Page 39 of Love Under the Microscope
“You used to love when I said things like that.”
He’s not wrong. “Because I believed you were sincere. Now, not so much.”
It’s his turn to laugh. “You’re a brilliant woman, Zelda.”
“I am, so spill what you really want.”
A beat passes and then another. “Fine.” He inhales loudly. “Give me the keys to the kingdom, Zelda.”
The man has lost his mind. My head sinks into the deep, soft pillows worth every dollar. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Orchid. Let me have Orchid.”
His sneering voice is the opposite of the charming tone he was just using, and the opposite of his silver-screen looks. I shudder with distaste.
“Give me everything you have on it and have Zentello withdraw the product from the market,” he adds.
I laugh emptily. He not only has lost his mind but he must’ve also hit his head. Yet if he wants our research and formula for Orchid, that suggests he doesn’t have it. Or what he has doesn’t work. The Orchid team has expanded beyond the original formula. But the more info I can get from Nigel, the better. “Why the hell would I do that?”
“Because if you don’t, I’ll bring down the company you love so much.”
“Go fuck yourself, Nigel.”
“I have proof.”
He’d said something about that before. “You mean you stole something from me.”
“You were living in my house. I only kept what was mine.”
“Still illegal.”
“You’ll never be able to prove it, which is why you should come work for me. We can do great things together. Bring a product to market that’ll change the world for women and men everywhere.”
“Zentello is already doing that.”
“Orchid will never launch. I promise you that.”
“You can’t stop it.”
“Always the optimist. Just know, this job offer won’t exist when things go south for Zentello, but I’ll let you think about it for a few days.” He cackles. “And don’t forget, I know your secrets.”
My heart stumbles. He doesn’t know any of my secrets, but I’ll act worried so he thinks I believe his lie.
“I doubt it, Nigel,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant. “Nothing you can say about me would shock anyone.”
“Are you sure about that?”
I’m not, but he doesn’t know that. “I’m sure. Besides, I have some interesting information on you. Proof of a few things, even.”
“You do, do you?”
No, but he doesn’t need to know that either. “Yes, I do.”
He doesn’t say anything. His pause suggests he’s worried I might actually have something.
“We’re finished here,” I say before he can speak up. “Good night, Nigel.”
And good riddance.
