Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“Mr. Lewis, I understand your grief,” I say in a slow voice. “I think the loss is making you a bit delirious because the death of your son was so sudden and unexpected. It’s a huge shock to the system, and I think what I should do is to call the hospital social worker, and she’ll be able put you in touch with grief counseling, as well as other resources—”
But Jordan cuts me off.
“I’m not delirious,” he rasps, staring straight at me. “Nor do I need counseling or social services. What I need is to impregnate you.”
I stare at him.
“Well, I hear what you’re saying, but actually, I can’t stay in the United States. I’m a French national, and my student visa is expiring in sixty days. I was going to get a green card via my marriage to Harry, but now that Harry’s gone, it’s an impossibility. So I guess I’m on the next flight to Paris!”
Jordan Lewis stares at me, his handsome features immobile with rage, grief, and shock.
“You need a green card,” he bites out.
“I do,” I say quickly. “And unfortunately, the clock’s ticking. Like I said, I only have sixty days, so Harry and I were going to rush to City Hall and tie the knot, before filing the paperwork with Immigration. But obviously, that’s impossible now. I’m sorry, Mr. Lewis,” I apologize with heartfelt sincerity. “I know your family and lineage are important to you, but IVF is a drawn-out procedure, and I’ve heard it can take months, if not years, to conceive. It’s just not going to work because of timing issues, but what choice is there? ICE is super-strict these days, and unfortunately, I’ve been caught in its net.”
Jordan listens while looking at me, those blue eyes gleaming.
“I can get you a visa,” he growls. “After a student visa expires, you can apply for Optional Practical Training, isn’t that right? Then you get an additional two years in the United States.”
My heart starts pounding in my ears.
“Yes, that’s right. Students can apply for OPT to extend their F-1 by two years, so long as the job is in their field of study. But what job did you have in mind?” I say in a slow voice. “I mean, can you find me a job just like that?”
At that, Jordan throws his dark hair back and laughs, although the sound is harsh and grating on my ears.
“I think you forget, sweetheart, that I’m the CEO of a multi-national firm that employs thousands of people. I’m sure we can find you a place at Skyview Partners. What did you say your major was again?”
“Public relations,” I reply in a hesitant voice, my pulse beginning to thrum. “Is there a seat at Skyview Partners in the PR department?”
Jordan pauses.
“Sweetheart, what do you know about wealth management?” he asks.
“Almost nothing,” I admit immediately. “Is Skyview Partners like a bank? Is that what wealth management is?”
He shrugs those broad shoulders, his blue eyes gleaming. The wheels are turning in Jordan Lewis’s head, and I know he’s hatching a plan given this new information.
“Sort of,” he says. “Skyview is certainly bank-like, although not exactly a bank. We manage wealth for family offices, and also high net worth individuals. It was started many years ago by the Lewises, actually, to manage our own wealth. But after we developed expertise, other families asked to join, and now we run a bank-like institution.”
“Okay,” I say in a slow voice. “So I guess PR is there to attract other families?”
“Yes,” Jordan acknowledges in a deep tone. “But also to raise the profile of Skyview as needed. When you manage billions of dollars, you need staff in all areas, and it can’t be amateur hour either. We need professionals in all departments of our corporation, and I’m sure we can find a slot for you, whether in PR, Communications, or Investor Relations. Again, we employ thousands of people all over the world, and take our business seriously.”
I nod, my heart beginning to thrum.
“I’m excited, Mr. Lewis,” I say. “I can get you my resume immediately. Right now, in fact,” I say, looking about for my phone. “Thank you so much, and of course, I’m open to IVF. My understanding is that IVF takes a while, and it’s a drawn-out process because the woman has to go on hormones first to stimulate egg production, then they need to retrieve the eggs, and mix it with the donated sperm before re-implanting, but it’s fine. I’m young and I can do it. If you could just help me land a job with Skyview, I’m happy to be of service. In fact, if there’s a particular fertility doctor you’d like me to contact—”
But the alpha male cuts me off again.
“We won’t need a fertility doctor,” Jordan drawls, those blue eyes glinting once more. “We won’t need IVF even.”