I nod in agreement, glancing over my shoulder to find him staring at the ceiling.
I can’t tell what’s going through his mind, but I do know that out of everyone in my life, Nate now holds the power to hurt me the most.
CHAPTER 27
NATE
“Welcome back to the office, Boss!” Jay, the lead engineer on the Voltage Jet project, says as he steps into the waiting elevator. “And congratulations on the standing ovation!”
I nod in silent thanks as the doors close, but in all honesty, the praise is getting old.
The moment is over. What’s done is done. There’s no need to live in the past when we’re drowning in work in the present.
That’s become my one frustration since getting back to New York.Everywhere I go, I can’t seem to escape what was.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than grateful for the outcome at the Aviation Global Forum. Investors are suddenly crawling back—including Kamal Jameel, who threw millions at us like it was nothing. Stocks are slowly rising. The media is painting me in a better light.
For some unexplainable reasons, my reputation seems to have fixed itself overnight. And while that’s all great, we’ve got new problems to worry about. Forming a team to bring myidea to life and protecting it quickly enough not to get stolen from under us is number one.
My lawyer is still mad at me for that.
While Everett Staines still hasn’t gotten back to us regarding the SkyWay Airlines partnership, I’ve accepted it. Archer Aviation will be plenty busy with this new project once we get it up and running. It might require additional time to take our planes overseas, but it will come. That’s the only trajectory when you consistently put in the work.
Obviously, I’m not going to complain about these things to an employee, so I say, “Anything new with the company since I’ve been gone?”
Though I’m kept updated on everything by the executives, it’s nice to chat with those who can give a more personal answer.
Being the brooding, unapproachable tech CEO has never been my intention. I consider myself an engineer, first and foremost, having dedicated countless hours—alongside the team—to the projects we tackle.
To some, Archer Aviation mayjustbe a company, but for me, this was a passion project, and I wanted those who worked here to feel the same—to walk into their offices every day, knowing they’re bringing about positive change to the aviation industry. The only way I can accomplish that is to find out what’s happening on their side of work when I’m not nearby.
Jay’s brows perk at the question, and his eyes dart to the elevator door in caution. “Actually, there’s been a rumor going around for the past few days.”
“Oh?” Surprise seeps through my voice. “What about?”
“I mean, I’m not sure how true this is, but a few people are saying it’s the intern who set off the spark at the showcase that night.”
My brows pinch in confusion.
Our interns were only ever contracted for the summer, with just a few kept around for the school year. The select who did stay were always deemed trustworthy.
“Do you have a name by any chance?”
“No clue.” Jay shrugs. “According to Martha, it was some tall, lanky kid in a green suit. She isn’t too sure about that, though—pregnancy brain and all.”
I nod along, trying my hardest to remember what went down that night, but nothing comes to mind. I’d been so stressed before the showcase that I hadn’t fully registered what was happening.
Now that Jay mentions it, I do feel slightly guilty that Martha went out on a spark. She stayed long enough to see her project through, then left for maternity leave shortly after.
Although I did visit her in the hospital to congratulate her on becoming a mother, she didn’t indulge in any of this information—understandable when you’re still riding the high of such a life-altering moment.
The elevator dings when I reach my floor.
“Thanks, man, I appreciate it.” I give Jay a pat on the back as I make my way out. “I’ll see you around. Don’t be scared to email if you’ve got any updates.”
He gives me a parting salute as the metal doors close.
Unease washes over me as I navigate the maze of executive offices to reach my own.
