Chapter 49

Amber cackles the entire way back to her own desk. I probably should have told her that if she spends so much time harassing me, her own work is bound to suffer. With the way she talks to me, I doubt she’d take my words all that seriously.

I need to forget her entirely. Forget her threats and her mockery. At the end of the day, my work will stand up for itself, regardless of whatever she says or does.

Just as I finish up my daily work for Lila, leaving the rest of the afternoon open to my own research, a spot a helpful tip on a paparazzi website. Typically, I avoid such gossip. Those websites have never been kind to me or my family.

But lately I’ve found that with an open ear and an open mind, sometimes there are leads to be found within that gossip.

Like this most recent article, for example, that talks about some congressmen’s favorite eateries around town. It’s probably a bad idea to post something like this, when congressmen already have to take bodyguards to many places they go.

I can’t say a word against it in this case, however, since through the article, I learn that Miles has lunch every workday at the same deli, down near the congressional building.

Checking my clock, it’s a bit late for lunch, but if I’m quick, I may be able to still catch him.

Gathering my supplies, I shove everything I need into my cross-body bag. Ready, I rush to Lila’s office. “I have a lead of Representative Hamilton,” I say.

“Go,” she says, laughing. “Waste your time if that’s what you want to do.”

“Thanks,” I say, and head to the door.

Goosebelly Deli was a hole in the wall kind of place, with a counter of meats and a limited number of seating against a wide window. Because it was so small, as soon as I entered, I immediately heard Amber talking to Miles.

“Miles, you are being purposefully difficult,” Amber says. “You know this could make or break my entire career. Why are you holding back on me?”

“You are a talented go-getter, Amber. You don’t need me to succeed.”

“You have no idea how badly Harbinger wants this interview.”

“I have a pretty good idea about it, actually,” Miles says. “I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again. I have no interest in helping Hugo or anyone else at his news company.”

Miles is sitting at one of the high tables with his half-eaten sandwich in front of him. Amber stands beside him, her arms crossed.

“This petty rivalry of yours has gone on for too long, Miles,” Amber says. “You aren’t proving anything anymore. You are just being childish.”

“You are only saying that because you aren’t getting what you want.”

I’m not sure what to do here. I don’t want to interrupt, especially when Miles already seems pretty defensive about the whole interview fiasco.

I wonder what happened between Miles and Hugo that bred such hostility, but now isn’t the time to ask that either.

Maybe I’d be better off just walking out of here. Miles is just trying to eat his lunch, and Amber has already accosted him. The fact that she is here certainly doesn’t help matters.

If I try to talk to Miles, Amber would be ready to mock me. No doubt she wants to bring me down in his eyes.

I also still feel uneasy about how I learned this was even his favorite spot. Tabloids are the worst way to gather information.

I should have just called him and asked him. That’s what I’ll do. Coming here was a mistake.

Swiveling on my heel, I start to walk back through the door. I push it open, the bell chimes, and a voice calls out.

“Esther? Is that you?”

Shit. Miles has seen me. I can’t leave now, not without a really good excuse. Unfortunately I don’t really have any.

“Come over here,” Miles says. “Join me.”

“Don’t invite her over,” Amber hisses.

Miles frowns at Amber. During their entire argument, he’s maintained a cool composure, but now he seems outright annoyed by her words. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“She’s only going to pester you,” Amber says. “Worse than even I’ve been doing.”

Miles softens a little. “I find that hard to believe. Besides what on earth would Esther have to pester me about?”

I step back into the store. God, I should have told him earlier. I had chances. I feel like a fool now, concealing my new job from him for so long.

“Miles, I can explain…”

“She got a job with Harbinger News Company,” Amber says, hitching a thumb in my direction. She turns to me and sneers. “As if Miles would ever give such an exclusive interview to a rookie.”

Miles pauses as he visibly processes the words. He looks from Amber, down to his sandwich, and then up to me. His features are stone-like, hard and impossible to read.

“Is this true, Esther?” he asks. “Are you really working for Hugo?”

Everything in me wants to slump in shame, but I force the tension to remain in my body, holding myself upright fully.

I don’t know why Miles seems to dislike Hugo so much, or whatever else has happened between them. But I am proud of the place I am in now, and all I have accomplished since I started.

“Yes,” I tell him.

“She’s a temp,” Amber provides. “Hardly a regular employee.”

Miles keeps his eyes locked on me, not looking at Amber, even when he speaks to her. “How long have you been there?”

“A couple of weeks,” I say.

His mouth forms a hard line. “You didn’t tell me.”

“I didn’t want you to think that I only wanted to be friends to get the interview,” I say.

“But that is what you want, isn’t it?” Miles asks.

Amber smirks at me as I hesitate. “Esther’s under the impression that if she can secure an interview with you that the company will take her on as a permanent employee.”

“You want to be a reporter?” Miles asks. His face remains expressionless.

“My degree is in journalism,” I say. “I’ve always liked making connections. I think I’d be good at it.”

“You would…” Miles voice trails.

Amber glances back at him in surprise. “You don’t have to be nice to her, Miles. She’s been manipulating your kindness all this time, just waiting for the moment to pounce and –”

“Amber, you can leave now,” Miles says. He reaches for his napkin and after dabbing at his lips, places it over his sandwich and pushes it to the side.

“But, Miles…”

“We can talk later, if you want,” Miles says. “But right now, I wish to speak with Esther. Alone.”

Amber gives me a look that, if she had psychic powers, would likely make my head explode.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Amber says. “You need to listen to me about her. She’s a snake waiting to strike.”

“I’m a congressman, Amber. I’m used to snakes. It was nice seeing you, now goodbye.”

Dismissed, Amber grumbles as she backs off. She glares at me the entire way through the door. I imagine her still glaring, even out on the sidewalk, though I can no longer see her.

Miles gestures to the stool seat opposite his at his table.

“Sit, Esther. And tell me exactly when you decided to become my enemy.”