"Ana, please calm down," Jack's voice is ringing above me.
I twist and turn awake, faced with his pale blue eyes.
"You were having a nightmare," he gets up from my bed and rips the curtains open. The light floods into the room making my eyes burn.
"Hurry and get ready we have the Book Expo to get to today," he flashes a quick smile at me. Points at his watch and leaves out of my hotel room. I rush to get ready. Yes, the Book Expo is today and it's a very big point in my career. I'm sliding up my tights when I see little huge purple bruises running from my knee caps up my thighs. Ouch.
How did this happen?
I can't remember what happened last night. The last thing I remember was grabbing a drink with Jack. I'll ask him on the way to the Book Expo. I shake my head to try to clear my thoughts. I must have gotten too drunk. I throw my hair into a high bun, throw on a mini black dress, and head to Jack's room. I am putting on my high heels while walking on the soft carpet leading to his room.
"Jack, I'm ready!" I knock on his door waiting for a response.
Jack opens the door, fast, closing it behind him immediately. He has gone formal this event. A clean pressed black tux fitted to his body. His hair is styled back and his shoes look perfectly shined.
"You look beautiful Ana,"
"Thanks, you clean up well Jack" I try my best to sound friendly to him, but something inside me hates being near him.
"Thank you, I hope your heels are comfortable. Javits Center is just around the corner here and it's fast if we walk." Jack ushers me towards the elevator. He is avoiding eye contact with me. I feel relieved he isn't gawking at me.
"Yes, of course, I can manage, it won't be a problem," I stumble over my words as I speak. My brain still waking up.
"Good, please read our Agenda on the way."
We head outside and down the heavily crowded sidewalks. Jack is practically running. I am struggling to keep up with him.
"Agenda" Jack snaps at me, anger rising in his voice.
I pull the manila envelope from my bag and open it up to our events today.
"Okay so first we need to go to check-in. Publishing houses are line three." Jack nods at me, silent.
"And then we hold a meet and greet some of our aspiring authors. You are to speak at the seminar for basic editing skills at noon. The last thing on our Agenda is at 4 pm. We are meeting our Alias author."
"Good" Jack is fast walking and shoving people through the crowd.
"Jack, please slow down," I bend over trying to catch my breath as he stops in the center of the sidewalk.
"You said you could keep up!"
"Jack, are you mad at me or something?" His brow furrows.
"Yes, Ana, I am mad at you," he starts walking again.
I decide to drop the conversation. I want to get through the Book Expo. I need to make a good impression to advance in my career.
I am in awe when we approach the center. The building is made completely of glass. I feel like an ant standing next to it. I admire the sun reflecting and bouncing off the glass. Cascading rainbows are reflecting on the sidewalk where we wait inline below. The line outside is long, thankfully we get to use a different line. We check-in, right on time. I feel relief that we are here. Jack and I head to our booth on the second floor. There are hundreds of booths on our floor. Jack takes most of the meeting of our potential authors. Editing pieces of their temporary work and giving feedback. I wander away from him looking at the other publishing companies that are laid out around us. I spot Paul at his booth for NIP. He gets up from his chair, excusing himself out of a conversation with a colleague.
"Ana, welcome!" he opens his arms wide as if to acknowledge how large of an event this is.
"Thank you, Paul, I am very excited to be here. It's my first time"
"It's a wonderful experience, Ana. Is there anything interesting on the SIP agenda?"
"The only thing that really stood out to me is that we are meeting an alias author."
"Oh really? Is his stuff any good?"
"Yes, I couldn't stop reading when I was editing"
"Well, we always need new material" Paul rubs his temple with his hand looking thoughtful.
"Is there a procedure for meeting an alias author? Is it like a church confessional or something" Paul laughs at my joke.
"No, Ana, not that mysterious, you usually just meet them in a private room,"
"That's a little disappointing," Paul looks at me concerned
"I think you have enough mystery already Ana," his words catch me off guard and send a chill down my spine.
"Why do you say that?"
