Page 107 of Wildflower
I’ve been focused on people thinking I’m like Damian, and ignored the real issue. I’ve already crossed a line. Now I need to get back to the other side of it.
“Who is she?” Graham asks, sipping his frothy tropical cocktail. He knows to take advantage of a free lunch, and how to cut straight to the chase. Graham’s been on the board since the start, and has been a great advisor to me and Damian (who blatantly ignored him, obviously). This is the first time I’ve had to discuss myself like this, though, and I’m troubled by the situation. Damian and I met Graham while still in university. He guided us through setting up Infinio Games. He founded five companies and led three of them as CEO. If there’s anyone’s business advice I’ll take, it’s his.
I trace the rim of my whiskey glass, wondering where to start. “I met her here. She was an atmosphere model.”
“A what?” he asks, cocktail foam stuck on his grey moustache. I explain the little I know about the role.
“I never knew that was a vocation.” He shrugs and waves for me to continue.
“Me neither, but that’s how we met. We stayed in touch, but I didn’t realise she works for Infinio until I was set to meet her again.”
“Why couldn’t you just leave her be?”
I hold his gaze. He’s been with his wife for as long as I’ve known him. Surely he must remember how he felt when they first met.
“I like her.”
He nods, but his focus is on his drink.
“A lot,” I add.
“What does she do at Infinio?” Graham asks, and reaches for another gyoza.
I clear my throat, knowing how bad it’ll sound. “Before I say it, I have to add she’s twenty-nine, but … she’s an intern.”
Graham sits up. “Bloody hell, Mark.” And I know whathe’s thinking. The headlines from last year. The power imbalance. It’s not a great story.
I sigh and rub my forehead. “She’s on a six-month contract, four months to go. Could I just disclose the relationship? I know any relationship for me as CEO is against the company code, but maybe we could set up some guardrails to manage the power imbalance.”
He swirls the last of his cocktail in the bottom of his hurricane glass, staring at it.
“You know better than that, Mark. The optics are terrible.”
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t know for sure, I’d have to review it closer,” he rubs his temples as if this conversation is causing him distress. “Regardless of what you want to do with this girl, you have to disclose it. Considering there’s already chatter about it online, my advice is to do it as early as possible.”
“The next board meeting is in a month and a half.” It feels both an eternity away and too soon. I’ve not even asked Rey what she wants, and here I am discussing disclosing our relationship.
“You should move it up. Unless you might change your mind? End it now?”
I try my best not to glare at him, at the hopeful tone in his voice. It’s not for anyone I’d come here and raise this. Rey feels … worth it.
When I don’t say anything, he continues, “I don’t think you’d be able to gather everyone any sooner than that, but try.”
I nod. “I’ve toldyou, at least.”
“Now, let’s finish this formal chit-chat, Mark, and have some more cocktails, shall we?” He gestures to the server for the same round again.
His nonchalance about this confuses me. Am Ioverthinking this whole thing or does he just not want to address it?
“Can I ask you, as your mentor and old friend, not as the Chair of the Board,” Graham starts, and I know he’ll ask me whatever the bloody hell he wants regardless of what I say. “She’s an intern at twenty-nine. Why? What’s her plan in life?”
“She’s an artist by education, but it didn’t work out,” I answer. “Her plans are still in the making, but she’s very talented. Doing a great job as a concept artist so far.” Pride sparks in my chest as I say the words. Seeing her draw and go through her fantasy world was fascinating. And she’s just getting started on this journey.
Graham raises his eyebrows. “I’d expect you to consider your company’s future first in your decision-making. She wouldn’t be able to stay at Infinio, of course.”
“Right, the optics.” This doesn’t sit well with me. What if she’d want to stay? I can’t choose for her.
