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Jumping up, I shouted, “Let’s not take a vote on my marital status, please.”
Lester smiled for the first time since the meeting started. “Theo, it’s a perfect solution. If you get married, then you can develop a new image as a devoted husband, a family man.”
Warren nodded emphatically in agreement with Lester’s assessment. Eugene was smiling so big I was afraid his dentures were going to fall out. The rest of the Board members were one hundred percent behind the idea, staring back at me with outright approval on their faces. Slumping back in my chair, I thought it over with the entire room’s eyes on me.
Lester crossed his arms. “What do you say?”
The plan would kill two birds with one stone. I’d been thinking about asking Mia to marry me anyway. It was really just a matter of time before I did. If it was also a good business move, then why not?
Chapter 15
Mia
Jill’s words of caution still swam in my mind days after she’d visited Pictogram. Doubts about Theo’s true feelings for me plagued me terribly even though he had yet to betray me or give me any definitive sign that he was starting to become uninterested in me.
It was unfair for me to even consider Theo was capable of any betrayal. He was so sweet to me: giving me beautiful gifts and telling me how much I meant to him.
I berated myself for resorting to my old ways of being self-deprecating. Even as Marc Janow’s new spokesperson, there was an inkling of fear that I wasn’t good enough for Theo. It was stupid and unfounded. My logical brain knew that, but my emotions were bubbling over inside me. I cared for Theo so much. If he didn’t feel the same way, I would be devastated.
It wasn’t even the right time to be pondering all of this and using all my mental energy for negative thoughts. Theo needed me now more than ever. Today was the day the Board was taking a vote. All my focus needed to be reserved for supporting him, not drowning in speculative self-doubt.
When I got a message from Theo, I was at the front desk helping Amanda with one of her assignments. With her work ethic, she was really improving. In no time, she would be ready to transition from receptionist to programmer. I was so proud of her.
TheoW: GUESS WHAT?
MiAnonimo: What?!
TheoW: The Board is off my back! Giving me another chance!
MiAnonimo: AWESOME! I’m so happy!!!
TheoW: I’ve got some errands to run. Meet me at Spruce 6PM?
MiAnonimo: Of course! Can’t wait! <3
I let out a gigantic sigh of relief. Amanda, hard at work debugging her code, looked up from her screen. “Everything okay?”
“More than okay,” I said, looking over her shoulder at her screen.
She smiled. “You’ve been an incredible help to me. I know you’re so busy. Thank you for everything.”
“Of course. You did all the work. I barely helped you at all. You just need to have more confidence in yourself. You are a lot more capable than you give yourself credit for,” I pointed out.
Ironic. I was giving advice that I needed to badly take myself.
Eunice and Sophie walked by. “Hey guys! What are you up to?” I asked.
“We’re heading to the woodshop.” Sophie held up an adorable little wooden robot. “Eunice wants me to show her how I made this little guy.”
“That’s too cute. Can I come?” I asked thinking that silly wooden robot would make a nice gift for Theo. It wasn’t a million-dollar necklace, but the thought would count.
Eunice beamed, “Of course! Amanda, do you want to come, too?”
Amanda looked up from her screen. “I’ve got to turn this assignment in, but definitely next time.”
My little work girl squad of Eunice, Sophie, and Amanda was a great comfort to me. Aside from Jill, I didn’t have any close girl friends who were in tech. Mostly because there just weren’t many female computer engineers in general. I hoped that one day with the programs like my Women’s Initiative that would change.
In the woodworking shop, my mind focused on Sophie’s instructions and let go of all my worries about Theo’s affection for me. I reminded myself that I was going to see him later that night to celebrate. He could spend tonight with anyone, but he chose me.
