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“You won’t be working for Gillian anymore. As a matter of fact, you won’t be working for anyone,” she says, and I feel my heart drop into my stomach.
This is it, this is where I get fired.
My anxiety makes a cold sweat break out across my skin. It doesn’t like failure. It usually makes my life more miserable if there is a possibility I could fail at something, whether it’s tests, interviews, or anything of the kind. Right now, it’s reminding me why it always shows itself during these situations.
To punish me for not being the best version of myself.
“Well, no one except Ms Martin and me, of course.” Relief knocks the breath out of me.
“I’m not sure I understand,” I reply, but Mrs. Lu’s warm smile calms my racing heart once more.
“I sent this article to all ten teams in Formula One yesterday. So far, most of them have responded with a request for you to write an article like this about their drivers. They are even paying more to have you take candid photos like you did with Adrian and the Velocità Rossa team,” she says.
Ms. Martin leans forward to chime in.
“This article is brilliant, Nevaeh. The emotion that spills from the pages with every word is phenomenal. So, we would like to offer you a deal,” she starts and tucks her graying hair behind her ear.
Mrs. Lu nods, clearly agreeing with her business partner.
“There are eighteen races left as well as nineteen drivers. Only sixteen have asked for articles like this, so we have a bit of wiggle room. Each race weekend, you will accompany a driver whenever they have time for you, which will most likely be less than with Mr. Romana because he took more time for you than he was supposed to,” Ms. Martin explains, and a smile creeps onto my face.
I loved writing that article about Adrian, and he sent me a text, assuring me he adored reading it. Getting to write more of them instead of working for Gillian, and taking more pictures, it all sounds like a dream.
“What about Mr. Fender? He’s expecting me to do whatever he wants without a single complaint next weekend,” I respond, my anger for my former boss coming to the top.
“I realize how uncomfortable it might be for the two of you to see each other daily now, but that’s where the last part of the deal comes in.” Mrs. Lu walks back around her desk to sink into her chair beside Ms. Martin’s and hands me a new contract. “Griffin Sportshas a location in Monaco, and I’d like to offer you a position there. Moving costs would be covered, however, your living arrangements would come half out of your pockets, half out of ours.”
Monaco? Are they serious?
My question is answered when I skim over the contract. My bosses are dead serious.But I can’t just leave everything behind and move to Monaco!My family is here, but that reason shouldn’t interfere with my decision. I need to make it based on all the other factors like money, living costs, and what I want.
If I’ll be able to see my new friends more, too, well, then that’s a bonus.
“I know this is all very overwhelming, which is why I want you to take today to look this offer over and come back to me with an answer tomorrow.” Mrs. Lu smiles.
I have a hundred more questions, but Mrs. Lu stands up, cutting me off before I can even decide on one to ask.
“Now, Ms. Martin and I have a meeting, and you have a big decision to make,” she states while stepping out of the room, leaving me speechless and overwhelmed.
There is only one thing to do in a situation like this.
Mama, Papa, Nova, and Aileen sit at the dining room table, watching me closely as I take a deep breath. I hand Papa a copy of the contract since he’s the best at understanding them and let out a shaky laugh. Nova rests her arm around Aileen’s waist while both of them exchange a worried look. I’ve never asked them to come together all at once to discuss something, and the unfamiliarity of this situation clearly has them suspicious.
“Okay, you can all stop looking at me like I’m not the Nevaeh you know. I’m still me, just struggling with a huge life decision I need your opinion on,” I say and move my hands to sign the words at the same time, resting my forearms on the back of the chair in front of me.
Papa’s eyes have already gone wide from reading the offer, so he isn’t surprised when I explain it to the rest of my family. Nova sits upright, surprise written all over her face. Aileen smiles from excitement, but the one who doesn’t have to say anything to express her feelings is Mama.
Anger and sadness battle on her face.
“You can’t just leave to live in Monaco all by yourself!” she exclaims, capturing Papa’s attention. He places a hand on her shoulder, which Mama pushes off as she stands up. “You’re not doing it, I forbid you from taking this offer!” she goes on, storming out of the dining room and slamming her bedroom door moments later.
“That was definitely not the reaction I was hoping for,” I say, my heart sinking slowly.
“She’s only upset because she’s not ready for her little girl to move out,” Papa replies and signs the words as he takes a step toward me. He excuses himself from Aileen before turning entirely my way to look into my eyes. “Give me the facts,” he demands, handing the piece of paper back to me while a hint of a smile plays on his face.
“I have money saved up that could last me half a year in a small apartment in Monaco, I’d earn great money, a little more than I would here, and I would finally get the independence I’ve dreamed of for a long time,” I start, listing only positives to see his reaction. Papa remains quiet, waiting for what is holding me back. “I’m scared,” I admit, tears shooting into my eyes. “I’ve never lived by myself, and I didn’t expect that when the opportunity presented itself, it’d be in another country,” I explain and groan when my voice cracks.
Papa grabs me by the shoulders and lowers his head just enough to be on the same eye level as me.
