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But that’s not at all how we’ve approached it. The specs for the actual hackathon space are incredible. We’re able to host twenty teams and put them up in a modest hotel for two days. We can’t offer to pay for transportation, which is disappointing—I don’t want people to be left out of the opportunity because of money. But we were able to secure an impressive cash prize for the winning team due to Jason’s savvy accounting work, cutting back costs and finding ways for us to show savings in order to help make our case for the return on investment.
All of this done by “just a bunch of kids.”
“Ms. Lee?” Sunny Cho peeks her head in. I’m not sure when Sunny started calling me “Ms.” anything, but every time she does, my shoulders shoot up in a cringe. “You’ve been requested to come up to the executive conference room.”
Her voice has a nervous twinge that I’ve never heard from her, not even on the first day when she thought she’d made a mistake about who I am. Sunny is usually calm and cool, exuding so much confidence that I initially thought she was my boss.
My palms start to sweat.
“Who’s requesting?” I ask.
“The Executive.”
Singular. But which one? And why?
“If you’ll follow me,” she says.
My eyes immediately scan the room for Elijah. He looks back at me and shakes his head in a barely perceptible move. What does that mean? Don’t go? Don’t worry? Run out the office and never return?
I widen my eyes at him, trying to convey my panic.
“The printer here keeps getting jammed. Jessica, can I use the one in your office upstairs?” Eljiah asks out of the blue.
“Uh, sure?” I say.
“Cool, I’ll go up with you then,” he adds.
Ah, he’s not letting me face the wolves on my own. Not if they’ve discovered the switch and are about to confront me and call the cops or something.
The three of us enter the elevator and I feel a light brush on my hand. I look down and Elijah’s finger is stretched out to mine. Telling me that he’s here. That it’ll be okay.
I hook my finger around his. In any other situation, I might consider this romantic. Instead it feels tragic. Like I’m being sent off to my doom and my beloved is telling me to be brave as I face my demise.
When I started seeing Elijah as my “beloved,” I’m not sure. It’s got to be the anxiety, the panic, the pressure, the stress. But honestly, having him here beside me in this small elevator, makes me feel less worried. Less alone.
The ding of the elevator pulls me from my thoughts and I follow behind Sunny like a robot, not thinking or feeling anything. Numb. We turn the corner and she opens up the conference room door for me. Elijah hangs back in the hallway as to not draw attention. I walk in, and a lone, unfamiliar person stands gazing out the window, facing away from me.
She’s slender and in a yellow dress with fabric that looks so delicate, like it would fly away in even the slightest breeze. Her hair is light brown with waves down her back, almost to her waist. There’s an aura of beauty and of power coming from her. Like she’s both a princess and a warrior. She looks over her shoulder and her profile reveals a perfect, small nose and a V jawline that is the epitome of Korean beauty standards.
“You might as well come in too,” she says. She’s not addressing me, but someone past me.
I don’t turn my attention from her, but I hear Elijah step into the room. “What are you doing here?” he asks.
I’m so confused. What’s going on? Does he know her? Who is she?
“Jessica, is it?” she asks.
“That’s correct.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the work you’ve been doing here this summer.”
Her voice is confident but lyrical, and I’m suddenly struck with déjà vu. It takes me a moment to figure out why, but I remember that this was how I felt about Elijah’s voice the first time I heard it at the airport.
I’ve never seen anyone like her. I’ve only just met her but I’m completely mesmerized.
“Thank you?” I say. I don’t mean to make it into a question. But I can’t stop wondering who she is.
“Don’t tell me you’ve been just playing video games and slacking off all summer, Elijah. I really don’t want to believe this of you.”
