“It seems like you have a lot of people who really believe in this vision.” If I’m not mistaken, I can hear a creeping smile on his stern voice.
“Indeed,” I say in my man voice, cupping the headphone’s microphone in my hands to muffle any other sound as Pacha pads over to me. My man voice is coming out less like a normal twenty-first-century human and more like Lord Byron. Thankfully, the monosyllabic nature of our conversation is actually working to my advantage. Pacha picks up my phone and holds it up to my face to unlock it as sweat begins to coat my brow.
“Great, well, I think I’ve got everything I need. Please send your financial projections and presentation pitch over to the link provided in my original email as soon as possible. As I’m sure you’re aware, there is a sense of urgency as the competition begins next week.” The sound of paper shuffling on Mr. Kavanagh’s end loudens.
“Of course, will do,” I bellow, closing my eyes at the sheer idiocy of this plan. Pacha clicks away at my phone and then finally gives me a thumbs-up. “Thank you for your time.” My real fake voice kicks in again. “We really appreciate your interest in Wyst. The FemTech space is a fast-growing, lucrative industry; this would be a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.”
“I’ll pass that on to Mr. Odericco,” he says, hinting that it’s not actually him making any decisions. The realization elates and deflates me at the same time. “Goodbye.”
“Have a good aft—” The line clicks off before I can finish.I crane my neck to look at Pacha, neon yellow arms crossed in defiance.
“My program works; your phone is just shit.” He gestures to my iPhone 8, its scratched screen and dirty phone case very past its prime.
“Be civil, children,” Cecily interjects, holding a steaming hibiscus tea between her fingers before placing it down in front of me. “If your insane plan works, that’s all that matters.”
“I guess we’ll find out soon,” I say, sitting back in my chair, a bead of sweat sliding down my lower back. “But he didn’t seemthatinterested.” My internal to-do list yawns awake; there are so many things to do ahead of the beta launch.
Within seconds, a new email appears. My hand trembles as I move the mouse to hover over it.
Dear Mr. Cole,
Thank you for your time; it was great to speak with you.
Mr. Odericco would like to extend an invitation to attend and present at the Odericco TechRumble Round One. Itinerary and invitation are attached. As mentioned, if you will be in attendance, please have your assistant send over materials for a presentation.
Mr. Odericco hopes you can make it.
Regards,
Mr. Kavanagh
I let go of the mouse as the green and yellow PDF invitation fills the screen. “Holy shit.”
Odericco Investments invites you to compete at this year’s Odericco TechRumble.
In partnership with Wyatt Regency Rome.
“We got in?” Cecily squeals, leaning down and wrapping her arms around me. I clutch at her forearm as her Baccarat Rouge envelopes me.
“We got in.” The swell of emotion immediately lances through me. Hope laced with anxiety curdles like oil and milk.
“Shit.” Cecily’s arms loosen as she reads the invitation. “Isodidn’t think we’d get away with it I forgot about what would happen if weactuallygot away with it. You’re going to Italy!”
I rest my face in my hands and say through my fingers. “Worse.Mr. Coleis going to Italy.”
And who the hell is Mr. Cole?
Chapter 5
Business Account (WYST) BALANCE: £12,058.89
Personal Account BALANCE: -£1,986.62
Recent transactions:
St. Martin’s Underground Theatre: £25.99
A stone archway cocoons the entrance of the performance space. The walls are aged and crumbling, cracks leaking cold wind from outside. I pull my coat in tighter and traverse down the steep, uneven staircase until a man in all black scans my ticket. He guides me through the aisles of other audience members as a wave of heat hits me. There is practically no ventilation down here, so the air is warming with every shaky exhale from the audience. The space looked amazing from the outside, a Gothic church in the middle of the city, but as signage pointed the audience down two sets of stone stairs, it was like wading into a vacuum cleaner bag.
