Chapter 1

"Are you kidding me?!…" Julia burst into laughter, as she was sitting in her glass wall office, looking at her campaign advisor, then seeing the response of her, she suddenly stopped laughing, "… You're not kidding, right?"

"Uhm, no…" the woman in her mid-forties, who was also one of her oldest friends, shook her head softly,

"But that's ridiculous! So you're telling me that I'm not good enough? That I can't hold my ground? I've worked my ass off every single day for three years, and that doesn't even matter?"

"You know it's not about that, Julia. The work you're doing is exceptional as always. Everyone thinks you're the best for the position. That was never in question for anyone."

"Then what else matters?"

"I think you know that too…" she looked at her meaningfully,

"No, I don't!" she raised her head defiantly, refusing to back down, "It's such nonsense, that I won't even consider it."

"That's okay, but whether you like it or not, you have to face the fact that the most important thing these days is the judgement of your relationships." Stefanie answered with a sigh,

"But we're living in the twenty-first century, for haven's sake!"

"Well, it seems like no one cares about that…"

"Then what's next?! Will they question how a woman can be a lawyer or what?"

"Or how a woman can leave the house alone? Yeah, I know what it feels like, but the long and short of it is… you need a man."

"…" she was too indignant to answer,

"A decent man, who is worthy of you."

"It's sheer absurdity!" she burst out, "I know this isn't the place for advertising, but I'm an independent, confident, ambitious woman for fuck's sake! I don't need a man to function!"

"That's true, and people loved that about you."

"See? Then what's the problem?"

"I said 'loved'. It used to be your strong point for years, but since last year, the numbers show otherwise. It somehow turned into the opposite, and people now see you as an 'Ice queen'."

"But 'Ice queen' is good. After all, as the Home Secretary I'm supposed to be tough."

"Basically, that's true, but not if you want to win the elections next year."

"Shit…" Julia sighed, deep in thought. "If I were a man, it would be seen as a merit. They would say 'What an icon he is!'"

"But you're a woman, and there has always been a double standard." she added with a wry smile, "However you don't have to worry, it's easy peasy. After all, you just need a man."

"A man, really? Why didn't you start with that? No problem, I'll just pick one off the rack." she remarked sarcastically.

"Look, you're as sexy and beautiful as ever, a real femme fatale. I don't think it'll be a problem to find one."

"Have you ever seen my day-to-day life? I work literally day and night, and I can't take a step without a bunch of people."

"Yes, that's true. But as you said, there are a lot of people around you, so the opportunity is everywhere."

"Really? Have you ever looked around?"

"Yeah, and actually I already have a few options on my list."

"Please, share with me." she laughed, "Wait… it's not that guy from telly, right?"

"Which one?"

"You know, who is everywhere in the newspapers and so full of himself."

"No, of course not." she shook her head with a chuckle, "Is that how you see me?"

"One thing I've learned over the years… that I wouldn't rule out any possibility with you."

"I'll take that as a compliment," she smiled, then got straight to the point, "So… there's Rob, for example…" she said, and Julia just sat there with her mouth half open, looking at her in disbelief,

"… What have you been smoking?"

"Why?" she started her convincing speech, "He's same age as you, also a lawyer, elegant and…" Julia made a grimace, so she let out a sigh, "I mean, when he's not riding that fucking bike."

"Bike, yeah… you need more than that?"

"Actually, it's not that bad. He's sporty in a way."

"Please…" she responded meaningfully.

"I think we can ask him to leave the bike behind while you two are dating."

"Oh my gosh..." Julia held her head in her hands.

"But look at the bright side, it's romantic."

"… Romantic?" she looked up in disbelief,

"Yeah, what could be more romantic than a workplace romance, right?"

"Do you have a sick bag? I feel like puking…"

"Okay, I know you're not the romantic type, but it's just a few dates. No big things, just a few photos about you two here and there, coming out of a restaurant, him putting his arm around you, that kind of things."

"He won't touch me, that's for sure!"

"It was just an example," she answered, taking a few notes,

"So who else is on your list?"

"Hm?" she looked up absentmindedly,

"You said you have other men on your list, right?"

"Oh, yeah of course. The other option is more convenient, more…"

"Who's that?" she asked suspiciously,

"Maybe you won't agree with me at first, but…"

"Enough talking, who is it?"

"… Roger."

"WHAT?!" she cried in disbelief, "Are you fucking crazy?!"

"Why? You two were already married, it's so practical."

"Okay, where's the hidden camera?" she asked, and started looking around, "... Because this must be a joke!"

"You two lived together for more than six years. What's a dinner or two?"

"Firstly, I could barely get rid of him despite the divorce, and on top of that, we still have to work together. Believe me, having to tolerate him a few days every week is more than enough. I don't want to spend another minute with him than what's absolutely necessary."

"See?" she smiled confidently, "You see each other quite frequently, so it's no big deal."

"But it is." Julia protested, then let out a sigh, "And now, I'm starting to wonder if I actually want to do this or not, because I'm not sure if this whole thing is worth it."

"Look, you've come a long way to reach where you are now. You can't lose it over a little inconvenience."

"Inconvenience…" she repeated the word with a meaningful sigh,

"Yeah, it's not other than a tiny bump on the road, and then you can continue your journey straight away."

"… Maybe you're right."

