Despite the slightly delayed start, we arrive at the office on time and start plowing through one meeting after another. I take tons of notes, checking all the numbers and projections from the finance team. Most people don’t bother, but David prefers to be thorough. Fights for budget allocations can be cutthroat, and Alexandra doesn’t believe in spending money without a very specific goal and ROI target.
When the last meeting ends at three, I return to my desk and roll my shoulders, my brain numb from so many conferences. I note a new voicemail on my main line and hit it.
“This is Young Won Kim, an assistant to Ms. Yuna Hae from the Ivy Foundation,” a masculine voice says. “Ms. Hae would like to drop by your office at a quarter till five. Would that be acceptable? Please let me know via return call or text. My cell phone number is…”
Doing my best to breathe calmly, I jot down his number quickly on a sticky note. I’m double-checking it as David walks up, carrying two cups of coffee. He places one on my desk. “Here you go.”
“Thanks,” I say with a smile, then stand with the cup between my hands and follow him into his office. I shut the door behind us.
He gives me a smile as he sits down. “You know… It almost feels like I’m the assistant, handing you your coffee.”
“If you want, I can bring you one next time.” Instead of taking a sip, I say, “I just got a call from Yuna Hae’s assistant. She wants to drop by at four forty-five. Is that okay with you? Currently your calendar’s clear.”
He nods slowly. “Sure, that would be good.”
I lower my voice, doing my best to suppress my excitement. “I don’t want to jinx it, but it’s a yes, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, but I’m sure there’s a condition or two attached. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be coming here herself.” He sips his coffee thoughtfully.
My grip on my own coffee tightens, before I remember to not squeeze too hard and spill it everywhere. “Really? What kind of condition?”
“Gerry’s head on a silver platter?” He shrugs. “But that shouldn’t be a problem. Don’t tell anybody, because it hasn’t been officially finalized, but he’s going to be fired.”
Wow. So what she said at the meeting was true. He did try to grope her at a bar. Gross.
“He’s an unfortunate HR slip-up. Won’t be the last one, though. It’s difficult to screen people as thoroughly as we’d like.” David’s mouth flattens.
I know it bugs him. To him, the company’s reputation is everything. It isn’t just about him, but about his family and their legacy. “Well, Gerry’s been taken care of, so I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
I go back to my desk and start organizing the day’s meeting notes and plan out the next action items. My phone pings with a text. I frown with distaste as I start reading it.
–Dad: Can you put in some a word with your fiancé for a contribution to my campaign? It’d really help. I won’t be outspent by Chapped Dick.
Groaning, I press my knuckles against my forehead. Another text. Also from Dad.
–Dad: It’s important. I can’t lose to him. Also, reach out to Warren. He’s always had fond feelings for you. Use them to your advantage.
Meaning: use them to his advantage. I sigh, suddenly tired. It’d be nice if he’d actually asked me how I was doing. Or at least pretended like he was interested in me and David beyond what David and his family can do for his career. And how could Dad even suggest I turn to Warren? Can’t he see how that would look to David?
Shoving aside my bitterness, I put my phone away and go back to the document. I have so much to do today. Besides, I’m going to have my Normal Experience with David, damn it, and I’m not letting my dad ruin it. Normal people probably don’t have career-driven dads trying to use them to further their ambitions. It’s just one more cross for me to bear, but it is what it is. I’m not going to let it affect my situation with David, not when everything’s so perfect.
At four forty-five, Yuna Hae arrives. I thought maybe she overdid it with making a statement the first time, but I see I’m wrong on that point. She’s impeccably dressed in a blue Versace—I recognize it because Josephine made me try one on—and glittery champagne-colored sandals. A white, wide-brimmed hat sits on her head, and she walks in with her entourage like she’s a Hollywood superstar.
I take her and her people to the conference room where we had our first meeting. David’s already there. He has a friendly—but professional—smile on his otherwise inscrutable face.
“Hello, David.” She nods at me. “Erin.”
Wow. She remembers my name. And I get a nod this time.
She continues, “Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”
“Our pleasure,” David says. “Please. Have a seat.”
She sits down, followed by her assistants. Her bodyguards take positions around her.
“I know we’re all busy, so I’ll get right to the point,” she says. “The Ivy Foundation would like very much to partner with Sweet Darlings, Inc.”
I exhale slowly and quietly. David and I already agreed she’d likely say yes, but it’s always good to have it confirmed.