“So you thought I was like your father when we first met?”
She nods.
“Do you still?” My voice couldn’t be more husky, and I try to blame it on my intention of sounding seductive, but I’m not entirely convinced that’s the case. I actually feel nervous asking this question. I hope with every fiber in my body that she will contradict me.
“No. Or at least, I’m giving you the benefit of doubt,” she says, keeping her eyes locked with mine. “You know, as future friends.”
My stomach churns, but this time it isn’t the fastidious friend tag she’s attached to us. I know that will come off eventually. I feel it in the intensity of her eyes as she stares at me.
Then what’s my problem?
You know it, Nathan. You know it very well.
Unfortunately, I do. I told Aunt Marjorie that Eva wouldn’t get hurt from this bet. I believed this to be the case until now. But after what I’ve just heard, I’m not sure anymore. If I do manage to break down Eva’s defenses, and her heart softens for me, am I not betraying her trust? Isn’t it just as despicable as what her biological father did with her mother?
In this instant, I know that if Eva ever discovers the bet, she’ll hate me for the rest of my life. When the time comes, I’ll need to make sure to end things nicely with her. It was my original intention anyway, but from now on I need to do everything in my power to avoid Eva ever learning the true motives behind my actions. Yes, and I’ll need to envisage concrete steps to compensate her. Maybe I could help them renovate that old house they live in? Or get them a new car?
Ah, poor boy. Are you sure about this?
The voice in my head sounds like my aunt’s. The soft tone is only mildly accusing. The compassionate edge is much stronger. As if it feels sorry for me.
“Nathan?”
Eva calling my name drags me out of my worries.
“I’m sorry, Eva. I was just thinking about what you said. I’m happy you finally put your prejudices aside.”
Eva shakes her head. “No, I think I might have been wrong to have them in the first place. Maybe my mother’s bitterness and my own sorrow about not having a father blinded to the fact that there are good and bad people everywhere—among the rich and among the poor.”
Eva’s kindness and self-blaming is making me even more uncomfortable. There’s this bothersome sensation in my limbs, a sort of itch to reach out and caress Eva. It’s growing so strong, I have to press my hands to the table to prevent them from inching toward her fingers.
Eva reaches back and pulls her hair into a ponytail. She twists the thick tresses around a few times, till they settle into a kind of messy low bun. Her new hairdo leaves her neck exposed, which in turn increases the prickles I feel.
Eva takes a sip from her cappuccino and licks the foam from her lips. “I meant to ask you this, but somehow haven’t got around to it. You said you’re waiting on your promotion. When is that going to happen?”
“We have an annual fundraiser ball this coming weekend. Mother wants to use it to make a big announcement about her retirement. After that, on Monday, she’ll announce to the board the newly appointed CEO’s name. Which will either be me or Larry, one of the other directors.” I add this last phrase in a casual tone, but it feels false to my ears.
No wonder Eva picks up on it. “Ah? So you do have an opponent. How will your mother decide if it’s you or not?”
Eva’s question takes me off guard, so instead of inventing a fib, I tell her the truth. “She gave me a test I need to pass.”
“Shouldn’t you be in your office then, preparing for it?”
Why couldn’t I just keep my mouth shut or invent a cover story? “It’s not that kind of test. Also, I’ve already put everything in action. So I have all the time in the world to be with you.”
Eva looks relieved. “Ah, good. I hope you pass. It seems to be pretty important for you to become the CEO.”
Eva, if you only knew…and it will all depend on you. I clear my throat. “Yes, it’s imperative. My father founded this company. It was his life mission, the thing he cared about the most. He always planned for me to take it over. I want to make sure it reaches its full potential.”
Eva gives me a strange look. Her eyes are warm, but her lips press into a line.
I’m not sure what to make of it, so I ask, “You can’t relate to what I’m saying?”
Eva shakes her head. “No, it’s not that. I was just thinking that it’s tough to live up to the expectations of a deceased person.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that…” She chews on her lower lip as if choosing her words carefully. “You aren’t following your own dream. You’re bound to fulfill someone else’s. Someone who can’t even tell you that he might not expect you to do it.”
A knot forms in my throat. “Mother accused me of the same thing when I joined the company. She said I wasn’t doing it for me, but for Father. She was happier with Murphy’s choice of studying something other than business. Except she was wrong. I want to become CEO.”
The intensity of my voice is such that Eva’s face pales. “I’m so sorry, Nathan. I didn’t mean to sound judgy. I…”
I regret my outburst immediately. Eva didn’t mean any harm, and I clearly scared her with my hostile tone. “Don’t worry. It’s easy to draw the conclusion that I’m following in my father’s footsteps because of a need to prove myself to a dead man—but I’m actually enjoying it. “
“That’s
