Regardless, I track down the bakery from yesterday’s date and pull up their website, happy to see they take online orders. A wide assortment of pastries finds its way into my cart with a special emphasis on the tiramisu—all because Vivienne once mentioned she liked them.
Pistachio. Lemon. Matcha. The flavors are likely to send an authentic Italian into a heart attack, but I’d like to believe, for the sake of this apology, that they’d deem it acceptable.
I place the order for pickup as it’s more worthy of forgiveness than delivery.I’m out of my chair and ready to make it up to my fake fiancée when my phone bursts into a frenzy of vibrations.
It isn’t the bakery telling me something’s gone wrong with the order or that the key component of my apology (tiramisu) has sold out—it’s Archer Aviation’s most prominent investor.
I let out a frustrated sigh, irritated that he chose this very moment to grace me with his verbal domination.
Kamal Jameel is a brilliant man—don’t get me wrong—but helovesto talk. Talk shit. Talk circles. Talk over. There’s no getting a word in during a conversation with him, so I settle back in my chair and set the call to speaker.
“You know, Nate, I’ve been rather disappointed with your performance lately.”
I brace myself for his lecture.
“I still remember when you first came onto the scene.” Kamal chuckles on a sigh, a reminiscent tone to his voice. “Young. Skinny. Twig-like. I’d never seen such snappable bonesin my life. You were a scared little boy navigating this big, scary world, but you had this light, Nate. This sort of genius I hadn’t seen in a long time, and I knew I needed to be part of it.”
I find myself staring ahead in stupor, too stunned to speak.
I’m getting roasted like a coffee bean when I should be on my way to making it up to my fake fiancée. Never mind that his description of twenty-four-year-old me asyoung, skinny, and twig-likeis widely inaccurate.
“Now? Gosh, I have no clue what’s happening to you, man. You were on top of this industry, and as it stands, you’re crashing faster than theTitanic. And as much as I’d like to believe you’ll survive, that door ain’t going to save you. Leo shoved you underwater and took his rightful place there along with Rose. There’s no way out. You’re drowning, mate.”
There’s a long pause on the other end of the line as I process his every word.
It’s a nice analogy…I guess?But what is it with these Leonardo DiCaprio references? It’s downright insulting at this point.
“Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I’m confident these rough times will pass, but…” His voice trails off ominously. “If you don’t give an incredible talk at the Aviation Global Forum, I will take myself out as an investor. That’s all! Thanks for your time, man. Really appreciate it.”
The harsh click of the call ending echoes in my ears before I even have the chance to part my lips.
I don’t usually have anything to say to Kamal when we talk—or should I say when he talks—but for once, I wanted to put his connections to use.
I’m sure he’s been in contact with Everett Staines since the event. And given that he’s still affiliated with Archer Aviation despite the allegations, maybe he could have pulled some strings to get me back in his good graces—explain that I’m notthe manwhore he thinks I am. But clearly, getting into contact with him is not in the cards for me.
If you don’t give an incredible talk at the Aviation Global Forum, I will take myself out as an investor.
Kamal’s words loop in my ear like a cassette tape unwilling to turn off. Though they may have been delivered in a lighthearted manner, he isn’t the kind of man who takes things lightly. If he says he’ll do something, he follows through on it.
The Aviation Global Forum isthebiggest aerospace engineering conference of the year. From top aircraft manufacturers to airlines, industry professionals, and researchers, it was a place everyone gathered to network and tease what they've been working on.
Before the spark incident, I’d been chosen as a keynote speaker—something they still haven’t changed despite my crumbling reputation.
While I was confident in what we had to present before, an uneasy feeling bubbles at the thought of it now. The last time I believed we’d done something great, it went to shit, and I can’t help but think it’ll happen again.
The pressure is on—one wrong move, and I couldreallylose all that I’ve ever worked for. But that’s an issue for later because I have pastries waiting for me at a French bakery.
I bring up Vivienne’s and my chat, needing to find out where she is on this colder Thursday afternoon, only to find myself staring at the flickering line in the text message box.
How would I even start a conversation with her?
I have no idea what to say to this woman. We were brought together by force, not will, and as far as I know, we don’t have any shared interests or hobbies—only experiences.
An idea clicks in my head, and I cackle as I type it out.
Nate:Got attacked by a goose today on my way to work. It made me think of you.
Her response is almost instantaneous.
