Dangerous Love

Chapter One

I have now baked my sixth chocolate cake, but my email inbox remains empty. Alarm bells are ringing inside me. The fear of being rejected is overwhelming me. Otherwise I should have received an invitation to an interview by now, right? But as they say, hope dies last. I never actually planned to apply for a job as an assistant because I didn't have the necessary skills. But Kate, who also worked as an assistant before her job at the newspaper, encouraged me to just give it a try. After all, I have long dreamed of becoming a writer. Unfortunately, this dream seems a long way off, despite my otherwise high literary level. To calm my nerves, I am now decorating the last cake. But what happens if I don't get the job? Breathe, Paige, everything will be fine. That's how it has to be! After all, I need the money because I haven't been able to pay Kate's rent for two months. Suddenly, after what feels like an eternity, my phone vibrates and I take off my gloves and put them on the work surface. Good, Paige, I take a deep breath as I open the email folder. And sure enough, there is a message from Stevens International GmbH.

Recipient: Miss Paige Morgan

Subject: Interview

Dear Miss Morgan

We thank you for your interest and are pleased to inform you that we would like to invite you to an interview at Stevens International GmbH.

Best regards, Stevens International GmbH.

Email address: PaigeMorgan@mail.de

I jump around the kitchen with excitement, which visibly frightens Kate, who is sitting snuggled up in a patchwork blanket on our retro green couch watching Grease again. She is processing her failed relationship that didn't even last 72 hours. "What's going on?" she asks, surprised. "Oh, I was invited!" I answer excitedly. With biscuit residue in her golden curls, she gets up and comes into the kitchen to stare at my phone. "Oh wow, you were really invited?" Her eyes widen. "Yes! Do you believe that?" I squeak. "No! That can't be!" Kate, whose full name is Katelyn, is always direct and honest and is also a blonde-haired beauty. As the soothingly warm water of the shower runs over my pale skin and removes flour from my long, chocolate-brown hair, I am completely beside myself. It fills me with joy that I have actually been invited to an interview! I never expected to get a chance at one of the most important companies, Stevens International GmbH. Wow, that is one of the best companies, run by a fairly young CEO.

 I even read an article about him recently that Kate had handed me. After my shower, I put on my white robe and look in the mirror. I have to admit to myself that an unremarkable person like me probably doesn't have much of a chance. Who would hire a woman who is short, slim, unathletic and fashionably behind? Paige, chin up, my inner voice encourages me. Tomorrow you will definitely show what you are made of. Who am I trying to convince here? Who am I? I am Paige Morgan from Boston, talentless, clumsy and not at all attractive. And I panic easily in large crowds. Just as I am preparing an egg sandwich, Kate peels herself off the sofa like a shadow. She looks like something out of a nightmare. Her eyes are puffy, her lids red and her once bright green eyes are surrounded by unsightly bags. Oh dear, this happens at least once a week! "Can I help you in any way?" "Yes, can I have the sandwich? Sure, here it is." "I'll go back to bed and listen to a bit of Newton." "Okay, but not too loudly!" I call after her. She moves slowly like a snail across the wooden floor to her room on the left. With my freshly made sandwich in hand, I enter my cozy, small, but still pretty kingdom.

 In the middle is my white four-poster bed. To the left of it is a gray chest of drawers on which my entire collection of Jane Austen's works is kept – I just love it! On the right is the wardrobe that I've had since I was at school. There is a gray carpet on the wooden floor. I look in the mirror on my desk, which is next to the wardrobe, and start to make my notes for tomorrow. Yes, I need structure in my life, which is why I often make a daily plan. Tomorrow might be difficult, though, as I don't know what to expect.