug, and tells me she knows about all of it.
“Ultimately, I think it’s a smart move on your part,” she offers.
“Making myself an office pariah for money?”
“A lot of money,” she counters. “But it’s not just the money, Fumi. Anyone with a brain will see what this is—and I don’t mean that as a threat. What I mean is, other equity partners, the board, even managing partners of other firms will see this and see golden allegiance to Crown and Black. That’s loyalty you can’t buy.”
“He literally just bought it.”
She laughs. “Okay, I walked into that one. But you know what I mean. This makes you look like a badass, not a gold digger. At least, to those who matter.” She shrugs. “Look, cards on the table: I plan on doing whatever it takes to keep you at Crown and Black for your entire career, because you’re that good and because I’d be an idiot to let anyone else scoop you up. This could and probably will bite me in the ass…” She grins again. “But when you’re due for your next raise in a few years, and seven other firms in New York are dumping gold at your feet to jump ship because of the loyalty you’re showing right now, that’s ammo you can use here to negotiate for more money.”
I smirk. “Why, pray tell, would you tell me that, as a name partner?”
“Because I like you, Fumi. Both as your friend and as your boss. I want the best for you.” She exhales. “Look, Gabriel’s…well, Gabriel. But he’s a good man. And he’s completely aware of what this is, for both of you. This really will be strictly for the cameras, Fumi.” She gives me a sideways glance. “My opinion?”
“Please.”
“Throw in a relationship clause.”
“A what?”
“This contract lumps you two together for a minimum of close to four years. You’ve the campaign itself. Then if he wins, which seems likely given…” She lifts a shoulder. “Well, Governor Hall is going down.”
I shiver.
“So then you’ve got three years in the Governor’s mansion together—a man you won’t really have a relationship with. And…” She grins salaciously at me, and I suddenly get what she means by “relationship clause”.
“That’s a thing?”
“Legally binding fake marriage contracts with stipulations that both parties can seek romantic and sexual attention from others, provided they’re discreet? Uh, yeah. I’ve written in clauses like that half a dozen times for situations exactly like this. Otherwise, what’s the alternative?” She wrinkles her nose. “You just don’t get laid for four years? Fuck that.”
My face burns as every single lurid detail of the other night at Venom comes rushing back.
“So definitely a relationship clause. It’s not like you’re going to be screwing Gabriel,” she snorts.
No.
Of course not.
That would be ridiculous.
It’s not quite the end of the day, and I’ve got a mountain of shit to do, but Taylor tells me to take the rest of the day off anyway.
I don’t. I’ve already got the entire office starting at me like a leper. The last thing I need is to walk out early.
When I finally do leave work, I startle when a built blond man all in black steps away from a town car parked right outside the front of the Crown and Black building.
“Ms. Yamaguchi?”
I freeze. “Yes?”
He smiles warmly. “I’m Trevor, Mr. Black’s regular driver. He sent me to take you home.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. My new “fiancé” certainly has pretentious tastes. Expensive watches. Twelve-thousand-dollar suits. Sports cars. Of course he has a town car with a driver.
Still, a ride home in a town car is a ride home in a town car. And this is going to be my new reality soon.
Might as well get used to it.
