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“Thank you.” I smiled. I was genuinely touched.
“Your latest research is one that greatly interests me. I was already thinking of sending you an email, but imagine my surprise when you showed up at the reunion. I’ll be honest that I don’t remember you much from high school. I know we were in different circles, but I was still so happy to see you there.”
I smiled ruefully. I couldn't be hurt that my old schoolmates didn't remember me when I had knowingly excluded myself.
“You see, I really like what you're doing. It's… humanitarian. Of course, I’m a businesswoman so I won’t deny the vast market potential it carries. That’s why I want to fund your research. I want to help you create this miracle.”
I was a little stunned, even as the smile lit up my face. My happiness just couldn't be concealed. Just like that, everything I had been wanting for the past oh-so-many months, just sat in front of me. It almost didn't make sense.
I took a moment to collect myself and cleared my throat lightly.
“That's very generous of you, Diana, and I am so appreciative of the offer. You mentioned the market potential. What is in this for you as an investor?”
“I fund your research and, in exchange, I get full patent rights. My lab will possess the right to make the product available as we see fit. You, of course, will have full access to use it. I understand that this project is quite personal for you.”
I nodded.
“Yes, it is. It's for my… sister.”
“Oh, my God. I am so sorry.” A shocked hand pressed to her chest.
“No, it's okay. It means a lot that you're willing to support my research. Can I get time to think about your offer?”
“Of course.” She searched in her bag, sliding out a brown envelope. “This is the contract drafted by my lawyers. You can read through and highlight the things you're not okay with or the things you would like to include. We’ll have another meeting to talk specifics.”
“Great,” I said brightly, slightly in awe of the envelope in my hand. “I’ll reach out to you in a few days.”
Chapter 11
Daniel
Isatstifflyina chair in Dad’s study, waiting for him to finish his reading and finally pay attention. This was a dance we did once every few weeks. Me, the lowly peasant, pandering to his needs, while he, the Lord, sat around and did whatever pleased him. A few days ago, I believed I would soon be free of him and these cumbersome meetings that left me feeling drained, but now I was back again for God knew how long.
He cleared his throat and though I wasn’t looking at him, I knew he was taking off his glasses.
Dad was in his late fifties and had once been tall and muscular from working out in the gym. I used to think he was the strongest man in the world from the times he would lift me with just one arm or carry heavy equipment for Mom around the house. It was no wonder that women were all over him after she left. Add his build to his natural good looks and wealth, and he was the perfect bachelor everyone wanted to claim. He had married a few of them, then got divorced, each time giving a chunk of his assets away in settlement.
Now, he was still tall, but more portly. He had light blue eyes, just like me, but they were wrinkled at the edges. His full head of blond hair had grayed rather nicely. The hair was one thing I didn't get from him, as well as his womanizing streak. I got Mom’s dark hair, and I cherished my hair so much, that although I kept it tidy, it was always hard to cut it, perhaps because it was the one part of her I permanently had with me. Perhaps I shouldn't be so sentimental. Not a call from her since she walked out of the house that day twenty-two years ago. And sometimes, the boy ruled the man.
“Should I expect your resignation soon?” he asked in his deep, grinding voice, much similar to mine but affected by age. Vaguely, I remembered a time when I was little and his voice seemed like thunder to me. I would beg him to speak while I put a hand to his throat to feel the vibrations and laugh and laugh.
But that was a long time ago, with a happier boy and a kinder father. Now I wasn't that little boy anymore, and he was far from the kind man he used to be.
“You know I can't leave with all these things happening,” I said coolly.
He sat silently, tapping his feet lightly on the floor. I held my breath.
“How long?” he finally asked.
I arched a brow at him.
“As long as it takes. Don't think I'm happy about it either.”
He acknowledged with a small nod.
“Your brothers have been here.”
“Did they try to convince you of their superior capability to handle all of this shit?” I let my voice take on a mocking quality. “Petition you to let me go?”