"I just meant with Mr. Jack Hyde over there. He is enough mystery to the whole company," Paul raises his eyebrows, gesturing to our booth.
"I don't find Jack Mysterious" I admit.
"Mysterious isn't always charming Ana. Be careful with him, and if you need anything from me please just contact me" Paul slides me his business card casually.
"Thank you, Paul," I am secretly thankful to have a second person in New York I can contact.
The day passes swiftly, a lot of running around. One event fading into the next. I watch Jack run the editing seminar. He is excited and skillful in teaching people how to edit. I sit in the back. I am taking notes trying to learn the type of work Jack likes. I study him, remembering Paul's warning to me. Jack is glowing, sharing his knowledge. Jack's eyes meet mine and his eyes look icy. I feel uncomfortable. I am grateful when he focuses on someone else in the room. His sleeve lifts up as he is walking across the small stage. I notice bruising around his wrists. I want to know what happened last night. I need to talk to him. I refocus on the present moment scribbling notes in my binder. The seminar ends, people are lined up outside for the next seminar to begin. I catch up with Jack as we head back to our booth. I stand in front of him interrupting his sprint from me.
"Jack, we need to talk," he looks at me annoyed.
"About?" he crosses his arms.
"Last night. I can't remember it and I need to know why you're angry at me," I am suddenly nervous about his answer.
"You got drunk, belligerent," I suddenly feel the heat rise in my face in embarrassment.
"Oh, I am so sorry Jack. That will not happen again"
"It better not. You were flirting with the whole bar, falling down everywhere. I had to carry you to your room. People accused me of hurting you." His last words make me audibly gasp.
"Well, I will clear that up Jack. I hope this doesn't affect my job performance sorry," his face suddenly softens.
"We all have bad nights Ana. Please, just, be more careful from now on. We can talk more about this at the hotel tonight. I need to go back to the booth. Would you mind meeting our alias author in room 433?"
"We aren't doing that together?" Jack looks angry again.
"No, this author requested you specifically. They must have liked your note more on the edited versions," Jack seems offended but recovers quickly.
"The interview questions are in your binder, hurry back," With that Jack heads back to the booth and I head toward the fourth floor.
I arrive in room 433. Suddenly nervous. I am relieved Jack isn't with me, however, meeting this person alone is also intimidating. I enter the room and am surprised it is empty. I am early so maybe they are just running a bit behind. I pull out my phone to call Jack and make sure I am in the right room. I click his contact.
"Your call can not be completed as dialed, please hang up and try again," a robotic voice tells me.
I check my service, it says no service. I didn't forget to pay the bill. I feel the panic rising in me thinking of how I am going to find my way back to the booth and back to the hotel. A knock interrupts my worry.
"Please come in" I clear my voice and sit up, aware of how professional I need to be.
A man walks into the room. Scruffy chestnut hair, bright blue eyes, and a dazzling toothy smile. He is on the shorter side height-wise. He doesn't have the mysterious aura I had imagined. It's the opposite. He feels friendly. Familiar.
"Sorry I was late," his voice is laced in a thick English accent. He extends his hand out to me.
"Not a problem at all" I shake his hand and we both sit down opposite of one another.
"Let's begin questions right away, my boss is expecting me"
"Yes of course." He shifts in his seat.
"First off, is there a reason you submitted to be published at SIP? It says here you're from New York, why do you want to be published in Seattle?"
He laughs softly.
"I have published under an alias all across the country, Seattle is just my next venture," his words surprise me.
"So you've been published before?"
"Yes, many times in fact,"
"Is writing your main job?" this isn't one of the questions Jack listed. I've never been one to stay on a script with interviews.
"Yes, it is, and it has treated me quite well," I notice for the first time just how well off this man is presenting himself. All designer clothes, tailored perfectly to his frame. A Rolex hanging from his wrist.
"Do you plan to ever publish under your real name?" I continue, curious about why he wouldn't want the fame.
