Chapter 1

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           Iscowlwithfrustrationatmyselfinthemirror.Damnmyhair—itjustwon’tbehave,anddamnKatherineKavanaghforbeingillandsubjectingmetothisordeal.Ishouldbestudyingformyfinalexams,whicharenextweek,yethereIamtryingtobrushmyhairintosubmission.Imustnotsleepwithitwet.Imustnotsleepwithitwet.Recitingthismantraseveraltimes,Iattempt,oncemore,tobringitundercontrolwiththebrush.Irollmyeyesinexasperationandgazeatthepale,brown-hairedgirlwithblueeyestoobigforherfacestaringbackatme,andgiveup.MyonlyoptionistorestrainmywaywardhairinaponytailandhopethatIlooksemi-presentable.

           Kateismyroommate,andshehaschosentodayofalldaystosuccumbtotheflu.Therefore,shecannotattendtheinterviewshe’darrangedtodo,withsomemega-industrialisttycoonI’veneverheardof,forthestudentnewspaper.SoIhavebeenvolunteered.Ihavefinalexamstocramforandoneessaytofinish,andI’msupposedtobeworkingthisafternoon,butno—todayIhavetodrive165milestodowntownSeattleinordertomeettheenigmaticCEOofGreyEnterprisesHoldings,Inc.Asanexceptionalentrepreneurandmajorbenefactorofouruniversity,histimeisextraordinarilyprecious—muchmorepreciousthanmine—buthehasgrantedKateaninterview.Arealcoup,shetellsme.Damnherextracurricularactivities.

           Kateishuddledonthecouchinthelivingroom.

           “Ana,I’msorry.Ittookmeninemonthstogetthisinterview.Itwilltakeanothersixtoreschedule,andwe’llbothhavegraduatedbythen.