“What about it?” Dad asks. “Do you like it so far, by the way? I thought it would be fun, a little trip down memory lane.”
Shaun glares at him again. “You’re an asshole, you know that?”
Dad laughs and shrugs. “I know it.”
“Dad. Shaun.” I look at them both until I have their attention. “I’m dropping out.”
“What?” Shaun says.
Dad just laughs.
“I’m dropping out,” I say to Shaun. “Let’s face it. He doesn’t want me to win, we both know it. This whole contest is just trying to soften me up for when he inevitably chooses to sell to you, regardless of whether I win or not.”
Shaun shakes his head. “I don’t think that’s it. That’s not it, right, Aldo?”
Dad laughs again, shakes his head. “Fuck if I know.”
“See,” I say, gesturing at him. “The man’s deranged. He’s high at nine in the morning. This isn’t a man that gives a shit about anything anymore. He’ll let me win this contest then take the money and try to tell me that he loves me, look at all the effort he went through to show me that, but sorry, money is money.” I shake my head. “I’m not going through that.”
“Is this just because you lost last night?” Shaun asks.
Anger flares briefly. “No,” I snap. “If I got there even a couple minutes sooner, I would’ve beaten your sorry ass.”
He smirks at me. “I know.”
“Whatever contest Dad has for this last one, I know I’ll win that one, too. But this is about my dignity. And about my—” I cut myself off. Dad doesn’t know that I’m pregnant, and I don’t really want him to find out… ever, if I can manage it. “I’m just not in a good place for this.”
Shaun shakes his head. “Klara—”
“No,” I say. “I’m out. I called you here so that you can sign with him now and get it all over with. I’m done.”
“Klara,” Shaun says again, but I’m already walking to the door. I open it and walk out. Shaun follows me. “You can’t do this,” he says.
“Go back in there and make my stupid father sell. He’s high so you can probably rip him off.”
“Klara,” he says. “Stay in the contest. Beat me fair and square.”
I shake my head. “No.” I reach the exit and he stops there. I look back at him. “Just go buy the place. That’s what you want, right?”
“Only to get closer to you.”
I smile at him. “Sorry, Shaun.” I turn away and walk off across the parking lot.
He doesn’t follow.
I get into my car and head home. I feel free for the first time in a long time. I didn’t officially quit the job yet, but I’m going to make that clear later on when Dad isn’t stoned. I just hope that Shaun turns Truth Hurts into a decent production company, instead of the trash it is right now.
Or not. I guess it doesn’t matter.
It’s just reality TV.
I have more pressing concerns. Like this baby, and like making money to support her.
I smile as I speed back toward my apartment.10ShaunI park outside of a nondescript apartment building and get out of my car. It’s boring on the outside, but it’s relatively close to the Truth Hurts offices. I walk to the front door and slip inside. I plan on buzzing, but someone’s on their way out as I approach. I grab the door and slip past.
Klara lives on the second floor, apartment four. I ride the elevator up and get off. I walk down the hall and stop outside of her door. Fortunately for me, her father was high enough to just tell me where she lives when I asked him.
I could’ve gotten more. I could’ve gotten him to sing. He even said he was ready, since his daughter quit on him. But that’s not what I want.
It was at first. I wanted to buy the company and give it to Klara. But clearly she’ll hate me for it and never take the place.
So now I need her to win.
I knock and wait a long moment. The door unlocks and opens a crack. Klara looks at me, clearly surprised.
“Shaun,” she says.
“Your dad told me where you live. He’s talkative when he’s stoned.”
She frowns at me. “I thought I made it clear that I wanted to be left alone.”
I push the door open and don’t wait for an invitation. She stumbles back and lets out an angry sound. I look around at her place and smile a little. “Just like what I pictured.”
“And what’s that?” she asks, shutting the door with a sigh.
“Clean, attractive, simple.” I tilt my head. “Just like you.”
“Weird compliment. But okay.”
“Listen, I’m not here to fight.”
“Good.” She walks over and sits on the couch. She stretches her legs out onto a simple coffee table. “I’m not in the mood for that.”