"No, I prefer anonymity. I can write without judgment of my character,"
"I don't think there is anything to judge your character negatively. At least from what I have read and edited at least. You are talented," he laughs, a deep belly laugh.
"Yes, well you did get a softer version on my usual pieces. Some other pieces are an… acquired taste."
"Explain acquired taste" it's not a question, but a demand. I want to get the most out of this guy I can. I need to.
"Well, that might just give me away," I sigh, worried I won't get enough information for Jack. He notices my frustration.
"I'll make you a deal, I'll answer these questions if you answer mine,"
"What would you need to know about me?" I am taken aback by his interest. I left a few notes on his work sure, but it wasn't monumental.
"Tell me about your boss, Jack Hyde. I want to know my work is being published by good people" of course, mysterious Jack.
"Jack is hardworking, straightforward-"
"Does he treat you well?" This laid back man is suddenly very serious.
"Yeah- I mean, he gets angry sometimes but nothing… weird," I try to sound sure of myself. Honestly, Jack is pretty weird, and that's putting it nicely.
"Are you being honest with me?" his eyes are soft and sympathetic looking at me. He waits patiently for me to find words.
"I don't want to lose you as an author. I need this job and if this interview is why you don't take our offer. I will be in trouble by Jack." I blurt this thought out hoping he understands.
He sighs and shakes his head.
"Don't worry about your job Ana." I roll my eyes at Mr. Privilege over here.
"Yeah, that's easy for you to say. I have to worry about money. I barely make rent, I'm struggling to get a car after a bad break-up-," I stop myself from telling my life story here in a conference room to a stranger.
"I didn't mean to offend you, Ana. I'm sorry to hear about your break-up. Heartache is a bitch," I laugh at the understatement. It strikes me how bad I want to talk about it, talk about Christian, talk about my feelings.
"It's been the hardest time of my life," I whisper, tears splashing down on the table.
"Did you get with Jack, after the breakup?" What is that supposed to mean?
"No... no, I am not with Jack," I wipe the tears away, defending myself.
He is quiet. He gets up from his chair pacing. His breathing increases. His face is beet red. After a few minutes, he pulls out his phone.
"I need you to get him out. He's lying to us, find out why," he says calmly to the person on the other end.
"What in the hell are you doing?" I stand up and walk towards him. I feel fearful and angry, I have no idea what is going on right now.
"Ana, there is a lot to explain. I'll start with my first name so you trust me a little more. My name is Ace." I nod, wanting him to continue.
"My family owns the hotel you're at. Last night we got a report from our team there that there was a suspicious situation involving you and Jack. A report from your room. When he was questioned, he said you, his girlfriend. Got too drunk and he had to calm you. He said you guys have been in an intimate relationship for a few weeks." My stomach lurches. I grab the small trash can next to me and vomit. My body immediately goes into shock. Ace is next to me trying to calm me down.
"I know this is hard Ana. Jack had stayed with us with previous interns and we've been told to keep an eye on him. It's always the same story. When we question the women though they always say they are dating. When they told me your name and why you were here. I knew you were my editor and requested to meet you alone. I wanted to get you away from him so you can answer honestly.
Ace pauses, taking a deep breath.
"Ana, do you think he hurt you?" I try absorbing all the information he has just given to me. My skin is crawling imagining Jack touching me.
"You can answer me honestly Ana, we'll make sure you have a job," I desperately try to gather saliva in my mouth to speak.
"I-I-I don't know, I don't remember last night," He nervously bites his lip and sighs. He gathers his composure. Focusing his attention back on me.
"Ana, are you comfortable being taken to the hospital and making a statement to the police about Jack Hyde?"
"I don't know, I really just want to leave," I say struggling to understand.
"I understand that but please. Jack has pulled this stunt too many times and gotten away with it. I can't let him get away with it again," I feel like I've been stabbed. I can't stomach the thought of him doing this to another girl. I know I need to stop him. No matter what that means for my job security.
"Okay, I would feel comfortable with that," I finally say quietly.
