After leaving hair and makeup, I return to the set and sit in my assigned chair, opposite Miles, who also sits in his.Around us, the crew mills about, checking the sound and adjusting the lighting. The cameras zoom in and out, the director arguing somewhat about the placement. Miles, it seems, is t
“I will,” I tell him.God, he’s such an impressive man, so confident and strong. Even when his eyes went distant, his posture remained straight and proud, his voice never wavered.I admire him, even as I’m slightly jealous. He’s young and optimistic, ready to take on the world and bring it into line
One of the crew count us down. When they mouth a silent zero, the cameras come on and we are live.“Welcome, everyone, to our exclusive interview with Representative Miles Hamilton,” I say. With shaking hands, I clutch my notecards hard, crinkling them, but somehow manage to keep my voice firm and s
“Miss Sophia,” I say, immediately interjecting. “I know you are curious, we all are.” I laugh, trying to make light of it. “But we can’t possibly ask Miles to reveal that kind of personal information if he’s not comfortable to do so…”“It’s alright, Esther,” Miles says calmly, his smile unwavering.
Rita even says, “You’ve got my vote, kid.”After Pastor Rockwell, the interview finally, blessedly, ends.“We thank you for your time tonight, Representative Hamilton,” I say.“Please, Esther. I insist you call me Miles.” He flashes that charming grin again and my heartrate kicks up, even if it’s al
Esther leads Miles to Lila’s office and then gestures for him to go inside. He saunters in like he owns the place, walking right up to the desk, before turning around and leaning on the edge.I step into the room behind him.“Close the door,” he says, so I do, pulling it shut behind me. Lifting his
“I knew you would do well, Esther,” Miles says. “This has nothing to do with that.”“Then what is the reason for this?”Miles’s brow pulls together slightly. “Do we need a reason?”After what he said today about another woman? “Yes.”Miles looks up, considering. “Alright.” His gaze snaps back to me
When Miles and I finally manage to pry ourselves away from each other – and after Miles takes another five minutes to list unsexy things like snowstorms and black ice – we open the door and step out from Lila’s office.Outside the office, Lila leans against the outside wall of the cubicle pit. As so
“We should watch the rest,” I tell him, though my voice is shaky. “No,” Miles says, more firmly. I breathe a sigh of relief. For my job, I know we have to hear it. But personally, I would like to go the rest of my life without even thinking about Edward Zimmer again. “The numbers are already u
Edward’s response comes in the form of a video message. Crystal set it up on the television on the wall, while Miles and I huddle closer to the screen. Miles holds tightly onto my hand. “Whatever happens. Whatever he says. We will stand against him and we will win,” he says. I believe him. Last
How could I say anything but yes? A thousand times over, yes, yes, yes. I’ve tried so hard since that first night, sleeping with Miles while thinking him a call boy, to not fall in love with him. Yet, as hard as I tried not to, my heart kept pulling me straight back to him. My love for Miles is so
We hold the press conference in front of the headquarters, setting up a podium outside the double doors. The news media organizations have been notified, so they send reporters and cameramen, who have set up around the podium. The release we sent out already told them that the conference would be
Later, I’m going to have to have a meeting and call in all the employees to discuss this. Their care is appreciated, but I need to be able to do my job. For now, though, it seems as if Crystal gets the hint. With a shallow nod, she continues her report. “Mr. Zimmer has been quiet since the inter
Garnar, knowing I was giving a difficult interview tonight, offered to watch the kids. Since they are at Garnar’s house, I expected the house to be empty when I finally returned. Instead, I see Miles’s car parked in my driveway and the additional security staked out around the premises. It’s a rel
Jean was warned about the story, but she still gasped. My eyes went a little wide. We came here to talk about this, but Daphne’s direct wording leaves me speechless. Daphne didn’t come here just to tell a story. She was ready to reveal her truth, once and for all. “Esther and I were victims,” Da
In the Harbinger HQ, in one of the studio sets arranged to look like a fancy living room, Daphne and I sit side by side on a white couch, facing an interviewer, a woman interviewer named Jean, who sits on an arm chair facing us. The setting is intimate, and Jean is a kind, middle-aged woman, who i
“Miles…” Emotion overflows within my heart. There are so many things I want to say, to express – my gratitude, my own affections, explanations about why this has been so difficult for me to accept – yet in the moment, everything gets tangled up in my throat. “Miles…” My tears fall from my chee