Chapter 3 A Mentor's Understanding

The next morning, I received a call from Minister Julian Wilson.

"Kathy, come to my office."

Julian was my mentor, a Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

His office was on the top floor. When I walked in, he was reviewing some documents.

"Sit." He gestured to the sofa. "Tea or coffee?"

"Just water, please."

Julian poured me a glass and then settled into the chair opposite me. "So, tell me what's going on."

"Tell me, what's going on?"

I didn't hold back. I told him everything about the Mayland crisis, including the recordings.

Julian listened quietly. When I finished, he was silent for a long moment.

"Kathy, you've been through a lot."

His words shattered my composure, and tears welled up.

"Minister Wilson, am I a failure?"

"A failure?" Julian shook his head. "You are the best interpreter I've ever seen. Without you, the consequences of the Mayland crisis would have been unimaginable."

"But I can't even handle my own marriage..."

"Marriage isn't a job, Kathy. It's not something you can succeed at just by trying hard on your own." Julian rose and walked to the window. "I always had a feeling there was something off about Jared."

I looked up. "You knew?"

"A man who truly loves his wife doesn't let her bear the weight of every diplomatic function alone." Julian turned to face me. "Kathy, do you know what the international delegates said about you after the last UN General Assembly?"

I shook my head.

"They said Zeonland has the finest interpreter in the world." Julian walked back and sat down. "And Jared? In their eyes, he's just another diplomat."

His words surprised me.

"So, about the lead interpreter position for the G20 Summit..."

"If you want it, it's yours." Julian said without hesitation. "But Kathy, are you sure about this? Jared will also attend the summit."

"I'm sure."

"Alright." Julian nodded. "Then I have only one condition."

"Name it."

"No matter what happens, the nation's interests come first."

"I understand."

As I left Julian's office, I ran into Robert Walsh in the elevator.

He was in his black tactical uniform, his police insignia gleaming under the lights.

"Ms. Quinn," he greeted me with a curt nod.

"Captain Walsh."

The elevator ride was quiet, filled only by the hum of machinery.

"I heard you'll be the lead interpreter for the G20," he said.

"Yes."

"Looks like we'll be working together again." Robert glanced at me and said, "I'm heading up summit security."

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out.

"Captain Walsh." I turned back to him. "Thank you. For what you did in Mayland..."

"Just doing my job." He interrupted, "No thanks needed."

The doors closed, cutting off the view of his resolute figure.

I suddenly remembered the Mayland crisis, when everyone thought I was about to crack, and it was only Robert's voice in the channel that said, "Ms. Quinn, hold steady. We have five more minutes."

His voice was my guiding light in the darkness.