Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WITH TWO LIVES
Adrien asked Nina to remain after the meeting.
Vivien stayed too.
Nina stood beside the conference table, suddenly aware of her inexpensive blazer.
Adrien opened her personnel file.
"Part-time administrative assistant."
"Yes, sir."
"Community college adjunct instructor."
"Yes."
He looked up.
"What do you teach?"
"Languages. Mostly Italian and introductory French."
Vivien raised an eyebrow.
"Your résumé says you studied comparative linguistics."
Nina nodded.
"At Georgetown."
Adrien stared.
"Georgetown?"
"Yes."
"Graduate degree?"
She hesitated.
"Two."
Silence.
Vivien leaned forward.
"Two graduate degrees?"
Nina nodded.
"One in applied linguistics. One in international commercial translation."
Adrien slowly closed the folder.
"Why are you serving coffee?"
Nina looked down.
"Because coffee doesn't ask why you took three years away from your career."
He studied her.
"What happened?"
She hesitated.
"My father became ill."
Vivien's expression softened.
Nina continued.
"He has a progressive neurological condition. His care is expensive, and I needed flexible work close to home."
Adrien looked at her.
"And you never told anyone about your qualifications?"
Nina gave a small, humorless smile.
"Nobody asked."
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then Adrien said:
"I did."
Nina met his eyes.
"Yes, sir."
May you like
He leaned back.
"And I'm beginning to think I should have asked sooner."
