Michael rubbed her shoulders. “Take some deep breaths. I’ll bring you some water.”
Christy sat up slowly. “No, I’m…I’m fine. It’s just…that headline. Let me see the article.” There were two stories. The first was a profile of Christy, beginning with her mother’s death, then outlining the early struggles in school and later successes in track and field. The piece cited her lack of an MBA and chronicled her most notorious relationships, from the bankers mentioned in the Journal scandal to Cantor Farrar’s Francis Rich.
“You didn’t really sleep with Fran Rich?” Michael asked. “That’s a lie, right?”
“Where does it say that?” she asked.
Michael pointed to the section.
“Katherine must have told the reporter. How could she?” Christy said.
“Is it true?”
Christy spoke softly. “Yes. It happened before I met you. The man is such a worm. He led me to believe he was separated from Brownie. I never would have slept with him otherwise.”
Michael gave Christy a strange look.
“What?” she said.
“Nothing.”
“Say it.”
“I can’t believe you’d have sex with that guy. He’s a notorious skirt chaser.”
“It was a long time ago. Before we knew each other. I thought he was separated from Brownie. I’m so sorry. I hope I haven’t embarrassed you.”
“I’m fine,” he said, looking anything but. “It’s you I feel sorry for. Fran Rich is such a loser.”
“This is mortifying,” Christy said. “I can count on one hand the number of relationships I had before we got married. And now, thanks to the Journal and Wall Street Week, my reputation is ruined. I worked so hard for everything I got, but the world’s going to think I slept my way to the top. All the mothers at Colby will read this. Brownie will read it.” Christy threw her hands up in the air. “How could Katherine do this to me?”
Michael went back to reading the article, then moaned. “Jesus, it says here that you’re in the process of adopting a child who’s having emotional problems. They’re reporting she’s in therapy.”
“What? How dare they invade Renata’s privacy? We told the reporter that was off the record.”
“Honey, nothing is ever off the record.”
“Yes, but this is about my kid,” she said.
“Look at the next page,” Eve said. “There’s a whole piece about whether it’s time for you to step down. Listen. It says ‘sources close to the board are questioning if Christy’s entrepreneurial style, so vital to the start-up of the company, will be enough to move Baby G to the next level of expansion.’ Then they quote Karl Lehmann: ‘Christy’s strength is in pitching investors, not in tending to the details required to run a complex public company.’ Karl says it may be time for you to become vice chairman and appoint a new CEO so you can concentrate on visionary pursuits and special projects.”
“Special projects? Everyone knows that’s the corporate equivalent of a mercy fuck,” Christy said.
“At least you’re in good company,” Michael said. “Look here. They’re talking about CEOs like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates who resisted stepping down.”
“Bill Gates says you know it’s time to step down when you’re no longer having fun,” Eve added. “Are you having fun?”
“Oh yeah, I’m having a blast. Can’t you tell?” She put her head in her hands. Christy knew this was her fault. She’d been so distracted at work. When she hadn’t been paying attention, Katherine had made her move. She didn’t know which was worse, the possibility of losing her company or discovering that her best friend was a double-crossing liar.
“So, what are you gonna do, Christy?” Michael asked.
Christy was silent for a few moments. “Remember when Fatuma Mongaala tripped me at the twenty-two-mile mark in Barcelona? What did I do? You were there.”
“You got up, took her on, and then mopped the floor with her,” Michael said.
Christy looked at Eve and Michael with determination. “And that’s exactly what I’m going to do with Katherine.”
Galit Weighs In
Michael, I saw the article. Ouch. It’s bad enough when the press goes after you, but to have to endure it from two fronts—your wife as well. You need to help her. She is drowning, and you don’t want it to tarnish you. Your reputation is unblemished, and you must keep it that way. Galit
Galit, I can’t say there is no truth to what you are saying, but I love Christy and would endure far worse to be part of her life. As for drowning, Christy has a lot of grit under that beautiful exterior. You have a bit of that, too, don’t you? Christy’s toughness is just less visible. I would never bet against her. Michael
I don’t know if I was just insulted, but growing up with enemies who want to blow you away in real life tends to do that. I just hope you are able to see Christy objectively. Galit
I hope I never do. That’s not what soul mates are about. Maybe one day you’ll be lucky enough to find someone who can pierce that fierce exterior of yours. Michael
I don’t know. There aren’t many like you around. Meanwhile, my armor serves me well. Just don’t let Christy bring you down. It has happened to other CEOs too enamored of their wives or lovers. Galit
And the Winner Is…
When Christy walked through the open office, it seemed that everyone was pretending to be busy. She held her head high, focusing on what she had to do. Christy was dressed to kill, in her black Chloé suit, cream silk blouse, double strand of South Sea pearls, and Prada boots. Katherine had taught her well. A quick glance told her
