Chuleta.
Chapter 50
Antonio
“Imade a lapse in judgment that caused harm, and I regret my actions. I take full responsibility. I deeply regret my decision. My actions were my own and do not reflect the values of Maple King. I am sincerely sorry.”
Kieran’s chin quivers. He hangs his head, crumpling under the spotlight.
“I don’t deserve forgiveness, but I hope to earn it.”
He sobs.
Punk ass.
“I’m so sorry,” he says through a hiccup.
“How many times have you watched that video?”
“Not enough. Dickhead could fit three marbles inside each nostril with all the hollering he’s doing.” I kiss Miriam’s smile and put away my phone.
Her pops threw down the gauntlet at Maple King two weeks ago. Executives wasted no time tossing Kieran in front of the cameras for a public apology. It’s all bullshit. The only reason he’s sobbing like he’s on an Oprah special is because they hung his ass out to dry.
His reputation is dead—his and his raggedy-ass parents, who encouraged their son to steal from a woman who rejected him.
I still want to put his head through a wall, but I’m happy the apology was public. Kieran kept Miriam’s name out of his mouth at her father’s request. She doesn’t want to be tied to any scandals. As far as I’m concerned, Kieran can spend his days hiding under whatever rock he crawled to after leaving Buffalo.
I damn near shit out my guts when she told me about meeting up with him to get his admission on tape. The president of Maple King released a statement after firing Kieran, and agreed to erase Miriam’s concept to save face and their government contracts. That didn’t stop Reese from contacting her investigative journalist friend. Wouldn’t you know it, she uncovered a trend of predatory business practices.
Those government contracts? Gone.
Doe will refine her urban farming concept for submission to the patent office. She caught an attitude after I purchased the software and licenses she’ll need for her research. I’ll be damned if I let anyone take advantage of her again. Julian, my parents, and I pitched in with seed money to get her STEM hub off the ground at the community center. Even her pops donated, which helped to heal some of the tension between them.
I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting her dad while he was up here, but I look forward to meeting him when the Steel play DC in a couple of weeks.
“You’ll be okay over here?” I kiss Miriam’s forehead for the third time, rubbing circles into her shoulders, which are covered in a blouse that has more ruffles than Prince had in his closet. I don’t mean to stare, but damn.
I’m no authority on the dress code for press conferences, but my baby might have be okay with looking like the Quaker Oats man.
“Do you think this is too much?” She motions to the curtain of fabric on her chest.
Don’t say it.
“Truth?” I wince, then attempt a recovery. “Someone might think you ripped the drapes off your windows, but you’re gorgeous, baby. Look at it this way, you already have a costume for Hallow—”
“So help me God, if you say Prince…”
“I was actually thinkingPenguins of Madagascar.”Not helping!“I’ll go now.”
“You do that,” she growls.
“It’s not bad!”
My steps are cautious, but I give her a quick peck on the cheek before I take off for the stage.
“Ready?” Marcela asks.
“Let’s do this.” I shake hands with Coach Washington, who comes up the stairs in khakis, a polo, and boat shoes.
