Chapter 1 Between the Lines
“Can you repeat that? ” Detective Adams turned around.
“He was with me, that night,” I said it. there is no way back. I looked at Mrs. Ekerman - “I am sorry. ”
“Ever heard that hiding a criminal is a no-no in the eyes of the law?” I quipped, eyeing his hairy, hungover face, clearly annoyed. The morning had barely started, yet chaos had barged into the heart of the country’s largest publishing house during a critical shareholder meeting. Accusations swirled around David Ekerman, eldest son of the esteemed owner, Lady Alize Ekerman, with allegations of rape hanging thick in the air.
With the meeting abruptly halted, Lady Alize gracefully ushered them into her office, where both brothers, Jeremi and David Ekerman, awaited.
“I’m not covering for anyone; he was at my place that night. Feel free to ask my neighbors” I confessed, disbelief lacing my words. The last thing we need is a public spectacle, especially with ‘Ekerman Publishing’ in the middle of a merger with ‘Falkner and Co.’”
Avoiding David’s penetrating gaze, I shifted uncomfortably as Mrs. Ekerman’s voice sliced through the tension, piercingly cold.
“Aza, is that the truth?”
“This was only once, I.. ”
“It was more than once,” a deep, resonant voice cut through the tension, interrupting what should have been my apology. I know him too well; he doesn’t speak often, and when he does, it’s either out of annoyance or to assert his intellectual dominance.
“For God’s sake, David,” I muttered under my breath.
“So you’re claiming you were at her place the night of Valerie Siems’ rape?”
“Yes,” David affirmed without hesitation.
“Why didn’t you mention this earlier?” Adams continued to scrutinize me with doubt. What an insufferable jerk; he cares more about making headlines than uncovering the truth, acting like he is capable of putting handcuffs on David Akerman.
“Detective, you see,” Jeremy Akerman interjected, he couldn’t resist joining the fray. Jeremy was the polar opposite of his reserved brother—a talkative playboy with a mischievous grin and a fondness for teasing his older sibling. He thrived on attention, even if it meant stirring up trouble. His attempts to connect with David were often foolish, to say the least.
“My mother has a strict rule for her female employees,” he explained, stifling a sigh. “None of them are allowed to sleep with us. Lucky ones who dared were promptly fired.”
“Does that include Miss Lake?” Adams inquired.
“Indeed it does,” Alize Ekerman's steely gaze fixing on me like a hawk.
"All this was very amusing, but let’s finish it" David looked at the screen of the vibrating phone and put it back in his pocket. While he is opening the left side of his silver suit showing a masculine tight body behind, a white shirt Detective Adams, "Miss Siems provided any proof of rape? "
"Medical examination proved it."
"Proved what"Jeremy had a smirk on his face "It is not a secret that Miss Siems has, how to say, peculiar sexual preferences. I will tell you more, she owns several establishments where you and your colleague can practice your darkest fantasies. ”
“Detective” Eliza got up from her seat “As I see you don’t have any proof except the words"
"We need to verify her claims,” Adams persisted.
I felt annoyance bubbling within me.
“So, you’re checking if she’s telling the truth?”
“We’re simply doing our job. Miss, You’ll need to come in and make a statement,” he responded firmly.
“I will,” I nodded.
“Okay. I appreciate your cooperation, ”
The detective and his mute sergeant were thrown off by the unexpected turcn of events. They had anticipated escorting the suspect out of the building, but their assumptions crumbled before them when their bluff failed.
“Please deliver my schedule to Jennifer and then take your leave. In return, you’ll receive a three-month allowance. Additionally, for your exemplary work, I’ll provide you with a recommendation. I trust this will conclude our association. You may depart at your convenience. ” Alize returned to her seat.
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Alize Ekerman for four years. She took notice of me during my internship at a publishing house and graciously extended an opportunity, supporting my dream of becoming a writer. She was a formidable yet compassionate figure who placed her trust in me, allowing me to be part of both her public and private spheres. I can’t help but feel deeply remorseful
Mother, I thought you knew me better. – David checked his phone again;
He walked pass me without even looking and left. David doesn’t know how to say ‘thank you’, because he doesn’t allow anybody to help. It is opposite, lot of people ows him in the city... and those people are really, really important.
I knew that there was a chance it would backfire. The first time I met Alizes’ sons I promised myself to not be involved with them in any way. They were powerful, spoiled, and dangerous people and I knew it very well, I was there when Mother’s PR company was cleaning their mess.
"I don’t know how they even bought this lie. My brother sleeping with a woman who is literally walking cosplay. Don’t get it wrong, I am not judging.."Jeremy had this curious cat look that gave me chills
"No worries."
Eliza was a smart woman, but even she for a second lost the thread. I would do anything for this woman. She was an idol, living proof of a woman who started from the bottoms and achieved everything every woman desires: independence, respect, possibility to change something. Yes, she had her devils but youcan’t fight monsters in the dark if you are weak.
