Page 68 of My Book Boyfriend
“My friend is desperate to do this audition, and he said he’d still have to run your name through security, leaving it to them to bounce you,” Bella says.
“Run my name through security?” I ask. “Then Rupert will definitely find out.”
“That’s usually just a check to make sure you don’t have a criminal background,” Iris says. “And it’s not like the results are reported to senior executives. But they’re idiots if they’re leaving confidential information around in front of vendors. We constantly run training to remind employees to wipe whiteboards clean and not to leave documents lying around conference rooms to ensure only authorized personnel see what is discussed.”
“See? You’d be doing the company a favor. Pointing out their vulnerabilities. It’s not like Rupert is holding back. He’s using every means possible, and then some. They’ve sued you and even gone after your funding.” Bella holds her hand up. “And are you allowed to hold library events at the garden now?”
“No. But I’m not sure that Strive Developers explicitly banned those events.”
“Exactly,” Bella says. “They’re using their soft power of influence. And you’ll have to sign a confidentiality agreement, so it’s not like you can tell anyone else. It’s just for your own knowledge of what they did. Provided you pass the security test.”
“That’s fine. I only want to know for myself,” I say. “At this point, we’ve done what we can.” We’ve tried to sway public opinion against Strive Developers and, for the most part, succeeded, with all the positive press coverage of the Oasis Garden. And the lawsuit is proceeding. Strive Developers has to be feeling some heat. But is it enough? That is the question.
I feel helpless that I have to wait and find out what will be decided at some board meeting where I can’t even counter any naysayers—can’t even make my case directly to the CEO and Rupert’s grandfather.But I could if I went to the board meeting.
“And what if heisn’tpresenting anything to the board in favor of the garden? Then I have to speak up. They should have held a public hearing and let the community be heard. They think we’ll give up by the time the city government hearings roll around in a year. This could be my chance to make my case to the board,” I say. “But I don’t want to hurt his bid for CEO.”
“He’s not CEO yet. If there’s a security breach, that’s on the current CEO and the head of security,” Iris says. “And if he really is supporting the garden, it should help demonstrate the passion of the opposition.”
“He should be able to handle public dissension if he wants to be a CEO. He said you shouldn’t hold back,” Bella says. “If you didn’t care about him, wouldn’t you take this opportunity to present your case directly to the board?”
“I would.” Like a bear that is normally shy and passive but becomes aggressive once their critical space is attacked, I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to save the community garden. “And it’s not like he’s even said, ‘Trust me, I’ll save the garden.’ He’s said he is looking at options, but his first priority is becoming co-CEO. Okay. I have tomorrow off. Tell your friend I’ll take his place.”
“I’ll text Miranda and see if she can do your makeup first before I commit you.” Bella types quickly on her phone.
Commit me—like I’m being committed to an insane asylum. This idea is so insane that it might work. But Bella sometimes has some crazybadideas, and this might be one of them.
I pace back and forth. I’m just not sure.
Bella’s phone beeps. “Miranda says she can do your makeup. We’re on.” Bella grabs her workout bag. “And we need to go.”
“Good luck,” Iris says as they disappear out the front door.
I’m tempted to call Bella back and say I can’t do this.
Bella:Thank you! My friend is so happy he can make the callback. And he said he’ll tell the chef that you’ll be dressed as an older person because you’re practicing for a role.
No turning back now. I need to work on my speech. But first, I should try calling my dad again. He had just texted me that he was back in the UK. I sit on my bed and call him.
He picks up. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I just miss you,” I say.
“I’m glad to hear your voice,” my dad says. “Your mother would have loved that trip to India. We always intended to go there. The ten-day tour in Rajasthan was magical. Your mother would have gotten such a kick out of it.”
He does miss mom.
“You should meet me on your next vacation. Let’s pick a country. Your mom always wanted to go to South Korea,” he says. “We could go there. Visit some of the spots from the Korean dramas she watched.”
My eyes tear. “I thought you didn’t miss Mom.”
“I miss your mom every day. But I thought the best way to honor her memory was to visit all the places we meant to see before life got in the way. We thought we’d both live longer than she did.” My father’s voice catches. “And sitting in that apartment missing her … I thought I wouldn’t be able to get up every day. I’d want to give up. And she wouldn’t want that. And then, what good would I be to you? Instead of enjoying your late twenties and thirties, you’d be worried about me.”
It wasn’t really about me.It was more about my dad attempting to cope. He was trying to protect me. But I wish he’d told me that directly.
I sniffle.
“Are you okay?” My dad’s voice is concerned.
