Silence.
“I know it hasn’t been long since you left but I can’t…” I continued babbling. “You’re a professional. You know how to take care of this.”
More silence.
“This would be the perfect time to say something, Auntie.”
“What would you like me to say?” There were barely any sounds of her breathing. “We made a deal before you started your training. You promised me you’d try for one year—which is what the will states—and after the time is up, if you don’t want this and still want your delusional dreams of becoming a Jeweller, the law would let you.”
My chest tightened. “I know what I promised?—”
“Then why aren’t you fulfillingit?” She snapped.
I swallowed hard. “Because I can’t?—”
“There’s no such thing ascan’t, Adelaide. You made me a promise and by making me a promise…” Her tone deepened. “You promised your parents, now how would they feel if you broke their promise?”
Air escaped as noise feedback from her end to mine. “You’re a smart woman, Adelaide. Tell me something that could fix this.”
“Harry’s interim CEO,” I blurted. “He’ll be making all the big plans now.”
“Butyou’restill the one in charge,” she said quickly with breathless confidence.
“But the board agreed.”
“The board agrees to a lot of things, doesn’t mean you have to go with it.” A door slammed at a distance. With murmured voices, Eda spoke to the other. My eyes darted over to the time on my dashboard, it was seven in the morning at Bali. Whatever she did was totally her business, but this early?
“It’s not like I can fight them on it.” I spluttered once her hoarse feedback announced her return. “Have you seen my punches?”
“Yes, I have a picture of the black eye from last year's practice to prove it.” Her laugh sounded real. “They’re dangerous and I know with the right motivation, you can be too. Just make sure you don’t hit me in the face this time around.”
Never.
“What do you think I should do?”
“First,” she started typing something on her computer. “Take back your spot by earning the board members respect and then release a statement. The public is shooting you down for staying quiet and we can’t give them more ammunition.”
What about the emails? There’s a chance she might know if someone tried to get access to my email, since she made it for me.
The question burned on the tip of my tongue. If I told her someone disguised themselves as me to pay Ayeza off, Eda would have an aneurysm and go into shock.
The secret brewed like bitter coffee.
Moonshinecame to mind, but I stewed with that idea. They could help me—maybe better than anyone else—but I’d rather not risk the humiliation of facing Osama and a specific Korean after the last time we saw each other.
Daniel Hayes retired a couple of years ago and in his place, Osama Taimoor was granted the title based on a shareholder’s vote. His name left a delicate curved etch on my lips. If it weren’t for hisbest friend, he and I truly could have remained good friends.
“…Promise meyou won’t give up.”
Eda sounded achingly desperate to hear another vow.
I wondered how many promises I’d given while being under her guardianship.
Too many.But what was one more?
“I promise.”
TWO
