Page 72 of Love Under the Microscope
She takes a deep, slow inhale of breath. “He said I was crap in bed. And before you say that’s a stupid reason to be hurt, he said it as if he knew that would be a good way to chip away at my confidence. I should’ve known better than to let him get to me, but once something gets in your head…”
“He’s even more of a dick than I thought.” I realize my fists are clenched so I flex my fingers. “You’re fucking amazing in bed. Don’t ever doubt that. You are incredibly skilled with everything from fucking to blow jobs.”
She smiles coyly. “Well, thank you for that, Mr. Parker.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“When he said that, it brought up the past and how I thought we were in love enough that I could trust him with Orchid, and look what happened there. He’s betrayed me in every sense of the word, and for what? His jealousy of Nate. It’s just like…”
She grabs her water and drinks.
That feeling in my gut tells me she didn’t mean to say the last part. “Just like what?”
“When I was in grad school, I became good friends with a woman in my biochemistry program, but it turns out she wasn’t a friend at all. She wanted my life—from my research to my boyfriend, who was Nate at the time.”
“A real-life Single White Female.”
“You are so old-school. I need to introduce you to Sophie and Juliette sometime. They live for the nineties.” Zelda takes another sip of water. “But yes, it was a little like the movie. She stole my work and got credit for it because I hadn’t taken enough precautions with my research. Ironic given what Nigel’s done wanting to be Nate.”
“What happened with this woman?”
“I went to my adviser, but she’d already been there claiming I stole her research. An investigation was done, and I was kicked out of the program.”
“That’s why you never got a PhD.”
She nods. “It was a nightmare that wouldn’t end. I thought that would be the end since she got what she wanted and became the ‘star’ of the department, but it wasn’t enough for her. She turned into a stalker and broke into the apartment I shared with Nate. She was in our bed, wanting to have sex with him. I came home first, and she attacked me. She was arrested and did time for assault, but she was released for good behavior.”
I have no words, but I feel the need to say something. I quit my program, but to be kicked out when she obviously had big plans for what she wanted to do with her life? My heart aches for her. “This woman sounds unhinged. Do you know where she is now?”
“Yes, Nate has someone keeping track of her. She lives in Maine and is now married with kids. But that incident left a mark. All I wanted was to leave my original name and what happened behind me.”
“And you could as Zelda Lowe.”
She nods again. “Even without the degree, I knew my stuff, but I didn’t want to be in the public eye where she might see me. When we conceived what would become Zentello, Nate was also worried she might try to hurt me somehow, so I took on the alias of Mr. Z, who is hidden behind DBAs and LLCs and an offshore company that even the most talented hackers have yet to figure out. After seeing the disgusting threats Zentello CEOs receive weekly from randos, I doubled down on being Nate’s assistant and haven’t looked back.”
“I don’t blame you for wanting to stay private.” And I will do whatever I can to protect her from any whackos. “I have no problem just focusing on Mr. Z for the interview.”
“Thank you.” She gives me a closed-mouth smile. “Therapy has helped. I no longer live in fear, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Does Nigel know about the stalker?”
“No. I thought about telling him, but I doubt he would have cared. And now I’m glad it never came out.”
Listening to her, I understand why she has trust issues. I don’t blame her at all. I never want to betray her the way these two people had. “Thank you for trusting me. Your secret is safe with me.”
CHAPTER 17
ZELDA
It’s only been a day since Jack cooked me breakfast, but he’s coming into the office to officially interview me as Mr. Z today. I’m also aware he wants to meet Nate. Jack said he didn’t envy Nate, but he asked a few questions about how closely we work together and if we still socialize. When I told him I often work in Nate’s office and we usually get together a couple of times a month outside of work, he suggested doing the interview at Zentello “to get a better feel for who you are.” The way he cleared his throat with a slight blush to his neck suggested Jack might be a little jealous, which is more adorable than I thought it would be, given Nigel’s behavior. And with how often thoughts of his late fiancée have popped into my head at random times, I can’t be one to judge Jack if he is jealous of my ex-husband.
To be honest, I’m nervous, which is why I keep checking the time. I’m working in Nate’s office, and he acts like he doesn’t even know I’m there. He’s so intent on whatever’s on his monitor. Typical of him and all the other scientists at Zentello. They live in their own little bubble worlds, a.k.a. laboratories.
I only hope Nate behaves. I’ve repeatedly warned him not to be overbearing or too nosy. It’s my interview on my terms. Well, Mr. Z’s terms. I haven’t told Nate how things have progressed to the next level with Jack. That’s none of Nate’s business. Besides, if he knew I’d slept with Jack, Nate would definitely be overbearing and protective.
The one positive?
Nate seems over me. He’s been dating. The day before yesterday, he had his hair cut and a wet shave at the barber shop during lunchtime. When we were dating, he always had a wet shave before he took me out. And then yesterday, he wore the same shirt as the day before and changed into a spare one he kept in the office. Guess we’re both getting some these days, and I’m so happy for him. He deserves happiness and love.