"Not maybe, I'm always right." she declared with confidence,

"Sure, like when you said 'Just marry him, what could go wrong?'"

"I didn't have all the information at that time, just like you, so in those circumstances, it really seemed like a good idea…" she remarked, and Julia knew she was right. "But now, it's time to decide... so who will be the lucky winner who gets to spend a date with you?"

"Maybe I'll go with that TV guy instead…"

"That wouldn't be wise." she shook her head,

"Why? Do you think he wouldn't be interested?"

"Is that a serious question?" she laughed, "Since I've known you, every guy has been knocking at your door, so please don't be ridiculous."

"You're too prejudiced."

"It's just pure experience. But back to the topic, if the media could wind of it, you couldn't easily get rid off him later, and it could have a negative effect on your career. So I wouldn't recommend this option. We need someone who is in the same boat as you, someone who is also interested in your winning this election, someone from close circle, and that leaves us with only two options…"

"Yeah."

"So Rob or Roger?"

"Gosh, it's a tough decision… but if I have to choose, then let it be Rob."

"Great! I'll go and arrange everything."

"But he can't touch me!"

"Of course," she answered absentmindedly,

"I'm serious."

"So am I. I'll arrange everything, you don't have to worry about a thing." she smiled and hurried away, leaving Julia alone in her office. Then she saw the enthusiasm and excitement on Rob's face as they were talking about her,

"Gosh, how did I get into this?!…" she whispered hopelessly, when David was peeking in her door,

"Are you all right, ma'am?"

"Hm?…" she looked up absentmindedly,

"Is everything okay?" he asked as he stepped in,

"Yeah, sure. I'm just…" she forced a smile, "I'm fine, really."

"Just because it seemed like something… happened. I mean…"

"We can say that an obstacle came up, but it's fine. I mean, I'll manage it, so no worries."

"Right, but let me know if I can help you with anything," he nodded, then added with a smile, "If someone needs to be gotten rid of, or something like that."

"You will be my first call…" she couldn't help but chuckle, causing him to experience a comforting warmth feeling inside as she smiled at him.

"I'm serious. Just call me anytime."

"Thank you, I might hold you to that… " she smiled sweetly, and they were lost in each other's eyes for a moment, before Stephanie returned,

"It's a success! I've arranged everything!" she smiled triumphantly, then turned to David, "Is there anything you need?"

"Uhm, no ma'am. I just wanted to let you know that we have to leave soon." he responded smoothly,

"A few minutes, and we can go," smiled Julia, covering up for him, "Thank you, David."

"Very well, ma'am." he nodded, reflecting her smile, and then left them alone.

"… What's with that absentminded smile on your face?" asked Stephanie suspiciously,

"I'm just glad you succeeded, that's all." she answered easily, but it wasn't convincing for her.

"You don't fool me, I know that look on your face very well…"

"I don't know what you're talking about." she smiled in her politician way and maintained eye contact.

"All I can say is, don't you dare even think of it…" she declared with a serious expression.

"Think of what?" she asked with a poker face,

"Your career is in low flight, but hooking up with a man in his twenties will wipe you off the map before you know it."

"Firstly, he is thirty-one…" she said calmly,

"Oh sorry, much better indeed." she responded sarcastically. "The only thing that would make this worse, if he would be married with kids." she joked, but looking at her expression, she stopped dead.

"Well…"

"You're fucking kidding me, right?!"

"No, but since there's nothing between us, it doesn't really matter, am I right?" then she added for the record, "And he is separated, just so you know."

"Oh, look at that. How well-informed you are…"

"I trust him with my life, so it's not surprising that I need to know who I'm working with."

"Uh-huh, and what about Kim?"

"She is not separated from her husband." she replied easily without having a clue, but it took the wind out of her sails,

"Just don't you dare even think of it, ever…" she hissed,

"Try to relax, okay? Breathe in, breathe out."

"You don't take me seriously, do you?"

"Because you're getting worked up over nothing." Julia explained calmly, "He was just being kind and I smiled at him, that's all."

"Okay, let's say I believe you. But please don't pretend you can't see the way he looks at you."

"I don't find anything wrong with that," she answered with a smile, which only added fuel to the fire.

"You're playing with my nerves, do you know that?"

"It's harmless, I can assure you." she responded, "And I know it would be playing with fire, I'm totally aware of that, so please relax."

"… Right." she took a deep breath, then forced herself to continue, "So where was I?"

"Talking about Rob."

"Yeah, so the point is, Rob is totally in."

"But of course, he's in." Julia rolled her eyes, "I can barely get rid off him since he started working here."

"Even better… so I'll reserve a table at that fancy restaurant for tomorrow at eight p.m."

"Tomorrow?" she felt a slight panic,

"Yeah, I can't arrange everything sooner," she sighed, not picking up on it, "Reporters, the spot, everything."

"Maybe it's better to get it over with soon…"

"That's the way to talk, but I still can't understand why you protest so much against Rob. He's such a cutie."

"I don't know what confuses me more, that I have to date with him, or that you fancy him." Julia had a weird expression, "Actually, I don't understand why you aren't the one going out with him?"

"Because unfortunately, the salaries of all three of us depend on your reputation, so it's your turn."

"Lucky me," she rolled her eyes with a sigh, "Then... tomorrow is a date."

To be continued…