“Well, that answers my question,” I say hopefully. “You’ll do the next round?”
He smiles and pulls me in for a hug. “Of course.” He sighs, flicking an imaginary lock of hair over his shoulder. “Dominic would miss me if I didn’t.”
I smile. “We have to prep you thoroughly next time. We’d be launching the week after. There’ll be a lot more difficult questions once the beta is live.”
He waves a nonchalant hand. “It’ll be fine. Prep me all you want. I’ll show up and do my thing, and they’ll be eating out of my hands.”
“Ourhands,” I correct.
“Uh-huh.” He nods, fixing his hair in the mirror.
Getting through to the next round of TechRumble means more eyes on Wyst. Informing investors that have rejected usin the past that we got through to the second round. Maybe more sign-ups for the beta launch.
I call Cecily, and once the excited screams have subsided, I come to a wild thought. “Maybe we should go for it. Create a social campaign around this whole thing and push the idea of Wyst being a successful company into the ether.”
“It’s kind of insane, but it’s doable,” Cecily says over speakerphone.
“Kind of? It’s certifiable,” I confirm.
Pulling up our finances, I look at the money eroded by Round One. I’ve spent way too much already. I didn’t factor in the drinks from the assistants party. It’s crazy how having a good time can suck up your finances.
I glance up to my brother. “We’ll have to be a bit more... frugal... if we go to Paris.”
Spencer shrugs. “I can manage a king room instead of a whole suite.”
I purse my lips. “I mean, we might have to share next time.”
Spencer scoffs. “But you want me to act first-class? How am I meant to do that in economy?”
I cross my arms. “Fine, I’ll try to figure something out.”
Maybe I can sleep on the floor in the lobby. To Spencer’s point, it would be strange for a CEO and his assistant to be sharing a room. I wish things were easier than this, that I could focus on winning the competition rather than scraping by to be present for the next round. Instead of being occupied with thoughts of how to impress the judges, how to wow the crowds with new and exciting innovations, I’m thinking about how tosneak into breakfast, so we’re not charged an extra thirty euros a head every morning.
The details for Paris have yet to be released, but it feels like a competition in itself to be able to drop everything else to attend these events. Maybe it’s a test Dominic and Odericco Investments set deliberately to see who truly has what it takes, but I can’t help but think about how many amazing ideas and innovations have been ignored simply because they couldn’t get the initial funding.
My email dings with an automated reminder from NatWest about exceeding my overdraft. Spencer bounds to his suitcase, pulling clothes to his body and practicing his French accent.
Chapter 12
Business Account (WYST) BALANCE: £3,792.47
Personal Account BALANCE: -£1,050.60
Recent transactions:
Room service: £65.00
Staff salaries: £5,619.00
Personal income: + £1,000
Rome airport meal deal: £8.97
I’m still reeling from our win as we board the plane back from Rome to London City Airport. Much to Spencer’s preferences, the only flights we could find on the way back to London were British Airways. The plane is small but somehow finds enough room to have a business class section, to which Spencer attempts an upgrade for himself.
“I am the CEO of a TechRumble second-round company,” he says with a proud smile to the tired flight attendant.
“Oh my god, stop—” I pull him by his collar and drag him toward our economy seats. “You’re so embarrassing.”
