“We’re a pair, huh?”
We leave the parking lot and she nods. “Certainly. It’s not like I’m taking over or doing this permanently. I have a few ideas for a business, but I need someone to back me up financially. Dad won’t help me until I show I have enough experience to run a business. In other words, I’m still a child and he doesn’t trust me.”
“Or he’s trying to convince you that you could develop the love of working for him.”
She twists her lips slightly and makes a weird noise. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Reverse psychology.”
“You use that with your kids?”
“No kids yet, but I use it with my sisters who think they use it with me.”
“Twisted.”
“Oh, you have no idea.” I snort.
“So why are you getting a job?”
“The three businesses I tried to set from the ground up didn’t work out. I invested in a venture that seemed solid, but it wasn’t. I’m broke, unemployed, and about to sell a kidney.”
“You sound defeated.”
“It’s been three years. I am beyond desperate,” I explain, exhaling harshly. Closing my eyes, I wonder if I forced the big break or if I never had a chance. “It’s time to grow up and go back to work.”
“You’re giving up too soon.”
“Says the woman who swore she’d never work for her father,” I counteract.
“Touché.” She chuckles. “In all fairness, I do it because he might be right about not having experience. I rather like having him teach me all he knows. After all, the guy built an empire from the ground up without anyone’s help. One day I’ll be savvy enough to start my company.”
“What kind of company?”
“Some sort of trading business where I import and export sustainable products around the world that are paid at a fair price. It enrages me that individuals and companies buy products from third world countries and pay only pennies for them when they’re making a two hundred percent profit off of them.”
It upsets me just as much. That would be a great business. I can see myself doing that for a lifetime. Helping people while I help myself too. “Like what countries?”
“Let’s say Costa Rica.”
“Have I ever told you that’s one of my favorite places in the world?” I ask.
“You did. It’s one of mine too.” When she stops at a red light, she turns to look at me briefly. “It’d be the first place I’d go and try to set this up. There are a lot of areas where you can set up sustainable farms. We can sell items to local businesses: craft food, beverages, and other products. We can export them to other countries, including the United States. The possibilities are endless. You find a craftsman that creates beautiful jewelry and find a buyer that will pay fairly and not just a couple of dollars and then resell the item for hundreds.”
“It’s a great idea. We need to polish it, and you have to work on your pitch skills if you want to get an investor on board.”
“Clearly, which is why I’m working for Dad.”
“I know where to find people, land, and… it’s really doable.” Gil has connections all around the world. I could help her with that part.
“Is it?”
“Definitely. It’d require a lot of planning and a huge investment though.” I scratch my chin.
“Hey, if you get the money and get it started, I’ll buy half of the company when it’s established and I have the money.”
“Didn’t you hear that I’m broke?”
“Find an investor,” she says, as if it’s simple. “It’s a lot better than working for some soul-sucking financial institution and going back to the hamster wheel.”
She stops in front of a hotel. “Here we are. Do you have plans for tonight?”
“Probably. It seems like you are just making decisions for me.”
She chuckles. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“You are bossy.”
She waves at me. “Good luck with your interview.”
Chapter Eleven
Eros
I probably aced the interview, but I didn’t like the place. It’s back to wearing suits, making money for already wealthy people, and spending ten to twelve hours a day in the office.
I have another round of interviews tomorrow, and there’s a test. A fucking test. What am I, twelve? I almost flipped them the finger and said, “Keep your fucking job.” I would do it, of course. It irritated me to no end that they need to make sure I can perform according to the company’s standards. Didn’t they see my credentials?
When I arrive at the hotel, there’s a message on the phone.
“Hi, it’s Liv. I… I have to cancel tonight. Dad’s in the hospital. Maybe I’ll see you in a couple of years.” Her voice is nothing like the woman I spoke with a few hours ago. She sounds broken. I want to reach out to her and make sure she’s doing fine.
I call the front desk to see if they can track the number, but they don’t have anyone who can look into it at the moment. If I want, they can help me tomorrow. Tomorrow might be too late. I decide to do my own detective work.
I google hospitals in San Francisco and start calling them. San Francisco General is the one that transfers me to Otto Sierra’s room.
“Yes?” a female voice answers.
I believe it’s Olivia, and I dare to say, “Liv?”
“Uh-huh,” she answers.
“Good, I’m on my way. What room is your Dad in?”
“Who is this?”
“Eros.”
She gives me directions on how to get to the room. It’s easier if I go through the second entrance, take the first elevator to the third floor and go to the left. Twenty minutes after I hang up with her, I’m on my way to the hospital. It’s not too far from the hotel, and I decide to walk instead of calling a cab or an Uber. Her directions are pretty on point. When I arrive at her father’s room, I spot her right away. Olivia is on the phone barking orders. Her dad sleeps on the bed. Sitting by his side is his husband, Dan.
I knock on the open door. Liv turns around and waves at me. “If you have any questions, call me. I’ll send you an email later tonight.”
“How is he doing?”
She takes a deep breath. “According to the doctor, he’s going to be fine. He had a heart attack and is having triple bypass surgery tomorrow morning.” She swallows hard. “It sounds scary, but the doctors assured us that he’ll be fine.”
I step in, kiss her cheek and then shake Dan’s hand. “How are you doing, sir? Is there anything I can bring you?”
He shakes his head. “Why don’t you take her out to dinner?”
“You need to eat too, Dan.”
“We can bring him something on our way back,” I offer.
“I like that idea,” Dan agrees.
“But what if you need me?” she argues.
I grab her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “We won’t go too far.”
“You heard the doctor. He’s stable.” Dan looks at his watch. “If you leave now, you might skip the scene where your Dad complains about the bland food and demands coffee and a burger.”