"So you lied. ”- She was not that excited. It was expected.
"Yes. ”
"Why. ”
"Do you remember the idea behind my book? ”
"Don’t tell me... ” – Her eyes started widening, she threw pen on the table and laughed. –" Seriously? ”
"Yes. ”
"What, what, I want to know too... ” – Jeremy set on the corner of the table and started begging for an explanation. He wouldn’t stop nagging and his mother was curious too so I told them.
"You are so fucking weird. I liked you more when I didn’t know about it, it’s scary – the guy looked seriously disturbed. -"I better stay away from you both, and bathrooms in this building."
“Can you start now?” she asked, glancing at him and then at the door.
“But what about your neighbors?” she added after he left, his suffocating perfume still lingering in the air.
“I only have one neighbor, and he’ll say what I want him to say.”
“The guy on the bike?”
“The guy on the bike.” my smile was stupid and I felt it .
The next day was Saturday, and I spent it running around to finalize contracts for various publishing deals. Alize was preparing for her annual vacation to Europe, and everything had to be sorted before her flight on Sunday morning.
By the time I arrived at her house, it was dinner. The whole family was seated at the table. I hesitated in the doorway.
Fuck... I thought, feeling the weight of my exhaustion. The last thing I wanted was to see David again.
“Oh, Aza, you’re just on time. Sit and eat with us,” Alize said, gesturing to the butler, who promptly disappeared.
“No, thank you,” I replied. “I’ve brought the contracts with the authors you wanted to review. I’ll leave them on your office table.”
“Sit,” she commanded, her tone calm but firm.
I froze, recognizing the sharpness of her voice. She was annoyed, though I doubted it was directed at me. Alize rarely got involved in trivial matters unless they crossed her values or threatened the family’s reputation. Something had happened, and whoever was responsible was about to face consequences.
Reluctantly, I took a seat at the far end of the table, placing my bag on the floor. A butler appeared, setting a plate in front of me: steak with pepper sauce and a glass of red wine. My stomach churned. I didn’t like beef, but they hadn’t asked my preference—or cared. This wasn’t the kind of place where you voiced your opinions. Rich people’s spaces had their own unspoken rules, and I knew better than to defy them.
I forced myself to cut the steak into small bites, chewing slowly. Every mouthful was torture, but leaving the plate untouched felt like another violation of their unspoken etiquette.
The silence was suffocating. Forty-five minutes crawled by, broken only by the clink of cutlery and the occasional murmur between Jeremy and David. I avoided eye contact, focusing on my plate as if it were the most fascinating thing in the room.
Finally, Alize spoke.
“Aza.”
I almost dropped my fork, startled.
“Yes?”
“While I’m away, Garry and Tasha will handle the office. You won’t be needed there. I have a different assignment for you.”
I braced myself. I had known there would be fallout from last week’s events, but I hadn’t anticipated this.
“I understand,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. “I’m grateful for the years I’ve spent working with you.”
I smiled faintly, hoping my sincerity would resonate.
“Coincidentally, David’s secretary quit—AGAIN—so you’ll assist him until I return from my vacation.”
My chest tightened. “Oh, fuck me.”
David set his glass down with deliberate precision, his jaw tightening.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” he said, his tone clipped. Alize’s expression didn’t waver.
“And I don’t think you expected me to fire her because of you."
Jeremy, ever the wildcard, grinned.
“Cosplay girl as the Frost King’s secretary—Mother is wise.”
David ignored his brother, leaning forward slightly.
“She’s your favorite servant,” he said, his voice laced with polite malice. “I’m afraid she won’t be comfortable in my office. There are rules, specific requirements... a dress code.”
I kept my gaze on my plate, wishing I could vanish. For David to notice someone like me meant one thing: trouble. And trouble was the last thing I wanted.
“Aza, what do you say?” Alize asked, her calm demeanor as unnerving as a snake lying in wait.
What was her endgame? Was this about me, or was she using me to get to David? The rumors about him—his alleged ties to criminal circles, the corporate bankruptcies, the scandal—had been swirling for months. Was she trying to rein him in through me?
I weighed my options.
Saying no wasn’t one of them.
Alize had paid for my university tuition, and I owed her money. Plus, I had a book contract with her publishing house.
“Who will pay my salary?” I asked cautiously.
“You’ll be paid as usual by the publishing house,” she replied.
I took a deep breath.
“No,” I said firmly. “I’ll resign. But if I’m to work with Mr. Ekerman, I’ll need a signed employment agreement. I’d also like to include some additional clauses.”
Alize’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
“Perfect.”
“I’d like Mr. Jefferson’s assistance with this, preferably today.”
Alize rose from her seat.
“I’ll call him right now. David will Milo join us?”
David pushed his chair back, tossing his linen napkin onto the table.
“I can draft the contract myself, Mother.”
“Oh, right. I paid for your Yale law degree that you never use,” she said, the words were biting.
